Obama: Government shutdown over budget 'inexcusable'

 

US President Barack Obama has said it would be "inexcusable" for lawmakers to fail to fund the government to the end of September to avoid a shutdown.

"There is no reason why we should not get an agreement," the president said.

Congressional leaders and Mr Obama failed to reach a federal budget deal in talks in Washington on Tuesday.

Mr Obama said he was concerned politics could get in the way of preventing a government shutdown

Following his visit to the White House, House Speaker John Boehner said Republicans would not accept options they did not wish to endorse.

Negotiations have stalled over legislation to fund the day-to-day operations of US federal agencies to the end of the fiscal year, with the Republicans demanding greater spending cuts.

Democrats have accused Republicans of linking social policy agendas to the bill.

New York police resume search for bodies near beach

Investigators have returned to an overgrown stretch of a New York barrier island to hunt for victims of a possible serial killer, a day after more human remains were found there.

Three sets of remains were found near Ocean Parkway, a road leading to a number of Long Island beaches.

Monday's discovery in brush near Gilgo Beach brought to eight the number of corpses found in the area since 2010.

Police in Suffolk County, New York, suspect a serial killer.

Mexico: Thousands missing in drugs war says CNDH

A Mexican human rights organisation says thousands of people have disappeared in Mexico since 2006.

Relatives of the disappeared hold vigils to draw attention to their plight

Mexico's human rights commission, CNDH, said 5,397 people had been reported missing since President Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels.

A United Nations study has suggested the security forces may have played a part in the disappearance of some of those missing.

Mr Calderon has deployed 50,000 troops as part of his war on the cartels.

The CNDH collated data provided by relatives and by state authorities and included all of those "reported missing or absent".

The commission said 3,457 of those disappeared were men and 1,885 women, while there was no data on the remaining 55 cases.

Afghanistan: Obama condemns killings of UN staff

The head of the UN mission said the violence would not drive it out of Afghanistan

 

President Barack Obama has described as "outrageous" the killings in Afghanistan triggered by the burning of a Koran in the US last month.

Mr Obama said the desecration of any holy text was "an act of extreme intolerance and bigotry", but it did not justify killing innocent people.

An attack on a UN base on Friday in the city of Mazar-e Sharif killed 14 people, seven of them UN staff.

A top UN official has blamed the pastor who burnt the Koran for the violence.

At least 10 people were killed and many more were injured in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on Saturday in a second day of protests.

Ivory Coast: Abidjan in grip of fierce fighting

Gunfire has been reported around the presidential palace

 

Heavy fighting has taken place in Ivory Coast's main city, Abidjan, for a third day as rival forces battle for power.

Internationally-recognised President Alassane Ouattara's fighters fought for control of key areas held by troops loyal to incumbent Laurent Gbagbo.

Mr Gbagbo's forces made a call to arms after apparently retaking state TV.

Meanwhile the UN, quoted by AFP, says many of the hundreds of deaths in the western town of Duekoue this week were at the hands of Mr Ouattara's forces.

But Sidiki Konate, an aide to Mr Ouattara's prime minister, said that while some people were killed in the fighting between the two sides, there had been no deliberate killings of Gbagbo supporters.

The UN said more than 330 people had died in inter-communal violence in the town but aid agencies estimated between 800 and more than 1,000 deaths.

The battle for Abidjan remains fierce, with heavy fighting reported on Saturday around the Agban military base and the presidential palace.

But the situation inside the city is unclear, with some reports that soldiers defending the base were fighting amongst themselves.

State television station RTI appears to be back under the control of Gbagbo supporters after being briefly seized by their rivals.

One soldier, accompanied by a dozen members of Mr Gbagbo's Defence and Security Forces (FDS), read a statement on the channel calling for the mobilisation of troops to protect state institutions.

"The FDS, wishing to reaffirm their determination, to ensure their sovereign duty to protect people, property and institutions of the Republic of Ivory Coast" calls for "all the staff of the armed forces" to join five units located in Abidjan.

But UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told the BBC: "At this time, I strongly urge Mr Gbagbo to step down and transfer power to the legitimately elected president... Mr Ouattara."

