News
China rescuers search for crashed quake chopper
Chinese rescuers searched on Monday for a military helicopter carrying injured quake survivors that crashed in heavy fog in the mountains of Sichuan province, state media said.
Iraq hits milestones on U.S. troop deaths and oil
U.S. troop deaths in Iraq fell to their lowest level last month since the 2003 invasion and officials said on Sunday improved security also helped the country boost oil production in May to a post-war high.
Bangladesh hotel blasts injure more than 30 people
Blasts at a multi-storey hotel in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka injured more than 30 people, police said on Monday.
Fire destroys buildings at Universal Studios
A huge fire burned for nearly 10 hours at the Universal Studios film and TV studio on Sunday, damaging a sound stage, movie sets, a popular "King Kong" attraction and shutting down its theme park and CityWalk shopping center for the day.
Shuttle Discovery closes in on space station
Space shuttle Discovery closed in on the International Space Station on Sunday to deliver a Japanese research laboratory, a new crew member and a repair kit for the outpost's faulty toilet.
London ban on booze on tubes and trains begins
A ban on alcohol on London's transport system comes into force on Sunday, designed to make buses, Tubes and trains safer for the public, but with unions warning staff could be put in greater danger instead.
Brown leadership speculation 'nonsense'
Two leading government ministers sprang to the defence of embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday, eager to quash speculation about a leadership challenge as his poll ratings tumble.
Japanese PM shares woes with Brown
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda plans to sound out Prime Minister Gordon Brown on climate change and inflation in their meeting on Monday, ahead of the G8 summit in Japan next month.
Australian troops pull out of Iraq
About 500 Australian combat troops pulled out of their base in southern Iraq on Sunday, fulfilling an election promise by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to bring the soldiers home this year.
Macedonians vote in shadow of violence
Macedonians voted on Sunday in a parliamentary election seen as a test of the country's political maturity after campaign violence raised fears its slow progress toward European Union membership could be further delayed.
France calls on Iran to open nuclear plants for scrutiny
Iran should open its nuclear installations to international scrutiny to clear suspicions about its nuclear ambitions, French Defence Minister Herve Morin said on Sunday.
Space shuttle carries Japanese lab into orbit
Space shuttle Discovery blasted off a seaside launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday to deliver Japan's huge new research laboratory to the International Space Station.
Thai opposition vows to continue protests
A Thai opposition group vowed on Sunday to hold more anti-government street rallies in Bangkok in a bid to force the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to step down.
Israel to build new homes in occupied West Bank
Israel announced plans on Sunday to build hundreds of new homes in an area of the occupied West Bank the Israeli government considers part of Jerusalem, despite U.S. and Palestinian calls to halt settlement expansion.
Nepal back to work after republic
Nepal was back to work on Sunday as government offices and schools opened for the first time since the Himalayan nation turned into a republic, ending its 239-year-old monarchy.
Petrol fuels political woes for Australia's Rudd
Rising petrol prices have ended Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's political honeymoon after 6 months in office, with commentators warning his Labour government may now be vulnerable at the next election.