Asia

North Korea has staged a "successful" underground nuclear test, the state-run KCNA agency reports. »

The international community has expressed indignation and concern over North Korea's latest nuclear test. Even its traditional allies China and Russia condemned Monday's test in unusually strong terms. »

With the death of Tamil Tiger leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran (54) and the military defeat of the LTTE, a bitter end of a violent path has come to the nearly 3 million Sri Lanka´s tamils. »

In the midst of a heavy offensive from the army against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), hundreds of civilians die in the last days and many thousands are still trapped. »

The United Nations is estimating at least 360,000 people have fled heavy fighting in northwest Pakistan, causing the largest displacement crisis in Pakistan’s history. »

In Sri Lanka, at least 430 civilians, including 100 children, have died after the Sri Lanka military shelled a civilian area under the control of the Tamil Tigers. But the actual death toll may be far higher. »

The healing of the nation stands as a priority and this means integrating the Maoist Army with the National Army. »

Democracy Now! - The New York Times reports senior US officials are increasingly concerned about new vulnerabilities for Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, including the potential for militants to snatch a weapon in transport. »

One improved in April 2009, according to the new issue of the International Crisis Group’s monthly bulletin CrisisWatch. »

It will boycott nuclear disarmament talks »