The Sudanese embassy in Washington has stated that the country will abide by UN Security Council resolution 1564 threatening sanctions on Sudan's vital oil industry unless security is restored to the Darfur region, "even though [the resolution] was unfair and unjust to the Sudan," according to the independent Al-Sahafa newspaper.

Sudan also claims that any sanctions would only worsen the situation. Meanwhile, Algeria and China have issued explanations of their abstentions from Saturday's UN vote, and Ibrahim Ahmed al-Taher, speaker of the Sudanese parliament, today warned the West that any intervention in his country would risk opening the "gates of hell". AFP has more. See continuing coverage of the Sudan crisis on JURIST's Paper Chase here.

Japan and Mexico have signed a bilateral free-trade agreement. The deal, set to take effect in April, is expected to put Japanese industries on equal footing with their US and European counterparts serving Mexico, saving Japan up to 400 billion yen a year and increasing its penetration into the Mexican market. The agreement was strongly opposed by Japanese farmers, who will now have to compete with low-priced Mexican agricultural products. Over the next decade, Mexico will phase out tariffs on all types of Japanese steel products and create duty-free import quotas for Japanese automobiles. The Japan Times has more. For background information on Japan-Mexico relations and the FTA negotiations, see Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.

UPDATE: The agreement is now online here [PDF], with the associated implementation agreement here [PDF], from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Saeed bin Mubarak al-Zaeer, a 57-year-old university professor, was sentenced Sunday by a Saudi court to 5 years in prison for the charges of "sowing dissent and inciting sedition...."

Al-Zaeer was arrested in April after appearing on Al-Jazeera television and comparing US killings of Iraqi citizens to the terrorist acts of Osama bin Laden (BBC profile here). Al-Zaeer's son was arrested in May for protesting the arrest of his father. AP has more.

Lawyers for Saddam Hussein expressed their doubts that the trial for the former Iraqi President will commence in October. JURIST's Paper Chase previously reported the announcement of the October trial by Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi.

Al-Rashdan, one of 24 lawyers defending Hussein from charges of crimes against humanity pointed out reasons for delay, including an inability to meet with their client, as well as the recent resignation of a Judge who was appointed during Hussein's hearing. UPI has more.

Iran voiced strong opposition Sunday to demands made by the International Atomic Energy Agency that the country cease all work on developing technology to enrich uranium. Read the resolution here [PDF]. The IAEA, serving as a watchdog for the UN Security Council, has been closely monitoring Iran's development of nuclear technology.

Hasan Rowhani, a representative for Iran, stated "This demand is not legal and does not put any obligation on Iran. The IAEA board of governors has no right to make such a suspension obligatory for any country." The IAEA's deadline for cooperation is November 25th, at which point it will report remaining violations to the UN Security Council. AP has more. JURIST's Paper Chase has background here.

With all of the 4,124 precincts now reporting, 78 percent of Louisiana voters have approved a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages and recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages. The proposed amendment, now passed, may be read here [PDF].

The turnout was a mere 27 percent of Louisiana's 2.8 million voters, with the strongest voter resistance coming from the New Orleans area which has a strong gay community. AP has more.

Sunday's New York Times covers former Chinese president Jiang Zemin's transfer of power to his successor Hu Jintao, marking the first peaceful transfer of political power in China since its 1949 revolution. The Times also highlights the reality of electronic voting across the US, Colorado's ballot initiative to split the state's electoral college votes, and the transfer of 35 detainees from Guantanamo Bay to Pakistan.

Today's Washington Post highlights the UN Security Council's adoption of a resolution threatening sanctions against Sudan and the discovery of 245 "lost" primary votes in Florida.

Lastly, the Los Angeles Times covers Russian president Putin's response to terrorist attacks and its affect on Russian democracy.