>>China - China has sentenced 17 protesters who participated in the March 10 riots in Tibet and surrounding provinces. Sentences ranged from three years to life. Soi'nam Norbu, a 20-year-old driver accused of burning vehicles, throwing stones at government property, and assaulting firemen, and Basang, a monk accused of leading 10 people in destroying a local government office, looting 11 shops, and attacking police, were both given life sentences. All of the monks who followed Basang got over 15 years.

>>Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's rival opposition factions, which had split in 2005, have reunited and could now claim a majority in parliament. The combined opposition will now hold 109 seats in parliament to ZANU-PF's 97. Meanwhile, the nation still waits, a month in, for the results of the presidential vote. Verification is set to begin today, with final results expected in a week.

>>Cuba - With the exception of three people charged with terrorism, Raul Castro has commuted all death sentences to prison terms of 30 years. Castro was quick to note that the death penalty still exists in Cuban penal code. In Cuba, the death penalty is carried out by firing squad. Last March, Cuba signed two central UN human rights agreements, which Fidel Castro had long opposed.

>>European Union - The European Union today ironed out a pact with Serbia, but failed to reach an agreement to restart stalled partnership negotiations with Russia. Lithuania still hasn't seen assurances on Russian energy, judicial cooperation, and a softer foreign policy with regard to former Soviet states. The pact with Serbia holds a caveat; EU states will not ratify the pact, nor will Serbia receive any benefits, until all EU states are convinced that Serbia is doing its due diligence with regard to war crimes suspects.

• Kai Eide Being Courted in Washington DC
• Reasons for UNAMID's Failure
• UN Plaza: Can We Blame Global Food Prices on Speculators?

Africa

• Somalia - Somalia piracy resolution introduced at U.N.
• Mozambique - Mozambique police 'kill at will'
• Congo - UN defends DR Congo probe
• Zimbabwe - Opposition reunites in Zimbabwe
• Kenya - Mungiki sect leader is shot dead
• Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe Opposition Reunites
• Kenya - Raises for Striking Jail Guards
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3835622.ece#ci... ">Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe health minister accused as terror campaign reaches hospital wards
• Zimbabwe - Tense Zimbabwe awaits presidential vote result
• Zimbabwe - Power-sharing call for Zimbabwe
• Congo - ICC seeks Congo's 'Terminator'

Americas

• Venezuela - Missteps as Venezuela's Hugo Chavez backs farming
• Cuba - Cuba's Raul Castro commutes most death sentences
• Haiti - Top Haitian lawmakers voice support for new leader

Asia

• China - China restarts trains on disaster line
• Hong Kong - Torch Nears, Posing Test of Autonomy in Hong Kong
• Malaysia - New Parliament Sworn In
• Vietnam - U.S. Allegations Prompt Vietnam to Halt Adoption Program
• China - For Chinese Athletes, Western-Style Perks
• Vietnam - Olympic torch arrives in Vietnam
• China - China jails 17 over Tibet riots
• Timor - 12 East Timor Rebels Suspected in Attacks Surrender

Europe

• Spain - Spain rejects Peron extradition
• Italy - Rome votes for right-wing mayor
• http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/bronwen_maddox/artic... ">Poland - Poland's delicate balance of risk and reward; or how to have your cake and eat it
• Serbia - EU states seek to end divisions on Russia and Serbia
• Serbia - EU says to sign Serbia pact on Tuesday

Middle East

• Israel - Palestinian mother and 4 children killed in Gaza carnage
• Iraq - Tariq Aziz due on trial in Iraq
• Iraq - US troops killed in Iraq clashes
• Iran - Gas pipeline tops Iran-India agenda
• Israel - Israeli PM voices regret over death of Gaza family