1. Williams powers in US Open final

Serena Williams returned to the U.S. Open final for the first time in six years by sweeping away sixth-seeded Dinara Safina of Russia 6-3 6-2 in a windblown contest.

06/09/2008

2. Weakened Gustav hits New Orleans

Hurricane Gustav has weakened to a category one storm after sweeping past the city of New Orleans in the state of Louisiana, US emergency officials say.

02/09/2008

3. World champions face battle

Australia are aiming to win successive tests in South Africa for the first time in 45 years when they face the world champions in the rugby union Tri Nations on Saturday.

30/08/2008

4. West condemns Moscow over Georgia

Western condemnation has continued to mount over Russia's support for independence in Georgia's two breakaway republics, Abhkazia and South Ossetia.

27/08/2008

5. World 'losing Aids battle'

Ban Ki-Moon, the UN secretary-general, has opened a UN Aids conference in New York by announcing that the world is losing the fight against the HIV virus.

11/06/2008