AFP: Dakar Rally cancelled over security fears 04 January

With Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants spreading their violent reach further into Pakistan ahead of elections, candidates and voters in this northwestern city are living in fear. Dusty and polluted Peshawar is on the outer limits of the country's troubled tribal belt bordering Afghanistan. Campaigning has been low-key there after a series of deadly suicide bombings in the region, and it's uncertain how many people will dare to brave the polls on Monday.

The 4.9 billion euro (7.15 billion dollar) loss at French bank Societe Generale blamed on a rogue trader has set off a flurry of worries about security management within the world's banking system, with many wondering whether other trading giants could be as vulnerable to spectacular fraud. Analysis incorporating news developments.

At least two opposition campaigners were arrested during a rare display of public dissent in Moscow on Tuesday, a day ahead of President Dmitry Medvedev's inauguration.

Hungary, the first European Union country to ratify the bloc's landmark Lisbon Treaty, will on Thursday become part of the free market Schengen zone, taking over the task of manning part of the European Union's borders. To fulfill its new obligations the country is installing high-tech equipment and beefing up security forces who will patrol the borders with Ukraine, Romania and Serbia. Voiced report.

Karachi stocks had tapped record highs in October. Some investors believe the effect of Benazir Bhutto's killing will only have a short term impact, others fear the recent rally is finished. Pakistani electoral officials will decided on Tuesday (Jan 1, 2008) whether to go ahead with a January poll, in view of the widespread instability in their country.

In the latest attack on the NATO-led force in Afghanistan this weekend, one soldier was killed and another wounded when their convoy hit a roadside bomb. This brings to 24 the number of Western troops killed in Afghanistan since January -- most of them slain in Taliban-led violence. It has been a deadly start to the year for the war-torn country, and some observers fear security is rapidly deteriorating. Foreign countries are now increasingly reluctant to commit their forces to the frontlines.

Politician Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Freedom Party in the Netherlands, launched his short video on the Internet last week. Protesters from the Islamic Defenders' Front, threw eggs and plastic water bottles at the Dutch embassy compound in the Indonesian capital.

The marquee matchup between U.S. and Spain in men's basketball turns into a romp, with Team USA clinching their fourth victory in a 119-82 game. They secure the top seed in their group. (Aug. 16)

China celebrated the Olympic flame's arrival on Monday but a thick blanket of security highlighted concerns that protests over Tibet, human rights and other issues may tarnish the historic torch relay. The flame arrived from Greece on Monday morning ahead of what will be an epic journey through 19 countries, before it returns to China for a three-month tour. Images from AFPTV.