Sunday, February 8, 2009

2/8 BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition




American woman becomes first on record to complete Atlantic swim
February 7, 2009 at 10:43 pm

A 56-year-old American woman has become the first on record to swim the Atlantic, taking 24 days from the Cape Verde Islands to Trinidad.

Swiss to vote on EU worker rights
February 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm

Switzerland votes whether to continue to allow in EU workers, and whether to extend that right to Romanians and Bulgarians.

Voting counts
February 7, 2009 at 8:54 pm

Has Iraq witnessed birth of a genuine democracy?

Australia fires rage with 35 dead
February 7, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Australian officials warn that bush fires that have killed 35 people are not yet under control, with more extreme weather predicted.

Government plans travel database
February 7, 2009 at 8:14 pm

The government is compiling a database to track and store the international travel records of millions of Britons.

No fanfare
February 7, 2009 at 7:09 pm

Lacklustre close to campaigning in Israel's election

UK Treasury orders probe into banks
February 7, 2009 at 5:44 pm

The Treasury is to order an independent probe into how banks are managed, chancellor Alistair Darling says.

Obama defends economic stimulus
February 7, 2009 at 5:23 pm

The US president defends his economic stimulus plan as "absolutely necessary", and urges Congress to approve it quickly.

Marriage over for Peaches Geldof
February 7, 2009 at 5:20 pm

Peaches Geldof and singer Max Drummey are to divorce, six months after their wedding in Las Vegas.

New Bolivia constitution in force
February 7, 2009 at 3:26 pm

Bolivia's President Evo Morales enacts a new constitution that aims to empower the country's indigenous majority.

England crash to innings defeat
February 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm

West Indies bowl out England for 51 to win the first Test by an innings and 23 runs on day four in Jamaica.

Baby boy 'killed by family dogs'
February 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm

A three-month-old boy dies after what is believed to be an attack by two family dogs in south Wales.

US fishermen trapped on ice slab
February 7, 2009 at 2:41 pm

A rescue operation is under way to save about 200 people trapped when a huge slab of ice broke away from the shore of Lake Erie.

Forgotten classic car sells for 3.4m euros at auction
February 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm

A Bugatti car, which gathered dust in a Tyneside garage for 47 years, sells for 3.4m euros (£3m) at an auction in Paris.

Liverpool go top after late drama
February 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Fernando Torres scores a dramatic late header to take Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League and leave Portsmouth in relegation trouble.

Impressive Irish hold off France
February 7, 2009 at 2:08 pm

Ireland recover from a slow start to claim a magnificent win over a battling France side in a thrilling RBS Six Nations opener at Croke Park.

Somali leader arrives in capital
February 7, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Somalia's new president arrives in the capital Mogadishu, his first trip there since being elected a week ago by MPs.

Italian right-to-die row deepens
February 7, 2009 at 1:29 pm

A political standoff develops in Italy over the right of a woman who has been in a coma for 17 years to die, despite a ruling in her favour.

Jolie and Pitt expected at Baftas
February 7, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are expected to attend Sunday's Bafta film awards in London.

Photosynthesis viewed in a flash
February 7, 2009 at 11:28 am

Using ultra-short laser pulses, scientists hope to understand how plants harvest the Sun's energy.

Kercher friendship 'had cooled'
February 7, 2009 at 10:48 am

The friendship between murdered British student Meredith Kercher and accused Amanda Knox had "cooled" before her death, a court hears.

Germany warns Iran over sanctions
February 7, 2009 at 10:39 am

Germany warns Iran that it would support tougher sanctions if diplomatic efforts to stop the Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons broke down.

Rocky ride
February 7, 2009 at 9:57 am

The challenges ahead for Evo Morales and Bolivia

Gospel truth
February 7, 2009 at 9:52 am

Hear the secret behind the Soweto Choir's success

Pakistan Taleban 'kill' hostage
February 7, 2009 at 8:33 am

A Taleban group in Pakistan claims it has killed a Polish engineer kidnapped in September, reports say.

Police 'kill five' in Madagascar
February 7, 2009 at 8:19 am

Police open fire on an opposition protest in the capital of Madagascar, killing at least five people, reports say.

US offers new foreign policy tone
February 7, 2009 at 8:17 am

New US Vice-President Joe Biden outlines the Obama government's foreign policy, emphasising a new tone with the world.

Sacked Baby P chief defends case
February 7, 2009 at 8:16 am

The ex-head of Haringey children's services criticises the way ministers handled the outcry over the Baby P case.

