05/04/2012 | World

Greek suicide a potent symbol before election

A Greek pensioner's suicide outside parliament has quickly become a symbol of the pain of austerity and has been seized upon by opponents of the budget cuts imposed by Greece's international lenders.

05/04/2012 | World

Obama signs bill to boost business startups

US President Barack Obama signed into law a bipartisan bill to kickstart small business growth and he promised rigorous oversight to make sure the measure does not harm investors, as critics have warned.

05/04/2012 | World

Pope reaffirms ban on women priests, assails disobedience

Pope Benedict today re-stated the Roman Catholic Church's ban on women priests and warned that he would not tolerate disobedience by clerics on fundamental teachings.

05/04/2012 | World

Russian arms dealer sentenced to 25 years in prison

Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer caught in an undercover sting by US agents posing as Colombian guerrillas seeking weapons, was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a US judge in New York.

05/04/2012 | World

Shooter of unarmed Florida teen gets second lawyer

The 28-year-old neighbourhood watch volunteer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager in Florida has acquired extra legal help, hiring a veteran criminal defence lawyer and media pundit.

05/04/2012 | World

UN says Syria violence worsening as deadline nears

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that Syria's conflict is deepening and attacks on civilian areas show no sign of abating, despite assurances from Damascus that it has begun withdrawing troops under an international peace plan.

05/04/2012 | World

Wall street drops as European shares limp higher

US stocks mostly dipped, but the S&P 500 ended its worst week this year as growing pressure on Europe's debt markets revived concerns about the region's financial stability. Meanwhile, Strong miners helped haul European equity markets into positive territory.

05/04/2012 | World

Wyoming town, population 1, sells for $900,000

The town of Buford, Wyoming - population 1 - was sold for $900,000 to an unidentified buyer after an 11-minute auction that attracted worldwide interest.

06/04/2012 | World

Pope urges families to persevere in economic crisis

06/04/2012 | World

Mali junta says will hand power to civilian leader

Mali's two-week-old military government has agreed to hand over power to the West African nation's parliament speaker as part of a transition to civilian rule, a joint statement by the junta and regional mediators declared on Friday.