S. African union tries to rein in mine unrest
South Africa's powerful mineworkers union is trying to rein in unrest in the vital mining sector which has turned into a battleground for rival political and labour factions.
Tiny island creates major migration headache for Spain
Spain lashed out at human traffickers Monday as it grappled with more than 80 immigrants who made their way to a tiny Spanish-owned islet off the coast of Morocco.
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies possessing chemical weapons
The leader of the powerful Lebanese Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, on Monday denied that his group possessed chemical weapons.
US nears deal to cut Egypt debt by $1 bn: report
The United States is weighing a deal with Egypt's new rulers to relieve $1 billion worth of debt, The New York Times reported Monday.
South Africa miners to be freed
South African courts are due Monday to start releasing 270 miners arrested over the deaths of fellow workers shot by police, after the murder charges against them were provisionally dropped.
Australia says Karzai 'wrong' on Afghan operation
Australia Monday flatly rejected comments from Afghan President Hamid Karzai that a recent night-time raid which left two men dead was carried out without the approval of local authorities.
68 illegal immigrants land on uninhabited Spanish island
A group of 68 illegal immigrants, including three minors, arrived Sunday at a tiny, uninhabited Spanish island located very close to Morocco.
US suspends Afghan police recruit training
US special forces in Afghanistan have suspended training for about 1,000 Afghan police recruits to vet existing members, the military said Sunday, after a surge in insider attacks on NATO.
Gulf states criticise Syria as more than 100 killed
Arab Gulf monarchies lambasted Syria's regime for deploying heavy weapons against its civilians, as over 100 people were killed in raids, bombings and air strikes according to a watchdog toll count.
Robben Island penguins hit by fuel from wrecked tanker
Fuel leaking from a Turkish freighter wreck that has been smashed up by a storm has contaminated at least five penguins on South Africa's Robben Island.
World not giving Iran nuclear 'red line': Israel PM
Israel's prime minister has accused the international community of failing to draw a "clear red line" for Iran over its nuclear programme, after a UN report found Tehran had doubled its capacity at a nuclear site.
Russia says 'naive' to expect Assad to halt fire first
Russia said Saturday it would be "naive" for outside powers to expect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to withdraw his troops first from major cities and then wait for the opposition to follow suit.
UN nuclear report wrongfoots Iran summit: analysts
Iran's hopes of boosting its international prestige by hosting a Non-Aligned summit this week were tripped up by a critical new UN nuclear watchdog report.
Australia says killings will not speed up Afghan exit
Australia said Friday it would complete its mission in Afghanistan despite suffering its deadliest day in combat since the Vietnam War and the prospect of further deaths caused by rogue soldiers.
Kazakhstan taking part in anti-nuclear summit in Iran
Kazakhstan delegation is taking part in the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement that opened on August 30 in Tehran.
Rappers lead underground monitors at Angola polls
Through an unmarked door, down a passageway and behind a padlocked metal gate lies a room littered with cell phones that is the nerve centre of an underground effort by Angolan rappers to monitor Friday's vote.
Ethiopia readies first state funeral of a leader in 80 years
Ethiopia will bury its longtime powerful prime minister Meles Zenawi on Sunday in the first state funeral staged for a leader of the Horn of Africa nation in more than 80 years.
Afghans among 54 rescued from asylum boat
Afghans were among the 54 survivors from an asylum-seeker boat that disappeared two days ago off the Indonesian coast, but hopes of finding about 100 more missing were fading fast on Friday.
Turkey demands Syria safe havens as UN meets
War-torn Syria's frustrated neighbor Turkey demanded on Thursday that world powers set up refugee camps within the country to stem the massive outflow of refugees fleeing the fighting.
Deadly bombing hits loyalist funeral outside Damascus
A car bomb rocked the funeral of two government loyalists in a Damascus suburb killing 27 people on Tuesday as the army kept up its bombardment of rebel strongholds in the east of the capital.
