Goldman Sachs to invest in Japan green energy

US investment banking giant Goldman Sachs said Monday it will start investing in Japanese renewable energy projects, with a reported $2.9 billion outlay over the next five years.

The injection comes after Japan's government stepped into the green power market to set minimum prices in a bid to encourage the sector as the country seeks to rebalance its post-Fukushima energy mix.

India, China vow to end border row

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday he had agreed with his Chinese counterpart to make a new push to settle a long-running border row, pledging his commitment to "peace and tranquillity".

"We agreed that our special representatives will meet soon to continue discussions seeking an early agreement on a framework for a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable boundary settlement," Singh said after talks with Li Keqiang.

Afghan suicide attack 'kills at least 14'

A suicide bomber struck outside government buildings in northern Afghanistan on Monday, killing at least 14 people including a senior local politician, officials said.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and took the wounded to hospital after the bomber, who was wearing a police uniform, blew himself up in the centre of Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province.

Wave of bombings kills 15 in Iraq

A wave of 12 bomb attacks across Iraq killed at least 15 people and wounded dozens more on Monday, security and medical officials said.

Two car bombs exploded in the main southern port city of Basra, killing seven people and wounding 35, the officials said.

In the Iraqi capital, seven car bombs and a roadside bomb hit eight different areas of Baghdad, killing six people and wounding 57.

Yahoo! to buy blog-maker Tumblr for $1.1 bn

Yahoo!'s board has approved a deal to purchase the popular blogging platform Tumblr for $1.1 billion in cash, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The deal, if confirmed, would be the largest for Yahoo! since Marissa Mayer took over as chief executive last year and could help the struggling Internet pioneer regain traction with younger Internet users.

Man Utd's Ferguson set for final goodbye at West Brom

English football will witness the end of an era on Sunday when Alex Ferguson takes charge of Manchester United for the 1,500th and final time in their last game of the season at West Bromwich Albion.

Syria army 'launches assault on rebel-held Qusayr'

Syrian troops backed by fighters from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched an assault on the rebel-held central town of Qusayr on Sunday, after months of fierce fighting in the area, a watchdog said.

"The assault on Qusayr has started. There is fierce fighting between rebels and the army around the entrances to the town," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman said.

Greece enters sixth year of recession

Data released last week showed Greece entered its sixth straight year of recession, but there is now cautious optimism about the economy's prospects although unemployment is still hitting record highs and consumers are squeezed by pay cuts and tax hikes.

On Tuesday, Greece's battered debt ratings received a rare upgrade from Fitch which noted "clear progress" on eliminating deficits.

Pakistan's Imran blames rival for killing party figure

Pakistani politician Imran Khan Sunday blamed a rival political leader for the killing of a senior member of his party, who was gunned down outside her home in the violence-plagued city of Karachi.

The killing of Zohra Hussain, 59, vice president of the women's wing of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Sindh province, came on the eve of a partial re-run in the southern city of the May 11 election.

US lottery winner scoops $590.5-million jackpot

One ticket-holder won a record Powerball lottery jackpot of more than $590 million, organizers said Sunday, ending a days-long American quest for a life-changing payout.

The winning numbers -- 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and a Powerball of 11 -- were drawn just before 11:00 pm eastern time (0300 GMT Sunday) and the winning ticket was sold in Florida, according to the competition's website.

Wenger salutes players as Arsenal defy critics

Arsene Wenger admits he is delighted Arsenal have proved the critics wrong after his team secured their place in the Champions League with a 1-0 win at Newcastle.

The Gunners' chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four were written off by many pundits when they trailed Tottenham by seven points with only 10 games remaining.

Briton named as future space station crew member

British former helicopter pilot Tim Peake was on Monday named as a future crew member of the International Space Station.

Major Peake, 41, from Chichester, will be the first Briton to live on the station when he flies up to the ISS in two years.

The Army Air Corps test pilot, the first British astronaut to visit space for more than 20 years, will live and work on the space station for six months.

Man Utd look forward after Ferguson says goodbye

Robin van Persie said Manchester United were already looking to the future after Alex Ferguson closed the book on his 26-and-a-half-year managerial tenure with an incredible 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

The madcap game brought Ferguson's long, record-breaking reign to a breathless climax and meant United finished the season 11 points above Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

London shares open higher ahead of company results

London shares opened higher on Monday, extending last week's bull run, as investors anticipated more strong results from companies scheduled to report first quarter earnings this week.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 13.85 points or 0.21 percent at 6,736.91 at 8:15 am, once again charting fresh territory since autumn 2007.

