UK & USA Today Editoweb 6 October 2009

FTSE closes up 2.3 percent

The top share index closed 2.3 percent higher on Tuesday, as heavyweight commodity and bank issues rallied on renewed hopes over the gathering pace of the global economic recovery, ahead of the third-quarter U.S. earnings season.

Brown claims progress over N. Ireland row

Prime Minister Gordon Brown claimed progress Tuesday in defusing a simmering stand-off between Northern Ireland's leaders, after meeting them for a second straight day, his spokesman said.

BA will slash 1,700 cabin crew jobs

British Airways has announced it is to cut 1,700 cabin crew jobs and freeze pay as it continues to slash costs, warning of mounting losses if action is not taken.

FSA wants stronger bank supervision

Flawed supervision of cross-border banks in the European Union needs changing to better handle banks that are too big for smaller countries to bail out, Britain's market watchdog said Tuesday.

Conservatives Fail To Ignite Voters

Support for the Tories is climbing during the party's conference, though the latest Sky News/YouGov poll shows their lead over Labour remains static.

Pakistan braces for more bombings

Pakistan braced Tuesday for more militant attacks ahead of an anticipated offensive against a Taliban stronghold, as the insurgents said they bombed a U.N. relief agency because international aid work was not in "the interest of Muslims."

Abducted baby's mom regaining custody of kids

A mother will be reunited with her newborn son after losing him twice, first to a kidnapper and then to state custody after someone claimed a family member had tried to sell him.

Court takes up free-speech case of pit bull videos

Supreme Court justices on Tuesday indicated that a federal law aimed at graphic videos of dog fights and other acts of animal cruelty goes too far in limiting free speech rights.

NY juror cited threat in Astor case deliberations

A jury trying to decide whether Brooke Astor's son and lawyer looted the socialite's estate resumed its deliberation Tuesday, one day after a juror complained she felt threatened during heated discussions.

Bill allowing same-sex marriage in DC introduced

Same-sex couples would be allowed to marry in the nation's capital under a bill introduced Tuesday by a District of Columbia councilman.

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