News
Africa Gets Biotech Boost Against Killer Diseases
South African President Thabo Mbeki opened an international biotechnology centre on Monday that aims to develop vaccines for HIV/AIDS and other diseases that kill thousands of Africans daily. The Cape Town-based branch of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) will focus on infectious diseases including malaria and tuberculosis.
Serbia says No Troop Plan for Kosovo - EU
Serbia has told the European Union it has no plans to send troops into Kosovo and recent comments by a junior minister suggesting otherwise were the result of a misunderstanding, a top EU official said on Monday.
Sudan Bombs North Darfur Town - Rebels
Sudanese government aircraft bombed a rebel-held town in Darfur on Monday, insurgent groups said, hours after the government said it was investigating a bloody rebel raid on one of its bases last month.
Battle Begins for Extra EU Assembly Seats
A battle between European Union governments for more seats in the European Parliament starts on Tuesday when the EU lawmaker charged with drafting the future make-up of the influential assembly delivers his plan.
UK Government to Review Casino Gaming Duty
The British government said on Monday it was reviewing taxes paid on player-to-player games in casinos, such as poker, where gamblers' so-called participation fees are subject to VAT but not gaming duty.
Rwanda says Congo Rebel has 'Legitimate Grievances'
Rwandan President Paul Kagame called on Monday for a political deal to end fighting in eastern Congo and said a renegade Tutsi general there had legitimate political grievances.
South Africa Makes Pledges on Accountability
South African government, business and civil society groups pledged on Monday to tackle social problems highlighted by an African initiative to improve government accountability.
Study Shows Vitamin C's Cancer-Fighting Properties
Vitamin C can impede the growth of some types of tumors although not in the way some scientists had suspected, researchers reported on Monday.
Portuguese Police to Hand Madeleine Case to Prosecutor
Portuguese police were due to hand a file with evidence against the parents of missing 4-year-old Madeleine McCann on Tuesday to the public prosecutor, who will decide whether to charge them.
Debt Worries Hit High in England, Wales in 2006
Calls to a citizens advice charity in England and Wales about problems with personal debt rose by 20 percent in 2006 to a record high of 1.7 million, Citizens Advice said on Tuesday.
UN Chief Defends Libya as Venue for Darfur Talks
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday defended Libya as the venue for crucial peace talks on Darfur despite its spotty human rights record
Terrorism Seen as Biggest Threat to Beijing Olympic Games
Terrorism is the biggest threat to next year's Beijing Olympics, a state newspaper on Tuesday cited top Chinese security officials as saying.
US Team Enters North Korea for Nuclear Survey
A team of U.S. officials and nuclear experts crossed the heavily armed border into North Korea on Tuesday on a rare visit to survey the communist state's nuclear facilities.
Sept 11 Comes Around Again, Emotive as Ever
New Yorkers are doing all they can to preserve the way Sept. 11 is commemorated, and with it falling on a Tuesday for the first time since 2001, the day is another trigger of tragic memories.
UN Council Cautions Timorese on Renewed Violence
The U.N. Security Council called on East Timor to refrain from further violence after mayhem erupted when independence leader Xanana Gusmao became prime minister last month.
Flooding Leaves 3.5 Million People Homeless in India
Soldiers in motor boats rescued thousands of marooned people and helicopters air-dropped food as the number of people made homeless after some of the worst flooding in years in India's northeast rose to 3.5 million.