world news

Stock markets fall on Fed comments

Global stock markets fall sharply after the US central bank signals it could begin to scale back its economic stimulus programme later this year.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 7:07 am

Nine hurt in crash near school

Nine people are taken to hospital after a car hits parents and children as they used a school pelican crossing in a south Wales village.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 7:06 am

Singapore smog 'could last for weeks'

Singapore's prime minister warns that the haze engulfing the city could last for weeks, as air pollution in the city-state soared to record levels.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 7:04 am

West presses Albania to bury ghost of elections past

TIRANA (Reuters) - Albania's prime minister for the past eight years, Sali Berisha faces the fight of his political life on Sunday when the NATO member state holds an election watched closely by the West less for the result than the conduct.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 7:01 am

Tough start can help boss - Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United's tough start to their Premier League campaign could help new boss David Moyes.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 7:00 am

India Ink: Amartya Sen on Why India Trails China

The provision of essential services to its population is where India lags the most behind China argues Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate and a professor of economics and philosophy at Harvard University.     …

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:59 am

IHT Rendezvous: 27 Million People Said to Live in ‘Modern Slavery’

A new report by the U.S. State Department says as many as 27 million people live in modern slavery, and more needs to be done to counter this cruel exploitation and violation of human dignity.     …

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:58 am

Afghanistan peace talks: US-Taliban meeting in Qatar cancelled

Afghan government anger at opening of Taliban office in Qatar leads US to suspend plans to attend talks A fresh effort to end Afghanistan's 12-year-old war looked in disarray on Thursday after a diplomatic dispute about the Taliban's new Qatar office delayed preliminary discussions between the United States and the Islamist insurgents. Talks betwee…

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:58 am

UK Gov't Challenged Over Handling of Lawson Case

UK gov't challenged over 'caution' issued to Nigella Lawson's husband after assault     …

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:55 am

Uganda Gives Protection to Students Fleeing Rwanda

Uganda considering giving asylum to 16 Rwandan students despite Rwandan government's protest     …

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:55 am

Afghans reject Taliban talks moves

A row over the status of the Taliban's office in Qatar persists as the militant group continues to display its flag despite Afghan protests.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:51 am

Indian landslides leave thousands trapped

Hindu pilgrims visiting shrines in Uttarakhand state are left stranded days after floods killed more than 100 As many as 4,000 people are believed trapped by landslides in a valley near a Hindu shrine in the Indian Himalayas, days after floods killed more than 100 people. Helicopters have ferried rescue workers and doctors along with equipment, foo…

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:49 am

Google faces European privacy challenges

Data regulators are rounding on Google in a co-ordinated campaign to force the company to improve protection for consumers Google will face a fine by France's data protection watchdog if it does not rewrite its privacy policy within the next three months, while Spain has begun a "sanction procedure" against the search giant. European data regulator…

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:44 am

Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies in Italy

James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's 'The Sopranos' helped create one of TV's greatest drama series, dies of an apparent heart attack in Italy. He was 51.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:43 am

As Sanctions Bite, Iran Invests in Georgia

Sanctions against Iran have made it hard for Iranians to do business abroad. But Iranian businessmen are flocking to Georgia, a U.S. ally in the Caucasus region, to pursue profits.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:42 am

David Beckham causes a stir in China and more from Royal Ascot: the best news photographs of the day

The Guardian's award-winning picture team rounds up the most eye-catching images of the day Jonny Weeks Fiona Shields…

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:36 am

George and Jeffrey Osborne: spot the difference

With Barack Obama confusing the chancellor with a soul singer – and offering a distinctly lacklustre apology – here's how to tell the difference between George and Jeffrey Osborne It wasn't the being called Jeffrey three times by Barack Obama during a meeting of the G8 that would have hurt George Osborne the most, though that would have…

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:36 am

Security tight as Iraqis vote in Sunni-dominated provinces

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi electoral official was killed in a roadside bombing on Thursday, police said, as two Sunni Muslim-dominated provinces went to the polls under tight security.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:35 am

India may have to wait to join sensitive nuclear export body

VIENNA (Reuters) - Some states still appear to be skeptical about letting nuclear-armed India into an influential body regulating sensitive atomic trade, diplomats said on Thursday, suggesting Indian membership may not be imminent.

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:34 am

Nick Clegg warns over Syria intervention

Deputy prime minister tells LBC radio Britain must not become embroiled in a conflict it would struggle to influence Nick Clegg has highlighted the dangers of military intervention in Syria, warning that Britain must not become embroiled in a conflict it would struggle to influence. In a sign of how the Liberal Democrats would resist direct British…

Posted on 20 June 2013 | 6:30 am