Gmail goes down worldwide

Shortly before 5:45pm UK time, many Gmail users received error messages on their accounts, meaning they could not send or receive email or access their inboxes. The search giant said it was "investigating reports of an issue" with its popular email service, which was partially restored by 6.30pm. A subsequent statement issued as services were being restored said "We're aware that some users are experiencing an error...

Italian woman kidnapped in Algeria is freed

An Italian woman kidnapped in southern Algeria over a year ago has been freed, Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said Tuesday. Terzi said he had just told the family of Maria Sandra Mariani of her release. "I join in their great joy and relief for this wonderful news," he said in a written statement. "My deepest gratitude goes to all of those who have contributed to the positive outcome with great dedication, constancy and professionalism." Mariani, 54, was seized by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a sub-Saharan offshoot...

U.S. factory decline suggests economy losing steam

Output at U.S. factories slipped in March and builders started construction on fewer homes, offering cautionary signals for an economy that appeared to be gaining traction. Manufacturing output slipped for the first time in four months, dropping 0.2 percent, the U.S. Federal Reserve said on Tuesday. The decline dragged on overall industrial production which was unchanged and fell short of analysts' expectations....

Last 5 cruise ship bodies identified; 2 Americans named

The last five bodies recovered from the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise liner have been identified, the mayor's office in the Italian city of Grosseto said Tuesday. Two Americans, Gerald and Barbara Heil, were among those named in the statement from the mayor's office. The others are identified as two Germans, Christina and Norbert Ganz, and an Italian crew member, Giuseppe Girolamo. Two people remain missing, the...

Australia to end Afghan mission in 2013

Australia has announced that its troops will be withdraw from Afghanistan nearly a year ahead of a previously scheduled 2014 withdrawal date. Julia Gillard, the Australian prime minster, said on Tuesday that most of 1,550 remaining Australian troops in Afghanistan were expected to return home by the end of 2013. That timetable would see the largest force provided by any nation outside of the NATO alliance leave the...