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Israel under pressure as prospects of talks fade

CAIRO (AFP) - Prospects for indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks lay in tatters after the Arab League came out against them unless Israel reversed its plans to build more settler homes in the occupied territories.

Published 6 hours, 9 minutes ago

Thailand deploys 50,000-strong force ahead of protests

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai authorities Thursday began deploying 50,000 troops on the streets of Bangkok ahead of rallies by anti-government protesters that they fear could turn violent, the deputy prime minister said.

Published 3 hours, 15 minutes ago

Middle East

Labour may quit Israel coalition over settlements

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel's Labour Party may quit the ruling coalition over the decision to build 1,600 settler homes in annexed Arab east Jerusalem, Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon warned on Thursday.

Published 3 hours, 2 minutes ago

» Brazil, Germany clash on Iran nuclear sanctions

» Israel supermarket chain uses Dubai killing in ad campaign

Israeli hostage dad urges EU aid pressure on Palestinians

STRASBOURG (AFP) - The father of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on Wednesday urged Europe to use heavy aid to pressure the Palestinians into releasing him.

Published 17 hours, 51 minutes ago

» Jordan bans reporting on oil bribery case

» Egypt's Mubarak leaves intensive care after operation

International

Yanukovych party forms new Ukraine coalition

KIEV (AFP) - The party of Ukraine's new President Viktor Yanukovych has formed a majority coalition in parliament which will now appoint a government, the speaker announced Thursday.

Published 54 minutes ago

» Police, military crackdown in Tibet on anniversary

» Iran frees top opposition figure for new year: reports

3 south Yemen separatists killed in clashes

SANAA (AFP) - Three south Yemeni independence activists were killed and five wounded on Thursday when demonstrations in southern towns sparked clashes with police, opposition sources said.

Published 1 hour, 8 minutes ago

» US missiles kill up to 16 in Pakistan: officials

» Under-fire Myanmar allows Suu Kyi party to open offices

Business

BP to pay 7 bln dlrs for Devon Energy assets

LONDON (AFP) - British oil giant BP said Thursday it will pay US firm Devon Energy seven billion dollars for assets in Brazil, Azerbaijan and the Gulf of Mexico.

Published 1 hour, 22 minutes ago

» Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu recalls 275,000 vehicles

» Geithner warns EU on hedge fund regulation plan

New data show weaker recovery in Japan

TOKYO (AFP) - Japan's economy is recovering more slowly than previously thought from its worst recession on record, hobbled by stubborn deflation and weak domestic demand, government data showed Thursday.

Published 6 hours, 11 minutes ago

» China's inflation continues to rise

» US Congress pushes reforms in Pacific trade deal

Science/Environment

24-hour vigil for miracle Aussie elephant 'Mr. Shuffles'

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian zoo keepers were keeping a round-the-clock vigil for "Mr. Shuffles", the miracle elephant calf who survived a marathon nine-day labour despite being declared dead.

Published 3 hours, 10 minutes ago

» Japan to oppose global trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna

» Independent body to review climate panel

California outlet accused of serving whale sushi

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A restaurant in Santa Monica, California faces criminal charges after being accused of selling sushi made from whale meat, the sale of which is strictly banned in the United States, prosecutors said.

Published 6 hours, 7 minutes ago

» Dutch capital to be put on trial over ICoast waste dump

» Independent body to review controversial climate panel

Sports

Lotus returns to F1 with dreams of world championship

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - The iconic Lotus name returns to Formula One at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, with modest ambitions for this year but big plans to seize a future world championship.

Published 4 hours, 5 minutes ago

» Juve, Liverpool seek Europa League salvation

» Federer, Nadal return to action in desert

Real Madrid's failure leaves Pellegrini exposed

MADRID (AFP) - After spending over 250 million euros to build a second dynasty of 'Galacticos' Real Madrid were expected to lift this season's Champions League trophy in the May 22 final at their Santiago Bernabeu stadium,

Published 6 hours, 57 minutes ago

» Wales rugby coach salutes O'Driscoll landmark

» Henin cruises into Indian Wells second round

Entertainment

France honours Japanese film maker Takeshi

PARIS (AFP) - France awarded one of its highest artistic honours on Tuesday to the Japanese screen star and film maker Takeshi Kitano, director of bizarre and violent cult movies such as "Battle Royale".

Published 16 hours, 35 minutes ago

» 'Phantom of the Opera' sequel gets mixed reviews

» R&B star Akon goes to Bollywood

US Iraq commander likes 'Hurt Locker'

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The commander of US troops in Iraq on Tuesday praised Oscar-winning drama "The Hurt Locker," saying that unlike some media coverage it showed the complexities on the field.

Published 1 day, 9 hours, 13 minutes ago

» De Niro set to portray coaching legend Vince Lombardi

» Shows with gays could lose Florida tax credit

Health/Medicine

Parents give kids fewer bad genes than thought: study

WASHINGTON (AFP) - American scientists have for the first time unlocked the genetic code of an entire family, and made a startling discovery -- that parents pass on fewer mutations than previously thought.

Published 9 hours, 50 minutes ago

» Scabies pill also works against resistant lice: study

» Tuberculosis strikes hard among Canada's Inuit

E.Europe in spotlight at Vienna AIDS conference

VIENNA (AFP) - AIDS 2010, the 18th International AIDS Conference being held in Vienna later this year, will focus on marginalised groups living with the disease, such as injecting drug users in Eastern Europe, organisers said Wednesday.

Published 16 hours, 20 minutes ago

» S.Korea abortion debate heats up after crackdown

» New maps guide African truckers to AIDS clinics

High Tech

S.Korea warns Google over mobile games content

SEOUL (AFP) - South Korea on Thursday warned Google it would be penalised if its mobile games content was not regulated, a government official said.

Published 4 hours, 48 minutes ago

» US city schools locked down after online threat

» MySpace upping ante in online social games

Bing gains US search market share for ninth straight month

NEW YORK (AFP) - Microsoft's new Internet search engine Bing slightly increased its share of the US search market in February, the ninth straight month of modest gains, online tracking firm comScore said Wednesday.

Published 10 hours, 1 minute ago

» US military to step up video-game training

» Google prepared to quit China over censor feud: executive