World News

In the last one hour

Musharraf's friends and foes in Facebook fray   (Reuters UK)  ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pervez Musharraf is gone from the presidential palace but he is by no means forgotten on the vast Facebook on-line networking site, where friends and foes are fighting over his legacy. US economy shows marked growth   (BBC News)  The US economy grew 3.3% in the second quarter of 2008, the Commerce Department said, much higher than first thought. World health inequalities: ten of the worst   (Times)  1. In Australia, Aboriginal men live an average of 59.4 years - over 15 years less than the average Australian male at 76.6 years. Aboriginal women live 64.8 years on average, while the overall female life expectancy is 82 years

In the last two hours

UK hacker loses extradition appeal   (BBC News)  A Briton accused of hacking into secret Nasa military computers loses his appeal against extradition to the US. China's CNPC seals $3bn Iraq deal   (BBC News)  China's state-oil firm CNPC has agreed a $3bn (£1.63bn) oil services contract for Iraq.

Previous

U.S. to hand back Anbar   (Reuters UK)  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. troops will on September 1 hand over control of Iraq's Anbar province, once the heart of a bloody Sunni Arab insurgency, reflecting a dramatic drop in violence across the country, an Iraqi official said on Thursday. Spanair crash team focus on faulty thruster   (Reuters UK)  MADRID (Reuters) - One engine on a Spanair plane that crashed in Madrid last week killing 154 people may have had a fault that rammed it into reverse, causing the plane to veer off the runway, Spanish newspapers reported on Thursday. Indian PM says flood 'a calamity'   (BBC News)  The Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, describes the floods in the northern state of Bihar as a "national calamity". UK gun factory man gets life   (BBC News)  A man who turned replica guns into live weapons linked to more than 50 shootings, including eight murders, is jailed for life. New Orleans braces for hurricane on Katrina anniversary   (Times)  As it prepares to mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has been forced to draw up an emergency evacuation plan to deal with tropical storm Gustav, which is was predicted to reach hurricane strength in the Gulf of Mexico. Track of Tropical Storm Gustav shifts slightly   (Reuters UK)  MIAMI (Reuters) - Tropical Storm Gustav shifted course slightly on Thursday morning and moved toward the Jamaica, and forecasters predicted it would be a powerful hurricane by the time it reached the Gulf of Mexico. Turkish Cypriot leader aims for solution in 2008   (Reuters UK)  ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat said on Thursday he hoped a solution could be found to the Cyprus problem dividing the Mediterranean island by the end of the year. Smith ruled out of one-day clash   (BBC News)  South Africa captain Graeme Smith misses the third one day match against England on Friday because of a tennis elbow injury. Seeds of peace   (BBC News)  US summer camp brings Arabs and Israelis together Italy police hunt monk attackers   (BBC News)  Police investigate a hooded gang's brutal attack on monks at a monastery in northern Italy. Arctic ice 'is at tipping point'   (BBC News)  The area covered by sea ice in the Arctic is now the second smallest on record, scientists reveal. Shot in the chest   (BBC News)  Grief in the Kashmir valley during separatist protests Two police die in Xinjiang clash   (BBC News)  Two Chinese policemen have been killed in a clash in the north-west region of Xinjiang, reports say. Hague court charges ex-official   (BBC News)  A former spokeswoman for the UN war crimes court in The Hague is charged with revealing confidential information. People in poor areas die decades before affluent counterparts   (Times)  People living in deprived areas of the UK are likely to die decades earlier than their counterparts in more affluent areas, according to a new report from the World Health Organisation which reveals a dramatic postcode lottery in life expectancy. Afghans take over Kabul security   (BBC News)  Afghan security forces begin taking over command of the capital, Kabul, from the Nato-led force, Isaf. American dream?   (BBC News)  Workers fail to benefit from economic growth Facebook: The Movie - West Wing writer plans big screen story   (BBC News)  Aaron Sorkin, who created The West Wing and wrote Charlie Wilson's War, is making a film about Facebook. Pitt and Clooney at Venice debut   (BBC News)  The Venice Film Festival opens with the premiere of comedy Burn After Reading, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt. EU considers sanctions on Russia   (BBC News)  EU leaders are considering imposing sanctions on Russia over the crisis in Georgia, the French foreign minister says. More than 30 Taliban killed and wounded in Afghanistan   (Reuters UK)  KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan and international forces killed or wounded more than 