Lord Patten tells the BBC more should be done to tackle the democratic deficit in China and Asia.

A South African cartoonist at the centre of a row over his drawing of ANC leader Jacob Zuma admits it is "derogatory".

Key facts, figures and dates

The BBC's Paul Reynolds looks at the admission by neoconservative thinker Robert Kagan that history did not end and that it has resumed in a nasty fashion

Nepal's monarchy is due to be abolished - but it will still have some supporters in the country's elections this week.

As part of the Putin Project, the BBC's special programming ahead of the Russian elections, Russian affairs correspondent Lucy Ash looks at how the country's leaders are inspired by their history.

On a recent visit to Turkmenistan, the BBC's Natalia Antelava found a prosperous country seemingly content with its autocratic government.

Branches of the Pakistani press appear defiant, ignoring restrictions imposed as part of the state of emergency.

Venezuelan students clash with police during a protest against plans to lift curbs on the president's term in office.

Liberia is resource-rich, but still dirt-poor, says the BBC's Mark Doyle.

The Green Party must not pick a leader if it is to maintain its "distinctiveness", its annual conference hears.

Newspapers and online media in Zimbabwe and South Africa are scathing about the latest violence in Zimbabwe.

The BBC's John Simpson speaks to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad about the future direction of the country.

Today's European papers are focused on the killing of the Russian journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, in Moscow

Washington weighs its plans for a possible new era in Cuba, following Fidel Castro's ill-health.

Dumeetha Luthra in the Maldives reports on the process of reform there.

The recent movement in Nepal which led to the king giving up power was not about democracy, writes Krishna Murari Gautam.

As the political turmoil continues, newspapers in Nepal are concerned about what will happen next

Jailed Nepali journalist Kanak Mani Dixit says the rural poor are worst off in the detention centre where he is being held.

King Gyanendra's proposed talks to Nepal's parties produces sharply differing reactions.