Rwanda responds angrily to allegations of genocide; Iran tests new generation of ballistic missile guidance system, but maintains it remains committed to terms of nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Ukrainian Security Service accused of adopting Soviet-style tactics against political opposition. CIA worries about wider effects of US citizens' involvement in terrorist activity. India and China contemplate suspending defence exchanges. All this and more in today's security briefing.

Professor Pierre de Vos, South African constitutional law expert, in conversation with Tony Curzon Price on the Information Bill; the ANC is a complex coalition that will ultimately act in a trustworthy way with freedom of the press

In attempting to suffocate a separate Kashmiri identity, India reveals the cracks in its own idea of nationhood, argues Nitasha Kaul.

Despite commitments by the World Bank to significantly reduce conditions attached to its loans, research from Eurodad reveals that a massive 57 conditions were attached to three loans given to Ghana in 2009. 12 out of the 57 conditions were stipulated in a side document, and not made explicit in loan agreements themselves, contravening responsible financing principles.

These economic policy conditions restrict the right of Ghana - a country with good democratic credentials - to decide for itself how to recover from the global crisis and boost sustainable investment. The reforms that the World Bank imposes may hinder not help Ghana's development and democratic institutions.

The UK Labour party, on the brink of electing a new leader, needs a complete reassessment of its values and purpose. But it is just this that is difficult for those closely associated with the old regime.

The proposed Information BiIl and Media Tribunals are a serious assault on press freedom in South Africa. They ultimately come out of the internal wranglings of a party that needs not fear the loss of office

Netanyahu distances himself from Yosef remarks before Israeli-Palestinian talks are set to begin in Washington. Chinese and North Korean media confirm Kim Jong-il visit. Campaign continues against female parliamentary candidates as five are killed in western Afghanistan. Chechen president heads operation that kills nineteen in his home village. All this and more in today's security briefing.

The one-time head of Downing Street security strategy and an academic expert set out their views on how the authorities should respond to terrorism. One appeals to the 'genius' of the UK's system the other sets out some basic rules.

The Afghan mission continues to flounder without direction, over a month after the "future of Afghanistan" was discussed at the Kabul Conference.

Mykola Riabchuk is one of Ukraine’s leading intellectuals. In an interview with Ingo Petz he outlines his views on the failure of the Orange Revolution and the early stages of the Yanukovych presidency

Mark Thompson responds to critics at the James MacTaggart memorial lecture.

A fire rages through a block. Rebuilding is never done. It gets wearying. First published Feb 4th 2006

The inability of large numbers of young people in the UK to get on a University course provides some early evidence of how the Coalition government might seek to cater for young people during a time of austerity.

Media reports of disturbances in Kyrgyzstan’s two main cities Bishkek and Osh focused on human rights and ethnicity. However, Balihar Sanghera suggests that the root cause lies in economic inequality.

The prospects for progress in the direct Israeli-Palestinian talks in Washington are meagre. But breakthrough is essential if Israel is to be saved from itself.

The UN mission in the DRC is failing to protect civilians, as it emerges that 200 women were raped in a systematic attack in North Kivu earlier month. A US official alleges that Taliban forces have threatened foreign aid workers in Pakistan. A wave of attacks across Iraq raise questions about Iraqi stability. Human rights groups allege that state anti-terrorism drive violates human rights in Yemen. All this and more in today’s briefing...

The nuclear dispute will not be resolved by negotiation, but that doesn't make an attack on Iran any less absurd.

Inflated commissions from arms sales to Saudi Arabia probably made their way into personal and party coffers. If the allegations are proved, the USA has some power – including pursuing parties through its courts – to punish

"Do not place cadavers or feces on the sidewalk for curbside collection." Or try and set up a soup kitchen serving hippie food. Petty abuses of power will not be stopped by a city-destroying, life-crushing calamity. First published November 1st 2005

Mugabe seems little constrained by the 2008 Global Political Agreement which established the coalition with the Movement for Democratic Change