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Radical policy shift as homes shortage deepensThe Conservatives are preparing to unleash a new era of council house-building, in a radical shift that would undo 30 years of right-wing thinking.The shadow housing minister, Grant Shapps, said the Conservatives want to increase council involvement in low-cost housing, overturning one of Margaret Thatcher's trademark policies.Conservative insiders are quick to stress they do not wish to see a return to the days of large-scale municipal estates. But they are preparing the ground to allow councils to build tens of thousands of new homes in smaller developments.Tory leaders are convinced housing is an area where they can outflank the government. Under Labour, the number of households on waiting lists has nearly doubled in 12 years to 1.8 million. At the same time, the amount of new homes built in Britain this year is expected to plumb new depths, despite Gordon Brown's ambitious targets of building millions of new properties. 'We're very enth

ST GIRONS (Reuters) - Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini believes he can keep the overall leader's yellow jersey as the Tour de France enters the last Pyrenean mountain stage on Sunday.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Against a backdrop of IOUs and expanding government furloughs, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders expressed optimism Saturday that they were moving toward a compromise that could end California's fiscal calamity.

The proposal, a clear expression of Democrats' perceived mandate, calls for a surtax on individuals earning at least $280,000, but it faces hurdles in both chambers of Congress.

Saint-Girons, France - Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain won the eighth stage of the 2009 Tour de France Saturday as surprise race leader Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy kept his hold on the yellow jersey. Sanchez, 25, was part of a 10-man breakaway group that w...

US president praises host Ghana as model for prosperity and says continent's era of corrupt 'strongman' governments must endIn his first visit to Africa since taking office, barack obama said today that the continent of his ancestors must overcome tyranny and corruption if it is to flourish.Speaking in Ghana's parliament, Obama said the key to Africa's future prosperity was democratic and accountable government.'Development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential,' he said.In an tough speech aimed at politicians across the continent, he gave an unsentimental account of squandered opportunities since the end of colonial rule. 'No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers,' he said.'No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20% off the top

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders were scheduled to resume work Saturday on bridging California's $26 billion budget shortfall following an unexpected resumption of negotiations the day before.