Russia Judges paved the way to convict Yukos oil giant founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky after an 11-month trial on tax evasion and fraud charges, accepting the prosecution's indictment and recognizing the defendant's "culpability." Uzbekistan Tension simmered in eastern Uzbekistan amid heightened security and fears of more violence, days after a military crackdown that witnesses say killed hundreds of people in the autocratic ex-Soviet state in Central Asia. NKorea North Korea held senior-level negotiations with South Korea for the first time in nearly a year, igniting hopes for a resumption of six-party talks to end a nuclear standoff. Iran Iran warned that an emergency meeting next week with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany may have little chance of resolving mounting tensions over its nuclear programme. US Almost one third of the oil allocations granted under the United Nations' 1996 to 2003 Iraqi Oil-for-Food program went to Russian parties or individuals, according to a US Senate report to be released Monday detailing alleged misuse of the program. US Newsweek magazine announced that its story alleging that staff at a US detention facility desecrated copies of the Koran, which has sparked deadly protests in Muslim countries, could be wrong, but stopped short of a full retraction. Mideast Japan pledged 100 million dollars in aid to support the Palestinians after Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, saying it wanted a greater role in the Middle East peace process. Mideast Israel banned former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad, whose comments have in the past infuriated Jews, from entering Jerusalem while visiting the West Bank. Europe Europe has never been so strong, secure or united, Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski told dozens of leaders from across the continent as he opened the Council of Europe's 'unity' summit at Warsaw's Royal Castle. Ethiopia Buoyed by early returns suggesting significant gains in the capital, Ethiopia's opposition on Monday backed off a threat to reject nationwide results from hotly contested weekend elections. Sudan Libya was to host a two-day summit of African leaders on finding peace in Darfur but rebel forces from the war-ravaged Sudanese province have chosen to stay away. AFPEntertainment Half-way through the celebrated Cannes film festival, a French film on racism has emerged as the front-runner for the Palme d'Or first prize from a field stacked with strong movies by veteran directors.