The Chinese President Hu Jintao has warned future generation of leaders that unchecked corruption could bring down the governing Communist Party. No one, he said, was above the law. Mr Hu was speaking at the opening of a week-long party Congress in Beijing, it will end with the transferral of power to his vice President Xi Jinping. This report from Caroline Hawley.
Amid tight security over 2,000 delegates have gathered from around China, for a week of speeches and meetings that will end in unveiling of the country's new leadership. The outgoing President Hu Jingtao opened proceedings by saying the China faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. He said the country needed to develop in a more balanced and sustainable way. And he warned that corruption, if not properly handled, could prove fatal to the Communist Party and even bring about the collapse of the state.
The UN special envoy for Africa Sahel region Romano Prodi has said every effort would be made to avoid military intervention in Mali. Mr Prodi was speaking after talks with the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. West African heads of states are expected to meet on Sunday to adopt a plan for their troops to recapture northern Mali from militant Islamists. Algeria has been reluctant to agree to such a plan.
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An international trade dispute over bananas dating back two decades has finally been settled. The European Union and ten Lantin American countries have signed a deal in Geneva. Here's our business reporter Mark Gregory.