News
Amnesty lays into China on rights before Olympics
The Olympics have so far failed to catalyse reform in China and pledges to improve human rights before the Games look disingenuous after a string of violations in Beijing and a crackdown in Tibet, Amnesty International said.
Bush calls on NATO allies for Afghan troops
U.S. President George W. Bush urged NATO allies on Wednesday to send more troops to Afghanistan, saying the alliance could not afford to lose its battle against Taliban insurgents and al Qaeda militants.
Clinton and Obama assail McCain on economy
Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama assailed potential White House opponent John McCain on the economy on Tuesday, accusing the Republican of favouring the wealthy and turning his back on struggling workers and middle-class families.
Somali gunmen kidnap British contractor
Somali gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped two contractors, a Briton and a Kenyan, working for a U.N.-funded project in southern Somalia, the United Nations said.
Argentine government backers rally against strike
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez, mired in a political crisis after 20 days of a farm strike that has caused food shortages, sought to show her resolve on Tuesday with a huge pro-government rally.
Germany and France aim to host '09 NATO summit jointly
Germany and France want to jointly host the 2009 NATO summit in the German city of Kehl and the French city of Strasbourg to mark the alliance's 60th anniversary, a German government spokesman said on Monday.
First Direct withdraws mortgages
HSBC-owned bank First Direct has withdrawn mortgages for new customers to clear a backlog after people flocked to the bank's relatively cheap rates as other lenders withdrew offers due to the credit crunch.
CofE bishops press for a greener EU budget
As the European Commission continues its consultation on the EU Budget, bishops in the Church of England are pushing for a greener budget that will take as its basis the biblical principle of stewardship.
Britain delays pulling troops out of Iraq
Britain will delay pulling up to 1,500 troops out of Iraq due to recent unrest in the southern city of Basra, Defence Secretary Des Browne said on Tuesday.
Health screening to save 2,000 lives a year
People aged between 40 and 74 in England are to be given free health screening to identify those at risk of vascular diseases that kill 170,000 a year, Health Secretary Alan Johnson announced on Tuesday.
Teachers to go on strike in bitter pay dispute
Teachers will go on strike for the first time in two decades later this month, their union announced on Tuesday, escalating a bitter pay dispute.
Diana's butler 'did not tell the truth'
Princess Diana's butler Paul Burrell did not tell the truth at the inquest into her death, the presiding judge told a jury in London on Tuesday.
Peers cast doubt on immigration benefits
Immigration has little economic benefit to Britain, according to a House of Lords committee on Tuesday which rejected government claims to the contrary and called on ministers to review their policies.
Zimbabwe poll may head to runoff
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will beat President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe's crucial election, but be forced into a runoff vote in three weeks, according to a ruling party projection.
Bush to press for Ukraine and Georgia in NATO
U.S. President George W. Bush vowed on Tuesday to press for Ukraine and Georgia to be allowed to start the process of joining NATO despite resistance from Russia and scepticism from the alliance's European members.
France may send extra troops to Afghanistan
France might send a few hundred extra troops to Afghanistan, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Tuesday, clashing with the opposition Socialists who accused the government of pandering to the United States.