News in English

The lower house of France's parliament has approved plans to extend special powers by three months to try to bring a wave of urban rioting under control.

Iraq's government says it has begun an investigation into the alleged abuse of detainees held by Iraqi security forces in Baghdad.

Accoding to Iraq's president, Jalal Talabani, British troops could leave Iraq by the end of next year.

So far 57 people have been killed and roughly 300 injured in explosions at hotels in Amman, Jordans caital.

The European Union says it is studying a call by Iran for the resumption of nuclear talks.

President Jacques Chirac says France is determined to prevail in the face of widespread rioting that has gripped mostly African and Arab communities.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator has written to the UK, France and Germany to call for the resumption of stalled talks over its atomic programme.

Pakistan says more than 73,000 people died in the 8 October quake that devastated its north and Kashmir.

Iraqi soldiers who served under Saddam Hussein are being invited to rejoin the force.

North Korea and South Korea have agreed to compete as a single team in the 2006 Asian Games and the 2008 Olympics, according to a South Korean official.