Roland Garros 2012: Maria Sharapova wins career Grand Slam beating Sara Errani in French Open final

Maria Sharapova blasted her way to victory over Italian Sara Errani in the French Open final to become only the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam

Maria Sharapova blasted her way to victory over Italian Sara Errani in the French Open final to become only the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam. Maria Sharapova, 25, claimed a one-sided 6-3 6-2 win to add to the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open titles from earlier in her career. The Russian… Continue reading Roland Garros 2012: Maria Sharapova wins career Grand Slam beating Sara Errani in French Open final

Spanish banks bailout to be discussed by eurozone finance ministers

Eurozone finance ministers are to hold a conference call to discuss a bailout for Spanish banks

Eurozone finance ministers are to hold a conference call to discuss a bailout for Spanish banks. EU sources say Madrid could formally request financial assistance for its troubled banks this weekend. So far Spain has denied reports that an announcement on a European rescue plan for its banks is close. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)… Continue reading Spanish banks bailout to be discussed by eurozone finance ministers

Greece: protests against Golden Dawn party after Ilias Kasidiaris assaulted Liana Kanelli on live TV

Thousands of people have protested in Greece against the far-right Golden Dawn party after its spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris assaulted Liana Kanelli of the Greek Communist party on live TV. Demonstrators shouted “Neo-Nazis out” in rallies called by left-wing and anti-racism groups in Athens. On Thursday, Ilias Kasidiaris, a Golden Dawn MP, was filmed hitting a… Continue reading Greece: protests against Golden Dawn party after Ilias Kasidiaris assaulted Liana Kanelli on live TV

Barack Obama says the US would support EU solutions to solve debt crisis

Barack Obama says European leaders must make difficult decisions to steer the eurozone away from crisis

US President Barack Obama says European leaders must make difficult decisions to steer the eurozone away from crisis. Speaking at the White House, Barack Obama said the US would support Europe implement the hard solutions needed to solve the ongoing debt crisis. He said a deep new recession in Europe would have an impact on… Continue reading Barack Obama says the US would support EU solutions to solve debt crisis

Pakistan: at least 18 people killed in a bus bomb attack in Peshawar

At least 18 people have been killed and other 34 have been injured in a bomb attack on a bus carrying government employees in north west Pakistan

At least 18 people have been killed and other 34 have been injured in a bomb attack on a bus carrying government employees in north west Pakistan. The bus is said to have been taking the workers to their offices when it was hit on the outskirts of the city of Peshawar. Peshawar lies near… Continue reading Pakistan: at least 18 people killed in a bus bomb attack in Peshawar

Chile rally against General Augusto Pinochet documentary

Relatives of victims of General Augusto Pinochet's military rule in Chile have protested against plans to pay homage to the late dictator this weekend

Relatives of victims of General Augusto Pinochet’s military rule in Chile have protested against plans to pay homage to the late dictator this weekend. They held a rally in Santiago, calling for the screening of a new pro-Pinochet documentary to be banned. The relatives say it is insensitive, but the government says it is a… Continue reading Chile rally against General Augusto Pinochet documentary

Overweight Hillary Clinton will run for the White House in 2016 if her health holds out, claims Ed Klein

Ed Klein claims Hillary Clinton does have the White House in her sights for 2016 but only if her health holds out

Controversial author Ed Klein claims Hillary Clinton does have the White House in her sights for 2016 but only “if her health holds out”. Ed Klein claims the Secretary of State, now 64, is planning to take time off to “get back into shape” but – in comments that are unlikely to be welcomed by… Continue reading Overweight Hillary Clinton will run for the White House in 2016 if her health holds out, claims Ed Klein

Mitt Romney beats Barack Obama with $17M in fundraising in May

Republican candidate Mitt Romney raised almost $17 million more than President Barack Obama's re-election effort in May

Republican candidate Mitt Romney raised almost $17 million more than President Barack Obama’s re-election effort in May, according to new figures. Mitt Romney and the Republicans raised $76.8 million, while the Obama campaign and the Democratic Party brought in $60 million. Mitt Romney now has $107 million cash on hand, almost matching the $115 million… Continue reading Mitt Romney beats Barack Obama with $17M in fundraising in May

Ilias Kasidiaris of far-right Golden Dawn party slaps Liana Kanelli of Greek Communist party on live TV

When Liana Kanelli of the Greek Communist party, the KKE, apparently threw a newspaper at him, Ilias Kasidiaris responded by slapping her around the face with three right-left blows

