In yet another setback for embattled President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif can return home after seven years in exile in Saudi Arabia.

Thailand's rulers say the country will hold elections in December to restore democratic rule following a military coup last year. The announcement came Monday after voters on Sunday approved a new constitution. However, as VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Bangkok, a huge number of 'No' votes suggests the elections will be hotly contested.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus says individual freedoms are more endangered than the climate. In a wide-ranging interview with RFE/RL, Klaus took aim at one of his favorite recent targets -- those calling for urgent action on global warming.

Pakistan is in precarious position as radicals put pressure on Musharaff for safe heaven in NWFP borders. Reinstatement of Supreme Court judge, his supporter with open support of political parties of Bhutto and Navaz sheriff all want democracy to be restored fast in the country.

In a major blow to Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf in the midst of other troubles for him, Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday reinstated suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry after quashing the Presidential reference of charges against him.

Cooperation between diverse antiwar groups helped the Democratic Party in the 2006 congressional elections. However, the changing relationship between the Democratic Party and the antiwar activists could hurt the Democrats in the upcoming 2008 presidential election, according to research published in the current issue of American Politics Research from SAGE.

The issue of President Vladimir Putin’s top aide dismissing that Russia is backtracking on democracy is expected to be in the spotlight at next week's meeting of Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush.

Nationwide local elections in Moldova involved a little of everything: meter-long ballots, dirty politics, and surprise results.

Over 600 participants from Schools of political studies in 15 European countries will gather in Strasbourg from 2 to 6 July for the second Summer University for Democracy, organised by the Council of Europe.

The U.S.-based pro-democracy group Freedom House says in its latest report that the countries of Central Europe have shown a decline in democratic progress -- despite membership in NATO and the European Union.

A gathering of activists and international leaders, past and present, has called for a major global effort to support democratic dissidents in authoritarian regimes.

U.S. President George Bush is questioning Russian President Vladimir Putin's commitment to democracy. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports Mr. Bush spoke in the Czech Republic at the start of a six-nation tour of Europe.