MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AFP) - Christian conservative Rick Santorum on Tuesday was projected to win the Minnesota caucuses, US media said, giving his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination a major boost.

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (AFP) - A US drone attack targeting a militant compound killed eight insurgents in a troubled Pakistani tribal region on Wednesday, security officials said.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A trio of top US senators on Tuesday warned Egypt that the risk of a "disastrous" rupture in ties had "rarely been greater" amid an escalating row over the planned trial of US pro-democracy activists.

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Argentina will present a formal complaint in the United Nations over Britain's "militarization" of the situation in the Falklands, President Cristina Kirchner said Tuesday.

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) - Global mining giant BHP Billiton said Wednesday its first-half profits fell 5.5 percent to US$9.94 billion, largely due to lower commodity prices and some production constraints.