February 19, 2012
US Congress backs payroll tax cut
The US Congress has voted in favour of extending a payroll tax cut until the end of 2012, ending months of debate. The bill now moves on to President Barack Obama, who has promised to sign it into law. The deal would extend a payroll tax cut the…
February 19, 2012
Fake US bonds worth trillions seized
Italian prosecutors say they have broken up an organised crime ring that was hiding trillions of dollars of fake US bonds. Worth $6 trillion, the bonds were found in three metal boxes in a warehouse in the Swiss city of Zurich. Italian authorities…
February 19, 2012
Houston funeral, stories of faith, courage and love
Whitney Houston went to church one last time Saturday. She was welcomed by family, friends and a virtual audience of millions who watched as the pop superstar was remembered as a child of God with the voice of an angel. A voice that never forgot…
February 19, 2012
Rio carnival street parade draws record numbers
One of Rio de Janeiro's oldest and most popular carnival street parties has attracted a record 2.2 million revellers, police say. The Cordao da Bola Preta parade is famous for attracting a diverse crowd, spanning all ages. For the first time in…
February 19, 2012
Iran ‘may boost nuclear programme’, diplomat warns
Iran may be poised to expand its nuclear programme at an underground site near the city of Qom, a Vienna-based diplomat has told the BBC. It appears to be ready to install thousands of new-generation centrifuges at the fortified underground…
February 19, 2012
Deadly shooting at Damascus funeral
Syrian troops have fired on mourners during a funeral that turned into a demonstration in Damascus, killing at least one person, activists say. The shooting occurred at a funeral for people killed during a protest against President Bashar al-Assad…
February 19, 2012
Honduras buries victims of deadly Comayagua prison fire
Relatives of the victims of Tuesday's prison fire in Comayagua, Honduras have been mourning the dead. Funerals have been held across the country for those whose bodies were released by forensic investigators. Officials said the number of dead had…
February 19, 2012
Latvia rejects making Russian an official language
Latvians have resoundingly rejected the option of making Russian the country's second official language, results from a referendum indicate. About two-thirds of those registered voted, the election commission said, many more than in previous…
February 18, 2012
Stars mourn Whitney Houston at hometown service
Stars, family and friends mourned Whitney Houston in a spirited funeral service at her hometown church on Saturday, a week after the sudden death of the singer whose spectacular voice made her one of the biggest pop stars of her era. A choir had…
February 18, 2012
More emphasis on CARICOM not ALBA, says Grenada PM
Caribbean leaders should place more emphasis on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) instead of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our Americas (ALBA), said Tillman Thomas, prime minister of Grenada. Speaking at a press conference held at the…