World in brief

Political corruption cartoonist freed

India: A cartoonist who has produced a string of images satirising political corruption was released from bail today after two nights in jail.

Aseem Trivedi was set free by Mumbai judges who said there was no justification for keeping him locked up, although charges will remain.

The government says it will review the case.

Obama defers deportations

Us: Officials have begun enforcing a plan by the Obama administration to defer deportation orders targeting hundreds of young illegal immigrants, it was reported today.

The plan falls short of his pledge to bring in an Act to give mainly Hispanic youngsters legal status but 72,000 have nevertheless paid the $465 (£290) fee that could help them get legal employment.

Locals demand land return from mine

Myanmar: Hundreds of protesters have reportedly marched in the north-west of the country for compensation and the return of land confiscated for a copper mine.

The facility was established as a joint venture between the military and a Canadian firm Ivanhoe, whose stake was later bought by Chinese business Wan Bao Mining.

Nokia starts talks on cutting 400 jobs

Finland: Nokia Siemens Networks has begun talks on plans to axe 400 workers as part of a worldwide "streamlining" exercise that will leave 17,000 on the dole - a quarter of its workforce.

The joint wireless networking venture operates in 150 countries and employs 6,200 people in Finland.

Pussy Riot set to be released on appeal

Russia: Jailed punk band Pussy Riot look likely to get out of prison on appeal after Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called for their release.

The PM said further prison time for playing an anti-Vladimir Putin song in Moscow's central cathedral would be "unproductive."

Three band members will appeal against their two-year sentence on October 1.

US poverty stays at record levels

United States: Poverty remains at record levels in the richest country in the world, official figures showed today.

One in six US citizens was living in poverty in 2011 - 46.2 million people in all.

Poverty among African-Americans stood at 27.6 per cent, and at 25.3 per cent among Hispanic people.

Somali president survives bombing

Somalia: The new president of the tiny enclave around Mogadishu propped up by foreign troops was left unharmed today by a deadly bomb attack on the hotel where he was holding a press conference.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was hosting Kenyan Foreign Minister Sam Ongeri when the building was struck by two explosions.

Putin opponents get OK to march

Russia: Opponents of Vladimir Putin's rule were given police permission today to stage a weekend march and rally in Moscow.

It will be one of a string of smaller demonstrations set to take place across the country on the same day.

The strong Communist Party has said it will take part in the protests.

Army to crack down on tribal violence

Kenya: The government has given the green light for an army crackdown in the south-east of the country where local violence has broken out between local farmers and semi-nomadic tribespeople.

The UN and Red Cross say that tensions over resources and the redrawing of political boundaries in the run-up to general elections are fuelling fighting, which has seen over 100 die in three weeks.