Reuters: Top News

Brown says sorry for note to grieving mother

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:20:15 +0000

LONDON (Reuters) - Gordon Brown said on Tuesday he had apologised to the grieving mother of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan, who had taken offence at a sloppily written condolence note from the Prime Minister.

Knife murderers face minimum 25 years' jail -Straw

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:37:13 +0000

LONDON (Reuters) - The government plans to raise the minimum jail sentence for people convicted of murder using a knife to 25 years from 15 years, Justice Secretary Jack Straw said on Tuesday.

Obama to weigh four options in Afghanistan

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:09:59 +0000

FORT HOOD, Texas (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's deliberations over war strategy in Afghanistan have narrowed to four options but a decision is still weeks away, the White House said on Tuesday.

Three drug advisers quit in row with government

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:54:48 +0000

LONDON (Reuters) - Three more members of the government's drug advisory panel quit on Tuesday, media reported, as a row between scientists and the government deepened and threatened to cause ministers further embarrassment.

Barclays, HSBC - Bad debts may have peaked

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:40:53 +0000

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top two banks, HSBC and Barclays, signalled bad debts may be past their peak, with HSBC declaring on Tuesday the first improvement for three years in losses on U.S. consumer credit.

Father drops baby right-to-life fight

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:32:54 +0000

LONDON (Reuters) - A father who has been fighting to stop the life support for his seriously ill baby son being switched off, on Tuesday withdrew his opposition to the move which had been backed by doctors and the little boy's mother.

Ex-U.S. astronaut gets light sentence for 2007 attack

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:57:21 +0000

ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - A former NASA astronaut accused of attacking and trying to kidnap a romantic rival pleaded guilty to lesser charges on Tuesday and was sentenced to two days in jail followed by one year of probation.

Japanese suspect in Briton's death caught

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:01:13 +0000

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese suspect in the death of a young British woman found naked in a sand-filled bathtub has been caught after more than two years on the run during which he had plastic surgery, Japanese media reported on Tuesday.

Eager fans greet "Call of Duty" video game launch

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:18:33 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Activision Blizzard Inc's hugely anticipated "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" video game went on sale on Tuesday, welcomed by eager fans who lined up hours in advance of the release.

Germany keeper Enke dies in apparent suicide

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:47:28 +0000

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany and Hanover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke has died after being hit by a train in an apparent suicide, local police said on Tuesday.