France 'carrying out racial holocaust' claims Castro

He said that strong protests in France were “essential” to counter the expulsions, “especially when at the same time millionaires are limiting the rights to retirement and reducing employment opportunities”, referring to recent plans to raise the retirement age in France from 60 to 62.

Iran cancels plans to release American hiker Sarah Shourd

American hikers Shane Bauer, left, Sarah Shourd, center, and Josh Fattal, sit at the Esteghlal Hotel in Tehran
The Iranian Culture Ministry had earlier said one of the three hikers would be released to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, but had not confirmed the identity.

Toddler whose heart stopped for an hour makes 'miracle' recovery

Gore Otteson was without a heartbeat for between 50 to 55 minutes after he wandered away from the family holiday cabin and ended up face down in an irrigation ditch
Gore Otteson was without a heartbeat for between 50 to 55 minutes after he wandered away from the family holiday cabin and ended up face down in an irrigation ditch. His parents were ....

Chanel boutique opening in Soho, New York

As New York Fashion Week opened, Karl Lagerfeld played host to the city's fashionable finest for the launch of the new Chanel store.
Chanel's creative director Karl Lagerfeld shares a moment with German actress Diane Kruger

England ease to victory against Pakistan as Steven Davies stars with bat

Good times: England's Stuart Broad celebrates dismissing Pakistan's Umar Akmal
Photo: ACTION IMAGES
They even managed to fell a giant, though even that proved too easy with Mohammad Irfan, Pakistan’s 7ft pace bowler, injuring himself while trying to bowl during England’s innings.

Defence spending: thousands of troops to be cut

 

The cuts will lead to a substantial reduction in the size of the Army
The cuts, which are part of the strategic defence review, will lead to a substantial reduction in the size of the Army, which will also have to give up many of its tanks and armoured vehicles. Soldiers could also be ordered to serve longer on the front line in Afghanistan, and be given less time to recuperate between tours.

China's UN diplomat in drunken rant against Americans

UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang
The outburst by Sha Zukang at a retreat for top UN officials in the Austrian ski resort of Alpbach left senior UN officials cringing in embarrassment as others tried to convince him to put down the microphone, according to Washington-based

Winston Churchill blamed for 1m deaths in India famine

Winston Churchill said Britain could not spare the ships to transport emergency supplies
According to a new book on the famine, Sir Winston ignored pleas for emergency food aid for millions in Bengal left to starve as their rice paddies were turned over to jute for sandbag production and supplies of rice from Burma stopped after Japanese occupation.

New Zealand military scientist caught lying on CV

 

New Zealand's current affairs programme, 60 Minutes, reported that at one previous workplace Mr Wilce was known as 'Walter Mitty'
British born Stephen Wilce also said that he had combat experience with Britain's Royal Marines and designed guidance systems for Britain's Polaris missile.
As chief military scientist for the past five years, leading a team of 80 in the secretive

Koran burning protests claim first victim in Afghanistan

Dove World Outreach Center Pastor Terry Jones (R) speaks at a press conference with Imam Muhammad Musri
Pakistani lawyers carry a burning US flag during a protest in Multan to denounce the plans to burn the Koran by a US priest Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Rev. Terry Jones, the Florida pastor has been asked to reconsider his plans to burn Korans on Saturday