Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, under taint for allegedly attempting to
sell Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat, exercises his executive authority to
appoint a successor -- but Senate Democrats say they will seek to block the
...   more »

Egypt's first female mayor Eva Habil is aiming to reconcile her fellow
Christians and Muslims in the town of Komboha after beating five male
candidates to the position.

ASSYUT, EGYPT REUTERS -
As Eva Habil ...   more »

New Zealand and Australia begin the new year with a magnificant
display of fireworks.

31/12/2008 Reuters -
In New Zealand, a staged pyrotechnics fireworks display took place from
Auckland's Sky Tower to celebrate the New ...   more »

Former mayor of North Ossetia's capital Vladikavkas in restive North
Caucasus region shot dead in his car.

VLADIKAVKAZ, NORTH OSSETIA, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 31, 2008) REUTERS -
The former mayor of one of the largest cities ...   more »

Cuban officials indicate they're open to proposals from U.S.
President-elect Barack Obama while a university poll shows that for the first
time a majority of Cuban-Americans in Miami's exile community are in favor of
lifting ...   more »

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (DECEMBER 30, 2008) REUTERS -
The trial of the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at U.S.
President George W. Bush in Baghdad has been postponed pending an appeal over
whether the incident ...   more »

Africa seemed to dominate world news in 2008 and though there were several
positive developments, many of the major stories revolved around the various
conflicts raging across the continent.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA REUTERS -
These ...   more »

This year some African countries have taken measures to strengthen their
economies despite effects of the the global financial crisis and increasing
costs of food and fuel.

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST REUTERS -
ADAMOU BATIRI, CEREAL ...   more »