News
Iran hails Gulf ties, Gulf Arabs tight-lipped
Iran went on a charm offensive in Qatar on Monday, hailing its debut presence at a summit of Gulf leaders as ushering in a new era of regional ties, but its Arab neighbours offered no immediate matching welcome.
U.S. closes in on mortgage relief plan
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said on Monday he hoped to have a mortgage relief plan ready by week's end and urged Congress to give local governments more borrowing power to ward off foreclosures.
Australia ratifies Kyoto pact
Australia's new prime minister, Kevin Rudd, took the oath of office on Monday and immediately signed documents to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, ending his country's decade of opposition to the global climate agreement.
U.S. Congress faces big agenda
The U.S. Congress is preparing for an end-of-year legislative sprint as President George W. Bush on Monday accused Democrats of threatening to ruin progress in Iraq and pursuing reckless tax-and-spend policies.
Iraq orphanage boss to face court
The manager of a Baghdad orphanage where U.S. forces found children naked and malnourished in June will face court, a government official said on Monday.
Jars of Clay, Third Day Launch 'Christmas Offering' Tour
Christian music giants Jars of Clay and Third Day will share the stage this season for the "Christmas Offering" Tour.
Graffiti artist Banksy goes to the Holy Land
British graffiti artist Banksy is trying to bring cheer and boost tourism in Bethlehem this Christmas with a series of subversive murals in the town revered as Jesus's birthplace.
Teacher pardoned over teddy bear
The British teacher jailed in Sudan for letting her students name a teddy bear Mohammad won a pardon on Monday and was released into British care.
Huhne urges police to probe Labour funding
Liberal Democrat leadership contender Chris Huhne is expected to pile more pressure on Gordon Brown on Monday when he urges police to investigate a planning decision involving the man at the centre of the Labour funding row.
National anthem not seen inclusive
Support is growing for a change to the words of the national anthem so that it includes all Britain's people, a former Labour minister charged with reviewing citizenship believes.
Observers denounce Russian election
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday defended as legitimate the landslide victory of his party in an election criticised in Europe and denounced by international observers as unfair.
French court resumes trial of Guantanamo inmates
A French court on Monday resumed the trial on terrorism charges of six former Guantanamo Bay inmates whose lawyers say they were illegally questioned by French agents while in American hands.
Hundreds of Iraqis seek aid after battle
Hundreds of Iraqis displaced by fierce battles between al Qaeda militants and U.S. and Iraqi security forces began receiving humanitarian aid on Monday at a camp set up on Baghdad's southern outskirts.
Youths on trial over arson attack in France
Six teenagers went on trial in southern France on Monday over the torching of a bus in 2006, which left one young woman severely burned.
Leadership race could split the ANC
The race for the leadership of South Africa's ruling ANC threatens to split the party apart and, without the guiding hand of its elder statesmen, it could put its future in doubt.
Israel releases prisoners
Israel released 429 Palestinian prisoners on Monday to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas after a U.S.-sponsored conference last week on Palestinian statehood, Israeli officials said.