Mbeki holds Harare crisis talks
South Africa's Thabo Mbeki holds talks in Zimbabwe with President Mugabe and leaders of a breakaway opposition faction.

'Many killed' in Syrian jail riot
Violent clashes between guards and inmates at a Syrian jail have resulted in many deaths, human rights group say.

Waxwork Hitler beheaded in Berlin
A man is arrested after tearing the head off an Adolf Hitler figure, as a new Madame Tussauds branch opens in Berlin.

Argentine MPs approve farm taxes
Argentina's lower house of Congress approves taxes on agricultural exports, which farmers have vowed to resist.

Nigeria footballer's brother kidnapped
Gunmen in Nigeria kidnap the brother of star Nigerian and Everton football player Joseph Yobo, police say.

Pro-Chavez Catholics under fire
Religious leaders in Venezuela criticise a recently formed church that openly backs President Hugo Chavez's socialist politics.

Progress in California fire fight
Crews trying to contain wildfires in California make progress and shift their focus to protecting Santa Barbara, officials say.

Turkish women attack clothing law
A group of Turkish women protest after a woman is convicted of exhibitionism for wearing "improper clothing".

Betancourt's medical 'good news'
Ingrid Betancourt says she is delighted by the results of initial medical tests after her years as a hostage of Colombian rebels.

Woman in India gives birth to twins 'at 70'
A woman said to be aged 70 years of age gives birth to twins after undergoing IVF treatment.

Abba quartet reunites for Swedish premiere of Mamma Mia film
Abba quartet reunites for Swedish premiere of Mamma Mia film

Valverde triumphs in Tour opener
Spain's Alejandro Valverde wins the first stage of the Tour de France to claim the coveted yellow jersey.

Venus triumphs in Wimbledon final
Venus Williams captures her fifth Wimbledon title by beating her sister Serena 7-5 6-4 in a high-quality final.

Flip-flop guide
How Barack Obama and John McCain have changed tack

Kidnap ordeal
Colombia's pain over those still held hostage

Poppy trap
The Afghan farmers caught in a struggle for survival

Content overload?
Peter Gabriel thinks he has the answer

Power struggle
Doubts cloud Bulgaria's nuclear reactor plans

Congo ex-leader appears in court
The former vice-president of Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, appears in court in The Hague.

Zimbabwe to miss Twenty20 cricket
Zimbabwe withdraw from the World Twenty20 in England next summer, but retain their ICC status.