News
Credit crunch dulls shine of England's northeast
It was held up by politicians two years ago as a model for economic revival for others in Europe. Now England's northeast is a frontline for the impact of a credit crisis that began in California.
European stocks open higher with financials in lead
European stocks opened higher on Wednesday with financials in the lead, building on the previous session's gains sparked by the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate cut and tracking advances in Asian equity markets.
Poll shows Obama has big lead in South Carolina
Democrat Barack Obama holds a double-digit lead on rival Hillary Clinton three days before South Carolina's presidential primary, aided by a huge edge among black voters, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.
Suicide blast wounds three in Afghan restaurant
A suicide blast at a restaurant wounded three people on Wednesday in the south-eastern Afghan town of Khost, a police official said.
Thaksin's wife pleads not guilty to Thai charges
The wife of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to corruption charges against her and her husband, who she said would return from exile to fight them in May.
Police to march through London over pay
About 15,000 off-duty police officers plan to march through central London on Wednesday to show their anger at the government's decision not to backdate a pay rise.
More children drinking alcohol and fuelling violence
Almost half of the country's youngsters are drinking in their pre-teen years, fuelling violence and anti-social behaviour, a government-backed study said on Wednesday.
Pope and ecumenical head to pray for Christian unity in Rome
Pope Benedict XVI and Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will meet in Rome on Friday at the centennial of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Niger rebels attack town, abduct senior officials
Suspected Tuareg rebels in Niger killed three people and abducted seven others, including the local prefect, in a raid on the town of Tanout, the local governor said on Tuesday.
Bomber kills one and wounds 21 at Iraq school
A suicide bomber killed one student and wounded a number of others when he detonated a trolley laden with explosives in a schoolyard north of Baghdad on Tuesday, Iraqi police said.
U.S. commander in Pakistan as Taliban attack fort
A top U.S. commander met with Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani on Tuesday, as Pakistani forces repulsed an attack by Taliban fighters close to a fort in a restive tribal region.
UNICEF sees child mortality toll dips below 10 million
About 9.7 million children die each year before their fifth birthday from diseases that could be prevented with simple, affordable measures, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.
Congo war-driven crisis kills 45,000 a month
War, disease and malnutrition are killing 45,000 Congolese every month in a conflict-driven humanitarian crisis that has claimed 5.4 million victims in nearly a decade, a survey released on Tuesday said.
Powers sceptical on Iran resolution deal
World powers played down prospects for a deal on new sanctions against Iran ahead of a meeting on Tuesday aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Tehran to curb its sensitive nuclear work.
Russia to investigate opposition challenger
Russian prosecutors accused opposition candidate Mikhail Kasyanov on Tuesday of forging signatures for his presidential bid, a step that could pave the way for his disqualification from the election.
Nuclear power rebirth revives waste debate
Nuclear power's credentials as a carbon-free energy source have helped to calm fears about its safety, but scientists have yet to solve the problem of the hundreds of thousands of years of toxic waste it generates.