Malaysians are set to go to the polls, in what is widely seen as the most closely contested general election in their country's history.

Two Malian soldiers have been killed and several people injured in a suicide bombing in northern Mali, army officials say.

Cardinal Sean Brady, the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, calls on 5,500 people at an anti-abortion prayer vigil in Knock to oppose new legislation.

Current Brazilian champions Fluminense asks fans and players to stop posting photos online with their faces covered in 'Taliban warrior' style.

A coalition led by Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki wins the most seats in seven of 12 provinces, in the first elections since US troops withdrew in 2011.

Syrian state TV says Israeli rockets have hit an army research centre near Damascus, as huge explosions shake the outskirts of the capital.

A fierce wildfire threatening thousands of homes in southern California is being contained thanks to cooler, wetter winds, firefighters say.

Harvard history professor Niall Ferguson apologises for saying economist John Maynard Keynes did not care about society's future because he was gay.