News
UK's Brown focuses on climate change in China
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's visit to China switches focus to the environment on Saturday as he highlights how Britain and China can cooperate to fight climate change.
Bush unveils plan for stimulating economy
President George W. Bush called on Congress on Friday to give the U.S. economy a "shot in the arm" with an election-year package of temporary tax cuts and other measures worth up to $150 billion (77 billion pounds).
Israel flattens Hamas ministry in Gaza Strip
Israel bombed the Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza and closed border crossings with the coastal strip on Friday in an intensified campaign to halt Palestinian rocket attacks.
Poll shows Clinton holds Nevada lead on Obama
Democrat Hillary Clinton holds a narrow 5-point lead on rival Barack Obama in Nevada on the eve of the state's presidential nominating contest, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Friday.
Police clash with cult gunmen in southern Iraq
Iraqi police clashed with gunmen from a Shi'ite cult who staged a series of hit-and-run raids in two southern cities on Friday, security officials said.
Yemen gunmen kill three
Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in eastern Yemen on Friday, killing two Belgians and one Yemeni, a security official said.
Thai court clears election winning party
Thailand's Supreme Court threw out a lawsuit on Friday accusing the People Power Party (PPP) of poll fraud, clearing the way for it to form a coalition government.
Chess genius Bobby Fischer dies in Iceland
Bobby Fischer, America's first and only world chess champion who was once dubbed the "Mozart of Chess", has died in Iceland at the age of 64.
Israel closes Gaza crossings
Israel tightened its closure of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Friday in response to cross-border rocket fire by militants, preventing even U.N. humanitarian supplies from getting in, officials said.
Kenya protest violence spreads
One man was killed in ethnic violence on Friday when Kenyan opposition protests against a disputed election spread to an area near the famed Maasai Mara game reserve in the south of the country.
China's Wen invites Brown to attend Beijing Games
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao invited Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife to attend this year's Beijing Olympics on Friday.
Lily Allen suffers miscarriage
Lily Allen has had a miscarriage, a source close to the singer told Reuters on Friday. The 22-year-old, nominated for a Grammy award for best alternative music album, was expecting her first child with Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons.
Weak retail sales open door for Feb rate cut
Retail sales unexpectedly fell in December, despite heavy discounting, with a slowdown on the high street striking at the busiest period for retailers and opening the door for an interest rate cut next month.
EMI and Warner submit Chrysalis bids
EMI, under its new owner Guy Hands, has tabled an indicative bid for music firm Chrysalis - one of many indicative offers submitted for the group, sources involved in the situation said on Friday.
Flood fears grow as heavy rain forecast
Residents in flood-prone areas were on high alert on Friday as more rain swept in and forecasters predicted downpours for the weekend.
Shanghai warns train protesters before Brown trip
Shanghai authorities warned residents on Friday not to conduct illegal protests against its high-speed "maglev" train project, a day before a visit to the city by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.