News
Japan's Fukuda on charm offensive in China
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda played a friendly game of catch on his visit to China on Saturday, a symbol of warming ties between the North Asian rivals despite an intractable row over gas resources in disputed waters.
Bhutto supporter killed in new Pakistan violence
Masked gunmen shot dead a supporter of slain Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Saturday, as violence triggered by her assassination entered a third day and al Qaeda-linked militants denied killing her.
Colombian hostage mission awaits rebel go-ahead
Venezuelan helicopter rescue teams waited at the edge of a Colombian wilderness on Saturday for the go-ahead from Marxist rebels to pick up three hostages held for years in secret jungle camps.
Abbas's govt dismantling militant groups: minister
The top Palestinian security official said on Saturday his government was dismantling militant groups, including those connected to President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction.
Al Qaeda ally denies role in Bhutto slaying
Al Qaeda-linked Pakistani militant Baitullah Mehsud was not involved in the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, his spokesman said on Saturday, and blamed the government for killing her.
Opposition claims victory in Kenya polls
Kenya's opposition claimed victory on Saturday in a presidential vote after official figures gave their candidate a four percentage point lead over President Mwai Kibaki on three-quarters of the count.
Beijing says democracy possible in HK in 2017
China ruled out full democracy for Hong Kong in 2012 on Saturday, ignoring the majority opinion in the former British colony, but said it may pick its leader by universal suffrage at the following opportunity, in 2017.
Post-Christmas sales shopping fall
After a surge in post-Christmas sales shopping on Wednesday, fewer shoppers hit the high street on Thursday, adding to signs a consumer slowdown may be in the offing.
Britons fear those post-Christmas bills
Consumers are too scared to open post-Christmas bills, a survey by the financial watchdog has found.
Police seize gallons of booze from teenagers
Police confiscated more than 3,700 litres of beer, cider, wine and spirits from underage drinkers during a month-long national crackdown, the Home Office said on Saturday.
Second arrest after teenager stabbed to death
Police made a second arrest on Friday in connection with the death of a teenage boy, stabbed in broad daylight in a busy shopping street in an upmarket area of north London.
Boy dies after pet Rottweiler attack
A one-year-old boy has died after being attacked by a dog at the home of a relative, West Yorkshire Police said.
Kylie Minogue to get OBE
Kylie Minogue, the Australian singer and actress who has battled breast cancer, was honoured by the Queen on Saturday, with other awards given to sportsmen, entertainers and businessmen.
Pakistan-born Bishop condemns Bhutto assassination
The Pakistan-born Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, has called the assassination of Benazir Bhutto a "body blow for freedom and democracy in Pakistan".
Row erupts as Presbyterian woman minister is barred from joint service
A row has broken out among Presbyterian churches in Northern Ireland after a Presbyterian minister in Portadown barred a minister from another church from taking part in a joint Christmas Day service on the grounds that she was a woman.
Egyptian Government compensates Christians after Muslim attacks
The Egyptian Government has given 1,265,000 Egyptian pounds (US$230,000) in compensation to 17 Coptic Christians whose property was damaged by a mob of angry Muslims.