The president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, backed independence for the semi-autonomous region Saturday in its upcoming referendum, warning that unity would make southerners "second class" citizens.
Brazil has announced plans for the acquisition of 36 French-built Rafale fighter jets in a contract estimated to be worth at least $4 billion during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to the country.
France's president is in Brazil for a two-day visit that coincides with the country's independence day celebrations. Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to back Brazil's quest to act as a world power and to push for the sale of French fighter jets.
East Timor on Sunday celebrated the 10th anniversary of the UN-backed referendum that ended a bloody 24-year occupation by Indonesian forces. Artists and celebrities held concerts and exhibits nationwide for the event.
As the UN prepares to renew the mandate of ceasefire monitors in Abkhazia, separatist leaders have warned they will not allow peacekeepers to continue working unless the mission's name is changed to reflect their desire for independance.
The minority Serb population in newly independent Kosovo is distrustful of the EU's justice mission as it begins official business in the troubled Balkan state. The EULEX mission is the EU's biggest civilian operation yet.
The European Union's justice mission for Kosovo begins Tuesday. Some 2,000 observers will be deployed throughout the country to supervise its transition toward independence from Serbia.
Polls show that a majority of Greenland's population is likely to vote in favour of greater autonomy in a referendum on self-rule. The territory gained partial independence from Denmark in 1979 and withdrew from the European Union in 1982.
Montenegro, the last Balkan state to end its union with Serbia, recognised Kosovo on Thursday, soon followed by Macedonia, in a twin blow to Belgrade's efforts to counter the secession of its former province.
