AP - Roadside bombs targeting police patrols exploded in Baghdad and nearby Iskandariyah on Thursday, killing at least five people and wounding a dozen others, police said.

AFP - The head of the UN's probe into illegal kickbacks paid to Iraq under the oil-for-food programme found the Australian government initially uncooperative and reticent to provide information, an inquiry has heard.

AFP - Thailand's snap elections will go ahead on April 2 unless the prime minister asks the king to delay them, the head of the Election Commission said.

AP - The job of turning around Iowa State's basketball program was given to self-described Iowa farm boy Greg McDermott.

AP - An international audit concluded there are tens of thousands of dead voters listed on Venezuela's voter rolls, but the country's top electoral official said Tuesday that those errors are being fixed and do not amount to significant flaws.

AP - The head of a newly formed medical research institute announced Tuesday that the group will launch a long-running study of heart disease and other illnesses, tracking patients' lifestyles and over factors over decades.

Reuters - The Federal Communications Commission should encourage competition for TV viewers by ensuring that telephone companies entering the business can buy access to programming, the head of the agency said on Tuesday.

Reuters - The head of a congressionally chartered panel questioned on Friday a Bush administration decision to sell China a high-tech system used to spot railroad-track glitches because of its potential to help China's military.

Reuters - A moderate earthquake on Sunday shook parts of northern Pakistan devastated by a catastrophic tremor last October, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Canadian Press - ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - Up to 200,000 Algerians have died in a 15-year Islamic insurgency, the head of the government human rights body said Saturday - the highest official toll ever given.

AP - Up to 200,000 Algerians have died in a 15-year Islamic insurgency, the head of the government human rights body said Saturday — the highest official toll ever given.

Reuters - The head of a congressionally chartered panel questioned on Friday a Bush administration decision to sell China a high-tech system used to spot railroad-track glitches because of its potential to help China's military.

AFP - At loggerheads with the United States over its nuclear programme, Tehran said it was ready to negotiate with the "Great Satan" to help stabilise neighboring Iraq.

The head of the UN inquiry into the killing of Rafik Hariri says improved co-operation from Syria is vital.

Reuters - The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) criticized Major League Baseball on Thursday, saying he had serious concerns about the drug-testing being implemented during the World Baseball Classic.

AP - The Belarus security chief accused the opposition Thursday of plotting a violent coup against President Alexander Lukashenko with foreign help and warned that protesters demonstrating during Sunday's presidential election will be charged with terrorism.

Reuters - A revitalized Taliban is the main threat to Afghanistan, the head of the United Nations mission there said on Tuesday, as a wave of violence sweeps the country struggling to become a viable democracy.

Saddam Hussein has taken the stand for the first time at his trial in Baghdad, calling himself president of Iraq and "commander of militant forces." Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman interrupted Hussein at one point saying he was not allowed to give political speeches in the court. "I am the head of state," Saddam replied. "You used to be a head of state. You are a defendant now," Abdel-Rahman said. The judge then closed the proceeding to the media after Hussein called for Iraqis to join together and fight the occupying forces.

Reuters - Movie theater owners faced with falling attendance are considering asking federal authorities for permission to jam cell phone reception in an attempt to stop annoying conversations during films, the head of the industry's trade group said on Tuesday.

AP - The head of Sony's video game unit was set to outline strategy Wednesday on the PlayStation console amid Japanese media reports of delays in plans to offer the next-generation machine PlayStation 3 for sale this spring.