London - The world's biggest economic powers reached a deal Thursday aimed at forging a new global financial order and shielding poor countries from the fallout from the economic downturn by boosting funds for international organizations by more than 1 trillion dollars.

After seven hours of tough wrangling over how to tackle the global recession, the Group of 20 (G20) of the world's most advanced and emerging economies pledged in their communique "to do whatever is necessary to restore confidence, growth and jobs."

Washington - A US federal court ruled Thursday that a group of prisoners being held by the United States in Afghanistan have the right to challenge their detentions in US courts, in a blow to the powers of President Barack Obama's new administration.

Judge John Bates, of the district court in the US capital Washington, ruled the cases of three prisoners being held at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan are "virtually identical" to those being held at the controversial prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

New York - Going to the doctor could become a thing of the past for many people if the telemedicine plans by Intel and General Electric come to fruition.

The two giant US companies announced Thursday that they are teaming up to produce a line of medical devices, including one that would allow doctors to remotely monitor patients' health without them needing to visit the doctor's office.

Washington - The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved tougher anti-smoking controls in the United States, for the first time granting a government agency the power to regulate tobacco products.

The House voted 298-112 to hand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control over advertising and even the contents of cigarettes, though it does not allow the agency to ban tobacco outright.

Washing

Washington  - The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved tougher anti-smoking controls in the United States, for the first time granting a government agency the power to regulate tobacco products.

The House voted 298-112 to hand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control over advertising and even the contents of cigarettes, though it does not allow the agency to ban tobacco outright.