Airbus fears 'weak-dollar death'

Pakistan barred from Commonwealth

Pakistan is suspended from the Commonwealth because of its emergency rule, the organisation announces.

Airbus fears 'weak-dollar death'

The weak dollar is threatening the survival of European planemaker Airbus, its chief executive says.

Undersea slide set off giant flow

An enormous underwater landslide 60,000 years ago produced the longest mudflow yet found on Earth.

UN uncertainty over nuclear Iran

Iran's history of hiding nuclear activities means it is unclear if its intentions are peaceful, the UN watchdog chief says.

Mbeki upbeat after Harare talks

South African President Mbeki "very confident" of a solution after talks with Zimbabwe's president and opposition

Lebanon 'needs interim president'

Lebanese opposition leader Michel Aoun proposes an interim president as a way of breaking the deadlock.

Denmark plans new vote on euro

The Danish government says it would like to hold a fresh referendum on whether to adopt the euro.

Minister sacks Argentine spy boss

Argentina's military intelligence chief is sacked by the new defence minister after being caught trying to oust her.

France's rail strike 'nears end'

French travellers endure a ninth day of chaos, but an end to a crippling transport strike appears to be in sight.

Steep rise in Europe cocaine use

The EU says some 4.5 million Europeans have taken cocaine in the past year - a rise of one million from 2006.

McClaren sacked as England coach

England coach Steve McClaren and his assistant Terry Venables lose their jobs after the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Sailing: America's Cup postponed

The 2009 America's Cup is postponed because of a legal dispute.

Bromide linked to Angola illness

A mystery disease that has hit nearly 400 Angolans is associated with high levels of bromide, UN experts say.

Senegal offer after hawkers riot

The authorities in Senegal's capital, Dakar, offer concessions to street vendors after violent protests.

Colombia urged to recall Chavez

France urges Colombia to re-engage Venezuela's Hugo Chavez in negotiations with Farc rebels.

US immigration delays risk votes

A backlog of applications for US citizenship could leave thousands of US immigrants unable to vote next year.

PM Howard condemns fake leaflets

Australia's leader condemns fake leaflets claiming rival Labor backed Bali bombers, two days before the election.

China 'acting on toy safety'

China has made "considerable progress" in improving safety of the toys it exports, a European report finds.

France urged to cut its spending

The president of the European Central Bank urges France to cut its public spending - the heaviest in the EU.

Explosion rips through Russia bus

An explosion aboard a bus in Russia's North Caucasus region kills at least five people and hurts 12, officials say.

Iraqi militants attack villages

Dozens are killed in attacks on two villages in central Iraq blamed on al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Jordanian king 'appoints new PM'

Jordan's King Abdullah names a new prime minister following parliamentary elections, officials say.

Aid 'reaching cyclone survivors'

Aid agencies say they are now reaching all the victims of last week's cyclone which struck southern Bangladesh.

Writer leaves Calcutta after riot

Feminist writer Taslima Nasreen is flown out of the Indian city of Calcutta after violent protests by Muslims.

Inquiry into killer wrongly freed

An inquiry will examine why a schizophrenic was wrongly freed from prison hours before knifing a man to death.

World markets jittery on US woes

Global shares continue their volatile trading after US stocks plunge amid fears about the economy.

Pandemic flu drug order doubles

Britain is doubling its stockpile of antiviral medicines in preparation for any future flu pandemic

4bn euros for frontier research

Europe's premier science funding agency launches a multi-billion-euro grant programme to fund ideas.

Amazon Kindle sells out on debut

Amazon's Kindle has sold out despite mixed reviews of the handheld digital book reader.

Pitt leaves State of Play movie

Actor Brad Pitt pulls out of political thriller State of Play, reportedly due to script concerns.

Iraqi bloggers

For an inside view of life in Iraq, we cherry-pick recent postings from Iraqi bloggers - those who left - and some who were trying to leave.