Sudan’s official news agency says five peacekeepers from an African Union-United Nations force have been killed and 17 others are missing after they were ambushed in Darfur.

Sudan has cut ties with neighbouring Chad, following accusations that it supported rebels who attacked Khartoum.

Southern Sudan’s defence minister and a presidential adviser were killed along with 19 others when their plane crashed today.

SUDAN has expelled European and Canadian diplomats for “interfering in its affairs”.

Sudan’s president has rejected a proposal to send thousands of UN peacekeepers to Darfur to boost 7,000 African peacekeepers there, crushing hopes for a quick solution to a crisis that is spreading across central Africa.

The Sudanese government significantly raised the stakes in Khartoum’s stand-off with the international community, calling yesterday for the AU to withdraw its troops from all of Darfur.

SUDAN’S ruling party has rejected a US-British draft Security Council resolution to deploy United Nations peacekeepers in Darfur, saying it would violate national sovereignty.

Sudan’s ruling party has rejected a US-British draft Security Council resolution to deploy United Nations peacekeepers in Darfur, saying it would violate national sovereignty, official media reported today.

A rusting cargo ship described as a floating “atomic bomb” was under heavy guard today as Greek authorities struggled to unravel its last voyage.