POLAND: President Bronislaw Komorowski signed a new national defence strategy into law today, justifying it on the basis of instability and threats to security in neighbouring Ukraine.

The new strategy involves defence, political and economic structures at national and local levels.

Poland's nearly empty military bases in the east will be radically beefed up with troops and equipment while reserve forces will undergo training.

MONGOLIA: MPs narrowly voted today to dismiss Prime Minister Altankhuyag Norov, who has been under fire for alleged corruption within his administration.

The 36-30 parliamentary vote leaves the ruling Democratic Party with the task of forming a new government within a fortnight.

A number of figures close to Mr Altankhuyag have been arrested and investigated by the anti-corruption agency for various shady deals.

GEORGIA: Foreign Minister Maya Panjikidze and three of her deputies resigned today, blaming the sacking of defence minister Irakli Alasania a day earlier for their action.

Mr Alasania was dismissed by Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili amid an investigation into corruption in the defence industry.

Ms Panjikidze, who is Mr Alasania's sister-in-law, said that she had resigned because his dismissal was a political attack on pro-Western officials.

SYRIA: At least 13 children were killed today when three mortars crashed into their school in the rebel-held town of Qaboun, east of Damascus.

The death toll is likely to rise because of the seriousness of many of the children's wounds.

There has been a truce between rebels and government forces in Qaboun for about five months and the town had experienced no serious violence since its start.

PAKISTAN: Police announced today that they have arrested at least 43 suspects in connection with the murder of a Christian couple accused of desecrating the Koran.

The couple were beaten to death on Tuesday by hundreds of people who then burned their bodies in the brick kiln where they worked in Punjab province.

The suspects are due to appear in court in Lahore.

BULGARIA: President Rosen Plevneliev formally authorised Conservative Boyko Borisov today to attempt to form a government.

Mr Borisov's party won only 84 of the 240 parliamentary seats and he faces a hard task of forming a coalition with sufficient support in the fragmented legislature.

TUNISIA: Three service personnel members were killed and 12 other people wounded today when gunmen attacked a bus carrying soldiers and their families.

Defence Ministry spokesman Rachid Bouhoula said that the attack took place near El-Kef, along the rugged border region with Algeria.

INDIA: Businesses were closed in Jammu and Kashmir states today after the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference urged a strike over the killing of two teenagers at an army roadblock.

Government forces fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Srinagar who hurled stones at police and paramilitary soldiers.

The separatist alliance has demanded an independent investigation into the killings.