ROME — The number of prisoners put to death worldwide decreased in 2008, a human rights group said today, adding that China retained its position as the world's top executioner. Executions in the United States were down from last year, while Iran and Saudi Arabia also appeared near the top of the list of the world's top executioners, the anti-death penalty group Hands Off Cain said in a report about 2008 and the first six months of this year.

The group said that at least 5,727 executions were carried out in 2008, down from 5,851 the year before. It said that 46 countries retained the death penalty last year, three fewer than in 2007. The group estimated that China accounted for at least 5,000 executions — or 87.3 percent of the total — the same figure as last year. The report said its estimates are based on reports by the media and other human rights groups since the exact number of executions in China remains a state secret.

Iran executed at least 346 people last year, down from 355; Saudi Arabia put 102 people to death, while in 2007 it accounted for 166 executions.

The United States executed 37 people — five fewer than 2007, continuing a downward trend in the country, according to Hands Off Cain.

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is not ruling out the possibility of Russian membership in NATO.Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon told U.S. lawmakers Tuesday that the United States would consider Russian membership in the military alliance that was founded to protect Europe from Soviet aggression.Gordon said NATO should be open to European democracies. He added that "if Russia meets the criteria and can contribute to common security, and there is a consensus in the alliance, it shouldn't be excluded."NATO is often vilified in Russia, which has objected to NATO's expansion to include Russia's neighbors. But the Obama administration, seeking better relations, says it wants to convince Moscow that NATO is no longer a threat.

KABUL — A new Taliban code of military conduct that tells fighters to limit suicide attacks and avoid killing civilians is a sham that doesn't reflect the true nature of the insurgents, NATO and Afghan officials said Wednesday.The code, entitled "Taliban 2009 rules and regulations booklet," is believed to have been published in May. Copies have been seized in operations throughout the country, NATO spokesman Brig. Gen. Eric Tremblay said."It seems to be a form of propaganda to try to show there is a central control over the insurrection," he said.The requirement for Taliban fighters to respect the rules of war contradicts the reality on the ground, Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammad Zahir Azimi said, noting that Taliban fighters captured and beheaded an Afghan soldier this week in the eastern Paktika region.