Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been given permission to take his extradition case to the British Supreme Court. Two British judges ruled the case is of general public importance. Swedish authorities want to question him over allegations he raped two women. Mr Assange says the allegations are politically motivated. The Supreme Court could, however, still refuse to fully hear this case. 

 

The former leader of the Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo has appeared before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. He's facing four charges of crimes against humanity after disputed elections last year. About 3,000 people were killed after Mr Gbagbo refused to accept defeat. He's denied responsibility for that violence. 

 

Gunmen have kidnapped an Australian man living in the southern Philippines. A military spokesman says several armed men abducted Warren Rodwell, who ran a store on the island of Mindanao.

 

International observers say there are a number of violations in Russia's weekend parliamentary election. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe says the poll lacked a level playing field and was marred by ballot stuffing. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's party United Russia won the election but with a significantly reduced majority.