Great escape
February 7, 2009 at 7:54 am

Wartime trek to freedom through southern China

See no evil
February 7, 2009 at 7:42 am

Silence on murders raises questions about Russia

Australian bush fires turn deadly
February 7, 2009 at 7:09 am

Fourteen people have been killed in wildfires in southern Australia, and there are fears as many as 40 people may have died.

Unwell Kinnear taken to hospital
February 7, 2009 at 7:03 am

Newcastle say manager Joe Kinnear has been taken to hospital as a "precautionary measure" after feeling unwell.

Live text - Premier League
February 7, 2009 at 7:01 am

Man City host struggling Middlesbrough in Saturday's early Premier League game, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa all in action later.

Manchester United star has his car seized by police
February 7, 2009 at 5:25 am

Manchester United player Carlos Tevez's car was seized after it is found he did not have a full UK driving licence, police say.

History's lesson
February 7, 2009 at 4:25 am

Israel's Likud says peace is not the preserve of the left

Week in pictures
February 7, 2009 at 3:19 am

The best images from around the world this week

US character actor Whitmore dies
February 7, 2009 at 2:56 am

Veteran actor James Whitmore, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrait as President Harry Truman, dies aged 87.

Malaysian twins spared death row
February 7, 2009 at 2:38 am

Malaysian identical twins escape hanging for drug trafficking as a court fails to decide which brother was the criminal.

Seven police killed in Pakistan
February 7, 2009 at 12:44 am

Seven police officers are killed in an attack by unknown assailants on a checkpoint in Mianwali in Punjab province.

Latin America poverty 'may soar'
February 6, 2009 at 9:41 pm

A senior UN official says the world's economic crisis could cause poverty in Latin America to rise by 15% this year.


2/8 CNN.com Recently Published/Updated




Raging Australia bushfires kill at least 50
February 8, 2009 at 1:48 am

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced Sunday the creation of an Aust $10 million relief fund as wildfires in the southeastern part of the country raged on, killing at least 50 people and destroying more than 600 homes.

GOP senators 'caved in' on stimulus, Paul says
February 7, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Former presidential candidate Ron Paul criticized President Obama's economic recovery proposal but said Saturday that blame for the financial crisis is deep-seated and includes Republicans who failed to hold the line on spending during the Bush administration.

German bishops say 'no room' for Holocaust denier in Catholicism
February 7, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Germany's Catholic bishops are calling for the expulsion of a former bishop, recently brought back into the church by Pope Benedict XVI, after new reports that he denies the Holocaust.

Debate on stimulus package to resume Monday
February 7, 2009 at 4:45 pm

U.S. senators spent part of Saturday debating the massive economic recovery package after a group of lawmakers reached a compromise agreement that trimmed billions in spending from an earlier version.

1 dead, hundreds stranded on Lake Erie ice floe
February 7, 2009 at 4:24 pm

One person died Saturday in connection with the rescue of hundreds of people cast adrift on an ice floe in Lake Erie, a Coast Guard official involved in the effort said.

Reports: Kidnapped Polish engineer executed in Pakistan
February 7, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Polish authorities in Pakistan say they are monitoring local reports that Taliban militants have executed a kidnapped Polish engineer.

Actor James Whitmore dies
February 7, 2009 at 3:56 pm

Craggy-faced film, television and stage actor James Whitmore has died at 87, the Los Angeles County, California, Sheriff's Department confirmed Saturday.

Iranian police call report of diplomat's arrest 'baseless'
February 7, 2009 at 3:46 pm

An Iranian police spokesman has denied reports that the country's police force arrested a Swiss diplomat, Iran's official news agency reported Saturday.

23 killed at Madagascar protest
February 7, 2009 at 3:33 pm

At least 23 people died Saturday when a protest rally turned violent outside Madagascar's Presidential Palace, a fire official at the main hospital said.

What got cut from the stimulus bill
February 7, 2009 at 3:14 pm

A coalition of Democrats and some Republicans reached a compromise that trimmed billions in spending from an earlier version of the Senate economic stimulus bill.

Substitute Torres earns Liverpool late win
February 7, 2009 at 3:12 pm

Liverpool breathed new life into their Premier League title bid as substitute Fernando Torres struck deep into injury-time to seal a thrilling 3-2 win at Portsmouth and return the Reds to the top of the table.

Obama team works to define U.S. strategy in Afghanistan
February 7, 2009 at 3:08 pm

When U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks, then-President Bush said the goal in Afghanistan was "to build a flourishing democracy as an alternative to a hateful ideology."

