BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Gunmen kidnapped eight Iraqis from their homes on Saturday in a raid in the country’s volatile Diyala province, where al Qaeda militants continue to roam despite a crackdown by Iraqi security forces, police said.

KIRKUK (Reuters) – A suicide bomber killed at least five people and wounded eight more on Saturday in Iraq’s northern city of Kirkuk, police said.The bomber detonated a suicide vest in a car market in southern Kirkuk, said Major-General Torhan Abdul-Rahman, a senior police official in the city.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – A strong earthquake hit the Lake Baikal area of eastern Siberia on Wednesday, triggering panic, but there were no immediate signs of casualties or major damage, officials said.

TBILISI (Reuters) – Georgians on the streets of Tbilisi reacted defiantly but without surprise on Tuesday to Russia’s recognition of two rebel provinces, some refusing to accept they may have lost Abkhazia and South Ossetia for good.

Russia is not frightened of another Cold War. That is the word from its President Dmitry Medvedev, who is standing firm on his decision to recognise the independence of Georgia’s breakaway regions.

European foreign ministers have been outraged by Russia’s actions in Georgia, and France’s Bernard Kouchner went on French television last night to make a spectacular allegation.

Before the UN has had time to act on the crisis in Georgia, the Russian president’s recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia’s independence has undermined its efforts.

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has given his country’s reaction to Russia’s decision to recognise the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Italian WTD Company and Pars Petrochemical Company signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a desalination system unit in Pars Special Economic Energy Zone.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The reformist National Trust Party has officially nominated party leader Mehdi Karroubi as its candidate for Iran’s next presidential race.