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WASHINGTON (AP) -- A leading conservative proponent of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq now says dysfunction within the Bush administration has turned U.S. policy there into a disaster. Richard Perle, who chaired a committee of Pentagon policy advisers early in the Bush administration, said had he seen at the start of the war in 2003 where it would go, he probably would not have advocated an invasio ...

Israeli forces have killed a Hamas militant and hurt two others in an air strike on their vehicle in Gaza City. At least 17 people were killed by Israeli action on Friday in one of the deadliest days in Gaza recently. Two of the dead were women, shot as they formed part of a crowd that stormed a mosque to rescue gunmen hiding from besieging Israeli forces. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya praised the women but Israel said they had served as "human shields" for the militants. Palestinian doctors sa ...

Venezuela's energy minister has caused a political storm by telling state oil workers to back President Hugo Chavez or leave their jobs. The opposition released an amateur video of Rafael Ramirez, also head of the state oil company PDVSA, making the remarks to top executives. The opposition says the government is illegally mobilising workers to secure Mr Chavez's re-election on 3 December. Mr Chavez defended Mr Ramirez and said workers should back the "revolution". The president, a key crit ...

Most people in north-east England now support some form of devolved power for the region, a BBC poll suggests. Two years ago to the day, more than three-quarters of voters in a referendum rejected the government's plans for an elected regional assembly. But in a poll for the BBC's Politics Show, some 69% of 750 adults surveyed in the area said they would like local control on issues such as transport. But, after the 2004 vote, more referendums on devolution are unlikely. Three-quarters of  ...

By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - China will offer $5 billion in loans and credits, and double aid to Africa by 2009, President Hu Jintao said on Saturday, seeking to bolster his country's influence in the under-developed but resource-rich continent. With smiles and handshakes, Hu greeted visiting delegates from nearly 50 African nations one by one at the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen S ...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration is arguing that detainees held in secret CIA prisons shouldn't be allowed to describe in court how they were interrogated, the Washington Post reported in its Saturday edition. The government believes that interrogation methods used by the CIA are among the nation's most sensitive national security secrets, and that their release "could reasonably be ...

By Martyn Herman LONDON (Reuters) - Portsmouth's unlikely challenge to the Premier League's established top order faces a severe examination on Saturday when they travel to Old Trafford to take on leaders Manchester United. Champions Chelsea, behind United on goal difference, face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday buoyed by their 2-2 midweek draw in Barcelona while third-placed Bolton Wanderers host Wig ...

The fox hunting season begins later, with thousands of enthusiasts expected to set out on foot and horseback following packs of hounds. Police and hunt monitors will be out checking people stay within the law. Hunting foxes with dogs was made illegal in England and Wales under the Hunting Act in February 2005. However, hounds can be used to follow a scent and to flush out a fox. The fox can then be killed by a bird of prey or shot - if only two dogs are involved. BBC rural affairs correspon ...

China has pledged to double its aid to Africa and provide $5bn in loans and credits over the next three years. Chinese President Hu Jintao made the announcement as he opened a summit in Beijing attended by nearly 50 African heads of state and ministers. The summit is focusing on business with more than 2,000 deals under discussion. African leaders welcome their booming trade links with China, but critics accuse Beijing of dealing with repressive regimes. Beijing says it is just doing b ...

The funeral of the two children who died from carbon monoxide poisoning at their hotel while on a family holiday in Corfu will be held on Tuesday. Robert Shepherd, six, and his sister Christianne, seven, of West Yorkshire, died on a holiday with their father. Mourners will gather for a church service in Wakefield and the family will later hold a private burial. Greek officials said on Friday that six people in Corfu had been charged with manslaughter over the deaths. Mourners will gather at ...