International News

AMMAN (Reuters) - Armoured reinforcements poured into Homs as President Bashar al-Assad's forces bombarded the Syrian city for a fourth day, opposition sources said on Thursday, worsening the humanitarian situation and prompting a new diplomatic push from Turkey.

MIRANSHAH, Pakistan (Reuters) - A U.S. drone attack in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghanistan border killed four suspected militants Thursday, intelligence officials said, the second such attack in two days.

LONDON (Reuters) - Russian and Chinese arms are being used to violate human rights in Darfur region in breach of an "ineffectual" United Nations embargo, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt said on Wednesday it would not be swayed by threats to aid when probing NGOs over charges they received foreign cash without official approval, a case that has led Washington to warn that $1.3 billion a year of military aid may be at risk.

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - The secrets from a vault of moldy documents long covered in bat and rat droppings could soon help to put former top Guatemalan officials behind bars, years after the country's brutal civil war ended in 1996.

KUALA LUMPUR/TEHRAN (Reuters) - More evidence emerged of the crippling impact of new sanctions on Iran, with international traders saying Tehran is having trouble buying rice, cooking oil and other staples to feed its 74 million people weeks before an election.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan and the United States agreed on Wednesday to decouple the transfer of thousands of U.S. Marines to Guam from the southern Japan island of Okinawa from plans to relocate a base on Okinawa, a step forward in resolving an irritant in relations.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's ruling generals said Wednesday they would deploy more soldiers and tanks across the country, an announcement seen as a warning to activists planning a national strike on the anniversary of the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.

Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.

Suicide attack outside hotel where officials gather kills at least 17 in the Somali capital.

A top Chinese policeman in charge of a major crackdown on organised crime goes on leave, amid rumours of an investigation and a bid for asylum.

A top Chinese policeman in charge of a major crackdown on organised crime goes on leave, amid rumours of an investigation and a bid for asylum.

A father suffocated his six-month-old son before hanging himself at a house in Lancashire, an inquest hears.

The top Republican in Congress calls for a law against a contraceptive rule if President Obama does not back down in the face of Catholic leaders' anger.

The US and Japan resurrect a deal to move thousands of Marines from Okinawa island, but the future of a major base on the island remains unclear.

The highs and lows of Fabio Capello's career as England manager.

MALE (Reuters) - The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean islands, said on Wednesday he had been forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.

Ethnic group publicly celebrates cultural heritage for first time in 15 years amid wave of political reforms.

Fabio Capello has resigned as England manager, the Football Association has confirmed.

Syrian activists report dozens more deaths and movement of tanks deeper into residential areas after days of shelling.