National / International News

The U.S. has objected to the 1,000-mile-long pipeline, but Pakistan says it's needed to alleviate its energy shortfall.

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For IT professionals, Microsoft has invented a holiday -- of sorts. The second Tuesday of every month is the day Microsoft releases the latest batch of security patches for it's software: Patch Tuesday. This week, the company has more than half-dozen security fixes, as cyber threats mount for Microsoft and Apple software.

A horrific series of disasters devastated Japan two years ago today. First an earthquake, then a tsunami and then a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Today's anniversary is being marked with protests against nuclear power in Japan. But can the country sustain a non-nuclear energy policy?

Whatever the science, consumers are jumpy about genetically modified foods. At least they are in Europe. For years, restaurants and grocery stores have trumpeted their products are GMO free. In the U.S., Whole Foods now plans to label products with the GMOs inside. But will our market follow Europe’s lead and shun modified food?

McLaren say they will not become "obsessed" with reliability and will focus on taking risks in pursuit of the world title.

The danger of growing resistance to antibiotics should be treated as seriously as the threat of terrorism, England's chief medical officer says.

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton is charged with drinking and driving following his arrest in Essex.

Also: Cardinals prepare to begin papal conclave; U.S. and Afghan soldiers killed in "insider attack;" Obama to continue "charm offensive;" Harvard faculty stunned by search of their emails.

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Rory Cellan-Jones takes one final tour before news moves out

Online trading platform Intrade ceases all trading activity pending an investigation that may include "financial irregularities".

Global leaders of the Roman Catholic Church are meeting in the Vatican for their final group discussions ahead of the election of a new pope.

History suggests Tiger Woods's win in Miami could be the start of a successful season, says golf correspondent Iain Carter

Whatever the science, consumers are jumpy about genetically modified foods. At least they are in Europe. For years, restaurants and grocery stores have trumpeted their products are GMO free.

"Even McDonalds in Italy and in Great Britain advertises that its products don’t contain any GMOs. So it depresses use of genetically modified foods," says New York University food studies professor Marion Nestle.

In the U.S., Whole Foods now plans to label products with the GMOs inside. But will our market follow Europe’s lead and shun modified food? American farms grow the most genetically modified foods in the world, and our diet is already full of high-tech grains.

The real test may be price, says Harry Balzer of the NPD Group.

"Nothing will change your behavior faster -- short of a food safety issue -- than prices. And we will never let food prices rise faster than our incomes," Balzer says.

A study from Iowa State suggests non-genetically modified foods could end up costing 6 to 10 percent more around the world.

A case against the lead singer of rock band Lostprophets over child sexual offence charges, including conspiracy to rape a baby, is adjourned.

Police say the bomb attack on officers in north Belfast was a "sophisticated device with the intent to kill."

Experts worry that while the North has often made threats, now it's rhetoric is ratcheting up. That may make the new young leader, Kim Jong Un, feel as if he has to follow through on the threats in some way.

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The bloated carcasses were first noticed on Tuesday. Authorities says they appear to have died as a result of a swine virus that cannot be transmitted to humans.

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Residents on the Channel Islands are bracing themselves for high winds and freezing temperatures as the wintry weather makes a return.

Twenty-four hours of news photos: 11 March

The prime minister pledges to make apprenticeships the "new norm" for school leavers who decide not to go to university.

Three types of critically endangered but commercially valuable shark have been given added protection at the Cites meeting in Bangkok.

Also: the best books coming out this week; Mindy Kaling is writing another memoir; and Francine Prose explores dreams in literature.

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