World News

TOPSHOTS Members of the media camp outside the US Supreme Court June 21, 2012, in Washington, DC as the Supreme Court is expected to hand down its ruling on the Healthcare Reform Law before the end of its 2011-2012 term. Before adjourning for the summer on June 25, the nation?s highest court is set to pass judgment on two of the most politically charged cases of the past decade ? the ?ObamaCare? health reform law that is the first-term president?s proudest legislative achievement and the tough Arizona immigration enforcement law that has enraged Latino civil rights groups and hard-core Democratic activists. AFP PHOTO/Jim Watson

'ObamaCare' awaits final day in court

Peter Foster, Washington US President this week faces the possible destruction of his greatest political achievement.

Bodies stored 'like TVs'

London Britain's biggest funeral company has launched an inquiry after an undercover reporter revealed bodies were being stored like 'television sets' in a warehouse.

Disgraced Berlusconi 'planning a comeback'

John Hooper, Rome Rumours former leader could return to lead Italy's right into an early general election.

Last of his species, Lonesome George shuffles off

Quito, Equidor Estimated to be more than 100 years old, world's last Pinta Island tortoise dies.

Fox reporter to Vatican

Rome Pope chooses Fox News reporter to sort out the Vatican's media strategy.

French readers prefer paperbacks

Ebooks in France have been slow to catch on, as readers prefer the printed page.

Ailing leaders to miss out on eurozone summit

Athens Prime Minister and finance minister both unable to attend talks in Brussels.

Analysis

Hard work for Egypt just beginning

Ruth Pollard Nation's first democratically elected leader came to power promising to govern for all Egyptians. Now he must stand by his word.

Paraguay's new leader unwelcome

Asuncion New president has been barred from a summit of South American leaders next week.

Sinn Fein to meet Queen

Belfast Leader says party rejects the idea of monarchy but respects the views of unionists.

Wikipedia creator backs student in copyright fight

James Ball, London Jimmy Wales makes rare political call to stop extradition of British student to US.

Indian TV show sparks reform of taboo laws

Helen Pidd NEW DELHI: Like just about anywhere else in the world, India's top-rated television shows tend towards the less cerebral end of the spectrum: soap operas, talent contests, game shows and, of course, the cricket.

Chinese edge closer to space dreams

BEIJING: China moved a step closer to achieving its goal of building a space station after it manually docked a spacecraft and an orbiting module for the first time.

Neighbours shun new Paraguayan president

ASUNCION: Paraguay's new President has been barred from taking part in a summit of South American leaders next week, deepening the country's isolation over the ousting of the former president Fernando Lugo.

Obama waits for ruling on healthcare reform

Peter Foster, Raf Sanchez, London WASHINGTON: Barack Obama is facing the destruction of the greatest achievement of his first term in office, as the Supreme Court decides whether to strike down his attempts to reform the US healthcare system.

One-of-a-kind giant tortoise dies a bachelor

Hannah Furness, London LONESOME GEORGE, the last giant tortoise of his kind, who confounded scientists with his inability to produce offspring, has died.

Suu Kyi's brother wins share of home prison

RANGOON: A court has awarded the estranged brother of the Burmese Opposition Leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, half-ownership of the family home, where she spent 15 years under house arrest, her lawyer says.

Syria stands ground as NATO tackles jet crisis

DAMASCUS: Syria has warned NATO its territory is ''sacred'' and that a Turkish fighter jet it downed violated its sovereignty, as the alliance prepared to hold an emergency meeting today.

Egypt rejoices as Mursi faces tasks ahead

Ruth Pollard HE CAME to power promising a moderate Islamist agenda and told Egyptians he would govern for them all - now Egypt's first democratically elected civilian President must convince the West and his people he stands by his word.

Euro crisis blamed for cut in aid to Africa

Larry Elliott LONDON: The flow of aid from Europe to the world's poorest countries fell by €700 million ($874 million) in 2011, the first drop for almost a decade as the crisis in the single currency caused 14 member states to cut development assistance.

Israelis deliver warning after series of attacks

Calev Ben-david, Gwen Ackerman JERUSALEM: The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the military is ready to use ''greater force'' to halt rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, after Hamas declared a ceasefire following a week of violence in the south.