Greeks face tax, pensions and pay misery in austerity plan

An increase in the retirement age from 53 to 67, a three-year wage freeze and cuts in public sector pay are understood to be among the austerity measures agreed to by the Greek Government in exchange for a ?24 billion (£21 billion) rescue package.

Five children hurt in third China school attack in three days

Five young Chinese children were wounded when a farmer burst into their kindergarten and battered them with a hammer, stunning a nation reeling in shock after two school attacks in just 24 hours.

Size matters at Shanghai Expo 2010

The first World?s Fair housed in Crystal Palace covered an area of about 20 football pitches. Its successor show, which opens in Shanghai tomorrow, is the size of two Monacos. The China Pavilion alone is the equivalent of 35 football fields.

Thai protesters storm Bangkok hospital

One of the main hospitals in Bangkok was evacuated on Thursday night after anti-government Redshirts stormed inside, in the mistaken belief that soldiers were hiding there.

Gulf of Mexico oil spill reaches Louisiana coast

The massive oil spill pouring from a ruptured oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico has reached the coast of Louisiana, threatening an environmental catastrophe in the region.

State of emergency is declared as US oil slick nears the coast

The massive oil spill pouring from a ruptured rig in the Gulf of Mexico has reached the coast of Louisiana, threatening an environmental catastrophe in the region.

The greatest blow to Swiss national pride: Heidi may be German

Switzerland?s international image has been taking a battering of late. Banking secrecy appears to be a thing of the past, the traditionally tolerant nation has voted to ban minarets and Swiss army knives are being confiscated and binned at airports.

Trafigura - Correction

An article (Ivory Coast toxic dump victims receive £21m in compensation, World News, March 26) referred to a serious incident of waste dumping in the Ivory Coast in 2006 from a ship chartered by the Trafigura company. It stated that 17 people had died and thousands were treated in hospital for poisoning.

Parents in fear after 44 children are stabbed in knife attacks on Chinese schools

Two knife attacks on school classrooms in as many days have sent Chinese parents into panic, prompting demands for greater security and a bout of national soul searching over the atrocities.

Vladimir Putin saves the Arctic polar bear in latest animal adventure

He has put a tiger to sleep, ridden bare-chested on horseback and even saved baby seals from being clubbed to death. Yesterday it was the turn of polar bears to feature in Vladimir Putin?s latest animal adventure.

Analysis: Violent crimes ?a cry for attention in a harsh society?

Violent crime is rare in China. Two brutal knife attacks in two days on classrooms full of children not yet ten years old have shocked the nation.

Greece signs up to ?24bn austerity package

The Greek Government has agreed the draft outline of a ?24 billion (£21 billion) rescue package, which is expected to include savage cuts in Civil Service wages and state benefits along with hefty tax increases to cut its deficit.