DALLAS - THE number of petitions from employers trying to bring foreigners to work permanently in the US has declined dramatically over the last two years, an Associated Press review of government data has found.

LONDON - THE police watchdog called on Thursday for immediate changes to the policing of protests following an investigation into claims by a woman she suffered excessive force during the anti-G20 demonstrations in London.

WASHINGTON - US PRESIDENT Barack Obama's approval rating has slumped to 50 percent, the lowest since his inauguration, according to a poll released on Thursday on the eve of his 200th day in office.