Prosecutors in Greece have issued an arrest warrant for Ilias Kasidiaris, the spokesman of the far-right Golden Dawn party, after he slapped a left-wing politician in the face on live television. Ilias Kasidiaris, who was elected to Greece’s parliament in last month’s elections, was debating with two female politicians on a chat show. Video footage… Continue reading Ilias Kasidiaris of far-right Golden Dawn party slaps Liana Kanelli of Greek Communist party on live TV

William Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre remains discovered by archaeologists

The remains of Elizabethan theatre Curtain, where some of William Shakespeare's plays were first performed, have been discovered by archaeologists

The remains of Elizabethan theatre Curtain, where some of William Shakespeare’s plays were first performed, have been discovered by archaeologists. The remains of the Curtain Theatre, which opened in 1577, were found behind a pub in Shoreditch, east London, as part of regeneration works. The venue was immortalized as “this wooden O” in the prologue to… Continue reading William Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre remains discovered by archaeologists

Japanese tsunami dock washed up in Oregon

A huge dock torn from a Japanese port by March 2011 tsunami has washed up in the US state of Oregon

A huge dock torn from a Japanese port by March 2011 tsunami has washed up in the US state of Oregon – 8,050 km (5,000 miles) across the Pacific. The 20m-long (66ft) concrete dock weighing 165 tons was spotted on Agate beach, south-west of Portland. A Japanese consulate official said a commemorative plaque showed it… Continue reading Japanese tsunami dock washed up in Oregon

Earth at risk of irreversible change due to green decline, UN warns

With water demand rising, forests and fish stocks declining, and lack of action on climate change, life on Earth may be at risk to an irreversible change

With water demand rising, forests and fish stocks declining, and lack of action on climate change, life on Earth may be at risk to an irreversible change, the UN warns. The Global Environmental Outlook says significant progress is seen on only four out of 90 environmental goals. Meanwhile, a team of scientists warns that life… Continue reading Earth at risk of irreversible change due to green decline, UN warns

Spain rejects bailout speculation

Spain's economy minister Luis de Guindos has dampened speculation that the country is about to seek a bailout of its bank sector

Spain’s economy minister Luis de Guindos has dampened speculation that the country is about to seek a bailout of its bank sector. Luis de Guindos said no decision would be made until audits of the banks were completed, possibly by the end of June. There have been reports in the past few days that Spain… Continue reading Spain rejects bailout speculation

Li Wangyang, top Chinese dissident, found dead in Shaoyang

Li Wangyang, who was freed from jail a year ago, hanged himself in hospital, where he was being treated for heart disease and diabetes

Li Wangyang, a leading Chinese dissident imprisoned after the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, has been found dead under strange circumstances, his relatives and rights groups said. Officials said Li Wangyang, who was freed from jail a year ago, hanged himself in hospital, where he was being treated for heart disease and diabetes. But Li Wangyang’s… Continue reading Li Wangyang, top Chinese dissident, found dead in Shaoyang

Meghan Vogel helps collapsed competitor cross the finish line at 3200-metre finals in Columbus

Meghan Vogel is now being praised for her sportsmanship, and has had to deal with an overwhelming response to the now-famous photograph

Meghan Vogel, a high school runner competing in a 3200-metre race in Ohio, is receiving national attention, not for winning or a feat of athleticism, but for an extraordinary act of kindness after she helped a struggling competitor finish the race. Meghan Vogel, a 17-year-old junior at West Liberty Salem High School in western Ohio,… Continue reading Meghan Vogel helps collapsed competitor cross the finish line at 3200-metre finals in Columbus

Solar Impulse, solar-powered plane, lands in Rabat after flying from Spain

Solar Impulse, a solar-powered plane, has landed in Rabat, Morocco, after flying from Spain, completing the second leg of its pioneering journey

Solar Impulse, a solar-powered plane, has landed in Rabat, Morocco, after flying from Spain, completing the second leg of its pioneering journey. Pilot Bertrand Piccard landed the Solar Impulse in Rabat, 19 hours after taking off from Madrid. The plane – the size of a jumbo jet – was powered by 12,000 solar cells turning… Continue reading Solar Impulse, solar-powered plane, lands in Rabat after flying from Spain

Venus Transit: rare astronomical event that would not be seen again for another 105 years

Venus transit was a very rare astronomical event that would not be seen again for another 105 years