30 militants in fighting in the south and southeast of the country, the Defence Ministry and the U.S. military said on Thursday. French call for help in taming British speed fiends   (Times)  British motorists have become a safety menace on France's roads, regularly flouting the speed limits after crossing the Channel, French police say. Israeli activist Abie Nathan dies   (BBC News)  Abie Nathan, the maverick Israeli peace activist who flew a private plane to Egypt in 1966, dies at the age of 81. AIDS cases seen on the rise in Philippines   (Reuters UK)  MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines has a lower incidence of HIV than most of its neighbours despite sharing many of the risks, but health officials warned on Thursday that many new cases were now coming to light. Nepalese sue US company over Iraq   (BBC News)  A Nepalese man and relatives of 12 others killed in Iraq four years ago sue American firm KBR on charges of human trafficking. Management shake-up at Fannie Mae   (BBC News)  The US mortgage giant announces a shake-up of top executives in an attempt to restore confidence. Peacekeepers to stay in Mindanao   (BBC News)  Malaysia says its peace monitors will remain in the southern Philippines, after days of fierce fighting there left dozens dead. Hijacked Sudanese welcomed home   (BBC News)  Crowds of people welcome home to Sudan the passengers and crew who were hijacked on a plane diverted to Libya. Ethiopia hints at leaving Somalia   (BBC News)  Ethiopia is prepared to withdraw troops from Somalia even if the government is not stable, Ethiopia's PM says. Clubs await Champions League draw   (BBC News)  The draw for the Champions League group stages takes place in Monaco at 1700 BST on Thursday. China admits mismanaged funds   (BBC News)  China's government departments misused, embezzled or mismanaged more than $6.7bn in 2007, the state auditor says. Lebanon helicopter hit by gunfire   (BBC News)  A Lebanese army helicopter hit by gunfire is forced to make an emergency landing in the south of the country, the army says. Taiwan shuts down for air raid drill   (Reuters UK)  TAIPEI (Reuters) - Traffic stopped and roads emptied in northern Taiwan on Thursday for the new government's first air raid drill, a public reminder that China could attack despite a recent thaw in relations. Russia ready for trade compromise only once in WTO   (Reuters UK)  MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia wants to renegotiate a few current trade agreements, and is only ready to lower tariffs and liberalise trade after joining the World Trade Organisation, its top negotiator was quoted as saying on Thursday. Authorities relax curfew in Indian Kashmir   (Reuters UK)  SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Authorities tentatively relaxed a four-day curfew in Indian Kashmir on Thursday to allow people to buy essentials as residents ran short of food during massive protests against Indian rule. Lebanese army helicopter hit by gunfire   (Reuters UK)  BEIRUT (Reuters) - A Lebanese army helicopter made a forced landing after being hit by gunfire in south Lebanon on Thursday, a Lebanese security source said, adding that the pilot had been killed. France says sanctions considered against Russia   (Reuters UK)  PARIS (Reuters) - European Union leaders are considering imposing sanctions against Russia ahead of a summit on Monday to discuss the situation in Georgia, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Thursday. Ponting supports Olympic Twenty20   (BBC News)  Australia captain Ricky Ponting says Twenty20 cricket will become an Olympic sport in the future. Vietnam to move thousands from Mekong flood zone   (Reuters UK)  HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam will spend nearly 2.4 trillion dong (79 million pounds) between now and 2010 to build dykes and relocate thousands of rice farmers because of heavy seasonal flooding in its fertile Mekong river delta, the government said. World in brief   (Times)  Riot police ready to end protest British claim to Ascension seabed raises the stakes over quest for Falklands oil   (Times)  Britain laid territorial claim to a swath of seabed around Ascension Island in the remote South Atlantic yesterday, in a move that threatens a replay of the Falklands conflict with Argentina. French call for help in taming British speed fiends   (Times)  British motorists have become a safety menace on France's roads, regularly flouting the speed limits after crossing the Channel, French police say. Militants killed in Kashmir siege   (BBC News)  Three suspected militants are shot dead and six hostages freed at a house in Indian-administered Kashmir, security forces say. King of comedy   (BBC News)  Is this really the most trusted man in America? 