The worst violence in Iraq has been sectarian between Sunni and Shia. It has diminished since the
unremitting
savagery of its peak, but Shia pilgrims are still regularly targeted by Sunni extremists. Every year, there's renewed anxiety during Ashura when millions of Shia
throng
to the city of Karbala. This year is only the second that Iraqi forces have been
in sole charge of
their security. At the end of the month, the American troops still left in Iraq will leave. The Iraqi authorities say they are now capable of protecting their people. But with almost 200 people killed last month, many are unconvinced.
Several thousand protesters have demonstrated in the centre of Moscow after international observers in Russia's parliamentary elections said the vote was slanted in favour of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party, United Russia. Steve Rosenberg, in Moscow, has more.
At least 2,000 protesters gathered in the centre of Moscow. They demanded honest elections and chanted "Down with Putin". There were scuffles with police and a number of arrests. Earlier, European election observers in Moscow concluded there had been
flagrant
violations and manipulation during the vote, including the stuffing of ballot boxes. But the Russian authorities reject the criticism. President Medvedev has said the parliamentary election was fair, honest and democratic.
World News from the BBC
A conference on Afghanistan's future hosted by Germany has concluded with promises of tough anti-corruption moves by the Afghans and pledges of sustained aid by the rest of the world. The Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul outlined their commitment.