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UN set up taskforce

THE United Nations will set up a top-level taskforce to tackle the global food crisis that threatens to start a "cascade" of crises affecting trade, the global economy and even political security around the world, secretary general Ban Ki-moon says. Read

Family members astonished by Austrian horror

LONG-lost members of an Austrian family terrorised by decades of imprisonment had an "astonishing" reunion at the clinic where psychiatrists are helping them cope. Read

Scientists thaw 78 stone squid

NEW Zealand marine scientists are thawing the corpse of the largest squid to be caught, in an attempt to unlock some of the secrets of one of the ocean’s most mysterious beasts. Read

Dolphin dies at Sea World sister park in Florida

A DOLPHIN has died at a SeaWorld sister park in Florida after colliding with another during an interaction programme stunt. Read

Seventeen jailed for China riots

SEVENTEEN people have been given jail terms of three years to life for their roles in riots in Lhasa last month, it was reported today. Read

Afghan intelligence chief assasination plot

AFGHANISTAN’S intelligence chief said he warned President Hamid Karzai of the weekend assassination plot against him. Read

Austrian town shocked by Fritzl horror

HORRIFIED residents in the Austrian town where a 73-year-old man imprisoned and repeatedly raped his daughter for 24 years are questioning how he deceived police, neighbours and social workers for so long. Read

Austrian town shocked by Fritzl horror

Photographer awarded damages

A photographer who feared he would be killed when Zsa Zsa Gabor’s husband punched him in the face on a Beverly Hills street has been awarded £2,255 in damages by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. Read

Son of Dutch defence chief killed

The son of the new Dutch defence chief, killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, was targeted deliberately, the Taliban claimed. Read

Obama wins endorsements

Barack Obama has won endorsements from Democratic elder statesmen – a former Clinton administration official and two ex-senators – boosting his campaign for his party’s presidential nomination. Read

Zimbabwe begins recount

ZIMBABWE will begin a recount of election votes in 23 constituencies today - most won by opposition candidates – amid fears of rigging by President Robert Mugabe. Read

Doctors report beating in Zimbabwe unrest

POLICE and militants loyal to president Robert Mugabe cracked down on opponents today, with police arresting 36 people and doctors tonight reporting scores of cases of presumed assault and torture. Read

Richard Gere takes 'a fence' at planners

ACTOR Richard Gere is running into some planning hurdles as he tries to put his imprint on the wealthy New York suburb of Bedford. Read

Schoolchildren burned to death in Uganda

UGANDAN police said 19 primary school children aged between seven and ten burned to death with two of their matrons when their dormitory caught fire. Read

Volcano erupts in Colombia

COLOMBIAN authorities have declared a “red alert” after the Nevado del Huila volcano began erupting, shooting out hot ashes. Hundreds of being people are being evacuated. Read

Zimbabwe in state of "frenetic paralysis"

CRISIS-torn Zimbabwe is in a “state of frenetic paralysis”, according to a returning British aid worker. Read

Berlusconi scores decisive victory in Italy

CONSERVATIVE leader Silvio Berlusconi scored a decisive victory in Italy’s parliamentary elections, setting the colourful billionaire and staunch US ally on course for his third stint as premier. Read

Two-faced Indian baby attracts worshippers

A BABY born with two faces – two noses, two pairs of lips, two pairs of eyes – has been worshipped as the reincarnation of a Hindu goddess in her northern Indian village, where the one-month-old is healthy and doing well. Read