A man, believed to be a monk, has set himself alight in South-Western China, protesting against the Chinese government, becoming the 20th such person to do so in the past year alone.
Members of the European Union and several Gulf countries have recalled their ambassadors to Syria.
Germany, France, Spain and Belgium announced the move today along with the Gulf Cooperation Council, whose members are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
A man accused of committing war crimes, while one of the leaders of a faction during the Liberian civil war, has been ordered to leave the US.
George Boley Sr. was the head of the Liberian Peace Council, which is accused of massacring dozens of villagers between 1994 and 1995 and of recruiting child soldiers.
US officials once again reiterated their call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, as the city of Homs came under a fifth consecutive day of shelling by government forces.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice directed comments at President Assad, saying,
"Your days are numbered. It is time and past time for you to transfer power responsibly and peacefully."
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been summoned for questioning by members of Parliament, marking the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that that a President has been summoned.
Ahmadinjead’s opponents and MPs have been threatening to take similar steps for some time as Iran faces a sharp economic downturn and rise in inflation and international tension over its nuclear program.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have hailed India’s vote for a UN Security Council resolution calling for Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to step down.
“By supporting this resolution, South Africa, India and Pakistan rose to the occasion and sided with the Syrian people”
After the US delayed its sale of $53 million worth of arms to Bahrain, it was announced last week that a new package of weapons may be sold, without public notification.
The Burmese election commission has given Aung San Suu Kyi official approval allowing her to stand for parliamentary by-elections later this year.
After announcing her intention to run for elections last month, her candidacy has now been accepted, in a move that will be seen as Burma taking another step towards political openness after nearly 50 years of military rule.
The United Nations Security Council is to vote on a resolution regarding Syria on Saturday, with all eyes on Russia, Syria’s strongest ally on the council.
Russia initially rejected parts of the latest draft, but it remains unclear which way they will vote on Saturday, as hope remains that the resolution could still be passed.
A UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria’s government for the violence it is committing against anti-regime protestors has been vetoed by Russia and China.
