A former Philippine military chief who had recently been accused of high-level corruption has died in an apparent suicide. Retired general Angelo Reyes is thought to have killed himself with a single gunshot to the chest. In recent weeks, a Congressional inquiry has been hearing allegations of how Gen Reyes embezzled more than $1m (£620,000) from state funds.

Khartoum, Sudan (CNN) -- Final results of last month's referendum show an overwhelming majority of southern Sudanese voted to split from the north, a result that will lead to the creation of the world's newest nation, the referendum commission said Monday.

(CNN) -- Romania has become a major transit for the sale of people into the European Union. Victims as young as 12 years old are trafficked into Romania from destinations as far-reaching as Honduras, Afghanistan, the Congo, and China. Once they reach Romania, many of these victims are assigned for passage beyond into Western Europe.

London (CNN) -- The previous British government never exerted any pressure on Scottish officials to release convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, according to the newly released conclusion of an internal document review ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron. It also notes, however, that British officials gave Libyan authorities advice on how to get Megrahi released. The decision to offer such advice was profoundly wrong, Cameron said Monday. The release of Megrahi was "a flawed decision," he told members of parliament. Megrahi, the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270, was released from a Scottish prison in 2009. Originally given a life sentence, he was released on grounds of compassion after being diagnosed with what was characterized as terminal cancer. Megrahi is now living in Libya. The report released Monday states that "at all times the former government was clear that any decision on Mr. Megrahi's release ... was one for the Scottish government alone to take. The documentation considered by the review demonstrates that they were clear on this in their internal deliberations and, crucially, in their contacts and exchanges with the Libyans." It notes that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear in a July 2009 meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi that "the decision was solely a matter for Scottish ministers and (the British government) could not interfere." The report also notes, however, that "once Mr. Megrahi had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2008, (the British government's) policy was based upon an assessment that U.K. interests would be damaged if Mr. Megrahi were to die in a U.K. jail." A policy was "therefore progressively developed that (the British government) should do all it could ... to facilitate an appeal by the Libyans to the Scottish government for Mr. Megrahi's transfer." Scotland has some control over its own affairs, including justice. The British have consistently denied that commercial considerations -- such as oil giant BP's desire to drill in Libya -- played a role in Megrahi's release. U.S. officials have been sharply critical of the decision to release Megrahi since it was first announced. "Our position throughout this process was public and very clear," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday. "We did not think in any way, shape, or form that his release was in anybody's interest. We continue to believe that." New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, a leading congressional critic of Megrahi's release, used the announcement of the new report to renew his demand for an independent investigation of the case. There was "a combination of interests" that led to Megrahi's release, Menendez told reporters. It "stretches the imagination" to believe business concerns didn't play a role in the decision. "It is important to get to the totality of the truth."London (CNN) -- The previous British government never exerted any pressure on Scottish officials to release convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, according to the newly released conclusion of an internal document review ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron. It also notes, however, that British officials gave Libyan authorities advice on how to get Megrahi released. The decision to offer such advice was profoundly wrong, Cameron said Monday. The release of Megrahi was "a flawed decision," he told members of parliament. Megrahi, the only person convicted in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed 270, was released from a Scottish prison in 2009. Originally given a life sentence, he was released on grounds of compassion after being diagnosed with what was characterized as terminal cancer. Megrahi is now living in Libya. The report released Monday states that "at all times the former government was clear that any decision on Mr. Megrahi's release ... was one for the Scottish government alone to take. The documentation considered by the review demonstrates that they were clear on this in their internal deliberations and, crucially, in their contacts and exchanges with the Libyans." It notes that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown made clear in a July 2009 meeting with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi that "the decision was solely a matter for Scottish ministers and (the British government) could not interfere." The report also notes, however, that "once Mr. Megrahi had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2008, (the British government's) policy was based upon an assessment that U.K. interests would be damaged if Mr. Megrahi were to die in a U.K. jail." A policy was "therefore progressively developed that (the British government) should do all it could ... to facilitate an appeal by the Libyans to the Scottish government for Mr. Megrahi's transfer." Scotland has some control over its own affairs, including justice. The British have consistently denied that commercial considerations -- such as oil giant BP's desire to drill in Libya -- played a role in Megrahi's release. U.S. officials have been sharply critical of the decision to release Megrahi since it was first announced. "Our position throughout this process was public and very clear," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Monday. "We did not think in any way, shape, or form that his release was in anybody's interest. We continue to believe that." New Jersey Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez, a leading congressional critic of Megrahi's release, used the announcement of the new report to renew his demand for an independent investigation of the case. There was "a combination of interests" that led to Megrahi's release, Menendez told reporters. It "stretches the imagination" to believe business concerns didn't play a role in the decision. "It is important to get to the totality of the truth."