Once Mr Gbagbo had gone, Mr Ban said he expected Mr Ouattara to begin the process of reconciliation and restore the rule of law.

Residents of Abidjan say they are too afraid to leave their homes as the fighting continues. Many report running out of food, with all shops closed and widespread looting.

Tens of thousands of women, men and children have fled fighting in Duekoue since Monday

An eyewitness named as Khodor, from Lebanon, told the BBC he could hear gunfire and there were looters on the streets.

"We have no food or water," he said. "I'm quite calm now, but there are people in tears, we have no idea what will happen or even what is going on."

She also says young Gbagbo supporters in several districts of Abidjan have been armed by Gbagbo loyalists, according to witnesses.

Israel urges UN to cancel Goldstone Report on Gaza war

Israel's 22-day Gaza offensive ended in January 2009, with 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead

 

Israel has called on the UN to cancel a report that said it possibly committed war crimes during its 2008-2009 military offensive in Gaza.

The report's author, South African judge Richard Goldstone, said on Friday that new accounts indicated Israel had not deliberately targeted civilians.

He said that if he had known what he knew now, "the Goldstone Report would have been a different document".

Israel's prime minister said the remark meant the report "should be buried".

Southwest Airlines grounds jets over mid-air hole scare

 

The US carrier Southwest Airlines has grounded for inspection about 80 of its planes after a hole opened up in mid-air in the roof of one of its aircraft.

Investigators have ruled out terrorism, but so far have not been able to establish the cause of the rupture.

The hole caused a sudden drop in cabin pressure, and Flight 812 from Phoenix to Sacramento was forced to make a steep descent and emergency landing.

Guatemala first couple's divorce on hold

A court in Guatemala has ordered a halt to the divorce proceedings of the country's first couple.

Sandra Torres said she would divorce her husband for the love of her country

 

First Lady Sandra Torres said last week she was seeking to divorce President Alvaro Colom, so she could stand for election to succeed him.

Guatemala's constitution bans close relatives of the president from running for the top office.

A group of students had petitioned the court to stop the divorce, which they said would bypass the constitution.

The students called the move by the first couple a farce.

Afghanistan: UN defiant after Mazar-e Sharif killings

Guards at the UN compound in Mazar-e Sharif were overwhelmed by demonstrators

 

A UN official has said the recent violence in Afghanistan will not drive its mission out of the country.

Mission head Staffan de Mistura said staff in Mazar-e Sharif, where seven UN workers were killed on Friday, would be redeployed to Kabul temporarily.

The attack, after a protest against the burning of a Koran in the US last month, was the worse on the mission since the US-led invasion in 2001.

Ten people died in Kandahar on Saturday during a protest over the same issue.

Emirates ship MV Arrilah-I freed from pirates

The bulk carrier was returning from Australia when it was seized

 

Special forces from the United Arab Emirates have freed a ship hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea, according to state media reports.

The WAM news agency said the hijackers surrendered after the troops stormed the bulk carrier MV Arrilah-I, backed by air force units.

It had been seized on Friday while sailing from Australia to the UAE.

It is not know who hijacked the vessel, but Somali pirates have seized dozens of ships south-west of the Arabian Sea.

The bulk carrier's owner, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, said all the crew were safe and well.

Syria unrest: Wave of arrests follows protests

President Assad has said the protests are part of a foreign plot

Syrian security forces have arrested dozens of people after clashes at pro-democracy protests in several cities left at least seven people dead, activists say.

 

Most arrests came in the southern city of Deraa and the Damascus suburb of Duma, scene of the worst violence.

The government said its security forces were not responsible for the deaths, blaming them on "armed groups".

Coverage of the protests is difficult to gauge because of media restrictions.

Some reports said as many as 15 people had died in Friday's clashes.

A resident told the Associated Press that there was tension in Duma, with security forces patrolling the streets and checking documents.

Libya: Coalition air strike near Brega kills rebels

 

At least 13 people are reported to have been killed when a coalition plane flying over Libya fired on a rebel convoy between Brega and Ajdabiya on Friday, the rebels say.

Doctors at a hospital in Ajdabiya told  that three medical students were among the dead.

Nato said it was looking into the incident but that it was very difficult to verify details about what happened.

