Senior military commanders from 21 countries, including the United States, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have completed Thursday a two-day anti-terrorism conference in Islamabad. The symposium focused on improving international cooperation in the fight against terror, and comes as American lawmakers question host country - and key U.S. ally - Pakistan's commitment to the fight.

Russia and Pakistan will now longer feel the Cold War-era unease in their relations. They agreed Thursday to increase economic cooperation and step up efforts in the international fight against terrorism.

An Ethiopian official denies an Associated Press report that says U.S. officials are interrogating terrorism suspects in secret prisons in Ethiopia. Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, says the report is likely true, given its own report documenting cooperation between the Kenyan, Ethiopian, Somali and U.S. governments on the war on terror.

Leaders from eight South Asian nations have agreed to work towards a pact that would allow for those accused of terrorism and other cross-border crimes to be extradited to other member states. Indian officials say that is one of the significant outcomes from two days of top-level meetings in New Delhi. VOA's Steve Herman reports from the Indian capital where the summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation has concluded.

India is calling for action to be taken against terrorism by its fellow members in a South Asian regional group. VOA's Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.

Kyrgyzstan's parliament has ratified an agreement on joint counterterrorism measures on the territory of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has returned home from secret visits to Iraq and Afghanistan. The conservative leader has pledged continued support for U.S.-led campaigns in both countries. Despite much opposition in Australia to the Iraq mission, Mr. Howard appears to hope that national security will prove to be a vote winner in an election due later this year.