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Xenophobic violence spiked in South Africa's Western Cape Province as the soccer world cup ended in a blaze of fireworks, and although it appears to have subsided, the fear of further attacks against foreign nationals still lingers.

"Religious freedom, the path to peace" is the theme chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the 2011 World Day of Peace.

The close collaboration between the city of Pawtucket and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has helped prepare the city for possible future disasters.

The need for humanitarian aid will increase in Afghanistan over the next 12 months when more than 130,000 US/NATO troops, backed by tens of thousands of Afghan forces, seek to make military gains against a resurgent Taliban, aid agencies warn.

"My sense is that the tough fighting will continue; indeed, it may get more intense in the next few months," newly appointed commander of all US/NATO forces Gen David Petraeus told lawmakers during his confirmation hearing on 29 June.

The population of Indians in Britain is expected to nearly double from 1.4 million to 2.67 million by 2051 by which time the country's population would hover around the 78 million mark, according to a new study.

The International Criminal Court has charged the Sudan president, General Omar al Bashir, with genocide.

Mankind’s continued existence has been put to the test by repeated occurrences of nature disasters and abnormal climate changes over the past decade. Many countries have encountered political and economic fluctuations; internal disorders and wars are becoming more frequent and are not easily settled in a short timeframe. In addition to getting used to the changes of our surviving environment, we have to adjust ourselves in recognition of these changes and take action to fit into the new order of the world.

South Africa President Jacob Zuma has said the government will soon launch a programme to thank South Africans for the role they played in making the World Cup successful.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was Sunday night picked as the FIFA Golden Ball winner as best player of the 2010 World Cup by journalists accredited to cover the tournament.

Octopus Paul has cost punters up to half a million quid after correctly backing Spain to beat Holland in the FIFA World Cup final.