Shock and sympathy were the initial reactions from around the world to the shooting rampage that left 28 people dead, including 20 children, in Connecticut.

Muslim rebels and the Philippine government overcame decades of bitter hostilities and took their first tentative step towards ending one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies today.

About 200 Muslim rebels led by their elusive chief have arrived in the Philippine capital for the signing of a preliminary peace pact aimed at ending one of Asia’s longest-running insurgencies.

The Philippine government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group have reached a preliminary peace deal that is a major breakthrough toward ending a decades-long insurgency that killed tens of thousands and held back development in the south.

Philippine president Benigno Aquino III said his government has reached a preliminary peace agreement with the country’s largest Muslim rebel group in a major breakthrough toward ending a decades-long insurgency.

The World Bank has said many developing countries have been hurt by Europe’s debt crisis and there is a need to put schemes in place to cushion its impact on the poor.

Police arrested four people who scuffled with riot police during anti-globalisation rallies ahead of this week’s Group of 20 summit, a police officer said today.

Benigno Aquino III took his oath as the Philippines' president.

THE Philippine Congress proclaimed Benigno Aquino III the country’s new president yesterday amid high hopes he will fulfil his campaign promise to eliminate corruption and poverty and restore trust in government.

A final count by the Philippine Congress shows that Benigno Aquino III has won last month’s presidential elections by a landslide.

Benigno Aquino III is today preparing to become the next Philippines president based on an almost-complete vote count in landmark elections.

The son of Corazon Aquino had a wide lead in the Philippines’ presidential elections today after campaigning on a promise to restore the government’s credibility by prosecuting corrupt officials.

Millions of Filipinos seeking a clean start after a decade of corruption-tainted politics voted in elections today despite scattered violence and glitches with vote-counting machines being used for the first time.