Hezbollah sends new fighters to bloody Syria battle

Hezbollah fighters have poured across the border from Lebanon into Syria, a watchdog and others say, bolstering Syrian regime forces battling to retake the key rebel stronghold of Qusayr.

Washington condemned Hezbollah's intervention on the side of President Bashar al-Assad's regime and diplomats said the European Union was poised to place the Shiite militant group's military wing on its terror blacklist.

Syria army says it destroyed Israel vehicle in Golan

Syria's army has destroyed an Israeli military vehicle that it said had crossed the sensitive ceasefire line in the Golan Heights, the military declared on Tuesday in a televised statement.

"Our armed forces have destroyed an Israeli vehicle with everything that it had in it... The vehicle had crossed the ceasefire line and was moving towards the village of Bir Ajam, situated in the liberated Syrian zone" of the Golan, the statement said.

Vodafone annual profits slump 90% on eurozone woes

British mobile phone giant Vodafone reported a 90-percent plunge in annual net profit on Tuesday after taking a vast impairment charge relating to businesses in debt-laden eurozone nations Italy and Spain.

Earnings after taxation nosedived to £673 million ($1.03 billion, 796 million euros) in the group's financial year to the end of March, compared with £7.0 billion in 2011-2012, Vodafone said in a results statement.

Dozens dead as massive tornado strikes US city

A powerful tornado swept through an Oklahoma City suburb on Monday, tearing down blocks of homes, two schools and leaving up to 91 people dead, including 20 children, local officials said.

US President Barack Obama declared a "major disaster" as rescuers combed through smashed homes and the collapsed remains of an elementary school in Moore, where twister-seasoned residents were shocked by the devastation.

Apple offshore loopholes averted taxes: panel

Apple avoided paying taxes on tens of billions of dollars in profits through a complex network of subsidiaries, many with "no declared tax jurisdiction," a US Senate panel has concluded.

The Senate investigation, set to be discussed at a hearing Tuesday, stopped short of accusing the US tech giant of anything illegal but two lawmakers on the panel said the tax strategies call for new scrutiny.

Mourinho to leave Real Madrid at end of the season

Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after a turbulent three-year spell in charge of the Spanish giants, club president Florentino Perez confirmed.

"After the conversations we have had with our coach Jose Mourinho we have arrived at an agreement to end our working relationship at the end of this season," Perez told a press conference on Monday.

Coen brothers comedy, Chinese shocker lead Cannes pack

A Coen brothers comedy, a daring Chinese expose of exploitation and moral rot, and a divorce drama by an Iranian Oscar winner emerged as the breakout favourites as the Cannes Film Festival hit the halfway mark Tuesday.

Although incessant rain and chilly winds put a damper on the champagne-fuelled soirees in this French Riviera town, audiences have responded warmly to much of the selection so far.

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.

Andy Carroll drops out of England squad

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has withdrawn from the England squad for the friendly games against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil because of a foot injury, the Football Association have announced.

The FA revealed the news in a statement late on Tuesday, and said that manager Roy Hodgson had not called up a replacement.

"Andy Carroll has been ruled out of the England squad for the upcoming internationals with Republic of Ireland and Brazil," said the FA.

Boxer Audley Harrison in U-turn on retirement

British boxer Audley Harrison has announced that he is coming out of retirement, only three weeks after declaring that he had decided to turn his back on the sport.

The 41-year-old, a gold medallist at the 2000 Olympics, decided to bow out as a professional on May 1 after a first-round knockout by American fighter Deontay Wilder in a fight in the northern English city of Sheffield.

Afghan interpreters to get British visas

About 600 Afghan interpreters who served with British forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan will be offered the chance to live in Britain after a government U-turn, it was revealed on Wednesday.

Prime Minister David Cameron had initially sought to discourage the interpreters from settling in Britain for fear of the message it would send out about the stability of Afghanistan.

London shares fall after reaching 13-year high

London shares opened lower on Wednesday amid profit taking after the benchmark FTSE 100 index surged to another 13 year high on Tuesday, dealers said.

The FTSE index was down 17.09 points or 0.25 percent at 6,786.78 points at 8:28 am after jumping 0.71 percent on Tuesday to draw ever nearer to its all-time high of 6,930.20 points set on December 30, 1999.

