Newsline - 16 March 2010: Opposition leader and ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka goes on trial in Sri Lanka. The Ahlu Sunna group pledges support for the Somali government in Mogadishu. A man is competing to become a Tour Miss at this year's Giro d'Italia opening in the Netherlands.

Opposition leader on trial
Sri Lanka's ex-army chief turned opposition leader appeared before a military court today as thousands of his supporters demonstrated on the streets of the capital. Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the military last month after losing presidential elections to Mahinda Rajapakse. The two men were close allies in the successful campaign against Tamil Tiger rebels last year, but fell out over who should claim credit for the military victory. Interview with Charu Lata Hogg from the Chatham House think tank.

Rebels back the Somali government
The Somali government has joined forces with the Ahlu Sunna to fight hardline Islamic insurgents. The group represents moderate Sufi Muslims who have been fighting the al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam rebel groups. The deal is important for the UN-backed Somali government, which controls little of the country beyond the capital Mogadishu. Interview with Jon Abbink of the African Studies Centre at the University of  Leiden.

A homo-friendly Giro d'Italia
In May, Amsterdam will host the opening leg of the Giro d'Italia, one of the world's biggest road cycling races. Traditionally, the day's winner receives congratulatory flowers and kisses from a 'Tour Miss.' But a local Dutch TV station is producing a talent show to select a Dutch Tour Miss and there's also a male contestant, Yaïr da Costa. He thinks it's time for a Tour Mister. Report by Newsline's Johan van Slooten.