November 8, 2012
China congress: Hu Jintao opens party meeting on leadership change
Chinese President Hu Jintao has opened a Communist Party congress that begins a once-in-a-decade power transfer with a stark warning on corruption. Addressing more than 2,000 delegates, Mr Hu said that a failure to tackle the issue "could prove…
November 8, 2012
Red Cross says it cannot cope with Syria emergency
The Red Cross has said it "can't cope" with the worsening situation in Syria. "The humanitarian situation is getting worse despite the scope of the operation increasing," said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross…
November 8, 2012
French diplomatic service is the world’s best, UK says
Britain's diplomats have been told to learn lessons from the French, if they are to become the best diplomatic service in the world. It follows advice from an external panel of advisers who told the Foreign Office that France was the best at pushing…
November 7, 2012
President Barack Obama wins re-election
President Barack Obama has been re-elected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney. With results in from most states, America's first black president has secured the 270 votes in the electoral college needed to win the race. Mr…
November 7, 2012
David Cameron attacks ‘ludicrous’ EU budget increase
David Cameron has attacked a 'ludicrous' proposed rise in the EU budget in advance of talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The leaders are due to discuss the issue at Downing Street later. Mr Cameron has indicated he wants a freeze and he is…
November 7, 2012
French gays’ ‘marry and adopt children’ bill considered
Plans to legalise same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt are to be discussed at a meeting of the French Socialist government. France already allows civil unions between same-sex couples, but it was a campaign pledge of President Francois…
November 7, 2012
India and Canada finalise conditions of nuclear deal
India and Canada have finalised the terms for their nuclear deal, paving the way for Canadian firms to export uranium to India. Once implemented, the deal is likely to provide a boost to India's plans to increase its nuclear capacity to meet growing…
November 7, 2012
British officials planning talks with Syrian armed groups
Downing Street says Britain is to begin talks with armed Syrian rebels in a bid to unite the opposition to the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. The announcement came as David Cameron arrived in Jordan on the latest stage of his visit to the…
November 6, 2012
US election: Tight race for Obama and Romney
Tens of millions of Americans are voting to decide whether to re-elect Democratic President Barack Obama or hand the job to Republican Mitt Romney. Polls are to start closing in eastern states at 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) and a winner could become clear…
November 6, 2012
Obama, Romney focus on swing states in late campaigning
President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney made their final urgent pleas to voters on Monday in a closing sprint through vital battleground states that will determine who wins their agonizingly close race for the White House. Both…