Those in the running to succeed Pope John Paul II are known as the “papabili” – those worthy of becoming Pontiff. Prominent among them are:

US Secretary of State Colin Powell joins senior officials from the Group of Eight nations in Rabat tomorrow for a meeting with representatives of 23 countries across North Africa and the Middle East to discuss reforms in the Arab world.

As President George Bush plays host today to world leaders critical of his Iraq policies, the White House is hoping the G-8 summit proves a turning point where he and his adversaries on the war permanently set aside their differences.

U2 frontman Bono has been honoured by an organisation dedicated to further the work of US civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

President George Bush, in his first personal foray into Mideast peace talks, arrived in Egypt tonight pledging to “put in as much time as necessary” to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

US President George Bush and French President Jacques Chirac ended their personal feud over the Iraq war today, saying they both support efforts for the reconstruction of the country.

Chinese President Hu Jintao is having medical tests to ensure he is not carrying the deadly Sars virus when he meets world leaders on the fringes of next month’s G-8 summit in France.

An Israeli army bulldozer has punched a hole in the side of the Palestinian headquarters building in the West Bank city of Hebron.

The leaders at the G-8 summit have agreed a package of safety measures to help prevent further terrorist attacks.

Irish student Joe Moffatt, who was arrested during the G-8 summit in Genoa, has arrived back in Ireland.

As representatives from the World’s richest countries prepare to meet in Italy for this weekend’s G-8 summit, there are fresh calls for an end to the debt burden that is being placed on developing nations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated President Bush on his 55th birthday today and said he looked forward to meeting him again at this month’s G-8 summit in Italy.