undermining

support for the governing African National Congress.

The United Nations has said the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will attend a summit of non-aligned developing nations in Iran next week despite calls by the United States and Israel to boycott the event. A spokesman said Mr Ban would use the meeting to raise international concerns about Iran's nuclear program, human rights and the crisis in Syria. From the UN, here's Nada Tawfik.

Recent remarks by Iran's leaders

calling in question

the Holocaust and Israel's existence have increased pressure on Ban Ki-moon to isolate Iran. Last week, Mr Ban condemned the statement as offensive and

inflammatory

. But today in New York, his spokesperson said not attending the summit and talks with Iran's leaders would be a missed opportunity. Negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program have yet to produce an agreement. During a Security Council briefing on Wednesday, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs said it appeared Iran may be exporting arms to Syria. Mr Ban's spokesman said the trip would allow the Secretary General to make clear to the Iranian leadership what was expected from Tehran.

An international scientific study suggests that the children of older fathers are at greater risk of suffering some form of mental disorder. The research, published in the journal Nature, says men who have children at 40 pass on twice as many genetic mutations to their offspring as fathers aged 20.