World News: Five die as suicide bomber on motorbike blasts village

The explosion destroyed shops, government offices and a small prison. Footage from the area showed dozens of men pouring through piles of yellow brick and mud rubble in search of survivors.

A security official, Esa Khan, said: "After the blast, I saw destruction. I saw bodies everywhere. I saw the injured crying for help."

Government official Noor Mohammad said at least five people were killed and nearly 100 wounded. Mohmand is one of several areas in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt where Taliban and al-Qaida are believed to be hiding.

The Pakistani army has carried out recent operations there.

Many of the blast victims were transported to hospital in Peshawar, the main city in Pakistan's northwest.

Monk admits to killing nun and priest

China: A Catholic monk has confessed to killing a priest and a nun whose bodies were found at the hospice where they worked. Their bodies were found in a pool of blood after they failed to show up for morning Mass.

USA: The International Monetary Fund has told the Obama regime to make more effort to curb its budget deficit. It said that in addition to cutting government spending, it would have to consider raising taxes.

Activist ends hunger strike

Cuban opposition activist Guillermo Farinas has ended his 134-day hunger strike following signs the communist government is making good on its promise to release 52 political prisoners. His condition was described as "grave" after he suffered a potentially fatal blood clot.

One death in banana clash

Striking banana plantation workers and police have clashed in western Panama, leaving one man dead and 100 people hurt.

Eighteen of the injured are in critical condition. The plantation workers began protesting last week against a new law that critics say weakens unions.

Jury rejects murder charge

A JURY in the United States has rejected a murder charge against a white former transport policeman who shot and killed an unarmed black man on a station platform.

The shooting on New Year's Day 2009 triggered a night of rioting in Oakland, California.

Johannes Mehserle said he meant to stun Oscar Grant with a Taser, but drew his handgun by mistake. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Russian spies return to Moscow

Ten Russian agents who infiltrated suburban America were on a plane to Moscow today.

The spies, including "femme fatale" Anna Chapman, are being swapped for four people convicted of betraying Moscow to the West in the biggest spy swap since the Cold War.

Two cocks fight for a ball during a cock football match in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province. The cocks have been play football since 2007.