New Zealander fined over Prince Charles manure plan

An elderly New Zealand anti-royalist was fined Monday over a plan to hurl manure at Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla during their visit to Auckland last year, reports said.

Sam Bracanov, 77, pleaded not guilty to preparing to commit an assault after his arrest on November 12 as the royals readied to meet crowds on the Auckland waterfront while touring to mark Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee.

Divorced Briton admits killing children in France

A 48-year-old divorced Briton locked in a bitter custody battle confessed on Sunday that he had killed his two young children by slitting their throats near the eastern French city of Lyon.

The bodies of a five-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were discovered on Saturday afternoon in the man's apartment in Saint-Priest, a southeastern suburb of Lyon.

The unemployed father confessed to the gruesome crime "but did not go into details of the motive", prosecutors said.

Gay marriage vote poses problems for Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron faces further dissent from within the ranks of his Conservative Party as a bill to legalise gay marriage returns to Parliament Monday.

Cameron faces a setback in the House of Commons if the Labour Party joins forces with Tory rebels in a vote on his bill.

Man killed in Newark house blast

Rescuers on Monday recovered one body and were searching for another person after a suspected gas explosion tore through a house in Newark, Nottinghamshire, police said.

A man, a woman and two children were taken to hospital after suffering injuries in the blast which took place in Wright Street at around 5.10pm.

Around 100 people were moved from their homes after the explosion, which required the attention of at least five fire service appliances, according to police.

Rod back on top after three decades

Veteran rocker Rod Stewart notched his first UK number one album for 34 years as "Time", his first LP of new material for 20 years, shot to the top of the charts.

The record, inspired by the writing his recent autobiography, beat singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin's debut album "English Rain" into second place.

Stewart, 68, last topped the album charts in 1979 with his Greatest Hits Vol 1.

Anderson confirms Ashes worth in Kiwi rout

James Anderson's position as England's key bowler heading into the Ashes series with Australia was confirmed by his display in the first Test rout of New Zealand.

Anderson's new-ball partner Stuart Broad grabbed the headlines with a Test-best seven for 44 as New Zealand collapsed to 68 all out and a 170-run defeat with more than a day to spare at Lord's on Sunday.

Broad though is a bowler who blows hot and cold.

One dead in Tunisia showdown with Islamists

Security forces and hardline Islamists fought street battles in Tunis on Sunday, with one protester killed and 15 policemen wounded, after the authorities banned the Salafists from staging their annual congress.

The confrontations infuriated moderate Islamist Prime Minister Ali Larayedh, who for the first time linked the Salafist Ansar al-Sharia group which is considered close to Al-Qaeda to "terrorism".

Majority reject Japan mayor on comfort women: poll

A large majority of Japanese people disagree with a high-profile politician who said women forced to provide sex during World War II were a military necessity, polls issued on Monday said.

Up to 200,000 "comfort women" from Korea, China, the Philippines and elsewhere were forcibly drafted into brothels catering to the Japanese military during WWII, according to mainstream historians.

Gay marriage vote poses problems for UK's Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron faces further dissent from within the ranks of his Conservative Party as a bill to legalise gay marriage returns to Parliament Monday.

Cameron faces a setback in the lower chamber, the House of Commons, if the opposition Labour Party joins forces with Tory rebels in a vote on his bill.

Syria gunfire hits Israel-occupied Golan

Shots fired from Syria hit the central Israeli-occupied Golan Heights overnight, a military spokeswoman said Monday morning, causing no harm or damage.

According to the spokeswoman, the shots were from small arms, and "most likely were stray bullets, we don't know if it was intentional."

One reported dead as tornadoes hit US states

A powerful storm system churning through the US Midwest spawned tornadoes in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma and Iowa, destroying homes and killing at least one person, US media reported.

Funnel clouds were reported Sunday in and near towns including Edmond and Shawnee, Oklahoma.

In Shawnee, a twister smashed through a group of mobile homes, said CBS television. Shawnee is where at least one person has been reported killed, Fox television reported.

Myanmar leader heads to White House

Myanmar President Thein Sein on Monday becomes the first leader of his country to visit the White House in nearly half a century, in one of the most symbolic US gestures yet to support his reforms.

In a scene that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago, the former general will meet with President Barack Obama and later seek to woo US businesses that see a lucrative market in the former Western pariah nation.

