Oscars night, without Hollywood moments

The debate revealed two likeable, knowledgeable candidates - and, shock horror, Barack Obama's socks

Presidential debate in quotes

Barack Obama vs John McCain: who said what in the second presidential debate

Gnawingly dull debate won't halt Obama tide

Another predictable debate which no-one won can only be good news for Barack Obama who needs only not to lose to win

Presidential rivals clash in second debate

Barack Obama and John McCain set out their economic policies as they strove to show voters how much they cared

Scientists warn of spread of 12 deadly disease

Ebola, cholera and plague among diseases identified as spreading across the planet because of climate change

India to launch its first unmanned moon mission

In a 21st century echo of the Soviet-American space race, India aims to challenge the Chinese space programme

The Far East? It ain't half hot, Ma'am

Prince of Wales to visit Japan and Brunei with the Duchess of Cornwall, then go to Indonesia without her because of the heat

Savers left in limbo as Icesave freezes deposits

300,000 British savers left uncertain about their life savings after Iceland's second largest bank goes into receivership

When push comes to shove, spin counts

Vladimir Putin's apologists will doubtless relate many of his political successes to his devotion to judo principles

Detroit’s car giants cut EU output

Collapsing demand for new cars across Europe is to cost skilled workers at General Motors and Ford hundreds of shifts

Poll gap widens as anger wells at McCain events

As second debate nears shouts of 'kill him' and 'terrorist' heard at Republican rallies at the mention of Barack Obama

Animal rights activists' campaign 'spanned globe'

Court hears that campaign against animal testing was willing to target any company on the New York Stock Exchange

Gene link made to premature ejaculation

A study found men who climaxed too soon during intercourse had a version of a gene that controls the hormone serotonin

Iran causes panic with US plane accusation

News agency in Tehran claims American aircraft was forced to land after breaching airspace - but the rumour was untrue

US warplane 'forced to land in Iran'

Confusion today surrounded an Iranian claim that a US warplane had violated its territory and had been forced to land

Two bombs explode in Baghdad

Five Iraqis injured in explosions that occurred shortly before the US Deputy Secretary of State gave press conference

Ministers sacked after lawyer murder

Croatian PM sacks interior and justice minister after daughter of prominent lawyer was murdered outside her home

Credit crunch makes Chinese super-rich poorer

Riches of the top 1,000 fell to 439 million dollars from 562 million dollars last year and number of billionaires dropped

Harry Enfield starts row with Philippines

A diplomatic incident has broken out in Manila over a BBC comedy sketch satirising the sexual exploitation of a Filipina maid

Qantas safety scares

The Australian national carrier has been hit by a series of safety scares and emergency landings over the last few years