Pakistan charges seven suspects over Mumbai attacks
November 25, 2009
A court in Pakistan has charged seven people in connection with last year’s attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai.
They include the alleged mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
Mr Lakhvi and the other suspects were charged under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism act and criminal code. All seven have pleaded not guilty, their lawyers say.
China executes two over tainted milk powder scandal
November 24, 2009
China has executed two people for their role in a scandal involving tainted milk powder that resulted in six children dying, officials have said.
More than 300,000 other infants were made ill from milk powder contaminated with melamine, an industrial chemical used to make plastics and fertiliser.
Iraq inquiry told of ‘clear’ threat from Saddam Hussein
November 24, 2009
The UK government “distanced itself” from talk of removing Saddam Hussein in early 2001 despite concerns about his threat, the Iraq inquiry has been told.
Sir Peter Ricketts, a top intelligence official at the time, said it was assumed it was not “our policy” despite growing talk in the US about the move.
Former civil servants and advisers are giving evidence on the war’s origins on the first day of public hearings.
Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit’s release ‘moves closer’
November 23, 2009
Israeli President Shimon Peres has said that progress has been made in attempting to secure the release of the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Mr Peres was speaking after meeting his Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak.
Sgt Shalit was seized just across the border from Gaza during a raid by Palestinian militants in June 2006.
Mercedes confirm Rosberg capture
November 23, 2009
Nico Rosberg will drive for the new Mercedes F1 team in 2010.
The 24-year-old announced his departure from Williams in October and, as a German native, had been expected to drive for Mercedes next season.
The new team has been formed after Mercedes-Benz bought a 75% stake in Brawn GP, the team that won the 2009 drivers’ and constructors’ titles.
Morphine ‘might spread cancer’
November 23, 2009
Laboratory tests suggest morphine could in fact encourage the spread of cancer, for which it is routinely prescribed to relieve pain from surgery and tumours.
US scientists say the opiate promotes the growth of new blood vessels which deliver tumours oxygen and nutrients.
Speaking at a meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Boston, they also claim to have found a drug which counters this effect.
Copenhagen climate summit: 60 world leaders to attend
November 23, 2009
Hopes for the Copenhagen climate summit in December have been boosted after it emerged more than 60 presidents and prime ministers planned to attend.
The talks are not expected to result in a new treaty and there are doubts over whether the biggest polluters will commit to emissions reduction targets.
Philippines gunmen kill 21 in election violence
November 23, 2009
Twenty-one politicians and journalists abducted in the southern Philippines have been found dead, the army says.
The group was seized on the southern island of Mindanao early on Monday.
The military said they were taken by armed men as they tried to file a nomination for a candidate for forthcoming local polls.
Iranian reformer Abtahi jailed over election protests
November 22, 2009
A former Iranian vice-president has been sentenced to six years in jail for attempting to destabilise the country following June’s disputed elections.
Mohammed Ali Abtahi is one of the most high-profile reformers to be convicted of fomenting street protests.
Hackers target leading climate research unit
November 22, 2009
The e-mail system of one of the world’s leading climate research units has been breached by hackers.
E-mails reportedly from the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit (CRU), including personal exchanges, appeared on the internet on Thursday.