Ukraine Ukrainian opposition leader and presidential hopeful Viktor Yushchenko was the victim of dioxin poisoning, his doctor in Vienna disclosed, adding that he suspected foul play. Taiwan An opposition alliance which favours friendly ties with China defeated a pro-independence grouping in Taiwan's parliamentary election and vowed to push for better relations with the mainland. Iraq A US soldier was sentenced to three years in prison for shooting dead an unarmed and wounded Iraqi civilian in Baghdad's Sadr City, as Iraqi security forces were again targeted in attacks that killed 10 around the country. Mideast Arab leaders resisted US calls for speedy democratic reforms in their country, saying the steps that the United States deemed essential to stem terrorism must be preceded by a just and durable peace in the Middle East. US Former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik abruptly withdrew his name from consideration to head the US Homeland Security Department, saying a nanny he hired may have been an illegal immigrant. Somalia The Somali parliament passed a motion sacking Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Gedi and his 10-day-old unpopular government, casting a shadow over hopes of ending a 13-year power vacuum in the anarchic Horn of Africa state. Pakistan Pakistani security forces have arrested an Afghan militant leader who allegedly masterminded the month-long kidnap ordeal of three UN workers, officials said. Myanmar Myanmar's military government announced it had begun freeing 5,070 more prisoners, taking the number earmarked for release since last month to more than 14,300. Mideast Shimon Peres was preparing the ground to lead his Labour party into Ariel Sharon's new coalition government after the Israeli prime minister crushed internal opposition to his Gaza pullout plan. Philippines Rescuers ended their search for survivors in the ruins of a collapsed building in the storm-ravaged northeastern Philippines after concluding there was no one left alive