Israeli forces have announced their withdrawal from the West Bank town of Bethlehem in the first stage of a new deal with the Palestinians aimed at quelling violence. While the troops have now left the town, the army said in a statement that it intended t
Turkey's Treasury said on Monday it had sold a net $276.2 million of dollar-indexed debt on the first day of a public offering.
Australia is in the grip of a vast ecological crisis caused by government inaction, a new report on the country's environmental record has warned. The report, commissioned by a number of environmental and conservation groups, describes Australia as being
A Russian military helicopter transporting servicemen to Chechnya is reported to have crashed in the republic. Defence Ministry officials in Moscow said 13 people were injured in the crash, but the Russian Itar-TASS news agency reported as many as 85 dead
Pope John Paul II held mass at the 400-year-old sanctuary near Krakow where he prayed as a child, during one of his last acts on his trip to Poland. Tens of thousands of enthusiastic Poles lined the 30-mile route to the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska monastery on
A large archive of al Qaeda videotapes obtained by CNN in Afghanistan sheds new light on Osama bin Laden's terror network, revealing images of chemical gas experiments on dogs, lessons on making explosives, terrorist training tactics and previously unseen
Russia has announced plans to liberalise its precious metals and stones industry. The country is home to a quarter of the world's diamond deposits, with production controlled by Alrosa, a state monopoly.
Israel has reached agreement with the Palestinians to begin reducing its military presence in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank town of Bethlehem in exchange for Palestinian efforts to reduce militant attacks. But the deal was thrown into doubt almost as s
United Nations drug officials say the new Afghan Government has largely failed in its efforts to eradicate the opium poppy crop. A UN spokesman, Hector Maletta, said a government campaign, launched in April, had had a very limited impact.
The Afghan foreign minister said on Saturday he was certain Saudi-born guerrilla chief Osama bin Laden and ousted Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar survived last year's U.S.
Pope John Paul II has warned against abuses of genetic engineering at an open-air Mass attended by more than two million people in the Polish city of Krakow. The Pope was given a rapturous reception by the crowd at Blonia Park - the emotional highlight of
Countries across Asia are on storm alert as typhoons near parts of the region and heavy rains batter others, with forecasters saying there is little hope of the weather abating. China is on disaster alert after a week of heavy rains, landslides and flash
Prayers are being offered for the families of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman at a special church service in their home town of Soham. The parents of the 10-year-olds are being comforted by friends and family as they wait for confirmation that
Two British peacekeeping soldiers serving in Afghanistan have died of gunshot wounds sustained in a "non-hostile" situation at Kabul airport, the local British command has said. The two men, who have yet to be identified, were part of the International Se
Pope John Paul II will celebrate a huge open-air Mass in Krakow on Sunday, an event meant to be the centrepiece of his eighth papal visit to his Polish homeland. Pilgrims have been pouring into Krakow for the Mass, to be held at Blonie Park, a meadow near
Police hunting missing girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman have found two bodies near Mildenhall in Suffolk. The grim discovery was made at 1300 BST by a member of the public about seven miles away from where the girls vanished in Soham, Cambridgeshire,
Zimbabwe police have arrested more than 80 white farmers and charged some in court for defying government orders to vacate land targeted for redistribution to landless blacks. Justice for Agriculture (JAG) also said police and war veterans had assaulted a
Tens of thousands of Poles gave Pope John Paul II a joyous welcome on Saturday, shouting: "Long live the pope!" as he arrived to consecrate a new basilica. Some 4,000 faithful clapped in rhythm as the 82-year-old pontiff made his way through the recently
Iraq's ambassador to Russia, Abbas Khalaf, said Saturday that Russia and Iraq are planning to sign a five-year, $40 billion economic cooperation agreement. The news comes as the United States decides whether to attack Iraq, contending it is a threat to th
US President George W Bush has responded to mounting domestic and international criticism of his policy towards Iraq. He said he had been listening to those who warned against military action to replace the Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein.
Pope John Paul II is beginning the first full day of what is being seen as his farewell visit to his home area of Poland, with the consecration of a new Catholic church. The ultra-modern Shrine of Divine Mercy, on the outskirts of Krakow, commemorates a P
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
