National / International News

Regional African leaders sign a UN-brokered accord which aims to bring peace to the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Activists urge US Cardinal Mahony to stay away from the conclave to choose a new pope because of child sex abuse allegations as the outgoing Pope gives his final Sunday blessing.

Police arrest two men and recover handguns after stopping a car in County Cork.

Like many countries, Israel tried to drain many of its swamplands, then realized it was destroying wildlife habitats. So the country reversed course, and has been restoring the wetlands of the Hula Valley in the north. The result: a huge and rather noisy payoff.

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A man and a woman are arrested on suspicion of murdering a 18-month-old boy in Birmingham.

The Scottish government is to invite councils to a summit on the sourcing of school meals in response to the horsemeat scandal.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, head of the Scottish Catholic Church, is reported to the Vatican over historical allegations of inappropriate behaviour, say reports.

The leader of Plaid Cymru says a change in the law might be needed to make sure more women are elected to the Welsh assembly.

A housing charity urges Scottish ministers to make up to £50m available to help tackle the impact of the so-called bedroom tax.

A 90-year-old driver dies six days after he was involved in a two-car crash on the A977 in Perth and Kinross.

In a time of economic hardship and social upheaval, some anxious Greeks fear their national identity is under threat. It's difficult for immigrants to get citizenship, and a recent court ruling could make it even tougher.

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One dominant theme of the trip will be how to resolve the crisis in Syria, where an estimated 70,000 people have been killed over the past two years. Kerry is portraying his first trip as secretary of state as a listening tour, and he certainly expects to hear a lot about Syria.

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By examining ancient dental plaque, researchers have concluded that prehistoric humans' diets made for healthier mouths. The addition of flour and sugar to modern diets may have set the stage for a near-constant state of oral disease.

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China has transformed itself in recent years. But for an NPR reporter now on his second tour of the country, some things, like re-education through labor camps, remain the same.

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Last minute Oscar excitement in our Hollywood diary

Ian Poulter sets up a semi-final meeting with defending champion Hunter Mahan at the WGC Match Play in Arizona.

The final Twilight instalment sweeps the board at the Razzie awards in Hollywood, which highlight the year's worst films.

Stars are gathering in Hollywood for the biggest night in the film industry's calendar - the Academy Awards.

Jonathan Pearce on Bobby Moore, who died 20 years ago today

A Banksy artwork which was taken from a London street and had been listed for auction in the US has been withdrawn from sale.