An overflowing of Muslim pilgrims from Russia for the hajj
Their numbers have swelled in the past several years, thanks largely to Russia's growing wealth and increasing stability in the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region.
- Muslim pilgrims prepare for hajj amid heightened security
- Russian democracy is work in progress
- Communist leader to run for president in Russia

Only suspense in Korean election is margin of victory for front-runner
Lee Myung Bak, the candidate of the conservative Grand National Party, was expected to sweep to victory with at least 50 percent of the vote in what is essentially an election on one issue: the economy.

Serbs use words of Western leaders to support Kosovo stand
For the past two weeks billboards carrying the images of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle have appeared throughout the country above the mantra "Kosovo Is Serbia!"

Turkish fighters bomb Kurdish rebel targets inside Iraq
In an escalation of Turkey's effort to weaken the Kurdish guerilla group PKK, p***s struck targets in the regions of Zap, Avashin, and Hakurk. An Iraqi official said one woman had been killed.
- British forces hand control of Basra to the Iraqi government

White House and NATO set review of Afghan mission
Worried about the prospect of failure, the Bush administration and NATO have begun three top-to-bottom reviews.

A strained Pakistan exits emergency rule
President Pervez Musharraf restored the Constitution after passing a flurry of constitutional amendments and decrees.
- Opposition to challenge Musharraf's amendments to constitution

Google gets ready to rumble with Microsoft
The growing confrontation promises to be an epic business battle.
- Google tests content service that may one day rival Wikipedia

African National Congress prepares for leadership vote in South Africa
President Thabo Mbeki said that corruption, abuse of power and bitter internal divisions were threatening to destroy the African National Congress, the governing party in South Africa.

Travel guidebooks expand online presence
Outpaced by Web sites with user-generated content and recommendations, travel publications like Lonely P***t and Rough Guides are extending their brands to catch up.

Ringtone market comes to the end of its crescendo
Ringtone companies like Jamba and Musiwave are refocusing their businesses.

Don't take the A train if you brood easily
Gloomy thoughts about wealth while waiting for a New York subway train.

Frustration with UN and aid agencies grows in Congo
As violence increases and hordes are displaced, many want more help than can be offered.

The tale of a teapot and its creator
Lovely though it is, one teapot's record-breaking price has more to do with the rarity and fetishism that seduce collectors and inflate auction values, than with its merits as an object.