In response to requests by Western journalists the Pentagon officials said that they were unconcerned by Russia’s plans to parade military equipment on the Red Square on May 9 for the Victory Day parade in order to make a show of strength reminiscent of the Soviet times.

A least two people were killed and seven wounded in eastern Afghanistan when police clashed with demonstrators.

GAZA (Reuters) – A fuel shortage forced the Gaza Strip’s main power station to shut down on Saturday, leaving much of the Hamas-controlled territory without electricity, a senior official at the generating plant said.

GAZA (Reuters) – A fuel shortage forced the Gaza Strip’s main power station to shut down on Saturday, leaving much of the Hamas-controlled territory without electricity, a senior official at the generating plant said.

GAZA (Reuters) – The main border crossing between the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Egypt was temporarily opened on Saturday under a deal between the Islamist group and Cairo, Palestinian officials said.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi Shi’ite factions on Saturday reached a deal to end fighting between militia and security forces in the Baghdad bastion of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr that has killed hundreds of people, officials said.

BEIRUT (Reuters) – At least 10 gunmen were killed on Saturday when pro-government activists stormed an office of a pro-Syrian opposition party in north Lebanon, a security source said.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) – The Palestinians’ top peace negotiator said on Saturday he feared a criminal investigation of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could damage the chance of a deal this year on Palestinian statehood.

BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Lebanese army overturned on Saturday two government measures against Hezbollah that had triggered the group to take control of Beirut and the military urged gunmen to withdraw from the streets.