IMF 'to urge Britain to dump Lloyds, RBS shares'

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to tell the British government to dump its stakes in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds following their bail-out during the financial crisis, according to The Times.

Gay marriage bill passes major hurdle

A bill to legalise gay marriage passed a crucial hurdle in parliament, despite efforts by Tory MPs to wreck the plan.

Members of the House of Commons voted by 366 to 161 Tuesday in favour of the same sex marriage bill, a majority of 205, and it will now go to the House of Lords for consideration.

There was applause as the result was read out, although the bill is likely to face stiff opposition when it is debated in the Lords next month, especially from the bishops.

Govt 'will stay together' despite strains: Clegg

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said on Wednesday he was committed to keeping the coalition government together until the next election in 2015 despite strains over Europe and gay marriage.

The deputy prime minister warned however that David Cameron must resist calls from within his Conservative party to shift to the political right, after a week of rebellions by Tory MPs.

Injured Murray withdraws from French Open

Andy Murray will miss the French Open with the back injury that flared up at the Rome Masters, the world number two announced on Tuesday.

After meeting with medical specialists Murray has decided to skip the second Grand Slam of the year at Roland Garros to ensure he is fully fit for Wimbledon.

Pulis leaves Stoke after seven years in charge

Manager Tony Pulis has left Stoke after seven years in charge, the Premier League club announced late Tuesday.

His departure, by mutual consent, was widely anticipated following his talks earlier in the day with Stoke chairman Peter Coates.

"Stoke City and Tony Pulis confirm that they have mutually agreed that Tony will leave the club with immediate effect," the Potters confirmed in a statement.

Princes William and Charles speak out against wildlife trade

Prince William and his father Prince Charles delivered impassioned pleas on Tuesday for action against the illegal trade in wildlife which threatens some of the world's best loved animals.

Charles told a conference at St James' Palace in London that action must be taken against the poaching of elephants, rhinos and tigers for their ivory, horns and other parts to avoid the "irreversible tragedy" of their extinction.

N. Korea 'special envoy' in China meeting

A top North Korean general and confidant of leader Kim Jong-Un met a senior Chinese official in Beijing Wednesday, with relations between the allies strained ahead of a China-US summit.

Choe Ryong-Hae, director of the Korean People's Army politburo, is a "special envoy" of the North's young leader, Pyongyang's official news agency said.

Ahmadinejad slams decision to bar ally from Iran vote

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hit out Wednesday at a decision to disqualify a close ally from a vote to elect his successor, while former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had no objections to his own omission.

The conservative-dominated Guardians Council on Tuesday eliminated both Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie and Rafsanjani from a list of eight candidates for the June 14 poll, and those ruled out have no right to appeal.

Japan parliament approves child abduction treaty

Japan's parliament on Wednesday approved an international treaty on child abductions after decades of pressure from the United States and other Western nations.

Japan is the only member of the Group of Eight major industrialised nations that has not ratified the 1980 Hague Convention, which requires nations to return snatched children to the countries where they usually reside.

Pakistan's Imran Khan leaves hospital after fall

Pakistani politician Imran Khan left hospital Wednesday, two weeks after breaking bones in his back in a fall at a rally for the country's general election, where his party scored a major breakthrough.

The 60-year-old was ordered to remain immobile in bed after he fractured vertebrae and a rib in a dramatic tumble from a hoist lifting him to a stage just days before the May 11 general election.

Chinese PM pledges stronger partnership with Pakistan

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vowed to strengthen his country's partnership with Pakistan as he arrived Wednesday for a visit less than two weeks after the country's general election.

The long-time allies will look to use the two-day trip to boost trade ties, and Li will meet prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif -- who has not yet been sworn in -- as well as holding talks with senior officials.

Four dead as clashes rage in Lebanon's Tripoli

At least four people have been killed in clashes in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, a security source told AFP, as fighting raged into a fourth day on Wednesday.

The source also reported that 35 people were wounded in the fighting between Sunni and Alawite residents of the flashpoint town on Tuesday.

French far-right pays tribute to Notre Dame suicide

France's far-right paid tribute to a writer and activist who shot himself dead in front of the altar of Paris's famed Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday after denouncing gay marriage and immigration.

