(Press TV: 0252 PT, May 4, 2011) Article nine of the Japanese Constitution forbids the nation to engage in war or maintain state military forces. But while many on the liberal left support this pacifist doctrine, there are others on the right who believe it is misguided. Press TV's Michael Penn reports from Tokyo.

(Al Jazeera English: 1056 PST, March 18, 2011) Egyptians are preparing to vote on key constitutional reforms in a nationwide referendum. The vote was one of the key demands of protesters in the run up to former president Hosni Mubarak's departure from office. But some are worried that the proposed amendments do not go far enough. Al Jazeera's Sherine Tadros reports.

(Associated Press: 0407 PST, March 4, 2011) Tunisia's caretaker president has announced July elections to pick an assembly charged with writing a new constitution. Demonstrators in the capital greeted the news with cheers and songs.

(Al Jazeera English Headlines: 0635 PST, February 15, 2011) The king of Bahrain has made a rare appearance on television, offering condolences for protesters who have died in anti-government demonstrations. Two people were killed in clashes with police; the king has also promised an investigation.

Police in Iran confirmed that two people were killed during Monday's anti-government protests in Tehran, but they blame oppositions protesters for starting the violence.

The head of Egypt's ruling military council has issued a decree ordering the constitutional amendment committee to finish its work within 10 days. It's hoped reforms can speed up the transition to democratic rule and subdue ongoing labor protests. Sectors such as tourism have been hit economically due to disruptions caused by anti-Mubarak protests.

And the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is to stand trial on charges he paid for sex with an underage girl and then tried to cover it up.