News
Fannie and Freddie rescue calms markets
A U.S government plan to shore up mortgage finance firms Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helped calm markets on Monday but did little to allay fears about the health of the U.S. financial system.
InBev agrees to buy Anheuser for $50 bln
U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc accepted a sweetened $50 billion (25.2 billion pound) takeover bid from Belgium-based InBev NV, creating the world's largest beer maker.
ICC prosecutor set to charge Sudan's Bashir
The International Criminal Court's (ICC) prosecutor looks poised to seek the arrest of Sudan's president on Monday for alleged war crimes in Darfur in a move Khartoum warns could set fire to the region.
Govt blasted over carbon emissions
The government's record in cutting its own emissions of planet-warming gases was "extremely poor", a cross-party panel of politicians said on Monday.
Italy and Britain eye nuclear power potential
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Sunday oil-consuming countries should meet to fix a maximum price they were prepared to pay for oil or they would have to invest heavily in nuclear power.
Kids should work with hands for brains' sake
British children's brain development is being threatened by their failure to work with their hands in school and at home, said a report released on Monday.
Top South Korea party seeks talks with North on killing
The ruling party of South Korea's president said on Monday it wanted dialogue with North Korea over the shooting death of a South Korean tourist at a resort in the North to prevent already frayed ties from being further damaged.
Malaysia's Anwar snubs police and risks arrest
Malaysian opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim refused to meet police on Monday over sodomy accusations against him, his lawyer said, challenging the authorities to serve an order on him.
Soon-to-be-released Tomlin album features hit 'Jesus Messiah'
Chris Tomlin, one of the most popular worship leaders of our time, will be releasing his fifth studio album, Hello Love, this autumn with recently released solo "Jesus Messiah" amongst the tracks.
France to crack down on under-age binge drinking
France will ban the sale of alcohol to minors and drinking in public near schools as part of a broad crackdown on binge drinking among youths, the health minister said in an interview published on Sunday.
France launches Med Union
Leaders from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East launched a 43-nation Union for the Mediterranean on Sunday pledging practical cooperation among erstwhile enemies on water, energy and education.
Insurgents kill 9 U.S. troops in Afghanistan
Insurgents killed nine U.S. soldiers in an assault on an Afghan army and NATO outpost in northeastern Afghanistan on Sunday, making it one of the worst days for foreign troops casualties in the country since 2001.
UK military investigating 2003 Iraq abuse claim
British military police are investigating an abuse allegation after a newspaper reported an Iraqi youth claimed troops made him perform a sex act on another prisoner in 2003, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday.
Government scrambles to fight knife crime
Britons convicted of carrying knives will be made to visit hospital emergency wards in an attempt to confront them with the reality of stab wounds, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said on Sunday.
Israel-Hezbollah prisoner swap set for Wednesday
Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group will exchange prisoners on Wednesday under a U.N.-mediated deal, the Israeli prisons service said on Sunday.
Iraq poised for new offensive
Iraqi security forces are poised to launch a major crackdown in volatile Diyala province, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday, the latest in a series of operations aimed at stabilising the country.