Greece appeared set to announce a deal with the European Union and the IMF for a multi-billion euro financial bailout on Sunday, a day after thousands protested in Athens against planned state cutbacks.

World oil prices have risen after investor confidence returned and hopes for an end to flight disruptions due to Icelandic volcanic ash were boosted.

World oil prices have risen after investor confidence returned and hopes for an end to flight disruptions due to Icelandic volcanic ash were boosted.

The worst U.S. oil spill in decades reached into marshlands along the southeastern coast of Louisiana on Saturday and threatened three other states.

Police are boosting security at all city hospitals after the red shirts stormed Chulalongkorn Hospital on April 29.

Philippine forces killed five members of the Abu Sayyaf group in a raid on their hideout in the southern jungles, a marine commander said on April 30, before a national election the rebels have vowed to attack.

Five women were killed in a stampede outside a spiritual center in northern India, officials said on April 30.

Thai authorities said on April 29 they would intensify efforts to contain anti-government protests in Bangkok, a day after a soldier was killed in the latest clash of a campaign to force early elections.

The World Expo is opening in the Chinese city of Shanghai - the first time a developing country has hosted the event.

The aid package being negotiated to bail out Greece is worth EUR120 billion (about US$160 billion) through 2012, according to Vassilis Papadimitriou, a spokesman for Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.