Southern Sudan votes on independence
January 9, 2011
People in Southern Sudan have begun voting in a landmark referendum on independence from the north.
The week-long vote is widely expected to result in Africa’s largest country being split in two.
US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in Arizona
January 9, 2011
A US congresswoman has been shot in the head and six other people have been killed by a gunman in Arizona.
Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, 40, was shot at close range during a public meeting in Tucson.
Aretha Franklin says she is ‘feeling great’
January 8, 2011
Aretha Franklin has told a US magazine she is “feeling great” after surgery for an undisclosed illness, saying “the problem has been resolved”.
Franklin, who left a Detroit hospital in December after treatment, told Jet she would not discuss reports the treatment was for pancreatic cancer.
Manchester City sign striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg
January 8, 2011
Manchester City have completed the £27m signing of Bosnian international striker Edin Dzeko from Wolfsburg.
Jessie J tops BBC Sound of 2011 list
January 8, 2011
BBC Sound of 2011 winner Jessie J performs in session for BBC Radio 1
Pop singer and songwriter Jessie J has come top of the BBC Sound of 2011 list, which showcases the best rising music stars for the coming year.
Jessie J, real name Jessica Cornish, from Romford, Essex, has been described as a British answer to Rihanna or Pink.
Harry Potter plagiarism case dismissed
January 8, 2011
A US judge has dismissed a legal action accusing Harry Potter author JK Rowling of copying the work of another author.
The estate of late author Adrian Jacobs claimed that the plot of fourth Harry Potter outing Goblet of Fire plagiarised parts of his book The Adventures of Willy the Wizard.
Torrential rain causes flooding in parts of Cornwall
January 8, 2011
Torrential rain has caused flooding in parts of Cornwall.
Nearly an inch (25mm) of rain fell in an hour leading to deep standing water on several roads, making them impassable for a time.
Cold snap forces closure of Delhi schools
January 8, 2011
A continuing cold snap has prompted authorities in the Indian capital to keep schools closed until Sunday.
Delhi has been badly hit by the cold, along with Indian-administered Kashmir and the states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Report: 33 women raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo
January 8, 2011
At least 33 women were raped on New Year’s Day in a region in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said the medical group Doctors Without Borders Thursday.
Obama taps Gene Sperling as new head of economic council
January 8, 2011
President Barack Obama announced several new members of his economic team Friday as the administration trumpeted a falling unemployment rate.