The attack came after rebels reportedly fired an anti-aircraft gun.

Radioactive water from Japan nuclear plant leaks in sea

Radioactive water is leaking into the sea from a 20-centimetre (8-inch) crack in a containment pit at Japan's quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, its operator Tepco has said.

The crack under reactor 2 may be the source of recent radiation in coastal waters, Tepco officials said.

Tepco is preparing to pour concrete into the pit to try to stop the leak.

Japanese PM Naoto Kan has been visiting the area of north-eastern Japan worst affected by last month's tsunami.

Museum of London collecting cuts protest placards

The Museum of London says there will eventually be an exhibition showcasing the collection

 

The Museum of London is collecting placards and flags used by protesters at the recent demonstration against public spending cuts.

Students from east London university Goldsmiths have already gathered hundreds of items at the march.

Obama not ruling out Libya arms

US President Barack Obama has said he does not rule out arming the rebels seeking to overthrow Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

He said in an interview that Col Gaddafi had been greatly weakened and would ultimately step down.

Pro-Gaddafi forces have driven the rebels back tens of kilometres over ground they took in recent days after coalition air strikes.

The rebels have now retreated eastwards past the town of Ras Lanuf.

News of the rebel withdrawal came as an international conference on Libya in London agreed to set up a contact group involving Arab governments to co-ordinate help for a post-Gaddafi Libya.

At least several thousand people have been killed and thousands wounded since the uprising against Col Gaddafi's rule began more than six weeks ago, with the rebels now controlling much of the east and pro-Gaddafi forces holding the capital Tripoli and other western cities.

Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo calls for ceasefire

Forces loyal to Alassane Ouattara have been making rapid advances

 

Ivorian incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has appealed for an immediate ceasefire after advances by forces loyal to President-elect Alassane Ouattara.

A spokesman for Mr Gbagbo said the army had adopted a strategy of tactical withdrawal but warned it could use its "legitimate right of defence".

In the town of Doekoue, up to 30,000 people took refuge in a church compound to escape the fighting.

Mr Gbagbo refuses to stand down despite the UN saying he lost November's poll.

Yemeni arms factory blast toll rises amid protests

The death toll from the blasts on Monday has almost doubled

 

The death toll from explosions at an ammunition plant in southern Yemen has risen to 150.

Initial reports said 78 had died, but more bodies have since been pulled out of the factory in the town of Jaar.

The explosion has caused great anger among locals, who accuse the authorities of planning it to try to win further support from the US.

Yemeni officials have blamed al-Qaeda for the blasts.

'Fake bomb' UPS flight from UK to Turkey investigated

Details of which UK airport the flight took off from have not been released at this stage.

 

An investigation has been launched into how a fake bomb was put on a cargo plane and flown from the UK to Turkey without being detected.

The UPS flight travelled to Istanbul with the package, reportedly containing a timer, wires and a detonator.

The UK Department for Transport said it was taking the matter "very seriously".

Qantas says natural disasters will dent profits

Reduced travel demand to Japan and New Zealand is forcing Qantas to suspend some flights.

 

Qantas Airways has warned that profits at the company will be hurt by the recent natural disasters in Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

The company has announced that it is suspending some flights and downsizing capacity on others from Australia to Japan and New Zealand.

Demand for travel to Japan has fallen following the earthquake on 11 March and the fear of radiation leaks.

George Clooney named as Berlusconi 'defence witness'

 

Hollywood star George Clooney is one of 78 witnesses named by Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi for his trial on charges of sex with an under-age prostitute.

George Clooney's girlfriend is believed to have denied attending the February 2010 party

 

Mr Clooney's girlfriend, Italian model and TV star Elisabetta Canalis, is also on the list as are MPs and ministers.

The couple were said to have been seen at one of Mr Berlusconi's parties by Karima el-Mahroug, the teenager whom he is alleged to have paid for sex.

Sleep patterns affect weight loss

Is shedding weight harder while stressed or missing sleep?

 

Managing sleep and stress levels can help in the battle against obesity, according to scientists in the US.

People getting too little or too much sleep were less likely to lose weight in a six month study of 472 obese people.

