Baghdad hit by wave of deadly car bombs

A series of car bomb blasts in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least 47 people and injured many more, officials say.

The blasts targeted markets and car parks in mainly Shia Muslim districts of the city.

There has been a recent upsurge in sectarian violence, sparking fears of a

Nairobi attack: Kenya forces 'clearing' Westgate centre

Kenyan security forces say they are attempting to clear the Westgate shopping complex in Nairobi in order to bring to an end the three-day siege.

Explosions and heavy gunfire were reported earlier as soldiers stormed the mall, where suspected al-Shabab militants are thought to be holed up.

Syria 'submits chemical weapons data' to Hague watchdog

Syria has begun sending details of its chemical weapons as part of a US-Russia brokered deal to make them safe, the chemical arms watchdog has said.

The Hague-based OPCW added that it expected more details from Syria in the coming days and had postponed a meeting planned for Sunday.

Pope Francis: Church too focused on gays and abortion

Pope Francis has said the Catholic Church is too focused on preaching about abortion, gay people and contraception and needs to become more merciful.

He warned that the Church's moral structure could "fall like a house of cards" unless it changed.

The Pope used the first major interview of

Shares at record high as Federal Reserve refrains from tapering

The US Federal Reserve has decided to maintain its economic stimulus programme at the current level, despite speculation that it would start scaling it back.

US shares jumped after the announcement with all three US indexes closing at record highs.

It had been widely expected that the

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff calls off US trip

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has called off a state visit to Washington next month in a row over allegations of US espionage.

The US National Security Agency (NSA) has been accused of intercepting emails and messages from Ms Rousseff, her aides and state oil company, Petrobras.

The allegations were based on

South Korea shoots dead a man trying to swim to North

South Korean troops have shot dead a man trying to swim across a border river into the North, officials say.

Soldiers opened fire after the man jumped into the Imjin river and ignored repeated warnings to stop.

The North and South remain technically at war after the 1950-53 conflict ended in

Twelve people killed at Washington Navy Yard

At least 12 people have been killed and at least four injured in a shooting at a naval installation in Washington DC.

A gunman was killed at the scene. Police were initially searching for two additional "potential" gunman but one has since been ruled out.

Shots were reported at 08:20 local time

Al-Qaeda chief Zawahiri urges 'lone-wolf' attacks on US

The leader of al-Qaeda has issued a message marking the 12th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attacks.

In the audio message, Ayman al-Zawahiri talks of the need for small-scale attacks - and even a boycott - to damage the US economy.

Voyager probe 'leaves Solar System'

The Voyager-1 spacecraft has become the first manmade object to leave the Solar System.

Scientists say the probe's instruments indicate it has moved beyond the bubble of hot gas from our Sun and is now moving in the space between the stars.

Syria conflict: US issues warning on chemicals plan

The US has warned that a Russian plan on Syrian chemical weapons must not be an excuse for "delays and avoidance".

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the plan must be "swift and verifiable" and warned its implementation would be "exceedingly difficult".

Syria earlier said it accepted the Russian plan to put the chemical weapons under

Give up weapons, Russia urges Syria

Russia has asked Syria to put its chemical weapons stockpiles under international control and then have them destroyed, in an attempt to avoid US military strikes.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the offer was made during talks with his Syrian counterpart, Walid Muallem, who welcomed the initiative.

Syria crisis: Russia and US no closer

Speeches by key leaders at the end of the G20 summit in St Petersburg have laid bare the bitter divisions over possible military action in Syria.

Russian President Vladimir Putin restated his opposition to any strike, saying it would destabilise the region.

US President Barack Obama said action was necessary in reaction to the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

UK has new Syria chemical evidence - David Cameron

The UK has fresh evidence of the use of chemical weapons in Damascus, David Cameron has told the BBC as he arrives in Russia for the G20 summit.

Scientists at the Porton Down laboratories have been "examining samples" from Syria's capital, he said.

Syria crisis: US Senate panel backs use of force

A US Senate panel has approved the use of military force in Syria, in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack.

By 10-7, the Committee on Foreign Relations moved the measure to a full Senate vote, expected next week.

The proposal allows the use of force in

Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro found hanged in cell

Ariel Castro, who kept women captive at his home in Cleveland, Ohio, has died after being found hanging in his cell.

Prison officials said he died in hospital late on Tuesday, after prison medical staff failed to revive him.

Syria crisis: Obama wins backing for military strike

President Barack Obama has won backing from key US political figures on his plans for a military strike on Syria.

Mr Obama said a "limited" strike was needed to degrade President Bashar al-Assad's capabilities in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack.

Key Republican leaders John Boehner

Syrian government behind 'massive chemical attack'

France says the suspected chemical attack near Damascus last month "could not have been ordered and carried out by anyone but the Syrian government".

A report presented to parliament by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the assault on 21 August involved the "massive use of chemical agents".