A volcano eruption threatens villages in Argentina and Chile, where an orange alert - the second highest - has been issued.

Egyptians await the results of a referendum on a divisive draft constitution, a day after the resignation of the country's vice-president.

Dozens of shops are destroyed as a fire sweeps through a market and money exchange in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

India batsman Sachin Tendulkar announces his retirement from the 50-overs format of the game after a record-breaking career.

North Korea's has the ability to fire a rocket more than 10,000km, theoretically putting the Western US in range, South Korean officials say.

Venezuela will not call new elections if the recovering President Hugo Chavez is unable to attend his swearing-in ceremony in January, the Congress leader says.

Police in the north-east Indian state of Manipur shoot dead a journalist covering a protest over a sex attack on an actress, amid fresh violence in Delhi over the gang rape of a student.

Islamists in Mali are reported to have resumed a campaign to destroy mausoleums that they consider idolatrous in the historic city of Timbuktu.