VIENNA (AFP) - The OPEC oil producers' cartel upgraded slightly on Wednesday its forecast for modest growth in world oil demand this year, but warned the slow pace of economic recovery was clouding the outlook.

JOS, Nigeria (AFP) - Forty-nine members of the mainly Muslim Fulani clan arrested after weekend attacks on Christian villages are to be charged with murder, the state police chief said Wednesday.

VATICAN CITY (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI Wednesday denounced the "atrocious violence causing bloodshed in Nigeria" after weekend massacres of Christians in the city of Jos.

BAMAKO (AFP) - A Spanish aid worker and an Italian woman held hostage by Islamist militants in Mali, were freed Wednesday and were due to arrive in neighbouring Burkina Faso, a diplomatic source told AFP.

JOS, Nigeria (AFP) - A Nigerian state police chief Wednesday revised the death toll from weekend sectarian massacres from 500 to 109, saying an earlier toll by government officials was fabricated.