Top Stories - AFP

COPENHAGEN (AFP) - Negotiators at the UN climate marathon tried Wednesday to calm a furious row over an early draft text which highlighted the summit tensions between rich carbon emitters and the world's poor. Full Story »

KABUL (AFP) - NATO commanders on Wednesday warned US Defence Secretary Robert Gates of the challenges involved in recruiting Afghan soldiers and police, which the US military hopes will number 287,000 by July 2011. Full Story »

MANILA (AFP) - A Muslim clan blamed for a horrific political massacre in the Philippines was accused on Wednesday of killing more than 250 people during an eight-year reign of terror in a strife-torn southern province. Full Story »

ABUJA (AFP) - Police in Nigeria carry out hundreds of extra-judicial killings every year and only those who can afford to pay bribes can guarantee their safety from execution or torture, Amnesty International said Wednesday. Full Story »

SYDNEY (AFP) - A monster iceberg nearly twice the size of Hong Kong island has been spotted drifting towards Australia in what scientists Wednesday called a once-in-a-century event. Full Story »

LONDON (AFP) - Britain announced a one-off tax on bankers' bonuses Wednesday, as it admitted facing a sharper recession and higher state borrowing ahead of elections next year that the government is tipped to lose. Full Story »

ATHENS (AFP) - The Greek government warned on Wednesday that the country is imperilled by debt and pledged urgent action to restore confidence under pressure from financial markets and the European Union. Full Story »

WOLFSBURG, Germany (AFP) - German champions Wolfsburg said they hope to be included in the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League after UEFA suspended two CSKA Moscow players for flouting anti-doping rules. Full Story »

PARIS (AFP) - Holders Barcelona can secure a place in the Champions League knockout stage even if they lose at Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday, but Inter Milan face a winner-takes-all home encounter with Rubin Kazan. Full Story »

BEL OMBRE, Seychelles (AFP) - While his country is busy fending off proliferating Somali pirates, Seychellois history teacher John Cruise-Wilkins is tormented by one French pirate who died almost 300 years ago. Full Story »