Osama Bin Laden death

US President Barack Obama has hailed the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden as a "good day for America," saying the world is now a safer and a better place. Bin Laden was killed in a raid by US special forces on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. He is believed to have ordered the attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001, as well as a number of other deadly bombings. He topped the US "most wanted" list. But his details on the list have now been updated with a simple banner indicating his current status: "Deceased". DNA tests carried out after the operation indicated with "99.9%" certainty that the man...

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Pakistan defends Bin Laden role

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has denied that the killing of Osama Bin Laden in his country is a sign of its failure to tackle terrorism. In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, Mr Zardari said his country was "perhaps the world's greatest victim of terrorism". Bin Laden was shot dead by US forces in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad - Pakistan was not involved in the raid. US officials said Bin Laden must have had a support system in Pakistan. Bin Laden, 54, was the founder and leader of al-Qaeda. He is believed to have ordered the attacks on New York and Washington on 11 September 2001, as well as a number of other deadly bombings. He...

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online royal wedding

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Making a stand against the royal wedding

At the forefront of dissent will be anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, which will hold a Not the Royal Wedding alternative street party in central London during the day of events at Westminster Abbey. Republic will be "celebrating democracy and people power rather than inherited privilege". The group is also behind a similar event at a pub in Manchester, and is publicising anti-monarchy plays to be performed in Cardiff and South Shields. 'Publicity stunt' Graham Smith, spokesman for Republic, told the BBC News website: "We need to get across the fact that the whole country isn't interested in the royal wedding and a sizeable minority...

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William greets fans ahead of wedding

Prince William has gone on an impromptu walkabout ahead of his wedding to Kate Middleton to meet royal watchers gathered near Buckingham Palace. He spent several minutes shaking hands, chatting and posing for pictures telling the well-wishers: "All I've got to do is get the lines right." The couple say they have been "incredibly moved" by public reaction. In a message in their official wedding programme they thanked "everyone most sincerely for their kindness". During Friday's Westminster Abbey ceremony Miss Middleton will vow to "love, comfort, honour and keep" Prince William but will not vow to obey him. The service will be the epitome...

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Royal wedding: William and Kate set for Abbey service

Royal wedding Prince greets fans before wedding Syria ambassador off wedding list Well-wishers gather at palace Straw surprise at wedding 'snub' Crowds are gathering in central London for the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. The first of the 1,900 guests will arrive from 0815 BST, with the ceremony itself getting under way at 1100. Thousands of people have camped out overnight on the procession route the couple will take to Buckingham Palace. William will wear the red tunic of an Irish Guards colonel - his most senior honorary appointment - but the bride's dress design is being kept secret. The Met Office...

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UK recovery subdued for two years, says OECD

UK high street The OECD said the UK economy has become out of balance partly thanks to too much borrowing. Continue reading the main story UK Economy * Jobless total hits 17-year high * Further fall in Scottish jobless * Report warns of housing shortage * Rate rise 'could derail recovery' The UK economic recovery will remain subdued for two years, with government spending cuts and slowing world trade weighing down growth, a report says. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimated growth this year of 1.5%, rising to 2% in 2012. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility's forecast is for 1.9% growth this year. The OECD called the government's cuts "ambitious and necessary". It said they were needed in order to achieve a sustainable...

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