News
Mugabe to contest Zimbabwe run-off
Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe accepted that the opposition's Morgan Tsvangirai won more votes in the presidential election and will contest a run-off in a political battle that has raised fears of bloodshed.
China condemns Dalai Lama ahead of planned talks
Beijing lambasted the Dalai Lama as a criminal on Saturday as representatives of the exiled Buddhist leader headed for a meeting in southern China on the most serious unrest in Tibet for nearly two decades.
Abbas sends forces to north West Bank in security push
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's security forces began deploying to the northern West Bank city of Jenin on Saturday for a law-and-order campaign meant to show the government is laying the ground for statehood.
U.S. reportedly weighs thousands more troops for Afghan war
The Pentagon is considering sending up to 7,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan next year to make up for a shortfall in contributions from NATO allies, the New York Times reported on Saturday.
Southeast Asia to cooperate over food security
Southeast Asia nations meeting in Bali have agreed to cooperate over the rice market, Malaysia's trade minister said on Saturday, as rocketing prices shock a region where the grain is a core part of most meals.
Chavez best hope for Colombia's Betancourt
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is the best hope for successfully negotiating the release of French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and other hostages held by leftist Colombian guerrillas, her husband said on Friday.
Minister killed in Sudan plane crash
Southern Sudan's minister of defence and a presidential adviser were among at least 23 people killed on Friday in a plane crash blamed on engine failure, officials said.
U.S. ponders Guantanamo closure as Bush term ends
The Bush administration could announce plans by the end of its term in January to close Guantanamo prison and an upcoming Supreme Court ruling might be the impetus for this, senior U.S. officials and experts say.
Himalayan snowfall hits Everest Olympic torch bid
China's bold plan to take a special Olympic torch to the top of Mount Everest faced a possible setback on Saturday as snow fell on the world's highest mountain.
UK soldier killed by mine in Afghanistan
A British soldier died and four others were wounded in a mine blast in the southern Afghan province of Helmand, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.
Big rise in drink arrests of women
The number of women arrested for being drunk and disorderly has risen by more than 50 percent in the past five years, and soared by over 1,000 percent in some areas, police figures showed on Friday.
MPs reiterate call for biofuel moratorium
The country should pull back from policies promoting biofuels and resist attempts to increase European Union targets until safeguards are in place to protect the environment, a parliamentary committee said on Friday.
What the Bank has to weigh up next week
The Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates steady next week but grim economic news clearly leaves open the possibility of another quarter-point cut as the central bank prepares its new forecasts.
Brown preparing relaunch after poll drubbing
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is preparing a new legislative programme focusing on the economy, health, education and constitutional reform, to fight back as soon as next week after a drubbing in local elections.
Defra raises concern over bee colony losses
Investigations into the decimation of bee colonies have been stepped up after more severe losses this year, the government said on Friday.
900 new churchgoers six months after 'Back to Church Sunday'
Six months after the Back to Church Sunday evangelistic campaign, figures from the Diocese of Lichfield show that between 700 and 900 of the 6,000 people who came Back to Church in the area on 29 September last year are now regular churchgoers.