Ireland defeat France in Six Nations opener
February 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Ireland beat France 30-21 in an enthralling Six Nations rugby opener at Croke Park, Dublin, to underline their status as genuine title contenders.

Inter pile pressure on with another victory
February 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Defending champions Inter Milan have increased their Serie A advantage over AC Milan and Juventus after a convincing 3-0 victory at struggling Lecce on Saturday.

Late equalizer keeps Hoffenheim on top
February 7, 2009 at 12:19 pm

Hoffenheim remain top of the Bundesliga table, but they needed a late header from Brazilian striker Wellington to secure a 1-1 draw at bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Kinnear taken to hospital prior to match
February 7, 2009 at 11:59 am

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks after falling ill before a Premier League match on Saturday.

Facts about steroids
February 7, 2009 at 10:11 am


Canadian Kucera shocks downhill favorites
February 7, 2009 at 10:08 am

John Kucera is the new men's world downhill champion after claiming an upset victory in changeable weather conditions at Val D'Isere on Saturday.

Caylee's remains won't be at memorial service
February 7, 2009 at 10:05 am

Caylee Anthony's remains have been released but won't be at Tuesday's public memorial service for the slain toddler, an attorney for the family said.

Biden promises 'new tone' in U.S. foreign affairs
February 7, 2009 at 9:40 am

Vice President Joe Biden emphasized a "new tone" in Washington and around the world as he delivered his first major speech Saturday in Munich, Germany.

Broad holds up West Indies at Sabina Park
February 7, 2009 at 8:58 am

Stuart Broad led an England fightback at Sabina Park in Kingston, claiming half of the six wickets to fall as West Indies closed the third day on 352 for seven -- meaning a total of just 192 runs were scored on the day.

Villegas holds one-stroke Buick advantage
February 7, 2009 at 8:25 am

Colombian Camillo Villegas carded a two-under-par 70 to lead American John Rollings by one stroke after the second round of the Buick Invitational event at Torrey Pines, San Diego.

Somalia's new president returns from exile
February 7, 2009 at 8:11 am

Newly elected Somalian President Sheikh Sharif Sheekh Ahmed made a surprise visit to the country's capital Saturday after returning from exile in nearby Djibouti, a Somali journalist told CNN.

Israeli jets hit targets in Gaza
February 7, 2009 at 7:52 am

Israeli warplanes attacked four tunnels and a weapons storage facility in Gaza late Friday evening, an Israeli Defense Forces spokesman said.

Raging Australia wildfires kill at least 14
February 7, 2009 at 7:40 am

At least 14 people have been killed in wildfires fueled by strong winds and scorching temperatures in southeastern Australia, police said Saturday.

Angelina Jolie asks Thai government to aid refugees
February 7, 2009 at 5:47 am

Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie has asked Thailand to permit greater freedom for thousands of refugees stuck in camps after fleeing neighboring Myanmar, according to a U.N. statement released Friday.

U.N. team heads to Zimbabwe for humanitarian aid
February 7, 2009 at 3:24 am

The United Nations said Saturday that it will conduct a humanitarian mission in Zimbabwe in the wake of a raging cholera outbreak.

Militants attack Pakistan checkpoint
February 7, 2009 at 3:22 am

Eight police personnel were killed in an early-morning attack Saturday on a police security checkpoint in Pakistan's Punjab province, a police official said.

Ex-BART officer accused of murder out on bail
February 7, 2009 at 2:44 am

A former transit police officer charged with murder was released from custody Friday after posting a $3 million bail.

Ashley Judd, Sarah Palin at odds over aerial wolf hunt
February 7, 2009 at 1:16 am

Actress Ashley Judd says a wolf management program backed by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is "incredibly savage ... it's not right, it's not appropriate, it makes no sense on any level."

Sarah Palin's husband, aides found in contempt
February 6, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Todd Palin and nine aides were found in contempt Friday by the Alaska Senate for failing to appear to testify in the Legislature's "troopergate" investigation of his wife, Gov. Sarah Palin, a spokeswoman for the Alaska Democratic Party said.

Lawyer: Pakistani nuclear scientist freed from house arrest
February 6, 2009 at 10:40 pm

Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Pakistani scientist who admitted leaking nuclear secrets to North Korea, Iran and Libya and then recanted his confession, has been released from house arrest after it was declared illegal by the Islamabad High Court, his attorney told CNN Friday.