News

US lawmakers pass housing rescue The US House of Representatives passes a massive housing rescue bill after President Bush says he will not veto it. Hurricane Dolly lashes Gulf Coast Hurricane Dolly has reached the Mexico-Texas coast, bringing with it heavy rain and winds up to 100mph (161km/h). Evidence of Guatemalan baby trade Officials in Guatemala say they have irrefutable proof that a child was stolen and put up for adoption in the state system. Top aide quits Argentine cabinet A key aide to the Argentine president resigns days after the government suffered a blow to its tax plans. Obama firm on Iran nuclear plans US White House hopeful Barack Obama says the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Bloomberg and Gates fight smoking Two of the world's richest men launch a campaign aiming to tackle smoking in the developing world. Bull-ring collapses in Colombia A makeshift bull-fighting ring collapses in a town in southern Colombia, leaving several people injured. Bin Laden driver 'knew 9/11 aim' Osama Bin Laden's former driver knew the target of the fourth 9/11 plane, prosecutors tell his Guantanamo trial. Abu Hamza loses extradition fight Radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri is refused leave to appeal against his extradition to the US. President Bush explains the credit crunch: 'Wall Street got drunk' A secret recording shows US President George W Bush explaining the problems afflicting the US stock markets: "Wall Street got drunk." Why Obama needs some jokes of his own Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, thinks Mr Obama needs to respond to humour with some jokes of his own. How will the US react to Iran's missile test? How will the US react to Iran's missile test? Tennis: Wozniak wins at Stanford Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak beats Marion Bartoli to win the Stanford Classic. Troops out US scales down its military 'surge' in Iraq McCain's choice John McCain's options as he looks for a running mate Obama tour The BBC follows the Democratic hopeful on his world trip Against the odds How Costa Rica's 'best ever' athlete made it to Beijing Turbulence ahead The troubled saga of Argentina's national airline Fake accent A top voice coach explains how to sound American Golden Girls pay tribute to Getty The stars of classic US sitcom The Golden Girls remember actress Estelle Getty, who has died at the age of 84. Korean captives freed in Mexico Five South Koreans seized for ransom in Mexico are released, the South Korean foreign ministry says. Texas jury indicts US sect leader Warren Jeffs, the jailed leader of a US polygamist sect, is indicted on charges of child sexual assault in Texas. Chavez calls for Russia alliance Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez calls for a strategic alliance with Russia to protect Venezuela from the US. Disappointing results from Yahoo Yahoo reports an 18% fall in three month profits in a period when it was fighting off a bid from Microsoft. Two dead in B-52 bomber crash The US Air Force says two bodies have been recovered from a B-52 bomber, which crashed into the Pacific off the coast of Guam. Leno to leave Tonight in 2009 Comedian Jay Leno will make his last appearance as host of The Tonight Show next May, TV network NBC says. Overseas sales boost McDonald's Fast-food group McDonald's reports higher-than-expected quarterly profits, helped by solid overseas sales US mortgage rates increase again The cost of taking out a mortgage in the US rises again following fears over two key lenders, consumer figures indicate. Top US lender suffers $3bn loss Leading US mortgage lender Washington Mutual sees a $3.3bn quarterly loss following a rise in loan defaults. Growing cannabis in Canada Canada's middle class takes up cannabis growing Colombia's dreams of peace Colombians protesting against the tactics of Marxist rebels show that there is hope for the future, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott. Drought diary Gravel not grass the future for a Las Vegas golf course