Police confirmed the man's identity as Dominique Venner, 78, an essayist and activist linked with France's far-right and nationalist group.

Families return to tornado blasted US town

Families returned to a blasted moonscape that had been an American suburb after a monstrous tornado tore through the outskirts of Oklahoma City, killing at least 24 people.

Passengers flying into Oklahoma City could see the track left by nature's fury as it played out Monday: the spot where the tornado touched down, then chewed through the suburb of Moore like a giant lawnmower for 45 terrifying minutes.

Landmark US immigration bill clears key Senate hurdle

A sweeping overhaul of the US immigration system took a major step toward viability when a Senate panel gave bipartisan approval to a landmark bill offering a path to citizenship for millions.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the contentious and potentially historic legislation by a 13-5 vote, following weeks of marathon hearings and meetings to consider more than 200 amendments.

Guatemala strikes down ex-dictator's conviction

Guatemala's Constitutional Court has struck down the 80-year sentence given to former dictator Efrain Rios Montt as well as his conviction for genocide and war crimes.

The 3-2 ruling annulled all proceedings that took place after the trial was temporarily halted on April 19 due to a technicality, overturning the May 10 conviction but leaving most of the trial and testimony intact.

Rinehart loses $7 bn but still Australia's richest

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart had Aus$7 billion (US$6.8 billion) wiped off her fortune in the past year but remains Australia's wealthiest person, an annual rich list showed Wednesday.

Rinehart, heiress to an iron ore prospecting empire built in Australia's resources-rich west, led the respected BRW Rich 200 list for a third year in a row with a personal fortune of Aus$22.02 billion.

Taiwan's UMC sets up R&D centre in Singapore

Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), a leading microchip maker, Wednesday said it has spent $110 million setting up a research and development unit in Singapore.

The unit will undertake R&D collaborations with local research institutes, such as Singapore's Institute of Microelectronics, the company said in a statement.

Crisis-hit SA miner Amplats may scale back job cuts

World number one platinum producer Anglo American Platinum may cut fewer than the 6,000 jobs announced earlier after talks with the South African government and unions, it announced Wednesday.

The parties have "agreed on measures and mitigation plans that will preserve jobs," the firm said in a statement.

European stock markets dip at open

Europe's main stock markets eased slightly in opening deals on Wednesday, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index falling 0.17 percent to 6,792.58 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 inched down 0.05 percent to 8,467.56 points and in Paris the CAC 40 dipped 0.02 percent to 4,035.43.

German software giant SAP to hire people with autism

German software giant SAP has said it intended to employ hundreds of people globally with autism as software testers and programmers over the next seven years.

The company, which has already launched pilot projects in India and Ireland, said Tuesday that the move aimed to find workers "who think differently", leading to innovation.

By 2020, one percent of SAP's currently 65,000-strong workforce is expected to be affected by autism, a company spokesman told AFP.

Venezuela moves to relieve toilet paper shortage

Venezuela's National Assembly approved a $79 million credit to import toilet paper and other personal hygiene products to relieve shortages in the petroleum-rich state.

The South American OPEC member has the world's largest proven oil reserves but has wrestled with periodic shortages of several consumer goods since price controls were imposed in 2003 under the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez.

EU leaders look to energy for growth boost

EU leaders, desperate to give growth a boost, target energy policy Wednesday amid concerns a US-led revolution in shale oil and gas development will reshape the global economy and leave Europe far behind.

Stuck in the doldrums, Europe has lost nearly all momentum as the debt crisis bites deeper and sends unemployment soaring, with governments scrambling as they can to find some momentum.

Japan posts worst April trade deficit

Japan on Wednesday posted its worst April trade deficit as a weak yen ramped up import costs and helped extend the run of monthly shortfalls to the longest in more than three decades.

Data from the finance ministry showed Japan incurred a trade deficit for the 10th straight month in April with the red-ink expanding a worse-than-expected 69.7 percent on year to 879.9 billion yen ($8.6 billion).

New Xbox One unveiled as home entertainment hub

Microsoft staked a claim to the Internet Age living room with an eagerly awaited new generation Xbox One console touted as a home entertainment hub that goes far beyond games.

"Today, we put you at the center of a new generation in the living room," said Don Mattrick, head of Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, unveiling the new version of the popular game console on Tuesday.

