The two main rivals in Albania's closely fought general election have appealed for calm before results are announced on Monday. The poll is seen as crucial for the country's hopes of one day joining the European Union.
The annual Black Entertainment Awards, which took place Sunday night in Los Angeles, changed its format to honour the late pop icon Michael Jackson. Actor Jamie Foxx was among those delivering speeches.
Iran's Guardian Council has begun a partial recount of 10% of ballots cast in the disputed June 12 presidential vote, whose outcome spurred weeks of violent protests across the country.
A woman was shot dead by a stray bullet in west Beirut on Sunday, caught in the crossfire between supporters of Shiite parliament speaker Nabih Berri's Amal movement and the majority Future movement.
Fraudulent financier Bernard Madoff will hear on Monday the prison term he is sentenced to for having tricked his clients out of an estimated $61 billion. Prosecutors have asked for 150 years, "the maximum punishment allowed by law".
The International Monetary Fund says France could return to "sluggish" growth as early as 2010 after having "weathered the current crisis better than most large economies."
After six years sharing power, President Cristina Kirchner and her husband, former president Nestor Kirchner, risk losing both their party's parliamentary majorities in Sunday's vote, preliminary results show.
Title holders Brazil fought back from two goals down to win the Confederations Cup final against the United States in Johannesburg (3-2). It was their third crown in this competition following triumphs in 1997 and 2005.
The Honduran Congress has named speaker Roberto Micheletti (right) as the country's interim president following the military's overthrow and expulsion of Manuel Zelaya (at left).
Spanish Primera Liga side Real Madrid have offered 32 million euros for Lyon star forward Karim Benzema, Marca sports daily reported. Manchester united and Arsenal are also linked with a move for the 21-year-old striker.
