China confirmed it has ordered the closure of a bi-lingual non-profit newsletter that tracked the development of civil society because its British founder was conducting illegal research.

Veteran rocker Rod Stewart has laughed off reports he is set to become a father for the seventh time, insisting his fiancee Penny Lancaster isn't pregnant - yet.

AID agencies and governments were yesterday coming to terms with the long-term consequences of the devastating tidal waves which have killed thousands in Asia.