EU leaders face tough talks at tax fraud summit

Leaders of recession-hit Europe take a fresh stab at fighting tax fraud and evasion worth a trillion euros a year at a summit Wednesday but seem unlikely to convince reluctant Austria and Luxembourg to sign on.

With euro-scepticism gaining ground as European Union unemployment queues lengthen and growth slumps, there were hopes of the one-day summit producing an EU-wide crusade against tax evasion and agreement to make the bloc energy-sufficient.

Japan hammer-thrower Murofushi loses IOC vote appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday said it had rejected an appeal by Japanese hammer-thrower Koji Murofushi against his exclusion as a candidate for election to the IOC Athletes' Commission on the grounds of unfair campaigning at the 2012 London Olympics.

The Swiss-based tribunal said it had upheld last August's decision by the International Olympic Committee to bar the 2004 Athens gold medallist and London bronze winner from the election race.

Wallabies winger Ioane in doubt for Lions opener

Wallaby winger Digby Ioane could miss the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions after undergoing a knee operation on Wednesday, rugby officials said.

Ioane, who was chosen in Australia's 25-man preliminary squad for next month's three-Test series, was sent home from Queensland Reds' tour of South Africa over the weekend for scans.

Spurs hold off Grizzlies to stretch NBA lead

The San Antonio Spurs held off the late-charging Memphis Grizzlies to triumph 93-89 in overtime and stretch their lead in the NBA Western Conference finals to 2-0.

Tim Duncan's 17 points Tuesday included six of the Spurs' eight points in overtime, when he also delivered a key block to help San Antonio hang on after they let a 13-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate.

Clarke, Haddin say Australia ready to win Ashes

Captain Michael Clarke and his deputy Brad Haddin Wednesday insisted Australia's disastrous series in India was history with the team fired up to win back the Ashes from England.

Australia play five Tests against their arch-rivals starting in Nottingham on July 10, and several of the team are leaving this weekend ahead of the June 6-23 Champions Trophy in England.

At a farewell event in Sydney, Clarke said the side's excitement was palpable.

Cleveland Cavaliers bag top pick in NBA lottery

The Cleveland Cavaliers nabbed the number one selection in next month's NBA draft, winning the draft lottery for the second time in three years.

Cleveland's lottery jackpot comes 10 years after they landed superstar LeBron James with the top selection in 2003.

In 2011, rebuilding after James' departure in 2010 for Miami, they gained the top pick via the lottery and selected current All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving.

Bayern out to exorcise ghosts of 2012 defeat

Bayern Munich are out to exorcise the ghosts of losing the 2012 Champions League final at home to Chelsea when they take on Borussia Dortmund on Saturday at Wembley for the European title.

This will be Bayern's third European final in four years after the 2-0 defeat in 2010 to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in Madrid, then the acute disappointment of losing last May's penalty shoot-out in Munich.

Gilbert targets Tour of Belgium cycling title

World champion Philippe Gilbert chases his first victory of the season as a strong field gets set to begin the five stage Tour of Belgium on Wednesday.

The BMC team leader pulled out of last week's Tour of California to attend the birth of his second child but will line up for his home race in optimistic mood with the final stage suited to his climbing skills over the route used for the one day Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic.

Los Angeles Clippers part with coach Del Negro

The Los Angeles Clippers, ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs, said they won't bring back head coach Vinny Del Negro.

"We would like to thank Vinny for everything he did during his three years with the organization," Clippers Vice President of Basketball Operations Gary Sacks said on Tuesday.

Bobcats seek to regain Hornets nickname

NBA great Michael Jordan wants to get Charlotte buzzing again, applying to the NBA to re-name his Charlotte Bobcats the Hornets.

If approved, the switch would take effect for the 2014-15 season.

The first NBA club in Charlotte was named the Hornets, and played in the city from 1988 until they moved to New Orleans in 2002.

In 2004, the league awarded the expansion Bobcats franchise to Charlotte.

Indian bowlers in court over spot-fixing

India's Test paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two other bowlers were to appear Tuesday in court over allegations that they accepted tens of thousands of dollars for spot-fixing, police said.

Sreesanth, along with his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, was arrested last week for deliberately bowling badly in specific overs during the ongoing Indian Premier League after striking deals with bookmakers.