N. Korea test-fires another short-range missile

North Korea on Sunday test-fired a short-range missile off its east coast, its fourth in two days, despite pleas from South Korea and the UN chief to halt the launches at a time of high tensions.

The guided missile was fired into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) on Sunday afternoon, a defence ministry spokesman told AFP without elaborating.

On Saturday the North fired three short-range missiles off its east coast, apparently as part of a military drill.

Kuwait deports 'hundreds' for traffic offences

Kuwait has deported hundreds of expats for traffic offences in the past month, a report said on Sunday, drawing condemnation from a human rights group.

The Al-Anbaa newspaper cited a senior interior ministry official as saying that as many as 1,258 foreigners have been deported for traffic violations since a crackdown began about a month ago.

Russia retrieves mice, newts from space

A Russian capsule filled with 45 mice and 15 newts along with other small animals returned from a month's mission in orbit on Sunday with data scientists hope will pave the way for a manned flight to Mars.

Russian Mission Control said the Bion-M craft landed softly with the help of a special parachute system in the Orenburg Region about 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) southeast of Moscow.

Japan defends PM aide's surprise N.Korea trip

A Japanese minister on Sunday defended a surprise visit to North Korea by one of the prime minister's aides which Washington and Seoul said could not help efforts to forge a united front against Pyongyang.

Akira Amari, state minister of economic revitalisation, said the four-day trip by Isao Iijima reflected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's resolve to have North Korea come clean on its kidnapping of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s.

India's 'new generation' of filmmakers feted at Cannes

Unashamedly escapist, with wafer-thin plots and cheesy dialogue, all punctuated by exuberant song and dance routines, Bollywood musicals are beloved by millions despite the critics' reservations.

But India's biggest star Amitabh Bachchan, in Cannes this week for a celebration of Indian cinema at the Riviera film fest, admitted he prefers not to use the word "Bollywood".

Rod Stewart back on top after three decades

Veteran rocker Rod Stewart notched his first UK number one album for 34 years as "Time", his first LP of new material for 20 years, shot to the top of the charts.

The record, inspired by the writing his recent autobiography, beat singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin's debut album "English Rain" into second place.

Stewart, 68, last topped the album charts in 1979 with his Greatest Hits Vol 1.

'Gatsby' star swaps flapper dress for duffel coat

"Great Gatsby" actress Carey Mulligan traded in her Tiffany jewels and Prada-designed flapper dresses for polo necks and duffel coats in her second star turn at the Cannes Film Festival Sunday in the Coen brothers' eagerly anticipated "Inside Llewyn Davis".

Dark Dutch fairy tale spooks Cannes

Shape-shifting home invaders terrorise a wealthy family of five in a Dutch thriller tinged with black comedy that sent a shiver through Cannes on Sunday.

"Borgman" by Alex van Warmerdam is a dark fairy tale that explores the guilty conscience of a cosseted modern wife living in a luxurious suburban home like a gilded cage.

'Star Trek' boldly goes to top of US box office

"Star Trek: Into Darkness" soared at warp speed to the top of the US box office, ousting blockbuster sequel "Iron Man 3," industry estimates showed Sunday.

The latest installment of the cult science fiction phenomenon starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto took in $70.6 million on its debut weekend, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Young African-American director creates buzz at Cannes

You may not have seen any of his stuff, but movie insiders predict you soon will.

And good parents, American football and mentoring by Hollywood star Forest Whitaker are what gave him his chance.

Aged just 26, from a modest background, African-American director Ryan Coogler is being tipped at the Cannes Film Festival as a dazzling new talent.

Namesake TV channel breaks National Geographic mold

Lots of people find a home on the National Geographic Channel, from tuna fishermen to Mormons with more than one wife and "preppers" stocking up their bunkers for the end of the world.

The popular cable and satellite TV channel traces its heritage to the 125-year-old magazine of the National Geographic Society, one of the world's biggest non-profit scientific and educational organizations.

Musical world celebrates Wagner's 200th birthday

Opera houses the world over are scrambling to pay tribute to Richard Wagner, the controversial German composer often referred to as Hitler's favourite, who would have turned 200 this year.

More has purportedly already been written about Wagner than any other artist and composer in history, but publishers are churning out countless new biographies, critical studies and books.

Art Basel to bring international flair to Hong Kong

Art lovers, collectors and gallerists will gather on Thursday for Hong Kong's inaugural edition of Art Basel, sealing the city's status as an international art hub and Asia's leading art destination.