'Un-noticed' crisis   (BBC News)  Desperate situation in south Sudan, in images and sounds Malaysia's Anwar sworn in as MP   (BBC News)  The Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been sworn in as a member of parliament, ending a decade's absence. Iran hangs five for murders   (Reuters UK)  TEHRAN (Reuters) - Four men and one woman have been hanged in a Tehran jail for murder, with two others given a reprieve, a newspaper reported on Thursday, the latest in a series of hangings that have drawn criticism from rights groups. Kenya's honey hunter tribe driven from forest by political unrest   (Times)  The Ogiek believe they arrived in the Mau forest in the Kenyan Rift Valley as a punishment, banished by their god for the crime of killing an elephant. He told them they could only ever eat food from the forest. Barack Obama prepares for his flamboyant tilt at the White House   (Times)  Barack Obama will address a crowd of up to 80,000 supporters at a sports stadium in Denver tonight, where he is expected to sharpen his attacks on John McCain even at the risk of being dragged into a fist-fight with his battle-hardened Republican rival. Republican John McCain to reveal vice-president choice   (Times)  John McCain is expected to reveal his vice-presidential choice on Friday at a rally in the critical battleground state of Ohio. Model defector Won Jeong Hwa faces trial over spying for North Korea   (Times)  She arrived as a refugee, one of tens of thousands to flee the world’s most oppressive regime and, for seven years, Won Jeong Hwa was a model defector. She toured South Korean military bases to lecture on the evils of the homeland that she had escaped, the totalitarian Communist state of North Korea. Microsoft web browser that covers its tracks could hit Google’s advertising   (Times)  Microsoft’s latest internet browser includes a piece of software that allows internet users to hide the audit trail of websites they have visited. Obama and Clinton unite in mutual show of support   (Times)  Barack Obama today made a surprise appearance on the stage of the Democratic convention, electrifying the crowd who had not expected to set eyes on their presidential candidate until he formally accepts his party's nomination before 80,000 people at an open air stadium tonight. Obama and Clinton unite in mutual show of support   (Times)  Barack Obama today made a surprise appearance on the stage of the Democratic convention, electrifying the crowd who had not expected to set eyes on their presidential candidate until he formally accepts his party's nomination before 80,000 people at an open air stadium tonight. Venice cancels opening ceremony for hated Santiago Calatrava bridge   (Times)  The Mayor of Venice defended a controversial new bridge over the Grand Canal as Italy’s “most important contemporary architectural achievement of recent decades” yesterday despite complaints that it was unnecessary, unsuitable and four times over budget. Aid worker killed in Afghanistan   (BBC News)  A Japanese aid worker abducted in Afghanistan earlier this week is found dead, Afghan officials say. Russian-backed paramilitaries 'ethnically cleansing villages'   (Times)  Russian-backed paramilitaries are “ethnically cleansing” villages on Georgian soil, refugees and officials told The Times yesterday. Pakistan eases refugee deadline   (BBC News)  The UN says Pakistan has agreed to extend the deadline for repatriation of two million Afghan refugees. Educating Roma   (BBC News)  Czech attitudes change following landmark ruling Ex-London mayor to advise Chavez   (BBC News)  Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is to work as a consultant for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. New direction   (BBC News)  With the Games over, where does China go next? Last-gasp Kuyt puts Liverpool through   (BBC News)  Liverpool scrape into the group stages of the Champions League after a 118th minute goal from Dirk Kuyt against Standard Liege. India beat Sri Lanka & win series   (BBC News)  Sri Lanka lose a second consecutive home one-day series for the first time in their history as India beat them by 46 runs. Leaking mushroom soup forces plane to make unplanned landing   (BBC News)  A Ryanair flight was forced to land after a passenger had an allergic reaction to mushroom soup, the airline confirms. Gene therapy 'may repair hearing'   (BBC News)  Scientists claim gene therapy has the potential to restore hearing in mice, offering hope for humans as well. First light for space telescope   (BBC News)  A powerful Nasa space telescope has unveiled an image of the sky viewed through "gamma-ray glasses". Pakistan car bomb hits jail bus   (BBC News)  At least seven people die after a car bomb targets a prison bus in Pakistan carrying police, police say. US coast prepares for hurricane   (BBC News)  Fears of a hurricane prompt Louisiana to declare a state of emergency and New Orleans to prepare evacuation plans. Russia faces fresh condemnation   (BBC News)  Seven of the world's top industrialised nations deplore Russia's decision to recognise Georgia's breakaway regions. Thai PM changes tack on protests   (BBC News)  The Thai PM says he will not use force against thousands of protesters besieging government, in an apparent change of heart. Vietnamese police order Catholics to leave disputed site