Stockmarkets have fallen sharply as concerns about high levels of European government debt continue to shake investor confidence.

Anti-government protesters who have been blocking off central Bangkok appear to have reached a deal with the government, their leaders told demonstrators on May 4.

The Thai government is ready to hold general election on November 14 if conditions are met, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on May 3.

European Union transport ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss ways to improve air traffic management in the wake of volcanic ash disruption.

Oil giant BP has acknowledged it is "absolutely responsible" for cleaning up a huge oil spill after an explosion at one of its wells off the US coast.

The United States has 5,113 nuclear warheads in its stockpile and "several thousand" more retired warheads awaiting the junkpile, the Pentagon said on May 3.

Severe storms and flash floods left more than a dozen people dead in the US States of Tennessee and Kentucky over the weekend as rising river waters closed portions of the interstate highways leading in and out of Nashville.

The Republic of Korea (RoK), Japan and China have agreed to launch a US$700-million regional credit fund to help develop Asian bond markets.

Anti-government protesters in the Thai capital showed no signs of leaving the city's main shopping district on May 3 despite new warnings of clashes and losses during a two-month crisis that has already seen 27 people killed.

Millions of people marched in cities around the world Saturday to mark May Day, or International Workers' Day, as they rallied for better work conditions, higher wages and laws that are more just.