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Russia forces on edge of South Ossetia capital: website MEGVREKISI, Georgia (Reuters) - Russian armored vehicles have entered the northern edges of the capital of the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia, the separatists' press service reported on its website on Friday.
Mbeki to meet Zimbabwe political leaders HARARE (Reuters) - South African President Thabo Mbeki, mediating in Zimbabwe's post-election crisis, will go to Harare on Saturday amid growing optimism a power-sharing deal can be reached between the ruling party and the opposition.
Western powers study more Iran sanctions LONDON (Reuters) - Britain, France, Germany and the United States are considering imposing additional sanctions on Iran over its nuclear work, possibly in the energy, reinsurance or financial sectors, a senior British official said on Friday.
Car bomb in N. Iraq kills 18, wounds 25: police MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - A car bomb in a vegetable market in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar killed 18 people and wounded 25 on Friday, police said.
France's Sarkozy on fence-mending mission to China BEIJING (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy flew into Beijing on a fence-mending mission on Friday but still insisted on bringing up the tricky subject of human rights with Chinese leaders, a senior government official said on Friday.
Canada arrests suspected Italian crime boss OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian police have arrested a fugitive Italian mafia suspect who was identified on Friday by the Italian government as a leader of the 'Ndrangheta organized crime group.
Focus on Pakistan army as Musharraf faces the boot ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Eyes were on Pakistan's generals on Friday for any gesture of support for President Pervez Musharraf a day after a four-month-old civilian coalition declared plans to impeach the former army chief.
Czech train crash kills 7, injures about 70 STUDENKA, Czech Republic (Reuters) - An international express train hit a collapsed bridge at high speed in the Czech Republic on Friday, killing at least seven people and injuring about 70.
Palestinian forces shut "Hamas fronts" in Hebron HEBRON, West Bank (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's forces shut down four Islamic charities and two photocopying shops in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday for alleged ties to the rival Hamas faction, a security source said.
In Iraq, fault lines run deep over Kirkuk's future KIRKUK, Iraq (Reuters) - The failure of Iraqi politicians to resolve competing ethnic claims for the oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk is storing up explosive problems for the country's future.
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Russian tanks enter South Ossetia Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili accuses Russia of being at war with his country, as fighting in a Georgian breakaway province escalates.
Fannie Mae unveils loss of $2.3bn US mortgage finance company Fannie Mae plunges $2.3bn into the red as a result of housing market woes.
Spectacular opening for Olympics China opens the 2008 Olympic Games with a lavish ceremony in Beijing, watched on TV by more than one billion people.
Several dead in Czech train crash At least six people are killed after a high-speed train ploughs into a collapsed bridge in the Czech Republic.
Car bomb attack hits Iraqi market A car bomb kills at least 16 people and wounds many others in the northern Iraqi town of Tal Afar, police say.
Arrests as Burma marks uprising At least 20 people are arrested in a Burmese town on a day of isolated protest to mark 20 years since an important revolt.
Oil 'could hit $200 within years' Oil prices could rise as high as $200 a barrel within the next 10 years as a result of a looming supply crisis, a report warns.
Apology over prince cancer story A newspaper issues an unreserved apology over a story that Prince Philip had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
SpongeBob in NY torture sideshow Cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants is used as part of an art installation to protest against water-boarding as a form of torture.
It's quiz time! It's the 8th of the 8th of the 8th. So what does 8 mean?
Peace move Why Iraqi cleric wants his fighters to drop their guns
Mbeki set for new Zimbabwe talks South Africa's leader prepares to go to Harare for talks amid media reports a Zimbabwe power-sharing deal is near.
Texas bus crash kills 13 pilgrims At least 13 people are killed in the US state of Texas after a bus carrying Vietnamese Catholics crashes off a bridge.
Australian police bust drugs ring Australian police arrest 16 people after an investigation into an international drugs ring, seizing a record haul of ecstasy pills.
EU expands Iran nuclear sanctions The European Union approves strengthened sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
Iraq's Sadr launches unarmed wing Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr forms a cultural wing, saying that his militias will disarm if the US withdraws from Iraq.
Allies vow support for Musharraf Supporters of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf say they are confident they can block moves to impeach him in parliament.
Home repossessions rise by 48% The number of properties repossessed by mortgage lenders in the UK rose by 48% in the first half of 2008, to 18,900.
OECD sees slower economic growth Paris-based group the OECD says economic slowdown lies ahead for the seven biggest economies in the world.