The decision by US senator James Jeffords to abandon the Republican Party has triggered a debate among Republicans about whether their party, and the US president, George Bush, have moved too far to the right. A four week experiment in Leicester may mean that closing time will never be the same again. An American infertility doctor has said that he is ready to start cloning humans to help infertile couples have children.
Reality TV is still a favourite with broadcasters all over the world.
India's decision to initiate talks with Pakistan has raised hopes of an eventual peace settlement in Kashmir. Pakistan has been calling for direct talks for many months, and welcomed India's invitation. On his 60th birthday, Bob Dylan has been voted the greatest songwriter ever by BBC News Online users. Nurses are to press for a reduction in the number of Caesarean sections undertaken in the UK each year. Yet there is a 90 percent risk of complication after surgery.