News
Tibet protest as torch lands in Australia
Pro-Tibetan protesters beamed laser signs onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Wednesday reading "Don't Torch Tibet" and "China, talk to the Dalai Lama", as the Olympic torch arrived in Australia under tight security.
American arrested as nuclear spy for Israel
The United States arrested an 84-year-old American on Tuesday suspected of giving Israel secrets on nuclear weapons, fighter jets and missiles in the 1980s, in a case linked to the Jonathan Pollard spy scandal that rocked U.S.-Israeli relations.
Protests in Bangladesh capital over water shortage
Hundreds of people staged protests in the Bangladeshi capital on Wednesday against a shortage of drinking water, witnesses said, defying a ban on such demonstrations.
France and U.S. draft Somalia piracy resolution
France and the United States, with the aid of Britain, are drafting a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing countries to fight piracy off Somalia and elsewhere, France's U.N. envoy said on Tuesday.
Mexico judge jails Canadian woman for 5 years
A Canadian woman who became a cause celebre at home after being kept in a Mexican jail for two years without trial, received a five-year prison sentence on Tuesday after being convicted of links to an investment scam.
Taliban kill seven Afghan police in attacks
Taliban insurgents killed seven Afghan policemen in an attack on a police post and a separate suicide bomb blast on Wednesday, officials and witnesses said.
Africa gets impatient with Mugabe
South African ruling party leader Jacob Zuma called on Tuesday for African action to resolve Zimbabwe's crisis, amid signs of increasing regional impatience with President Robert Mugabe.
Farm barn plays host to BBC Rogation Service
More than fifty people gathered together in a farm barn to help people all over two counties celebrate the ancient ceremony that marks Rogationtide in the countryside calendar.
Elvis' secret UK visit revealed, 50 years on
Rock'n'Roll legend Elvis Presley did in fact visit Britain, it was revealed on Tuesday, with a secret visit to London accompanied by another rocker.
UK regulator says could order BAA to sell airports
BAA may be ordered to sell one or more of its seven UK airports after the competition regulator said the operator may not best be serving the interests of airlines or passengers.
Homeowners can help UK hit renewable goals - Centrica
Britain could meet its renewable energy goals without punishing the power sector by improved support for homeowners wanting to help out, the director of Centrica-owned
For Baghdad traders, safer streets but no upturn
Boxes full of toasters, washing machines and freezers are stacked high in front of Hashim Nur al-Moussawi's electrical equipment emporium on the edge of the Shorja market in central Baghdad.
Police find body believed to be of missing mother
Police said on Tuesday they had found a body, believed to be that of a mother who had gone missing with her severely disabled son.
Climate change can stoke Africa conflicts
Climate change in Africa could leave 250 million more people short of water by 2020, spurring conflicts and threatening stability on the world's poorest continent, the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner said on Tuesday.
EU gives more food aid due to soaring world prices
The European Commission will give a further 117.25 million euros ($185.6 million) in food aid to lessen the impact of rising food prices on the world's most vulnerable people, it said on Tuesday. "The rise in basic food prices is a worldwide humanitarian disaster in the making," EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel told the European Parliament.
UK Fraud Office to appeal Saudi arms deal decision
Britain's Serious Fraud Office is seeking permission to appeal against a London High Court ruling which sharply criticised the halting of a corruption investigation into a Saudi arms deal, it announced on Tuesday.