Their report in the International Journal of Obesity showed that lower stress levels also predicted greater weight loss.

A UK sleep expert said people need to "eat less, move more and sleep well".

Blood flow monitor 'could save NHS £400m a year'

The monitor was pioneered at University College Hospital, London.

 

The NHS could save £400m a year if a blood flow monitor was used more during surgery, the health watchdog says.

In its guidance for England, NICE says the device, which was developed in Britain and uses ultrasound, reduces complications and speeds up recovery.

It says the CardioQ-ODM cuts the length of time patients spend in hospital following major or high-risk surgery by an average of two days.

Use of the device saves £1,000 each time, the watchdog adds.

Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy, Livingston: insolvency hot spots

Three Scottish towns had insolvency rates twice that of the UK average

 

Three Scottish towns have recorded the highest concentration of people going broke in the UK in 2010, according to information company Experian.

It said that in Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy in Fife and Livingston, in West Lothian, more than 80 people in every 10,000 became insolvent.

That was about double the average rate of the UK as a whole.

In Kirkcaldy, the rate was up 12% on 2009. In Glenrothes it increased by 20% and in Livingston it was up by 32%.

Education in Wales warned of risk of 'downward spiral'

The report says some schools lack the capacity for improvement

 

The performance of the education system in Wales could enter a "downward spiral" without urgent action, according to a report.

Too many schools are "coasting", it says, and standards of literacy and numeracy are too low.

Education Minister Leighton Andrews said the study, from a group he commissioned, had some "hard messages".

It says that some local authorities "lack the capacity" to improve the performance of their schools.

Argentina gives Hugo Chavez press freedom award

Mr Chavez and Ms Fernandez are close political allies

 

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been given a press freedom award during a visit to Argentina.

The University of La Plata said it was honouring him for his efforts to break "media monopolies" in Latin America and support "popular communication".

The award has angered critics who accuse Mr Chavez of stifling opposition media in Venezuela.

Earlier Mr Chavez signed a series of commercial accords with his Argentine counterpart, Cristina Fernandez.

The university said it was giving Mr Chavez the Rodolfo Walsh award for "his commitment to defending the liberty of the people, consolidating Latin American unity, and defending human rights, truth and democratic values".

Libya: Rebels take Ras Lanuf, Brega , Uqayla, Bin Jawad

Libyan rebels have recaptured four more towns and are moving quickly towards Muammar Gaddafi's heartland of Sirte.

They seized the eastern coastal towns of Ras Lanuf, Brega, Uqayla and Bin Jawad after pro-Gaddafi forces - under pressure from allied air strikes - withdrew.
The rebels also re-captured the port of Ajdabiya on Saturday.
US, French, British and other allied aircraft started attacking Libyan government troops eight days ago.

Japan nuclear: Workers evacuated as radiation soars

 

Radioactivity in water at reactor 2 at the quake-damaged Fukushima nuclear plant has reached 10 million times the usual level, company officials say.

Workers trying to cool the reactor core to avoid a meltdown have been evacuated.

Earlier, Japan's nuclear agency said that levels of radioactive iodine in the sea near the plant had risen to 1,850 times the usual level.

The UN's nuclear agency has warned the crisis could go on for months.

It is believed the radiation at Fukushima is coming from one of the reactors, but a specific leak has not been identified.

Sebastian Vettel beats Lewis Hamilton in Australian GP

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel got his title defence off to a perfect start with a pole-to-flag victory in the Australian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton finished second to seal McLaren's turnaround in form but team-mate Jenson Button was sixth after being penalised for cutting a corner.

A brilliant start from Russian Vitaly Petrov propelled him to his first podium with third for Renault.

Scot Paul di Resta was 10th for Force India on his debut.

He finished 12th but the two Saubers were disqualified for a technical infringement.

Taliban kidnap dozens of Afghan policemen in Kunar

Taliban insurgents have abducted dozens of Afghan policemen in the north-east of the country, the militant group and local officials say.

The Taliban said in a statement that 50 police officers were ambushed in Chapa Dara, Kunar province, on Saturday.

Local Afghan officials said several dozen men were captured, without giving the exact number.

The policemen - who were travelling in a convoy - were reportedly off duty and unarmed when the militants struck.

