Troops pound several rebel bastions, 14 killed in Syria

Syrian troops pounded and raided several rebel bastions across the country and clashes erupted in Homs early on Tuesday, as 14 people were killed in violence nationwide, a watchdog said. Full story

Greece under gun on 2nd day of coalition talks

Greece began a second day of coalition talks on Tuesday under the gun from financial markets and world powers after elections won by a pro-euro party that also reflected rising anger against austerity. Full story

Suu Kyi returns to Britain after 24 years

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is greeted by supporters as she leaves the London School of Economics at the start of a four-day visit to Britain in London on Tuesday. — AFP photo

Aung San Suu Kyi begins a bittersweet return to Britain Tuesday, during which she will be showered with honours and have an emotional family reunion after nearly a quarter of a century in Myanmar. During her four-day visit the democracy icon will also... Full story

Parents adopt new methods to kill baby girls

The father of a baby girl, who died in suspicious circumstances, was arrested and sent to judicial custody for 15 days. Police claim that Deen Singh alias Dileep Singh, the father of the girl, deliberately denied her... Full story

46m Americans lack health insurance: report

A total of 46.3 million people in the United States do not have health coverage, a trend that has been rising in the past 15 years, said a US survey published Tuesday. There was good news for children in the... Full story

Israel air raid kills 2 Gazans

An Israeli air strike killed two Palestinian teenagers near the central Gaza Strip town of Deir el-Balah early on Tuesday, a Palestinian medical official said. ‘Two citizens were killed in an Israeli air strike,’ the... Full story

Indian father beheads daughter over alleged affairs

An Indian father cut off his daughter’s head and paraded it around his village after becoming enraged over her relationships with men, police in the western state of Rajasthan said Tuesday. Full story

No laughing matter as India yoga gigglers banned

They are designed to reduce stress and improve well-being, but one laughing yoga club in Mumbai had been ordered to stop its early morning giggling sessions after complaints from grumpy neighbours. Full story

Iran, world powers seek to break nuclear deadlock

Iran and world powers on Tuesday failed to make headway in a second day of bruising talks in Moscow aimed at breaking an increasingly risky deadlock in the crisis over the Iranian nuclear drive. Full story

Pakistani singer shot dead

A popular Pakistani singer who fled the Taliban to pursue her music career away from their repressive dictates was shot dead in the northwestern city of Peshawar, the police said Tuesday. Full story

Suicide attacks on Afghan, NATO bases in Kandahar

Eleven Taliban suicide attackers struck two Afghan and NATO bases in Kandahar province on Tuesday, after gunmen in police uniforms killed a coalition soldier, officials said. Seven insurgents stormed a joint... Full story

Chavez scoffs at debate with presidential rival

The Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, has scoffed at the idea of a debate with rival Henrique Capriles ahead of elections this autumn, dismissing his opponent as unworthy. ‘A debate? with whom?’ Chavez... Full story

Egypt anti-army demo planned

Cairo on Tuesday braced for protests against the ruling military’s bid to grab new powers, with the Muslim Brotherhood set to take part after claiming a win for its candidate in presidential elections. Full story

Diesel exhaust fumes cause lung cancer: WHO

Diesel engine fumes can cause lung cancer and belong in the same potentially deadly category as asbestos, arsenic and mustard gas, World Health Organisation (WHO) experts said on Tuesday. Full story

Apology could free Libyan-held ICC team: Australia

An International Criminal Court team held in Libya could be freed if the ICC apologises to Tripoli over ‘inadequate consultation’, Australian foreign minister Bob Carr said on Tuesday. Full story

18 killed as Turkish troops clash with PKK

Eighteen people were killed on Tuesday in fighting between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish militants at three military outposts in southeast Turkey, officials and security sources said, in the deadliest clashes in recent months. Full story