French trains 'hit by sabotage'

French trains 'hit by sabotage'

Widespread sabotage has damaged France's high-speed TGV rail network, the state rail operator says.

Putin attacks 'jackal' opponents

Russian President Vladimir Putin accuses the opposition of scavenging for foreign funds like jackals.

Iraqis return home 'in thousands'

About 1,000 Iraqis a day return home after fleeing the country to escape violence, say Iraqi authorities.

Chirac formally probed over scam

Ex-French President Jacques Chirac faces formal investigation over a fake jobs scheme, his lawyer says.

Army deployed after Calcutta riot

Troops are deployed in the Indian city of Calcutta after protests over a controversial writer turn into riots.

Bush 'involved' in CIA leak case

President Bush was involved in misleading the public over leaking a CIA agent's identity, an ex-press secretary says.

UN plots Chernobyl zone recovery

The UN says the "emergency phase" is over in Chernobyl-hit areas, urging a focus on the region's revival.

Whale lost in Amazon found dead

A whale that strayed into the Amazon rainforest, more than 1600km from the ocean, is found dead.

Anne Frank tree escapes axe

The Amsterdam chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank as she hid from the Nazis wins another reprieve.

Football: Live - Euro build-up

The tension mounts ahead of England's vital Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia - and N Ireland's fate will also be decided on Wednesday.

Cycling: Landis makes last plea

Floyd Landis files his final appeal as he tries to overturn the doping ban that cost him the 2006 Tour de France title.

Muted response to Smith's death

Zimbabwe marks the death of the former PM of Rhodesia, Ian Smith, with little fanfare.

S Africa police helicopter crash

Several people are reported injured as a South African helicopter crashes near the Lesotho border.

US polygamy sect leader jailed

A US polygamist sect leader is sentenced to five years to life in jail for forcing a 14-year-old girl into marriage.

Brazil stops to mark black rights

Thousands of Brazilians gather in cities and towns to celebrate Black Consciousness day.

Australia rivals up poll rhetoric

Australian rivals John Howard and Kevin Rudd increase campaign rhetoric ahead of Saturday's general election.

'At least 150 dead' in PNG floods

At least 150 people are now known to have died in flooding in eastern Papua New Guinea, reports say.

Aid cuts for big Europe farmers

The European Commission has proposed reforms which it hopes will streamline its enormous farm aid budget.

France 'let down' Chad aid staff

The head of a French charity facing child abduction charges in Chad says his government "let down" his workers.

Jordan Islamists face poll losses

Jordan's Islamist opposition loses most of its seats in parliamentary polls, amid charges of widespread fraud.

US confirms Mid-East peace talks

The US confirms plans for a Middle East peace conference next week and that invitations have been sent.

Pakistan army 'kills 40 rebels'

Pakistan's army says it has killed at least 40 pro-Taleban militants in two days of raids in the north-west.

India, UN to discuss nuclear deal

India is set to hold talks with the UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, over its controversial nuclear deal with the US.

Brown apologises for records loss

Prime Minister Gordon Brown tells MPs he "profoundly" regrets the loss of 25 million child benefit records.

Oil reaches new record above $99

Oil soars as a weak dollar continues to tempt traders towards commodities as an alternative investment.

Skin transformed into stem cells

Scientists reprogramme human skin cells to mimic embryonic stem cells - promising a revolution in medical research.

Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

A monster creepy-crawly: the immense fossilised claw of a 2.5m-long sea scorpion is described by scientists.

UK broadband use reaches new high

Almost 90% of British net users are using broadband and average speeds are climbing, official figures reveal.

INXS mark Hutchence anniversary

Members of INXS pay tribute to former singer Michael Hutchence on the 10th anniversary of his death.

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.