Allies of the man who the world says won Ivory Coast's disputed presidential election called for a immediate general strike from today until his defiant rival conceded defeat and left office.

AT LEAST 14,000 people have fled the violence and political chaos in Ivory Coast, some walking for up to four days with little food to reach neighbouring Liberia, the UN refugee agency said. At least one child drowned while trying to cross a river.

THERE is mounting evidence that the African continent will become the next Al Qaeda hotbed as the militant group seeks to expand its global operations, a senior expert on terrorism said.