Last months five-day war in Georgia, a tiny neighbor of Russia and Turkey, rekindled memories of the beautiful American ballad, "Georgia on My Mind," which was written in 1930 and became a famous hit only in 1960 when the popular blind American singer, Ray Charles, introduced it nationwide.

At a gathering last May 26 Jimmy Carter said Israel possesses 150 Nuclear weapons. Carters revelation is the first credible public acknowledgment by a former U.S, president that Israel possesses a nuclear arsenal. Israel has never admitted having nuclear weapons, nor has any U.S. official ever deviated from that Israeli line. But while the possession of nuclear weapons by Israel is a threat to its enemies, it is also a threat to its friends and allies.

Pakistan: Choose Your Heroes Carefully

To those who know Paul Scotts literary autopsy of the British in India, known as the Raj Quartet and called often by the first books title The Jewel in the Crown - well, it only makes the news from Iraq more difficult to bear.

Iraqi prime minister designate Nuri Al Maliki will submit his cabinet lineup for parliamentary approval on Saturday after months of political wrangling, a senior parliamentary official said on Wednesday.

At least 19 people were killed in violence across Iraq on Thursday as last-minute political dealings continued on key security portfolios ahead of this weekends expected unveiling of a new cabinet.

Iraqs dominant Shias on Tuesday presented a list outlining the make-up of a proposed government, bringing the formation of the long-awaited coalition a step further on another day of deadly insurgent attacks.

Iraqs parliament was expected to convene on Wednesday with the countrys fractious sects nearing agreement on the shape of a long-overdue coalition cabinet against a backdrop of continued violence.

A regularly updated summary of business briefs from around the region Aussies win $52mn wheat deal in Iraq