State elections test Merkel's hold on power in Germany

Baden-Wuerttemberg has the lowest unemployment and fastest growth in Germany

 

Germans are voting in a state election in Baden-Wuerttemberg, which analysts say will test Chancellor Angela Merkel's hold on power.

Mrs Merkel's Christian Democrats could be ousted in the state for the first time since 1953, opinion polls suggest.

They say that the Social Democrats and the Greens have enough support to form a governing coalition.

TUC condemns post-rally violence in central London

Signs of the protest are still evident in London

 

Violence which followed a day of anti-spending cuts protests in London has been condemned by union leaders.

Hours after a peaceful march to Hyde Park, there were clashes between police and protesters in Trafalgar Square.

The TUC said the activities of a few hundred people should not detract from the main message of the official protest, which it said was attended by "between 250,000 and 500,000 people".

Police said a total of 201 arrests had been made during the day.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has said the government will not change its economic strategy as a result of the protest.

He told the BBC's Politics Show: "Certainly we're listening. I talk regularly to the trade union movement, I think it's important we have a dialogue with them but we're not going to change the basic economic strategy.

Cricket World Cup: Pakistan PM accepts cricket invite

India defeated Australia to make their way into the semi-final

 

 

Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted an invitation from his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, to attend the Cricket World Cup semi-final between the countries on Wednesday.

The match, in the northern Indian city of Mohali, has created huge interest on both sides of the border.

Relations between India and Pakistan have been badly strained since the Mumbai attacks of 2008.

Then, more than 170 people were killed by Pakistan-based militants.

Canada to vote for new government on 2 May

Harper has led a minority government

 

Canada's federal election will be held on 2 May.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the announcement in the capital, Ottawa, after asking Governor-General David Johnston, Queen Elizabeth's II representative in Canada, to dissolve parliament.

Mr Harper's minority Conservative government was toppled in a confidence vote on Friday.

But he warns voters against choosing a "reckless" coalition to replace it.

After the drama of the vote in the Canadian parliament, and a week of rancorous debate, it was time for the formality of launching an election campaign.

US Democrat Geraldine Ferraro dies, aged 75

Geraldine Ferraro was a low-profile figure until the presidential race

 

Groundbreaking US Democratic politician Geraldine Ferraro has died at the age of 75.

She had been been suffering from cancer for many years, and died in hospital in Massachusetts, a family friend said.

Ms Ferraro was the first female vice-presidential candidate to represent a major political party, when she became Walter Mondale's running mate in 1984.

Their presidential bid was heavily defeated by Republican Ronald Reagan and his running mate, George Bush snr.

Snakes on the plane: Jakarta police foil smuggling bid

Customs officers found the sedated pythons in the men's bags

 

Indonesian customs officials have arrested two men suspected of trying to take 40 snakes on to a flight to Dubai.

The two were about to enter the departure area at Jakarta airport when X-rays showed their bags were filled with sedated pythons, officials say.

The two suspects told investigators they planned to sell the animals to collectors in the United Arab Emirates, the AP news agency reports.

They face up to seven years in jail if found guilty of attempted smuggling.

"People often use the flights to Dubai to smuggle illegal animals," an official at Jakarta airport told AFP news agency.

"For the sake of flight safety and security, no animals are allowed to be brought on to aircraft without permission and special handling," the official, Salahudin Rafi, added.

Libyan foes stalemate in key town

Rebel fighters called off an assault on Ajdabiya

 

Libyan rebels have reached a standoff with pro-Gaddafi forces around the town of Ajdabiya, witnesses say.

French and British jets bombed targets near the eastern town overnight, including government forces' artillery.

Rebels had tried to attack pro-Gaddafi forces after the air strikes, but said they had to call off the assault.

The town has been besieged for days. Fleeing residents said the streets were deserted, and that government troops were opening fire at random.

Western forces began bombing targets last weekend in a bid to enforce a UN resolution that banned the Libyan military from launching air attacks on civilians.

Syria unrest: Protests in Deraa, Damascus and Hama

Clashes erupted in Damascus and other cities

 

Gunfire has been heard during a fresh protest march in the Syrian city of Deraa, reports say.

