The Norwegian government's decision not to meet the Dalai Lama today after coming under pressure from Beijing sends a "chilling signal to Tibetans in Tibet", his chief representative, Thubten Samdup, told Norway's NRK television network last week. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is on a two-day visit to Oslo at the invitation of the Norwegian Nobel Institute to mark the 25th anniversary of his 1989 Nobel Peace Prize award.

Three foreign nationals facing life sentences on drug-trafficking charges, including a 19-year-old French woman, will receive a verdict in their case from a Cambodian court today. Nigerian Precious Chneme Nwoko, 23, Australian national Ann Taylor, 41, and French citizen Charlene Savarino, 19, have been on trial in Phnom Penh since last month accused of attempting to smuggle more than 2kg of heroin from Cambodia to Australia last year.

President Jacob Zuma anticipates victory for the ruling African National Congress (ANC) when South Africa goes to the polls today. While unease with Zuma - who has faced corruption allegations over US$23 million in state spending on his private home - has grown, it is not expected to shake core support for the ANC. The party led the movement against white minority rule and has dominated politics in the country for 20 years.

Security has been tightened in the Nigerian capital Abuja ahead of the start of the World Economic Forum on Africa today, following two bomb blasts in the city in recent weeks. Boko Haram Islamists claimed responsibility for the first bombing and were suspected of carrying out the latest attack on Friday. Dubbed the "African Davos", the forum brings together 2,500 business and political leaders, academics and journalists, including Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, and Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.