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"US strike kills over a dozen" in Pakistan's tribal region

"US strike kills over a dozen" in Pakistan's tribal region Islamabad - More than a dozen people were killed in an airstrike carried out by a suspected US drone in Pakistan's tribal region along border with Afghanistan, security officials said.

"A US pilotless aircraft fired two guided missiles on the house of a person named Amanullah in Asori village of Mir Ali sub-district of North Waziristan," said a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Frankfurt Stock Exchange alters DAX rules after VW jump

Frankfurt Stock Exchange alters DAX rules after VW jump Frankfurt - The Frankfurt Stock Exchanged altered its rules Friday to prevent its three main indexes ever being distorted again by a crisis like this week's short squeeze on Volkswagen.

Stock in the German carmaker tripled on Monday and Tuesday to 1,000 euros a share after luxury car company Porsche revealed it owned or had options on 74 per cent of the stock. In August the stock had hovered near 200 euros.

South African convention to put flesh on new ANC rival party

South African convention to put flesh on new ANC rival party Johannesburg - South Africa was gearing up Friday for a radical shake-up in the country's political landscape as a split in the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the party of liberation from apartheid, came within days of fruition.

ANC members and former members who disagree with the direction the party is taking under current leader Jacob Zuma began arriving in Johannesburg Friday from across the country for a weekend convention that will lay the foundations for a new party.

Gadaffi begins three-day visit to Russia

Gadaffi begins three-day visit to RussiaMoscow - Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi arrived in Moscow on Friday for a three-day visit the Kremlin hopes will lead to weapons purchases by the North African country.

Gaddafi is due to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev during his stay. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had "no doubt" the visit would be a success.

Moscow has made a push to renew Soviet-era relations with Libya since former president Vladimir Putin traveled to Tripoli in April.

Austrian hostages freed in Mali

Austrian hostages freed in MaliVienna - After eight months in captivity, two Austrians kidnapped by a terrorist group in Tunisia were freed Thursday night in Mali, Austria's foreign ministry announced Friday.

Wolfgang Ebner, 51, and Andrea Kloiber, 43, spent their holiday driving around the Sahara near the Algerian border in February, when they were taken hostage, allegedly by the group al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb.

Following months of protracted negotiations, ransom demands and numerous deadlines set and extended by the alleged terrorists, the couple were set to fly home Saturday, Austrian Defense Minister Norbert Darabos said.

Brother of Afghan minister abducted in Pakistan

Peshawar - Unknown gunmen on Friday abducted the brother of Afghan Finance Minister Anwarul Haq Ahadi in Pakistan's North-Western Frontier Province, his family said.

They said Ziaul Haq Ahdi was on his way home after Friday prayers at a mosque in the Hayatabag neighbourhood of Peshawar when four assailants riding a vehicle kidnapped him on gunpoint.

"We were informed about the incident by witnesses," his elder brother Israrul Haq told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

Israrul Haq has a permanent residence in Peshawar while his younger brother Ziaul Haq was visiting from Afghanistan.

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