The marchers had attended funerals for some of the 25 protesters shot dead on Wednesday by security forces.

Demonstrations were also reported in the capital, Damascus, where there were some arrests, and in the towns of Hama and Tall.

Opposition activists had called for nationwide protests after Friday prayers, following a week of unrest.

The city of Deraa, south of Damascus, has become the centre of a serious challenge to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Some of the protesters started a fire under a bronze statue of his father, the late President Hafez al-Assad, witnesses reported.

More than 40 people are thought to have been killed in the town in a week of protests, although it has been hard to verify the accounts.

Unconfirmed reports on Friday said another group of protesters trying to reach Deraa were killed in a nearby village when security forces opened fire.

A human rights activist told AFP news agency the deaths occured in Salamen village. A witness told al-Jazeera

Libya: William Hague says Nato control days away

 

Nato will be able to take over command of the entire military operation in Libya within days, according to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.

He says he has "every expectation" the alliance will assume full command, instead of enforcing only the no-fly zone and the arms embargo.

Coalition forces are into a seventh day of military action over Libya to enforce the UN resolution.

Mr Hague insisted there was no split in the international community.

"If the Gaddafi regime think the international will and unity on this is faltering in any way, they are in for quite a surprise," he said.

Zimbabwe MDC minister Theresa Makoni 'fears arrest'

Elton Mangoma's first arrest prompted the MDC to call for a "divorce" from the unity government

 

One of the ministers in charge of Zimbabwe's police has told the BBC she is in hiding for fear she would be arrested as part of a state plot.

Theresa Makone is from the MDC, which joined President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party in a unity government in 2009 after years in opposition.

She said that Zanu-PF wants to stop her and other MDC MPs voting in next week's election for a speaker of parliament.

Nato takes over Libya no-fly zone

Nato says it has agreed to take over responsibility from the US for enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya.

Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said talks would continue on giving Nato a "broader responsibility", with a decision possible in the coming days.

There have been differences of opinion about whether attacks on ground troops should form part of the action.

Japan investigation into nuclear plant radiation leak

The Japanese government says an investigation is under way to establish the source of the radiation leak at the quake-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, which left two workers in hospital.

Two nuclear plant workers remain in hospital

The plant's operator says dangerously high radiation levels recorded in water at one reactor raise the possibility its core has been damaged.

Meanwhile, the official death toll from the 11 March earthquake and tsunami has passed 10,000, police say.

More than 17,440 people are missing.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been made homeless; an estimated 250,000 people are living in emergency shelters. Food, water and fuel are in short supply.

Yemen tense as thousands attend rival rallies in Sanaa

Anti-government protesters want President Saleh to step down immediately

 

Tens of thousands of people have gathered in Yemen's capital Sanaa for rival mass rallies, a week after 50 people were shot dead at a protest.

Anti-government protesters predict their biggest rally yet to demand the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power since 1978.

Addressing a rally of his supporters, he reportedly said he was ready to hand over power but only to "safe hands".

Burma earthquake: More than 60 killed

A rising toll and damage across both sides of the Burma Thailand border has followed the quake

 

More than 60 people have died in a magnitude-6.8 earthquake in Burma which struck near the Lao and Thai borders.

It happened at 1355 GMT on Thursday and was centred about 70 miles (110 km) from the northern Thai city of Chiang Rai, the US Geological Survey said.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor buried outside Los Angeles

Dame Elizabeth Taylor has been buried in a cemetery just outside Los Angeles, a day after her death.

Her private funeral was held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.

Pop icon Michael Jackson, a friend of Taylor's, is one of a number of stars also buried at the cemetery.

Taylor, one of the 20th Century's biggest movie stars, died in Los Angeles on Wednesday of congestive heart failure. She was 79.

Her funeral service started 15 minutes late, at the star's request.

"Miss Taylor had left instructions that it was to begin at least 15 minutes later than publicly scheduled, with the announcement: 'She even wanted to be late for her own funeral'," said a statement from her publicist.

'Soaring angel'

The hour-long service included a recital of the Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo and a trumpet solo of Amazing Grace, performed by Taylor's grandson Rhys.

