Britney to extend European tour
April 30, 2009
The singer began her North American tour in early March
US singer Britney Spears has extended her European concert tour, according to her website.
A dozen new dates have been added to the Circus tour, which will see the star visit cities including Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm and Moscow.
India voting ‘enters key phase’
April 30, 2009
Voters defied a Maoist boycott call in Lalgarh in West Bengal state
Voting is taking place in India in the third of five stages of the country’s marathon general election.
Millions will cast ballots in 107 constituencies across nine states and two federal territories, including the financial capital, Mumbai (Bombay).
Ferdinand a doubt for Boro match
April 30, 2009
Ferdinand leaves clutching his ribs in Wednesday's 1-0 win at old Trafford
Defender Rio Ferdinand is a major doubt for Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The England star picked up a rib injury on Wednesday against Arsenal in the Champions League and is likely to miss the match, said boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Olympic star Bolt in car accident
April 30, 2009
Bolt dominated the field in the men's sprint events in Beijing
Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt has been involved in a car accident in Jamaica, police have confirmed.
The 22-year-old and his female passenger were taken to hospital in Spanish Town but neither is seriously injured, said sergeant David Sheriff.
Ferguson fires warning to Arsenal
April 30, 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Arsenal they will struggle to stop Manchester United scoring in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
Boss Ferguson saw United win their home leg 1-0 but they squandered chances to make the scoreline more convincing.
WHO fears pandemic is ‘imminent’
April 30, 2009
Nato ordered the expulsion of the two Russian diplomats on Wednesday
Russia has confirmed Nato has expelled two of its diplomats from Brussels, reportedly in retaliation for a spy scandal involving an Estonian official.
A Russian foreign ministry told the Interfax news agency it was “clarifying the circumstances of the expulsions to determine possible actions”.
UK combat operations end in Iraq
April 30, 2009
The British military presence in Iraq is winding down
A ceremony is being held in Basra to mark the official end of the six-year British military presence in Iraq.
UK combat operations will finish when 20 Armoured Brigade hand over to a US brigade at a “flagdown ceremony”.
McLaren given suspended race ban
April 29, 2009
McLaren have come under intense pressure after a troubled start to the season
McLaren have been given a suspended three-race ban for misleading stewards at the Australian Grand Prix by motor sport’s governing body, the FIA.
The British team admitted five charges of breaching Formula One rules at a special inquiry on Wednesday in Paris.
Genes ‘have key role in autism’
April 29, 2009
Scientists have produced the most compelling evidence to date that genetics play a key role in autism.
They highlighted tiny genetic changes that appear to have a strong impact on the likelihood of developing autism and related conditions.
N Korea threatens nuclear tests
April 29, 2009
North Korea has threatened to carry out nuclear missile tests unless the UN Security Council apologises for its condemnation of a recent rocket launch.
Pyongyang said it would be compelled to take self-defence measures “including nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests” if no apology was made.
When North Korea launched its rocket on 5 April, the launch was seen by the US and others as a disguised missile test.
The UN denounced North Korea’s actions and called for tighter sanctions.
Pyongyang has insisted it put a communications satellite in orbit, and said it would ignore the sanctions, describing them as “a wanton violation of the UN charter”.
North Korea conducted its first and only nuclear test in 2006.
Backward step
North Korea’s foreign ministry said the UN should apologise for “infringing” the country’s sovereignty and retract “all its resolutions and decisions” against Pyongyang.
It also announced plans to build a light-water nuclear reactor, according to the statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.
Following the UN criticism, the North pulled out of international negotiations on its denuclearisation and ejected all monitors from the country.
Pyongyang has since announced that it has started reprocessing spent fuel rods at its Yongbyon nuclear plant.
The reprocessing is a possible move towards producing weapons-grade plutonium.
North Korea had partially dismantled its nuclear reactor under a deal agreed at international talks in early 2007, in which it was also promised fuel aid.