Tensions soar ahead of Egypt poll result

Supporters of Muslim Brotherhood presidential candidate Mohamed Morsi demonstrate in Cairo’s Tahrir square on Saturday with tensions soaring in Egypt as the nation awaited the results of a divisive presidential election, pitting the Islamists against the ruling military. — AFP photo

Tensions soared in Egypt on Saturday a day before the result of a divisive presidential election and as the Muslim Brotherhood sparred with the ruling generals over what it sees as a military power grab. The electoral commission overseeing the divisive... Full story

Tensions with Turkey simmer as Assad retains old guard

Turkey on Saturday played down the loss of a warplane to Syrian air defences as the president, Bashar al-Assad, announced a new government with key posts unchanged and at least 30 people were killed nationwide. Full story

Rio+20 shows UN ‘impotence’ in global eco-crisis

The outcome of the Rio+20 summit provides further proof that the nation-state system is failing badly in tackling global environmental threats, say analysts. The UN’s Conference on Sustainable Development... Full story

New protests against ‘dictatorship’ in Sudan

Sudanese demonstrators staged on Saturday small-scale protests sparked by rising prices, witnesses said, the day after unrest engulfed the capital Khartoum and cities across the country. Full story

Deadly Israel raid on Gaza deals blow to truce efforts

An Israeli air strike on Gaza killed one Palestinian and wounded two on Saturday, medics said, in a blow to Egyptian-brokered efforts to restore an informal truce. There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli... Full story

Outcry in Latin America as Paraguay leader ousted

Paraguayan lawmakers have impeached president Fernando Lugo over his handling of a deadly land dispute, prompting an angry din across Latin America and refusals to recognize his successor. Full story

Indian PM congratulates new Pak PM

India’s prime minister has welcomed the appointment of new counterpart in Pakistan and said that he was ‘confident’ of strengthening ties between the two neighbours. Full story

Chavez hosts Ahmadinejad, blasts sanctions on Iran

The Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged Friday to stand together to battle ‘imperialism,’ with Chavez criticising tough sanctions on Tehran. Full story

US experts predict higher sea level rise: study

Global sea levels could rise two to three times higher over the next century than previously estimated, according to a study released Friday by the US National Research Council. Full story

Al-Qaeda laid landmines kill 35 in 10 days in Yemen

Landmines planted in Yemen’s southern province of Abyan by al-Qaeda militants before they were driven out from the area have killed at least 35 people in the past 10 days, officials said on Saturday. Full story

Military strike would be the end of Israel: Iran gen

A high-ranking Iranian general said on Saturday Israeli military action against Iran’s nuclear programme would lead to the collapse of the Jewish state, Fars news agency reported. Full story

Two killed as blast at Afghan music market

An improvised bomb exploded at a music market in an Afghan city on Saturday, leaving two people dead, officials said, a day after Taliban militants stormed a lakeside resort near Kabul, killing at least 18. Full story

Eight killed in Pakistan laundry attack

Gunmen on motorcycles on Saturday shot dead eight men at a laundry in the restive southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta, the police said. The gunmen were riding two motorcycles when they struck at the laundry... Full story