Gateway to Global News

Obama Nasa plans ‘catastrophic’ say Moon astronauts

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:28:52 +0000

Former Nasa astronauts who went to the Moon have told the BBC of their dismay at President Barack Obama’s decision to push back further Moon missions. Jim Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, said Mr Obama’s decision would have “catastrophic consequences” for US space exploration. The last man on the Moon, Eugene Cernan, said it [...]

PM Maliki leads poll count in key Baghdad constituency

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:19:02 +0000

Partial results for Iraq’s elections show Prime Minister Nouri Maliki’s coalition ahead in the crucial area of Baghdad, election officials say. Results from across the country suggest a tight contest may be developing between Mr Maliki and his main rival, Iyad Allawi. Baghdad has 70 seats in the 325-member parliament, making results there key. There have been complaints [...]

EU close to Greece bail-out deal, officials say

admin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:13:01 +0000

The EU is poised to reach agreement on a potential multi-billion euro bail-out for Greece after weeks of crisis, senior officials have told the BBC. They say the rescue package would be available if Greece asked for assistance to finance its huge deficit. Eurozone ministers are expected to finalise a proposal setting out a range of options [...]

David Beckham lauds ‘exceptional’ Wayne Rooney

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:53:07 +0000

David Beckham hailed Wayne Rooney as one of the best players in the world after he fired Manchester United into the Champions League quarter-finals. The England striker scored twice, as he did in the first leg, as United beat AC Milan 4-0 to seal a 7-2 aggregate win. Milan midfielder Beckham said: “Wayne is such an exceptional [...]

Nigerian survivors recall Jos massacre

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:49:08 +0000

Survivors of violence in central Nigeria on Sunday have been telling the BBC what happened. One witness in a village near the city of Jos said he heard his neighbours screaming as they were attacked. Afterwards he saw the bodies of whole families, including women and babies, killed with machetes and burnt. Another man said he had found [...]

Carlos Slim overtakes Bill Gates in world rich list

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:46:44 +0000

Mexican telecom giant Carlos Slim has topped Forbes magazine’s billionaire’s list - the first time since 1994 that an American has not led the rankings. Mr Slim’s fortune rose by $18.5bn (£12.4bn) last year to $53.5bn. That beat Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($53bn) into second place, with US investor Warren Buffett ($43bn) third. In 2009 332 names left [...]

Greece hit by third general strike in a month

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:44:17 +0000

Public services and transport in Greece have ground to a halt as workers stage a third general strike in protest at the government’s austerity measures. Flights are grounded, and schools and hospitals closed in the 24-hour walk-out called by the two largest unions. Protesters and police clashed during a march in central Athens, with reports of tear [...]

Peace talks ‘difficult’ for Abbas amid settlement row

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:42:05 +0000

The Palestinian Authority has said indirect talks with Israel will be “very difficult” if more homes are built on occupied land as planned. Israel announced the plan for 1,600 more homes in occupied East Jerusalem shortly before a peace process visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden. Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said they had “demanded that the [...]

Brown visits soldiers in Afghanistan amid defence row

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:08:08 +0000

The prime minister has visited British troops in Afghanistan as a row grows over his evidence to the Iraq inquiry. Gordon Brown’s aides told the BBC he rejected criticism from two former Army chiefs that as chancellor he denied pleas to send more equipment to Iraq. No 10 also fiercely denied Conservative claims Mr Brown was using [...]

Iceland holds referendum on Icesave repayment plan

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:04:42 +0000

Icelanders are going to the polls to vote on paying the UK and Netherlands after the collapse of the Icesave bank, with a resounding “no” vote expected. The British and Dutch governments want reimbursement for the 3.8bn euros (£3.4bn; $5.2bn) they paid out in compensation to customers in 2008. Talks between the three countries broke down on [...]