March 20, 2012
Toulouse school killer ‘had camera around his neck
The man who killed four people at a Jewish school in Toulouse had a camera around his neck and may have filmed the scene, France's interior minister says. Claude Gueant said the camera was one clue helping police build a profile, as the manhunt…
March 20, 2012
Diamond Jubilee: Queen to ‘rededicate’ herself
The Queen has promised to "rededicate myself to the service" of the UK and its people as she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee. In a speech to both Houses of Parliament, she said the commemoration of her 60 years on the throne was a chance "to come…
March 20, 2012
Deadly explosions in series of attacks on Iraqi cities
At least 38 people have been killed in a series of co-ordinated attacks across Iraq, officials say. Two car bombs in the predominantly Shia city of Kerbala are reported to have killed at least 13 people. Another car bomb near police headquarters in…
March 20, 2012
Apple to pay dividend and buy back shares
Apple has said it will use its cash to start paying a dividend to shareholders and to buy back some of its shares. The technology giant said it would pay a quarterly dividend of $2.65 per share from July. It will buy back up to $10bn (£6.3bn) of its…
March 20, 2012
Australia passes controversial mining tax into law
The Australian Senate has pushed through into law a 30% tax on iron ore and coal mining companies. The tax will raise A$10.6bn ($11.2bn, £7bn) over three years from major companies including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xtrata. Strong demand for raw…
March 20, 2012
Deutsche to challenge EU over NYSE Euronext ruling
Deutsche Boerse is to legally challenge the European Commission's decision to block its planned merger with stock exchange rival NYSE Euronext. The two companies called off their merger last month after Brussels objected to the deal on competition…
March 20, 2012
Mets owners settle Bernard Madoff lawsuit
The owners of the New York Mets baseball team have agreed to pay $162m (£102m) to settle a lawsuit which accused them of being "wilfully blind" to Bernard Madoff's Ponzi fraud. The civil case against Mets' owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz was…
March 20, 2012
Egypt in mourning for Coptic Pope Shenouda’s funeral
Big crowds are expected in the Egyptian capital for the funeral of Coptic Pope Shenouda III, who died on Saturday. A service will be held at St Mark's cathedral, followed by burial at St Bishoy monastery in the Nile Delta. Shenouda, 88, was the…
March 20, 2012
Russia joins Red Cross call for daily truce in Syria
Russia has joined the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in calling for a daily two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in Syria. In a statement, the foreign ministry called on the government "and all armed groups who oppose it" to agree to…
March 20, 2012
Greece’s FM Resigns to Lead Socialist Party Before Election
Greece's Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos has resigned, one day after being elected to lead the Socialist party PASOK in the run-up to elections. Venizelos announced his resignation Monday after meeting with Greek President Karolos Papoulias.…