Torture in Iraq may be worse now than it was under the regime of Saddam Hussein, the United Nations’ chief anti-torture expert said today, describing a situation where militias, terrorist groups, government forces and others disregard rules on the humane treatment of prisoners.

The remains of three men who committed suicide at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay have been sent home, the Pentagon said.

A suicide bombing at a Muslim shrine near Pakistan’s capital has killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens of others, witnesses said today.

Four people were shot dead in clashes with police as anti-US protests spread to more Afghan cities today, officials and witnesses said.