Syrian leaders have pledged to introduce reforms to meet the demands of protesters, after days of violence in the southern city of Deraa.

Officials promised to study the need for lifting the state of emergency, in place since 1963.

The government also said it would bring to trial those suspected of killing several protesters in Deraa.

President Bashar al-Assad later ordered the release of everyone arrested during the "recent events", state media said.

Brazil police filmed 'shooting boy' in Manaus

The footage was recorded by a private security camera

 

Five Brazilian police officers have been arrested after television stations broadcast a video in which some of them appear to shoot a 14-year-old-boy.

The footage - captured by a security camera in the city of Manaus - shows uniformed men pushing the teenager before shooting him in the chest.

The boy survived with several wounds and is now in a witness protection programme along with his family.

The incident happened in August but has only recently come to light.

The boy's family and the person in charge of the security camera, as well as the first reporter to see the footage, initially held the video back because they feared retaliation if it was made public, prosecutors said.

Eurozone sets bail-out terms as Portugal fears increase

Many analysts believe Portugal is in denial about its need for rescue aid.

 

European leaders have agreed a restructuring of a financial bail-out fund that they hope will resolve the bloc's debt crisis.

Eurozone ministers bowed to German demands to renegotiate the time-frame for contributions to the massive fund.

But the deal was overshadowed by concerns about Portugal and a growing row that the UK may be forced to contribute to a financial bail-out.

Portugal says it does not need aid, but many analysts say Lisbon is in denial.

Guatemala first lady Sandra Torres confirms divorc

Ms Torres wants to be Guatemala's first woman president

 

Guatemala's First Lady, Sandra Torres de Colom, has confirmed that she is divorcing president Alvaro Colom so she can stand for election to succeed him.

Ms Torres fought back tears as she told Guatemalans she was leaving a loving marriage for the sake of the nation.

"I am divorcing my husband but I am getting married to the people," she said at a news conference.

Guatemala's constitution bans close relatives of the president from standing to succeed him.

 

Martin McGuinness has given a "guarantee" that Altnagelvin's radiotherapy unit will be constructed

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has described the decision to postpone the construction of a radiotherapy unit in Londonderry as "sectarian".

He said he could "guarantee" to reverse the move after the elections in May.

The DUP's Jim Wells, who chairs the assembly's health committee, said his party would reverse the move if it took the health portfolio.

Mexico media agree drug war reporting guidelines

The initiative is the first of its kind in Mexico

 

Many of Mexico's leading news organisations have agreed common guidelines on how to cover drug-related violence.

Newspapers and broadcasters agreed not to glorify drug traffickers or publish cartel propaganda.

They also promised joint action to protect journalists, at least 20 of whom have been killed since 2006.

The accord defends the media's right to criticise Mexican government policy and actions in the drugs conflict.

More than 40 media groups, which between them own over 700 television networks, radio stations and newspapers, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Mexico City.

Nigeria election: Jonathan rivals pull out of TV debate

The three opposition candidates left an empty podium for President Jonathan at last week's debate

Nigeria's three main opposition candidates have pulled out of election debates with President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing him of "arrogance".

The three - Nuhu Ribadu, Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Shekarau - are suspicious that he will take part only in a live TV debate largely organised by state-run media.

TNK-BP blocks BP Russian Arctic venture with Rosneft

Russia lays claim to potentially extensive oil deposits within the Arctic sea bed

 

Russian shareholders of TNK-BP have blocked BP's Arctic exploration deal with state-owned Rosneft.

"We won," said a spokesman for the oil joint venture's Russian shareholders.

A Swedish arbitration panel in London agreed that the Arctic deal violated a previous agreement between them and BP made when they set up TNK-BP.

Diamond ring worth 250,000 euros stolen in Paris

The stolen diamond was set in a platinum ring, a police official said

 

Three men posing as customers at a Paris store have stolen a diamond ring worth 250,000 euros (£217,000; $353,200), French police sources say.

While looking at rings at the Tiffany & Co counter of the Printemps department store, the men reportedly asked for a certificate of authenticity.

When the salesperson went off to make a photocopy, the men slipped away and escaped unchallenged by store guards.

Store managers were not immediately commenting on the theft for the media.