Venus has put on a spectacular show for skywatchers by moving across the face of the Sun as viewed from Earth. Venus transit was a very rare astronomical event that would not be seen again for another 105 years. Observers in north and central America, and the northern-most parts of South America saw the event… Continue reading Venus Transit: rare astronomical event that would not be seen again for another 105 years

Abu Yahya al-Libi, senior al-Qaeda leader, killed in a drone strike in Pakistan

Abu Yahya al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda leader, was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan on Monday, a US official has confirmed

Abu Yahya al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda leader, was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan on Monday, a US official has confirmed. US officials said Abu Yahya al-Libi was the target of an attack which hit a volatile tribal area of Pakistan’s north-west, killing 15 suspected militants. There has been no confirmation of his death… Continue reading Abu Yahya al-Libi, senior al-Qaeda leader, killed in a drone strike in Pakistan

Syria expels ambassadors of Western states

Syria has decided to expel the ambassadors of several Western states, a week after governments around the world expelled its top diplomats

Syria has decided to expel the ambassadors of several Western states, a week after governments around the world expelled its top diplomats. The envoys of the US, UK, France and Turkey were among 17 diplomats designated “personae non gratae”. President Bashar al-Assad blamed “foreign meddling” for Syria’s divisions in a speech on Sunday. The move… Continue reading Syria expels ambassadors of Western states

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: St Paul’s Cathedral service to wrap up jubilee events

The Queen's Jubilee celebrations are to conclude with a glittering procession and service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral

The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations are to conclude with a glittering procession and service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral. Prince Philip is still in hospital with a bladder infection and will miss the final events marking the Queen’s 60-year reign. A service at St Paul’s Cathedral will be followed by a carriage procession and, weather… Continue reading Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: St Paul’s Cathedral service to wrap up jubilee events

Vladimir Putin arrives in China for a three-day visit

President Vladimir Putin is beginning a three-day visit to China, with energy and foreign policy expected to dominate the agenda

President Vladimir Putin is beginning a three-day visit to China, with energy and foreign policy expected to dominate the agenda. The Russian president said ahead of the trip that he wanted to further boost booming bilateral trade, which reached $84 billion last year. The Syrian crisis is also expected to be discussed during the talks.… Continue reading Vladimir Putin arrives in China for a three-day visit

Venus transit of the Sun visible from Earth today

Venus is set to move across the face of the Sun as viewed from Earth in a more than six-and-a-half-hour transit, which starts just after 22.00 GMT on Tuesday

Venus is set to move across the face of the Sun as viewed from Earth in a more than six-and-a-half-hour transit, which starts just after 22.00 GMT on Tuesday. The transit is a very rare astronomical phenomenon that will not be witnessed again until 2117. Observers will position themselves in northwest America, the Pacific, and… Continue reading Venus transit of the Sun visible from Earth today

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace

Stevie Wonder and Sir Paul McCartney are among the stars who have yet to perform before the Queen and other members of the Royal Family

The A-list concert for Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is taking place outside Buckingham Palace. The event kicked off with the Massed Bands of the Household Division playing for the 12,000 ticket holders and the thousands more on The Mall in London. Pop star Robbie Williams then took to the specially-constructed stage around the Queen Victoria Memorial.… Continue reading Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace

Prince Philip hospitalized with bladder infection after he stood in the freezing rain at Queen’s Jubilee river pageant

Prince Philip has been hospitalized with a bladder infection at King Edward VII hospital in London after paramedics were called to Windsor Castle this afternoon as a precautionary measure

Prince Philip has been hospitalized with a bladder infection at King Edward VII hospital in London after paramedics were called to Windsor Castle this afternoon as a precautionary measure. Prince Philip, who celebrates his 91st birthday this Sunday, is being treated and will remain in hospital for a few days. Yesterday Prince Philip, Duke of… Continue reading Prince Philip hospitalized with bladder infection after he stood in the freezing rain at Queen’s Jubilee river pageant

Tiananmen Square Anniversary: Chinese authorities arrest activists and place others under surveillance

Chinese authorities have arrested activists and placed others under increased surveillance to stop them from marking the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown

Chinese authorities have arrested activists and placed others under increased surveillance to stop them from marking the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Searches on social media sites have also been restricted to try to prevent any reference to the 1989 events. The foreign ministry expressed “strong dissatisfaction” over a call from the US to… Continue reading Tiananmen Square Anniversary: Chinese authorities arrest activists and place others under surveillance