Canada’s Liberals hold on to power

Toronto Prime Minister Paul Martin’s minority government survived the most crucial in a series of confidence votes late Tuesday, easing the risk that Canada’s government could fall.

The Liberals, with support of New Democrats and some Tories, defeated the Bloc Quebecois in a vote on a federal budget appropriations bill by 249-53.

Earlier Tuesday, Martin’s party won another confidence vote on a spending bill. The bills were among confidence measures to be voted on in the House of Commons.

3 suspected terrorists detained in Germany

Berlin German authorities on Tuesday arrested three Iraqis suspected of supporting Ansar al-Islam, a group believed to have links to al Qaeda.

The three are accused of providing money to Ansar al-Islam they raised or donated themselves, as well as providing other services.

Followers of Ansar al-Islam have been arrested in several European countries for allegedly channeling suicide bombers to Iraq.

South Africa’s Mbeki fires his heir apparent

Cape Town, South Africa President Thabo Mbeki fired his deputy and heir apparent Tuesday after he was implicated in a corruption scandal.

Jacob Zuma, 63, had been groomed to take over Africa’s economic powerhouse when Mbeki steps down in 2009.

Mbeki told Parliament a judge’s ruling that Zuma had a “generally corrupt” relationship with his financial adviser required him to dismiss his deputy. Zuma maintains he has done no wrong.

Andean quake victims getting emergency aid

Santiago, Chile Chile sent medicine and tents Tuesday to a northern Andean region rocked by an earthquake that killed at least 11 people.

The magnitude 7.9 quake struck Monday, also rattling cities in Bolivia and Peru. The temblor was centered about 940 miles north of Santiago.

At least 11 people were killed and 130 were injured, officials said. The quake caused power outages and disrupted water supplies.