Guinea's military leader has banned demonstrations following the deaths of pro-democracy campaigners at a rally earlier this week. Captain Moussa Dadis Camara said in a televised address that he was banning "subversive" gatherings in the country, adding that troublemakers would be severely punished. Two days of mourning for those killed in the demonstrations was also announced, after troops opened fire on the rally on Monday killing as many as 157 people and wounding over a thousand more. Eyewitnesses also said women were raped in the streets and people run through with bayonets.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:15:00

A tsunami has hit the South Pacific killing at least 100 people, with a British child missing and presumed dead, the Foreign Office have confirmed. The earthquake which caused the tsunami was believed to have reached 8.3-magnitude, generating a 4.5m wave. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "A British child is missing and presumed dead in Samoa. We are offering consular assistance in the area to the families affected by the tsunami."

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:05:00

Marks and Spencer have said group sales were up by 2.7 per cent in the three months to September. Total UK sales were up 1.9 per cent over the period continuing the improving trend seen over the last three quarters. UK like-for-like were down 0.5 per cent, but were buoyed by online sales which were up 30 per cent. Clothing sales were up 2.7 per cent and international sales were up 9.6 per cent.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:55:00

The United States and Britain have accepted Hamid Karzai as the winner of Afghanistan's controversial presidential election, reports claim. Western powers have been reluctant to formally accept any result from the historic poll in August after allegations of widespread vote-rigging and suggestions up to 20 per cent of ballots were fraudulent. Provisional results have already declared Mr Karzai as the winner, although the final official results have yet to be released.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:00:00

The US secret service is reported to be investigating a poll on the social-networking website Facebook which asked whether president Barack Obama should be assassinated. The survey is said to have been posted on the site during the weekend, but was quickly removed after administrators became aware of it. The poll asked simply: "Should Obama be killed?" and offered four answers: Yes, No, Maybe, and Yes, if he cuts my health care.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:49:59

A 14-year-old schoolgirl who died after receiving a cervical cancer vaccination was probably killed by serious underlying medical conditions, provisional tests have shown. Natalie Morton, from Coventry, died in hospital on Monday after receiving the Cervarix jab at her school – Blue Coat Church of England School. A post-mortem was undertaken on Tuesday night and according to health officials highlighted a serious underlying condition.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:00:00

The Sun newspaper has dramatically withdrawn its support for the Labour party and pledged to back the Conservatives at next year's general election. The tabloid's headline on Wednesday simply reads: "The Sun: Labour's lost it". The sub-heading reads: "After 12 long years in power, this government has lost its way. Now it's lost The Sun's support too."

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:45:20

The number of East Africans heading towards severe hunger has reached 23 million, Oxfam has said. The charity warns that a persistent five-year drought, deepened by climate change, is causing destitution and starvation in some of the world's poorest areas. Oxfam has launched a £9.5 million emergency appeal to reach 750,000 people, in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Uganda. They say the drought teamed with high food prices and violent conflict is "exacting a heavy human toll".

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:00:00

A mother-of-two has admitted to causing the death of an 11-year-old boy by dangerous driving. Hannah Saaf, 27, struck Sam Riddall after her car mounted the pavement and ran into him as he walked home from a church youth service on May 1st. The 11-year-old died as a result of the incident.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:30:00

The culture secretary has hinted that an incoming Conservative government could lead to an Americanisation of BBC News. Ben Bradshaw told the Labour party conference on Tuesday anyone who has watched the news in America or continental Europe "can only be extremely grateful for the BBC". Mr Bradshaw, a former BBC reporter himself, said Labour would "always be committed to the BBC and the values of public service broadcasting".

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:00