World News: Obama calls for united front in bid to revive US economy

President Barack Obama gave Americans a sign of how he will lead the country in the run-up to next year's election as he used his State of the Union policy address to stake out ground in the political centre and call on Republicans and Democrats to work together to revive the US economy.

The nationally televised speech was critical for Mr Obama.

It was his first appearance before Congress since opposition Republicans took control of the House of Representatives earlier this month.

It marked the midpoint of his presidential term, as he rebounds from the Democrats' electoral defeat in November.

Mr Obama kept the focus on the economy, the issue that dragged down his party in last year's election and is likely to be pivotal in 2012.

He called for both parties to unite behind his programme of cuts and spending, saying: "We will move forward together or not at all."

He proposed no major initiatives comparable to the health care overhaul that dominated the first two years of his presidency.

Instead, he outlined a balanced agenda aimed at both the Democrats and the Republicans.

Giffords moves to rehab unit

The Houston hospital treating Gabrielle Giffords said the US congresswoman's condition has been upgraded from serious to good and she will be moved to a rehabilitation hospital today. Ms Giffords was critically wounded in a shooting in which six people died.

Rhino hunters using aircraft

Poachers are using aircraft to hunt and kill rhinoceros, Zimbabwe's wildlife chief said, as demand in Asia for their horns' supposed medicinal benefits grows.

Seven endangered rhinos were killed in southern Zimbabwe from early December to January 19, representing about one-third of all 22 rhinos poached throughout 2010.

Five of the rhino were shot in one park in the south-western Matabeleland province

France sells warships to Russia

France's government signed an agreement to sell four assault warships to Russia, finalising a deal that has raised concerns in the United States, Georgia and other countries.

French defence minister Alain Juppe and Russian deputy prime minister Igor Sechin signed the deal in Saint Nazaire.

President will not play safe

Chile's president said he is not about to change his fun-loving ways just because some think he should play it safe.

Sebastian Pinera said he has no intention of giving up his passion for adventure sports such as skydiving, scuba diving, mountain climbing and river rafting.

Police clash with Cairo protesters

Egypt: Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets and beat protesters to clear thousands of people from a central Cairo square today after the biggest demonstrations in years against President Hosni Mubarak's rule.

Two protesters and a police officer were killed in the nationwide demonstrations.

Russia: One person was killed and nine were injured after the roof of a department store collapsed in St Petersburg.