Welcome to fantasy land
There's a growing trend in light entertainment towards fantasy fiction, on television, in the printed word and even across the internet.
Trouble in Tel Aviv
How the US-Israel relationship has recently turned sour
Murdoch laughs at mere monarchs
The rise and rise of a worldwide 'murdochracy'
Rich countries told to start dishing out
Rich states need to deliver an additional $35 billion (£23bn) in aid annually starting this year to reach UN anti-poverty goals by 2015, UN chief Ban Ki Moon has warned.
Laos mega-dam starts generating electricity
A mega-dam in Laos has begun to generate electricity, its operators have announced.
Ukraine blocks military alliances
Ukraine's new governing coalition has announced that it will pass a law against joining military alliances such as Nato.
Nato's Baltic military exercises rouse suspicion
Nato war planes have participated in exercises over the former Soviet Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Planes 'will run on plants within 10 years'
Airline industry representatives have predicted that passenger planes will be flying on jet fuel largely made from plants within a decade.
Palestine names street after murdered activist
Ramallah residents have named a street after an activist who was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003 while protesting against Tel Aviv's demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza.
Thousands rally against dramatic rise in Kazakh living costs
Thousands of demonstrators have rallied in Bishkek against sharp increases in the cost of heating and electricity and alleged repression of government opponents.
86 opposition supporters found guilty following Iranian riots
Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Tuesday that 86 people who were rounded up following last year's violent post-election protests have been found guilty on charges of acts against the Islamic republic.
World in brief
World news from South Africa, Haiti, Uganda, Afghanistan, Thailand, India, Malaysia and Fiji.