Rare polar bear shot by police

Reykjavik Police have defended their decision to kill the first polar bear seen in Iceland for 20 years. Stefán Vagn Stefánsson, the chief policeman in the northern town of Saudarkrokur, said that the polar bear was threatening the public and that no drugs were available to sedate it. A veterinary surgeon, Egill Steingrímsson, said that he could have sent drugs and a gun to police within an hour. (AP)

Suicides rise in Japan

Tokyo The number of suicides in Japan increased last year. The Health Ministry said that 30,777 people committed suicide in 2007, an increase of 856. The Government has pledged to cut the number of suicides by 20 per cent by 2016 by raising awareness of depression and mental health issues. The same report showed that births fell by 2,929 to 1,089,745, adding to concerns about the country's ageing population. (Reuters)

Bush criticises Arab allies

Washington The Bush Administration has criticised some of its closest Arab allies for not doing enough to combat human trafficking, including key Middle East peace partners Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. (AP)

Newlyweds vow to go green

Jakarta Newlyweds in a mountainous region of Indonesia have been told to plant trees to halt the decline of forests. The local government in Gorontalo province said that couples must plant ten seedlings to receive their legal papers. (AP)

Truck bomb kills up to 16 people

Baghdad Up to 16 people were killed and many more wounded when a truck bomb destroyed the house of a police chief in Baghdad. Three US soldiers were shot dead in Hawija, 130 miles (190km) north of the capital.

Police detain thousands

Dhaka Bangladeshi police have detained more than 10,000 people to “improve law and order” before elections this year. However, political parties claim that many of those detained are party activists and the drive is politically motivated. (AP)

Tourist settles fine 12 years late

Berlin An American tourist who was given a parking ticket in Cologne in 1996 has sent $100 (£50) to German police. The woman, identified as Julie H., said in a letter that she had been annoyed but now wanted to pay the fine. (AP)

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