The Israeli government has justified its deadly raid of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, saying five passengers of the ship Mavi Marmara were “active terror operatives.”

Former Finance Minister Naoto Kan has assumed as the Japan’s new prime minister after he was elected by Parliament over Liberal Democratic Party leader Sadakazu Tanigaka on a 313-116 vote.

The beleaguered Prime Minister of Thailand survived a vote of no confidence brought by the opposition in parliament.

Insurgents attacked the opening of a peace conference intended to end almost a decade of war in Afghanistan, with explosions and gunfire heard just outside the “jirga’s” venue.

Facing pressure from within his own Democratic Party of Japan, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama has announced his resignation on Wednesday, marking the fourth time in four years that a Japanese leader is stepping down.

Al-Qaida said in its Web site on Monday that Mustafa al-Yazid, once Osama bin Laden’s top money man, was killed but did not reveal the exact date and place of his death.

Impartial and transparent investigations are needed on the Israeli commando assault on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla that killed at least nine civilians, according to the U.N. Security Council.

Due to heavy rains, tropical storm Agatha caused a giant sinkhole in Guatemala City.

Tropical Storm Agatha killed 150 people and left thousands homeless in Central America, reports said.

Alcohol was apparently behind the British Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson’s now-famous sting video, where she appears to be asking for a fee in exchange for access to her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.