Nero's fabled banqueting hall discovered

Archaeologists believe they may have unearthed the fabled banqueting hall Emperor Nero built to impress guests at his Golden Palace.

Manuel Zelaya, ousted Honduran president, addresses UN by mobile phone

The ousted Honduran president has become the first world leader ever to address the United Nations General Assembly by mobile phone, appealing to the world body to help return hm to power.

Guinea junta troops 'killed and raped hundreds at democracy rally'

The African Union threatened to impose sanctions on Guinea?s ruling military junta today as news emerged of more than 150 pro-democracy demonstrators killed, and hundreds more raped and butchered, in a brutal crackdown by government soldiers on Monday.

30 Afghan civilians killed as packed bus hits bomb outside Kandahar

At least 30 Afghan civilians were killed and 39 wounded yesterday when their packed bus hit a roadside bomb outside the southern city of Kandahar. The dead included ten women and seven children.

US Secret Service hunts Facebook user after presidential death poll

The US Secret Service is hunting for a Facebook user who posted a poll on the social networking website asking if President Obama should be killed.

Video of Derrion Albert's fatal beating leads to arrest of four youths

Community leaders in President Obama's political hometown of Chicago have rallied round the family of a promising teenager whose brutal murder by a young mob last week was caught on video.

Rare van Dyck self-portrait to be sold

The last self portrait by one of the very greatest of all portrait painters will be offered for sale this winter after almost 300 years in one family's collection.

Colonel Gaddafi hits the shops after 'anti-imperialist' summit

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi excused himself from an international summit in Venezuela last night and traded anti-colonial rants and back-stage diplomacy for an unexpected stint of retail therapy.

US officials have tried to arrest Roman Polanski around the world since 1978

Details of attempts to arrest Roman Polanski half a dozen times around the world since 1978 have emerged today as his lawyers filed a request for his immediate release on bail from a Swiss cell.

Every species on the planet documented in new report

Australian scientists have documented the planet?s entire known animal and plant species in a new report backed by Sir David Attenborough.

French scientists explain how champagne bubbles improve the flavour

The bubbles in champagne not only supply a loud ceremonial pop when a bottle is uncorked but also enhance the wine?s flavour, according to French scientists.

President throws open palace doors to help flood survivors in Philippines

Hundreds of flood survivors in the Philippines poured into the presidential palace today after President Gloria Arroyo threw open the seat of government as part of disaster relief efforts.

Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig stage protest over mobile phone

James Bond and Wolverine together would be a deadly combination at the best of times. So when one New York theatregoer?s phone began ringing in the middle of an intense Broadway performance by Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman, the audience member who owned the mobile no doubt died with embarrassment.

US prepares formal extradition proceedings against Roman Polanski

Prosecutors prepared formal extradition proceedings yesterday against Roman Polanski, the film director detained in a Swiss prison for having sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl more than 30 years ago.

Angela Merkel?s win greeted with jubilation by investors

Investors reacted positively yesterday to the election of Germany?s first centre-right government for 11 years.