News
U.S. House votes to outlaw CIA waterboarding
The Democratic-led U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday to outlaw harsh interrogation methods, such as simulated drowning, that the CIA has used against suspected terrorists.
Red Cross says Israeli clamps worsen humanitarian crisis
Israeli restrictions have caused a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank that is growing worse, leaving hospitals unable to treat the sick and keeping farmers off their land, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.
French aid workers in Chad to go on trial
Six French humanitarian workers accused in Chad of trying to smuggle 103 African children to Europe will go on trial on December 21 after authorities speeded up the handling of their case, lawyers said on Thursday.
Iraqi children's play shows 'We are all friends'
The young performers were funny, the audience giggled and clapped, and the message at a children's theatre festival in Iraq's National Theatre was as serious as it was entertaining.
Malaysia floods kill 12
Floods in Malaysia have killed 12 people and left more than 20,000 homeless, and more rain is expected, which could push up food and palm oil prices in one of the world's top growers.
All 11 hottest years were in last 13
The 11 warmest years on record have all occurred in the last 13 years, with 2007 set to be the seventh hottest since 1950, according to provisional global data from the Met Office and the University of East Anglia.
Immigration row takes shine off Brown's performance
Rows over immigration and Europe overshadowed a strong performance by Gordon Brown on Thursday in his first cross-party grilling in parliament since becoming prime minister.
MPs say 'No case' for 42-day detention plan
Plans to let police detain terrorism suspects for up to 42 days without charge were dealt a blow on Thursday after an influential parliamentary committee said no case to change the law had been made.
JK Rowling magic tales fetch 1.95 million pounds
A hand-written, illustrated book of wizardry by Harry Potter author JK Rowling fetched a record 1.95 million pounds at auction in London on Thursday, nearly 40 times its expected price.
Geldof calls for more nuclear power
Anti-poverty campaigner Bob Geldof joined the global warming debate on Thursday with a call for the rapid expansion of nuclear power, describing renewable energy as a "Mickey Mouse" answer to the climate crisis.
Pratchett says he has Alzheimer's
Fantasy and science fiction author Terry Pratchett, 59, has been diagnosed with a rare form of early onset Alzheimer's disease, he said in a statement to his fans.
Brown adamant on police pay row
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Thursday the government would not back down in a dispute with police over pay, a day after the body which represents hundreds of thousands of officers called on the Home Secretary to resign.
Hirst donates pickled cow to Tate gallery
Multi-millionaire artist Damien Hirst said on Thursday he was donating four major works to the Tate Gallery, including a sliced and pickled cow and calf.
Diana wrote to Philip as 'Dearest Pa'
Princess Diana thanked her father-in-law Prince Philip for trying to save her crumbling marriage and praised his skills as a counsellor, the inquest into her death was told on Thursday.
Miracle healings not recognised by government computer
A woman confined to a wheelchair for six years has been told that she cannot end her welfare allowance claims even after being healed of her disability because the government computer does not recognise miracles.
Mexicans crowd shrine despite church's troubles
Hundreds of thousands of believers, some walking for hours, paid homage to Mexico's most revered Catholic figure on Wednesday in a colourful, noisy show of faith that defied growing challenges to the church.