February 24, 2012
Somalia ‘air strike kills foreign al-Shabab militants’
A huge air strike in al-Shabab-held southern Somalia has killed at least six people, including some foreigners, eyewitnesses have told the BBC. The strike destroyed two vehicles in a convoy in an area known as K60 because it is around 60km (35…
February 24, 2012
Santorum, Romney in Fierce Battle for Republican Nomination
U.S. Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney has attacked rival Rick Santorum as a political insider prone to big government spending. Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, is in a battle with Romney for frontrunner status in the bid for…
February 24, 2012
Diplomats: ‘Friends of Syria’ May Demand Entry of Aid Within Days
Diplomats say a group of Western and Arab-led nations gathering in Tunis to discuss Syria's worsening unrest may issue a demand for Damascus to allow the delivery of foreign humanitarian aid to hard-hit areas within days. The officials say…
February 24, 2012
World Leaders Focus on Somalia’s Future at London Conference
World leaders are in London for a one-day conference designed to help stabilize Somalia. British Prime Minister David Cameron said the conference is not meant to impose international solutions on Somalia. But he said the world will “pay a price”…
February 21, 2012
Eurozone ministers back 130bn-euro bailout for Greece
Eurozone finance ministers have agreed a second bailout for Greece after marathon talks in Brussels. Greece will get loans of more than 130bn euros (£110bn; $170bn) and have about 107bn of its debt written off. In return, it must slash its debt from…
February 21, 2012
Nato apologises for Afghan Koran ‘disposal’
The US commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan has apologised over reports that foreign troops had "improperly disposed" of copies of the Koran. In a statement, Gen John R Allen ordered a full investigation. "When we learned of these actions, we…
February 21, 2012
Strauss-Kahn questioned in prostitution ring inquiry
Former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been detained for questioning by French police investigating a prostitution ring. Mr Strauss-Kahn, once a front-runner for the French presidency, could be held for 48 hours at a police station in Lille,…
February 21, 2012
Homs comes under heavy bombardment
Rebel-held areas of the central Syrian city of Homs have come under intense bombardment from the Syrian army. Anti-government activists report that at least 12 people have been killed so far on Tuesday and 100 injured. This cannot be independently…
February 21, 2012
Yemen violence mars poll to replace Ali Abdullah Saleh
Violence in southern Yemen has marred an election to replace veteran leader Ali Abdullah Saleh. At least eight soldiers have been killed at southern polling stations despite a large army presence, after separatists called for a voter boycott. Half…
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…