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Madrid  - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was critical Wednesday of Real Madrid's summer spending spree.

When asked by television channel Cuatro his opinion of Real planning to spend a world record 96 million euros (132.88 million dollars) on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Zapatero said that the fee was "excessive."

Nyon, Switzerland  - Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been suspended for six UEFA club competition matches following incidents at the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona last month, UEFA said Wednesday.

UEFA's control and disciplinary body said the suspensions relating to the last two matches will be deferred for a probationary period of two years.

Islamabad  - Pakistani authorities on Wednesday temporarily shut-down the international airport in Peshawar, amid a rise in Taliban attacks in the northern city.

"Peshawar airport has been closed for the time being due to technical reasons and the flights are being diverted to Islamabad airport," said Pervez George, a spokesman of country's Civil Aviation Authority told German Press Agency dpa over phone from the southern city of Karachi.

Bloemfontein, South Africa  - A second-half header from David Villa helped tournament favourites Spain finally overcame an overly defensive Iraq 1-0 Wednesday to book their place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

The win was the European champions' 34th match on the trot without defeat, moving Vicente del Bosque's side ever closer to the longest consecutive unbeaten streak in history, a run of 35 games established by Brazil between 1993 and 1996.

Berlin  - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday praised China's aid programme in Africa as more effective and quicker than the aid spending of the European Union.

Speaking to officials of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin, she called for EU nations to take a leaf out of China's book and its "very clear development aid policy" and coordinate their aid properly.

Maputo  - Members of Mozambique's main opposition party Renamo allegedly abducted several members of the country's new opposition Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) during campaigning and held them hostage for hours, reports said Wednesday.

Mozambique's daily Noticias newspaper said the MDM members were campaigning for presidential, parliamentary and local elections in October in Buzi district, central Sofala province when they were intercepted by members of Renamo.