National / International News

Rescue teams are on standby to help a sperm whale which has swum off course and ended up in shallow waters of Oban Bay.

Cutting British forces in Afghanistan too quickly could "endanger" progress at a critical time, the UK's top commander there warns.

India's Supreme Court rejects a plea by Swiss company Novartis to patent an updated version of its cancer drug, Glivec.

South Korea promises a "strong response" to any North Korean aggression, amid high tensions after Pyongyang warned of entering a "state of war".

An airport terminal was closed and evacuated after a "suspect package" was found, airport officials confirm.

Benefit changes will have a "destabilising" and "devastating impact", claims a Welsh government minister in a strongly-worded attack on the UK coalition.

Kevin Ware's injury may be the most talked-about story from the weekend's games, but there was other big news. On the women's side, Louisville shocked No. 1-ranked Baylor, knocking out the defending champions. On the men's side, Wichita State continues its surprising run.

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Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir says all political prisoners in the country will be released and that his government is committed to dialogue.

Efforts to save Scotland's oldest continually-operating textile mill from closure fail, leading to the loss of 33 jobs.

A Colombian indigenous group releases three soldiers, who it had suspected of involvement in the killing of its leader.

Villagers on the Greek island of Thassos prevent the nationalist Golden Dawn party from handing out free food and other basic goods.

Former Swindon chairman Jeremy Wray tips Paolo Di Canio to be a success as Sunderland head coach.

India's Supreme Court has ruled against Swiss drug maker Novartis, as the company sought patent protection for a new version of its cancer drug Gleevec (spelled Glivec in some markets). The decision has implications for the pharmaceutical industry and millions of people in poor countries.

The basic question in this Supreme Court case was whether Novartis could tweak one of its drugs and gain patent protection. The answer was no.

Jennifer Cohn of Doctors Without Borders says that’s a huge win for people all over the world.

"India has been called the pharmacy to the developing world," says Cohn, "and that’s because it provides a great deal of affordable, quality generic medicines to people living in low and middle-income countries."

According to Cohn, the ruling potentially blocks efforts to increase the number of patents in other emerging markets. Pharmaceutical companies warn this limits their ability to invest in new drugs that could combat illness and disease.

Andy Berens at Bloomberg says the more the rest of the world uses generics, the more western nations will be called on to subsidize corporate research and development.

"If the developing countries can fund some of this resarch and develoment cost…it makes it easier for the U.S. to not have to bear the burden of that innovation," says Berens.

Berens adds that the real threat to drug makers is if countries like the U.S. also adopt more generic-friendly policies. A development Berens sees as unlikely.

Consumers had a strong February -- spending jumped 0.7 percent and personal income rose 1.1 percent.

Julia Coronado, chief economist with the investment bank BNP Paribas, joins Marketplace Morning Report host Jeremy Hobson to discuss the numbers and how efforts to rebuild after Hurricane Sandy are buoying the economy.

At least 36 bodies are recovered from a landslide in Tibet, state media report, after dozens of miners were buried on Friday.

A second US festival dedicated to celebrating internet videos of cats will be held in Minnesota after more than 10,000 people flocked to the first event last year.

Andy Murray says he can improve as he heads into the clay-court season ranked number two in the world.

A bag snatcher has managed to escape after running through the glass door of a Perth shopping centre.

A signed copy of The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is bought at auction in the US for $290,500 (£191,000).

A man from Surrey dies after being hit by a train following an altercation at Guildford railway station, police say.