Uphill struggle
Mixed response at G20 to Britain's transaction tax idea

Taxes and you: Proposed changes in Budget 2009-10
The Finance Minister has scrapped a tax on commodity transactions.

Britain bats for global levy on banks to fund future bailouts
World governments should consider urgently a levy on banks to fund future bailouts, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Saturday....

Brown joins call for global tax on banks
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called on the G20 to consider a tax on financial transactions to fund future bailouts and make banks more accountable to society.

Brown proposes tax on bank transactions
G20 Finance Ministers conference under way in Scotland

Gordon Brown and US in G20 clash over Tobin tax on banks
A row has broken out over a possible new tax on banks just hours after Gordon Brown suggested the move, with the US signalling its opposition to the plan.

British PM revives global tax idea at G20 meet
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Saturday resurrected the idea of the international community imposing a global tax on banks as a repayment for the billions of pounds of taxpayers' money they have received from governments.

17 rebels killed in 'fierce' Afghan battle: ministry
Afghan troops and NATO war jets pounded insurgents during a 'fierce battle' in southern Afghanistan, killing 17 rebels, the defence ministry said.

Soldier killed in blast in Helmand
A British soldier from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles was killed following a blast near Sangin in central Helmand Province southern Afghanistan.

NATO Airstrike Reported to Kill 7 Afghan Soldiers
The Afghan Defense Ministry and local officials in Badghis Province said that seven members of the Afghan security forces had been killed in a NATO airstrike the day before.

NATO Airstrike Mistakenly Kills Afghan Soldiers, Cops
The ministry said NATO and Afghan authorities were investigating the incident and would issue a report soon.

Afghans killed during search for missing U.S. troops
KABUL (Reuters) - NATO forces mistakenly killed seven Afghan soldiers and police in an air strike during a battle while searching for two missing American soldiers in Afghanistan, the Afghan Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

Afghan 'friendly fire' claim probed
NATO forces in Afghanistan are investigating a report that an airstrike killed Afghan security forces in a region rife with arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking.

8 Afghans killed in search for missing troops
NATO forces mistakenly killed eight Afghan soldiers and police during a battle while searching for two missing US soldiers.

Fort Hood victims making progress
As investigators at Fort Hood meticulously probed Thursday's grisly massacre, a Texas surgeon said more of the wounded victims of the shootings were slowly but surely on the mend.

Barack Obama to attend Fort Hood memorial on Tuesday: White House
The US President will attend a memorial service on Tuesday at Fort Hood to honour the victims of a shooting rampage on the military base which killed 13 people, the White House said.

Fort Hood shooting: President Barack Obama will travel to Texas for Fort Hood memorial service
US President Barack Obama will travel to Texas to attend a memorial service for the victims of the Fort Hood massacre.

Obamas to attend Fort Hood memorial Tuesday
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will attend a memorial service in Fort Hood, Texas, on Tuesday for victims of a mass shooting.

First Family to Fort Hood
Barack, Michelle Obama to attend Tuesday memorial service in Texas.

US House passes major health reform
The US House of Representatives passed a landmark health reform bill aimed at cutting costs and extending coverage to Americans who lack insurance.

Obama "absolutely confident" on Senate health bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Saturday he was "absolutely confident" the Senate would follow the lead of the House of Representatives in passing legislation to overhaul the healthcare system.

US House backs healthcare reforms
The US House of Representatives narrowly backs a key healthcare bill in a step towards reforms pledged by President Obama.

Obama's healthcare reform passes first hurdle
The US house of representatives has narrowly approved a sweeping healthcare reform bill.

Barack Obama's healthcare reform bill passes first hurdle
The US House of Representatives approved the broadest overhaul of US health care in four decades overnight, handing President Barack Obama a hard-fought victory that energised his top domestic priority.

"We Will Pass Health Care Reform"
Pelosi says Obama's visit inspired Dems, expects passage of the bill in the House later in the day. Plus: There was also some spontaneous chanting of "fired up, ready to go" from members as he walked out. POOL REPORT: Here.

David beats Russian Goliath
British boxer David Haye has upset giant Russian Nikolai Valuev to win the World Boxing Association's heavyweight championship.

Haye shocks Valuev in WBA heavyweight title bout
NUREMBERG, Germany (Reuters) - Briton David Haye clinched the WBA world heavyweight title with a points win over holder Nikolai Valuev of Russia on Saturday.

Russian giant cut down to size by David Haye
DAVID HAYE, a brash south Londoner who has mastered the noble art of self-publicity, won a version of the world heavyweight title last night but not quite as he might have wished.

David Haye v Nikolai Valuev: roundbyround
David Haye shockwaves around the boxing world with a majority points win over 22st 7fttall giant Nikolai Valuev.

David beats Goliath to win world title
David overcame Goliath as Britain's David Haye claimed the WBA world heavyweight title with a split 12-round points victory over giant Russian Nikolia Valuev in Nuremberg on Saturday night.

