All World

A 14-part series that attempts to make simple and accessible one of the most complex subjects imaginable will be distributed via booklets given away free with The Independent and The Independent on Sunday beginning tomorrow, and will simultaneously be made available at independent.co.uk/historyoftheworld. Starting with the origins of the Universe itself, it traces the formation of our planet, the first stirrings of life, the shaping of the continents, the evolution of species, the birth of the human race, and the millennia of history that have led up to the sophisticated but precarious civilisations of the present day.

A plane crash in southern Mexico killed all six people on board Friday, including two federal legislators and two mayors-elect.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake damaged buildings, cut power and knocked fleeing residents off their feet on New Zealand's South Island early ...

The U.S. government punished Mexico on Friday for human rights abuses in its war against drug cartels, cutting $26 million from an upcoming $175 ...

A team of NASA doctors and engineers recommended Friday that Chilean authorities regulate the day-and-night sleep patterns of 33 trapped miners, ...

Powerful 7.4 quake rocks New Zealand's South Island; no injuries immediately reported New Zealand - South Island - Earthquake - Oceania - Tsunami

Fidel Castro dons military duds for 1st time since stepping down; possible sign of larger role Military - Fidel Castro - Business - Cuba - People

Pakistani Taliban claim suicide bombing attacks that kills at least 43 Shiites at procession Pakistan - Mosque - Asia - Lahore - Government

A cargo plane has crashed on a major highway in Dubai, setting some cars on fire, local officials and media reports say.

The United Nations' food agency calls a special meeting of policy makers to discuss the recent rapid rises in food prices.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all kick off their Euro 2012 qualifying campaigns on a busy night of international football.

An explosion partly destroys a Hare Krishna temple in Leicester, but none of the worshippers are seriously hurt.

The gridlock began in mid-August 2010 when various sections along the expressway, heavily used by coal trucks from Inner Mongolia, began repeatedly jamming. Inner Mongolia - China - Asia - Gridlock - Traffic congestion

Six Portuguese men are sentenced to between five and 18 years in jail after being found guilty of multiple charges of sexual abuse at a state-run children's home.

A key witness at the commission set up to examine the last years of Sri Lanka's civil war complains his words were not properly translated.

Lord Prescott says he is prepared to take legal action to find out whether News of The World journalists hacked into his phone messages.

Police in Mozambique's capital fire rubber bullets on the third day of riots, as the violence spreads to the central city of Chimoio.

Researchers sample beer from a 19th century shipwreck in the Baltic Sea. Shipwreck - Baltic Sea - Beer - Recreation - Food

Former British PM on Clinton, Obama, alcohol and sex. Tony Blair - Politics - Prime minister - President - History

Fidel Castro dusted off his military fatigues for the first time since stepping down as president four years ago, a symbolic act in a Communist ...