South Carolina politicians planned to introduce a resolution last night to begin a debate on removing the Confederate flag from the State House grounds following the killings last week of nine black churchgoers allegedly by a white gunman.

Madonna has been labelled a "bully" by the government in Malawi.

SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki yesterday held intensive talks with veteran counterpart Robert Mugabe over Zimbabwe’s post-election crisis, as doctors reported a dramatic rise in violence.

US President George W Bush today said that Congress should renew his global Aids programme and preserve a requirement that steers money into abstinence efforts.

A delegation of African leaders held separate talks with Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe’s opposition leader today in an urgent round of shuttle diplomacy aimed at ending the political crisis that has plunged the nation into chaos.