In pictures
The big fight: how David beat Goliath

Anti-Taliban crusader killed in bombing
A suicide car bomber has struck near a local mayor's house in Pakistan's Peshawar city, killing 11 people including the one-time rebel backer turned anti-Taliban crusader, police said.

Blast Rocks Crowded Market in Northwest Pakistan
A suicide bomber apparently targeting an anti-Taliban mayor struck the town of Adazai Sunday, killing the mayor and at least eight others, police said.

Pakistan suicide bombing kills mayor
A suicide car bomber struck in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, killing 11 people, including a local mayor, authorities said.

Market attack in NW Pakistan kills at least 8
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed an anti-Taliban village mayor and seven other people in an attack on the outskirts of Pakistan's volatile city of Peshawar on Sunday, officials said.

8 killed in suicide attack in Pakistan's Peshawar city
A suicide bomber struck at a packed market on the outskirts of Peshawar on Sunday killing at least eight persons, including a local Mayor believed to be the target of the attack, and injuring 31.

Anti-Taliban mayor among 9 killed in Pak bomb attack
Suicide bomber strikes at crowded market in northwest of country.

HEALTH BILL PASSES HOUSE
220-215 Saturday night vote clears the way for the Senate to begin debate. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous.

G.O.P. Tries Tactic to Derail Bill
The vote before the final vote.

House narrowly passes health care bill
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a victory for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed landmark health care legislation Saturday night to expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous. The 220-215 vote cleared the way for the Senate to begin debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress. A triumphant Speaker Nancy Pelosi likened the legislation to the passage of Social Security in 1935 and Medicare 30 years later. "It provides coverage for 96 percent of Americans. It offers ... Email

House Passes U.S. Health-care Overhaul Legislation
House Passes U.S. Health-care Overhaul Legislation

Obama visits Hill as U.S. health care vote looms
In the final hours before the House was set to vote on a sweeping health reform bill, indications were that the vote could come down to the wire.

Health Care Reform: The House's Final Push
We're now in the midst of four hours of final debate on the health care bill.

Italy in Fed Cup driving seat
Italian pair Flavia Pennetta and Fracesca Schiavone cruised to straight set victories to send Italy into a 2-0 lead in the Fed Cup final against the United States overnight.

Italy heading for Fed Cup final victory
Italy are in a strong position to claim the Fed Cup after building up a 2-0 lead over an under strength United States team in the final in Reggio Calabria.

Italy takes 2-0 lead
REGGIO CALABRIA (ITALY): Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone each had straight-set wins on Saturday to give Italy a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup final. Pennetta beat Alexa Glatch 6-3, 6-1 and Schiavone rallied ...

Italy take 2-0 lead over U.S. in Fed Cup final
REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy (Reuters) - Italy stormed into a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup final when Francesca Schiavone outfoxed Melanie Oudin 7-6 6-2 on Saturday.

Fed Cup: Italy take 1-0 lead over US
Flavia Pennetta overpowered Alexa Glatch 6-3 6-1 to give Italy a 1-0 lead over United States in the Fed Cup final on Saturday.

Koda likely to be arrested after discharge from hospital: ED
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, facing corruption and money laundering charges, is likely to be arrested after he is discharged from a hospital here on Sunday, Enforcement Directorate sources said.

Koda discharged, mining deals inked by him under scanner
Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who faces arrest on charges of laundering Rs.2,500 crore, was Sunday discharged from the Apollo Hospital here. Meanwhile, Income Tax (IT) authorities have started scrutinising the mining deals inked by Koda when he was in power.

Enforcement Directorate summons Madhu Koda
Enforcement Directorate has summoned former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda for interrogation on November 11. Apollo hospital said Koda would be released by afternoon.

Koda to remain in hospital
Former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda, against whom the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department are investigating money laundering charges, will not be discharged from hospital on Saturday as he had a stomach upset.

Koda continues to remain in hospital
Ranchi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda, who is facing money laundering charges, continued to remain in hospital on Saturday as he has a stomach upset. The doctors will take a decision tomorrow or the day after ...

Dalai Lama arrives to rousing reception in Tawang
Braving the winter chill, thousands of Tibetans and locals on Sunday lined up along the roads leading to the Tawang Monastery and gave a rousing reception to the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who arrived here on a four-day visit.

Dalai Lama reaches Tawang
Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, arrived in this picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday on a four-day visit which has drawn widespread interest in the wake of objections raised by China.

Dalai Lama gets a rousing welcome at Tawang
The Dalai Lama arrived in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh Sunday to a rousing reception by hundreds of monks and the resonating sound of gongs and cymbals.

Dalai Lama reaches Tamang
Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has arrived in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on a four-day visit. The Tibetan spiritual leader had last visited Arunachal Pradesh in 2003.

Dalai Lamas Arunachal visit from today
New Delhi: After a week-long visit to Japan, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama returned here on Saturday, a day ahead of his trip to Arunachal Pradesh. The Dalai Lama did not speak to waiting journalists at the Indira Gandhi ...