Iraq At least 21 people were killed in the latest of a string of attacks in Iraq, adding to 40 killed a day earlier, as a top UN official issued a stark warning that elections could not be held in the current climate of violence. Ukraine Ukraine's pro-West opposition insisted it would not accept reforms to strip much of the presidency's powers ahead of a rerun presidential election that its leader Viktor Yushchenko is hopeful he will win. Mideast A major thorn in the side of Israeli-Egyptian relations was removed after Cairo freed an Israeli Druze jailed seven years ago for spying as the Jewish state released six Egyptian students. Mideast German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said that he detected an historic opportunity to advance towards a Palestinian state as he reinforced international efforts to revive the Middle East peace process. Kazakhstan Twenty-three coal miners died when a methane gas blast tore through a mine owned by a global Indian steel producer in Central Asia's Kazakhstan, the latest accident to strike the post-Soviet mining industry. Turkey Russian President Vladimir Putin was due to arrive in Turkey for a landmark visit during which the two sides will look into ways of increasing cooperation in the fight against global terrorism and boosting trade. Iran Iran insisted it was not obliged to allow UN atomic energy agency inspectors to visit military sites alleged to be involved in secret nuclear weapons work, but that it was willing to discuss the issue. Ivory Coast South African President Thabo Mbeki touched down to a rousing welcome in the central Ivorian rebel stronghold of Bouake, where a rebel spokesman said he was regarded as a "guarantee" to the peace process in the divided west African nation. Taiwan Tens of thousands of Taiwanese attended mass rallies amid tight security as political parties stepped up campaigning ahead of parliamentary polls which will pit pro-independence candidates against those favouring unification with rival China. Thailand Fifty aircraft scattered 120 million paper birds across southern Thailand in a peace gesture to mark the king's birthday but marred by new killings in the troubled Muslim-majority region. Central Africa People in Central African Republic began voting in a referendum expected to see a big "yes" for a new constitution paving the way for an end to a post-coup interim regime and a phased return to democracy. Mozambique Mozambique's main parties traded accusations of fraud while awaiting results of elections that will confirm a successor to longtime leader President Joaquim Chissano, who is stepping down after 18 years.