California protesters shut down Oakland port

Thousands of anti-corporate greed demonstrators have closed one of America's busiest ports. The authorities at the Port of Oakland in California said maritime operations had effectively halted. The shutdown capped a day in which hundreds of city workers, including teachers, joined the call for a strike. The crowds also stopped traffic at a junction where a military veteran was seriously injured last week as protesters clashed with police. Ex-Marine Scott Olsen, 24, is recovering in an Oakland hospital after being struck on the head with a tear gas canister fired by police.

Bank of America cancels debit card fee

Bank of America has cancelled plans to charge consumers a $5 (£3) monthly fee for making debit card purchases, citing customer feedback. The bank announced it was abandoning its fee plan amid growing anger around the move and consumer calls to take banking business elsewhere. A company spokeswoman declined to comment on account closure figures.

Hebdo Magazine attacks Islam

The offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo have been destroyed by a petrol bomb, French police say. It comes a day after the publication named the Prophet Muhammad as its "editor-in-chief" for its next issue. The magazine said the move was intended to "celebrate" the victory of an Islamist party in Tunisia's election.

Capitalism and Democracy Marriage is over

From the Middle East to the streets of London and cities across the US there is a discontent with the status quo. Whether it is with the iron grip of entrenched governments or the widening economic divide between the rich and those struggling to get by. But where are those so hungry for change heading? How profound is their long-term vision to transform society?.

Bad eyes linked to time indoors

The time children spend outdoors could be linked to a reduced risk of being short-sighted, research suggests. An analysis of eight previous studies by University of Cambridge researchers found that for each additional hour spent outside per week, the risk of myopia reduced by 2%. Exposure to natural light and time spent looking at distant objects could be key factors, they said.

Viking boat burial found

The site, at Ardnamurchan, is thought to be more than 1,000 years old. Artefacts buried alongside the Viking in his boat suggest he was a high-ranking warrior. Archaeologist Dr Hannah Cobb said the "artefacts and preservation make this one of the most important Norse graves ever excavated in Britain". Dr Cobb, from the University of Manchester, a co-director of the project, said: "This is a very exciting find."

General strike begins in Greece

A general strike is under way in Greece, grounding flights, halting most public services and shutting offices and shops. The 48-hour strike comes as parliament prepares to vote on the latest round of austerity measures, including more tax hikes, pay cuts and job losses. Greece is struggling to reduce a huge government deficit amid fears it may default and set off a eurozone crisis.

Taliban claims US base attack in Afghanistan

Armed attackers have attempted to blast their way into an American base in Afghanistan, striking before dawn with rocket-propelled grenades and a vehicle packed with explosives. The attackers failed to breach the gate of the base in Panjshir province's Rokha district, though they did hit a security tower with a rocket-propelled grenade, a local police chief said on Saturday.

Ahmadinejad rejects US murder claims

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, has said that an alleged plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to the Washington was fabricated by the US to cause a rift between Tehran and Riyadh, and to divert attention from US economic problems. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera in Tehran on Monday, Ahmadinejad said that anyone who hears the claims "laughs", but warned the US to be mindful of the allegations it makes.

Shooting in Salon Meritage

Eight people have been shot dead at a hair salon in the Los Angeles area, authorities say. The shooting took place in the city of Seal Beach, California, in a retail area off the Pacific Coast Highway. Six people were initially confirmed dead, while two others died later of their injuries and one remains in a critical condition, police said.

Nigerian bomber pleads guilty

A Nigerian accused of trying to bomb a US-bound flight on Christmas Day 2009 has told his trial in Detroit that he is pleading guilty to all charges. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 24, told a judge he was admitting all eight counts against him, including terrorism and attempted murder.

Pennsylvania capital bankrupt

The US city of Harrisburg - capital of the state of Pennsylvania - has filed for bankruptcy, a move quickly opposed by the city's mayor. Harrisburg faces debts of $300m (£190m) and has struggled to pay for services. The move comes as the state legislature considers a takeover of the city and the implementation of a "rescue plan". Last year, municipal bond analysts expected many bankruptcies from cities under debt pressure, but few localities have actually taken the step.

Obama jobs bill blocked in Senate

Republicans in the US Senate have blocked President Barack Obama's jobs bill in a procedural vote. Forty-six Republican senators joined with two Democrats to filibuster the $447bn (£287bn) package. Reacting to the vote, Mr Obama said: "Tonight's vote is by no means the end of this fight."

Big rise in poverty in UK

Falling incomes will mean the biggest drop for middle-income families since the 1970s, says a report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The IFS forecasts two years "dominated by a large decline" in incomes, pushing 600,000 more children into poverty, By 2013 there will be 3.1 million children in poverty in the UK, according to the IFS projections.

Thomas and Christopher won Nobel prize

US academics Thomas Sargent and Christopher Sims have won the 2011 Nobel economics prize. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited "their empirical research on cause and effect in the macroeconomy". They had studied how economic policy, such as raising interest rates or cutting taxes, affects macroeconomic variables such as GDP and inflation.

California enacts pro-migrant law

The governor of California, Jerry Brown, has signed into law legislation allowing illegal immigrants to receive state aid to attend college. Supporters of the California Dream Act, as it is called, say it will benefit the state economically. However, critics argue that it condones entry into the US without proper documentation. About 2,500 students are expected to qualify for grants under the new legislation.

massive environmental disaster

New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key says "serious questions" must be answered about why a container ship ran aground on a reef off one of the country's most spectacular coastlines. Oil leaking from the Liberian-flagged Rena has created a 5km (3 mile) slick. An all-out effort is under way to remove nearly 2,000 tonnes of oil from the vessel, which is stranded 12 nautical miles off the coast. Heavy swells and gale-force winds are forecast for the area from Monday.

Helicopter crashes in NYC river

A helicopter has plunged into a river in New York City, killing a woman and critically injuring two other people. Witnesses described how the privately owned Bell 206 aircraft spun out of control after take-off and fell into the East River near 34th Street in midtown Manhattan. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters it is thought the helicopter was upside down when it crashed. He said it was not clear what caused the crash.

Wall Street protesters released

Police in New York City have freed most of the more than 700 people arrested on Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday during a protest against corporate greed. Fewer than 20 protesters are still held as they are yet to be identified. Most of those freed were given citations for disorderly conduct and a criminal court summons. The Occupy Wall Street group, camped in Manhattan's financial district for two weeks, says it will continue its demonstrations.

Bahrain sentences protest medics

A court in Bahrain has jailed 20 medics who treated protesters for up to 15 years each, after convicting them of incitement to overthrow the regime. They treated people injured when a protest movement calling for more rights for the country's Shia majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom was crushed.