There is a risk of "flagrant denial of justice" if Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is tried for rape in Sweden, his lawyer has told a UK court. Geoffrey Robertson QC fears his client could face the death penalty if extradited to the US on separate charges relating to Wikileaks.

Bushfires raging on the outskirts of Perth in Western Australia have destroyed at least 59 homes. Firefighters are battling blazes to the east and north of the city, with the area declared a natural disaster zone. High flames are being whipped up by winds of up to 70km/h (44mph). Hundreds of people have left their homes.

Moscow (CNN) -- The leader of Islamist rebels suspected of bombing Moscow's main international airport last month is pledging to step up deadly attacks in Russia. In a video message posted Sunday on a pro-rebel website, Doku Umarov stopped short of claiming responsibility for the January 24 airport bombing, which left 36 people dead.

Moscow (CNN) -- The leader of Islamist rebels suspected of bombing Moscow's main international airport last month is pledging to step up deadly attacks in Russia. In a video message posted Sunday on a pro-rebel website, Doku Umarov stopped short of claiming responsibility for the January 24 airport bombing, which left 36 people dead.

The New Start nuclear arms treaty limiting the number of atomic warheads the US and Russia are allowed to possess, has come into effect. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exchanged ratification documents at a conference in Munich.

The Serbian capital Belgrade has seen its biggest anti-government protest in years as thousands of disenchanted Serbs demanded early elections. At least 55,000 people turned out in front of parliament after the opposition Serbian Progressive Party called the rally.

Tunisian police have killed two people during a protest in the north-western town of Kef. Officers opened fire after a crowd attacked a police station, setting it on fire. They were demanding the resignation of the police chief, whom they accused of abusing his power.

Anti-government protesters in Egypt have fought back against supporters of President Hosni Mubarak, pushing them out of some streets in central Cairo which they controlled. Stones were thrown on both sides, and some gunshots have been heard. The army, which was trying to separate the two sides, appears to have failed to control the crowds. The clashes came as the vice-president said Mr Mubarak's son Gamal would not stand for president.

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Egypt's embattled regime moved Thursday to defuse a bloody uprising as sporadic clashes continued in the capital's central square, where the drama has been unfolding for 10 days. President Hosni Mubarak's newly appointed prime minister apologized repeatedly for the violence that rocked Cairo on Wednesday, which many believe was the work of pro-government thugs, and vowed to investigate.

A Pakistani politician has dropped her attempt to amend the country's controversial blasphemy laws, accusing her party of appeasing extremists. Pakistan People's Party MP Sherry Rehman made her decision after the government ruled out changing the law.

Earlier Wednesday, Medvedev fired top airport security officials. He accused transport police of "taking an absolutely passive position. At best, they are examining migrants, to check their registration and display their authority," in comments carried on Russian state TV.

Tunisia has issued an international arrest warrant for ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his family, the nation's justice minister has said. Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said the interim government had asked members states to work via Interpol to detain Mr Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia on 14 January.

Republicans have moved quickly to reject US President Barack Obama's call for new public spending on research, infrastructure and education. After Mr Obama's State of the Union address, leading Republicans reiterated their proposal for massive budget cuts.

Lebanon's president has appointed Najib Mikati, who is backed by the Shia Islamist group Hezbollah and its allies, as prime minister-designate. The move came despite demonstrations by thousands of supporters of outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri in the city of Tripoli as part of a "day of rage".

The blast occurred around 4:30 p.m. at the entrance of the international arrivals section. Authorities were still trying to tally the exact number of people injured in the blast. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said that there were 110 wounded people still in hospitals.

US President Barack Obama will call for new public spending to create jobs in his State of the Union address, setting up a clash with opponents who say cuts to government are the way forward. In the president's yearly address to Congress, Mr Obama is expected to call for new investment in education, research and infrastructure.

Irish parties are to hold crisis talks after the Greens pulled out of the coalition led by beleaguered Prime Minister Brian Cowen. The decision by the Green Party wipes out the governing coalition's two-seat majority and puts into question the passage of a vital finance bill.