News

Iran to hold Opec presidency for first time in 36 yearsIran will assume the presidency of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) for the first time in 36 years.

Iran president thanks Pope for condemning Koran threatIran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written to the Pope, thanking him for condemning an American pastor's threat to burn the Koran last month.

At the U.N., Turkey Asserts Itself in Prominent WaysIf the United Nations General Assembly often serves as a stage for ambitious countries to project a new image, none has grabbed that opportunity this year with as much vigor as Turkey.

World leaders address poverty at U.N. sessionPresident Barack Obama will address the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday as world leaders continue to lay down their achievements and goals in the effort to decrease world poverty.

Barack Obama's administration 'divided' over Afghan warUS President Barack Obama's senior advisers have been waging internal battles over Afghan policy for 20 months, according to a new book.

Israel warns of violence if peace talks failWith an Israeli-Palestinian impasse on settlement construction set to come to a head this weekend, the Israeli military chief said Tuesday that new Palestinian violence could erupt if peace talks collapse.

Nato helicopter crash kills nine in Afghanistan’s bloodiest yearNine people were killed when a Nato helicopter crashed in Afghanistan yesterday, making this year the bloodiest yet for Western troops in the country.

US panel to vote on Azerbaijan envoyThe U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee is set to vote Tuesday on President Barack Obama's ambassadorial pick for the Azerbaijani capital of Baku amid Armenian-Americans' ongoing opposition to the diplomat's nomination.

U.N. Ignores Risks of Terror Attack, New York City SaysAs the United Nations hosts scores of world leaders at its annual General Assembly this month — and a special summit called by Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for Sept. 20 — behind-the-scene tensions are high between the world organization and New York City, which has repeatedly warned that the U.N. complex on Manhattan’s East side is dangerously exposed to potential terrorist attacks.

Papal visit: Thousands protest against Pope in LondonThousands have marched in London to protest against the Pope's visit. Organisers of the Protest the Pope event said they wanted to highlight his stance on controversial subjects, including the ordination of women.

Cambridge ousts Harvard as world's best universityUS college knocked off top spot for first time in seven years, while UK institutions 'struggle to compete on funding'

Pakistan police families targeted in suicide car bomb attackEighteen killed and 94 wounded as militants attack residential compound of officers' complex in Peshawar

Pension rallies hit French citiesMore than one million French workers have taken to the streets to protest against austerity measures planned by President Nicolas Sarkozy's government.

North Korea Takes Steps to Extend Dynastic RuleKim Jong-il, the North Korean leader, is expected to convene a rare congress of the ruling Workers’ Party in coming days to pave the way for his son to succeed him, a feat of political engineering that would be a first in the Communist world: extending dynastic rule to a third generation.

Pakistan mourns as Lahore bombing toll rises to 31A three-day period of mourning has begun in Pakistan after bomb attacks on a Shia Muslim procession in Lahore city killed 31 people on Wednesday.

Obama hails end to US combat operations in IraqPresident Barack Obama has hailed the end of US combat operations in Iraq, saying his country has paid a "a huge price" to "put Iraq's future in its people's hands".

Netanyahu and Abbas to Begin Direct Mideast Peace TalksThe Israeli and Palestinian leaders were to open direct peace negotiations Thursday after committing to work to end the conflict that has endured for six decades.

Ten things the Philippines bus siege police got wrongA security analyst who has worked in counter-terrorism with the British Army and Scotland Yard, Charles Shoebridge, says the officers involved in Manila's bus siege showed great courage - but they were not properly trained or equipped for the task.

Chile's trapped miners told rescue could take monthsThe 33 Chilean miners trapped deep underground have been told they may not be rescued for several months, the country's health minister has said.

Azerbaijani wrestler becomes European cadet championAzerbaijan's Kamran Yunusov has become European freestyle wrestling champion in the 69 kg category at the European Cadet Championship.