GEORGIA: Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili has conceded defeat in parliamentary elections and said the opposition now had the right to form a government.

He said: “It’s clear from the preliminary results that the opposition has the lead and it should form the government. And I as president should help them with this.”

HONG KONG: At least 37 people have died after a ferry collided with party boat off Hong Kong.

Six crew from the two vessels have been arrested on suspicion of endangering passengers by operating the craft unsafely.

VATICAN: The pope’s butler has said he is innocent of stealing private correspondence but guilty of betraying the trust of the pontiff, whom he said he loved like a son would his father.

Paolo Gabriele entered the witness box in a Vatican courtroom to defend himself against a charge of aggravated theft.

AMERICA: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said the upcoming presidential debate is not about winning and losing.

Mr Romney has arrived in Denver ahead of his Wednesday fixture with President Barack Obama.

NEW ZEALAND: A Greek shipping company has agreed to pay the New Zealand government up to 31.5 million US dollars toward the clean-up costs of a cargo ship’s grounding on a reef near popular swimming and surfing beaches last year.

But taxpayers will still be footing some of the bill.

COLOMBIA: Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos announced that he has prostate cancer.He said the tumour was caught early and would be removed this week.

The 61-year-old Mr Santos told reporters in announcing the cancer at the presidential palace, his wife Maria Clemencia at his side, that he has a 97% chance of a full recovery.

COLOMBIA: Colombia’s largest guerrilla army says talks on ending the country’s protracted civil conflict have been postponed for a week.

Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels said in a statement that negotiations scheduled for October 8 in Norway will now open October 15.