Events are proving that the king of Jordan was right to warn of a 'Shia crescent' across the Middle East - even though the phrase was a tad undiplomatic, writes Ian Black.

Randeep Ramesh sees city chiefs trying to bulldoze the poor out of the picture in the Indian capital's latest makeover.

With the shrapnel of war flying outward from Iraq, even the US's Arab allies are greeting news of Bush's troop 'surge' with gloomy silence, writes Ian Black.

Ahead of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa's football academies are turning their attention to the nation's up-and-coming players, says Andrew Meldrum.

Questionable physical and legal health is unlikely to stifle the political ambitions of Italy's former leader, writes John Hooper.

Dan Glaister on how the area once sung about by Moon Unit Zappa is trumpeting its virtues.

David Beresford finds a moving architectural tribute to the fight against apartheid in South Africa's constitutional court.

Two game rangers in South Africa have become the first gay couple in the continent to get married, writes Andrew Meldrum.

Tom Parfitt on the gunning down of a security services officer on a busy Moscow street.

David Beresford meets the white barrister who has been at the forefront of changes to the South African legal system.