News
Hezbollah seizes large parts of Beirut
Hezbollah gunmen took control of large areas of Beirut on Friday in a third day of fighting between the pro-Iranian group and fighters loyal to the U.S.-backed governing coalition.
Oil surges to record high as funds march in
Oil rose to a fresh record near $125 a barrel on Friday, as a strong performance over the last week and a surge in heating oil futures convinced investment funds to push prices higher.
U.N. sees 1.5 million people affected by Burma cyclone
The United Nations believes that at least 1.5 million people in Burma have been "severely affected" by Cyclone Nargis, U.N. humanitarian affairs chief John Holmes said on Thursday.
Free AIDS drugs slash death rate in Malawi study
Providing free AIDS drugs to people in northern Malawi has slashed adult mortality rates, vindicating a recent ramp-up in treatment in poor parts of rural Africa, researchers said on Friday.
Christian leaders mark Israel's anniversary with 'just peace' call
Over 140 Christian leaders have made a unified call for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. Their declaration is published today in The Independent newspaper.
China says Beijing Olympics basically carbon neutral
This summer's Beijing Olympics will be "basically" carbon neutral thanks to a series of energy saving measures such as the use of solar power and an afforestation programme, a senior official said on Thursday.
China reports two more deaths from child virus
China reported two more deaths on Thursday from a severe strain of hand, foot and mouth disease, bringing its toll from the outbreak to 30, all of them young children, Xinhua news agency reported.
Aid officials urge relief for Baghdad slum
Civilians caught up in fighting between security forces and Shi'ite militiamen in a Baghdad slum are running out of food, water and medicines and relief agencies are unable to bring in supplies, officials said on Thursday.
Iran blames West for mosque blast
Iran has arrested members of a terrorist group with links to Britain and the United States who were behind a blast at a mosque last month that killed 14 and wounded 200 in the southern city of Shiraz, a news agency said.
Smith says police should harass young thugs
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said on Thursday police should turn the tables on young thugs who terrorise neighbourhoods by filming and harassing them at home.
U.S. says Burma backtracks on aid flight
Desperate survivors cried out for aid on Thursday nearly a week after Cyclone Nargis killed up to 100,000 people, as pressure piled up on Burma to throw its doors open to an international relief operation.
We're throwing away a fortune in food
The amount of good food Britons throw away unnecessarily is at record levels, according to a study on Thursday, costing the economy 10 billion pounds a year.
Climate tsar says flight rationing unwelcome
Britain's growing hunger for flights abroad should not be rationed in the fight against climate change, the chief of the government's new climate change committee said.
Christian relief, prayers helping to ease 'unimaginable suffering' in Burma
Christian aid agencies and leaders are keeping Burma in their prayers as they scramble emergency aid to the cyclone-ravaged country.
Pope reaches out to China at unprecedented concert
Pope Benedict reached out to communist China on Wednesday at an unprecedented concert by its national orchestra in the Vatican that the Church hopes can help end decades of icy relations with Beijing.
Armenian leader condemns 'genocide' before Pope
Armenia's Orthodox leader on Wednesday used the pulpit of the Vatican to condemn the 1915 killing of 1.5 million ethnic Armenians by Ottoman Turks, saying the whole world should recognise it as a genocide.