Holocaust documentary raises questions of guilt

When your enemy is sworn to exterminate every one of you, can you -- should you -- try to cut a deal with him to at least save some lives knowing that others are doomed?

The question lies at the heart of a new documentary by Claude Lanzmann, author of "Shoah," the hugely-acclaimed tableau of the Holocaust.

"The Last of the Unjust," premiering at Cannes on Sunday, explores a moral dilemma that Lanzmann briefly touches on his 1985 masterpiece.

Villas-Boas tells Spurs to raise their game

Andre Villas-Boas has told his Tottenham players they will have to raise their performance levels to new heights next season after they once again failed to qualify for the Champions League despite a club-record Premier League points total.

To finish fourth Villas-Boas' side had to beat Sunderland, which they did thanks to Gareth Bale's 88th-minute winner, but also needed Arsenal to fall short at Newcastle. Instead, Tottenham's north London neighbours also won 1-0 on Sunday.

McCullum backs batsmen after 'hour of madness'

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted he still had faith in his batsmen after an "hour of madness" cost the team dear in a thumping first Test defeat at Lord's.

England went 1-0 up in the two-match series, with more than a day to spare, after dismissing New Zealand for just 68 to secure victory by the huge margin of 170 runs.

Reds coach defends dumped Wallaby Cooper

Queensland Reds head coach Ewen McKenzie has backed his ditched Wallaby Quade Cooper over defensive concerns for next month's Test series against the British and Irish Lions.

McKenzie joined Australian rugby pundits in taking issue with coach Robbie Deans for leaving playmaker Cooper out of his initial Wallabies squad.

Jennifer Johnson triumphs at Mobile Bay LPGA

American Jennifer Johnson fired a seven-under par 65 to seize her first LPGA title, posting a one-shot victory over Pornanong Phatlum and Jessica Korda in the Mobile Bay Classic.

Johnson had eight birdies and just one bogey on the par-72 Crossings course at Magnolia Grove for a 21-under par total of 267.

"I'm a little shocked, I didn't even realize I shot 65," said the 21-year-old, whose previous best finish was a tie for eighth at Prattville, Alabama, in 2011.

Spurs thump Grizzlies in series opener

The San Antonio Spurs drained 14 three-pointers in a convincing 105-83 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening game of the NBA's Western Conference finals.

Tony Parker scored 20 points and handed out nine assists for the Spurs, whose stifling defense held Grizzlies' top scorer Zach Randolph to only two points.

Record-tying four women to start at Indy

Britain's Katherine Legge and Pippa Mann and Brazilian Ana Beatriz joined the Indianapolis 500 starting grid on Sunday to match a race record four women starters in this year's field.

The trio joined Swiss racer Simona de Silvestro, who qualified Saturday, to match the mark from 2010 and 2011 for female drivers in Indy's 33-car field. They were among nine qualifiers on Sunday's final day of time trials.

Americans beat Finland to grab world bronze

The United States won bronze at the world ice hockey championships after beating co-hosts Finland 3-2 in a penalty shootout on Sunday.

Montreal Canadiens center Alex Galchenyuk scored the winning penalty as the US won their first world championship medal since a bronze in Prague in 2004.

US skipper Paul Stastny and Nashville Predators center Craig Smith both collected a goal and an assist, while netminder John Gibson produced 36 saves.

Ancelotti mulls future, praises Beckham

As Carlo Ancelotti paid fulsome tribute to the retiring David Beckham the Paris Saint Germain manager revealed an announcement on his own future may be imminent.

The Italian's name has been strongly linked to taking over the reins at Real Madrid if as has been widely documented Jose Mourinho leaves the Bernabeu for a second stint at Chelsea.

Ancelotti revealed he would be discussing his plans with PSG's Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi.

China's global table tennis reach tests world talent

China's long-standing table tennis supremacy is nothing new to fans and administrators, but the threat of migrant Chinese players stifling opportunities for homegrown talent around the world has cast a dark cloud over its future.

The outflow of Chinese talent is particularly evident at the ongoing World Championships in Paris with several naturalised China-born players representing their adopted countries, including outposts such as Congo and Luxembourg.

More cricketers involved in spot fixing: India police

Indian police said Sunday they had widened their probe into cricket spot-fixing after the arrest of three players and 11 bookmakers, warning that more teams were under the microscope.

Test discard Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was among a trio of players from the Rajasthan Royals arrested on Thursday over allegations they agreed to bowl badly during the Indian Premier League in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars.