World -- January 7, 2006

• Arab media concerned about Sharon's health
• Assad denies any bargaining to ease tension with Washington
• Blair backs chancellor as successor
• Brazil, India, Germany present resolution on Security Council expansion
• Death toll in Saudi hotel collapse rises to 53 - sources

• Final report to be released next week on Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell research scandal: Panel
• Israeli acting PM, Peres vow to follow Sharon's path
• Iran's Khatami calls for "another voice" in Islamic world
• Liberia's capital at standstill as army widows protest
• Moscow rejects Rice accusation over gas deal with Ukraine

• Nigeria establishes 3 more naval bases in oil-rich Niger Delta
• Pakistan says no pressure on Iran gas pipeline project
• Russia to start building Siberia-Pacific oil pipeline in summer: Putin
• Russian delegation's visit to Iran postponed
• Sharon remains in critical but stable condition after new surgery

• Sri Lankan Navy boat sinks after explosion
• Turkish PM denies negligence over bird flu outbreak
• Ukraine will increase nuclear energy production: PM
• UN Council calls for first round of Haitian elections early next month