Pakistan PM loses vital partner

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 10:01 AM PST

Pakistan's MQM party says it is leaving Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's coalition, depriving the government of its parliamentary majority.

Russia grounds planes after fire

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 09:43 AM PST

Russia's airlines must ground all their Tu-154Bs, after a plane fire in Siberia left three dead, the country's transport watchdog says.

Iranians 'shoot down spy drones'

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:37 AM PST

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have shot down two "Western spy drones" in the Gulf, a senior Iranian commander is quoted as saying.

Fifa plans anti-corruption team

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:52 AM PST

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says he wants to set up an anti-corruption committee to police world football's governing body.

New storm forecast for Queensland

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 05:14 AM PST

Forecasters say another storm is on its way to the flood-hit Australian state of Queensland, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and large hailstones.

UN to visit Ivorian 'abuse sites'

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 08:00 AM PST

UN peacekeepers have been instructed to visit sites where alleged human rights violations have taken place in Ivory Coast, following disputed elections.

Russia activist jailed over rally

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 10:18 AM PST

Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov is sentenced to 15 days in jail after taking part in an opposition rally on New Year's Eve, reports say.

Spanish smoking ban takes effect

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 05:47 PM PST

Spain sees the introduction of strict new anti-smoking rules that are among the toughest in Europe.

Palestinian killed at checkpoint

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 03:38 AM PST

A Palestinian man is shot dead after trying to attack Israeli troops at a West Bank checkpoint, Israeli and Palestinian officials say.

Chavez, Clinton chat amid tension

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 02:10 AM PST

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shake hands in an apparently amicable encounter at a time of tension between the two countries.

Veteran Hong Kong activist dies

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 04:41 AM PST

One of Hong Kong's most influential campaigners for democracy and human rights, Szeto Wah, dies after a long battle with cancer, aged 79.

iPhone users get unwanted New Year sleep-in

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:14 AM PST

A glitch on Apple's iPhone stops its alarm clock going off, leaving many people oversleeping on the first two days of the New Year.

Dead blackbirds fall from US sky

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 08:37 AM PST

Officials probe why more than 1,000 red-winged blackbirds - most of them dead - fell out of the sky in the US state of Arkansas on New Year's Eve.

Chelsea 3-3 Aston Villa

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 07:26 AM PST

Ciaran Clark scores in stoppage time at the end of a pulsating game to earn Aston Villa a draw in a six-goal thriller against Chelsea.

Rangers 0-2 Celtic

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:40 AM PST

Georgios Samaras' double gives Celtic a deserved Old Firm derby victory that extends their lead at the top of the table to four points over champions Rangers.

Strauss warns new Aussie skipper

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:04 AM PST

England captain Andrew Strauss says stand-in Australia skipper Michael Clarke faces a huge challenge in the final Ashes Test starting at the Sydney Cricket Ground at 2330 GMT on Sunday.

Fresh warning after Yeates murder

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 08:51 AM PST

Police investigating the murder of landscape architect Jo Yeates issue a fresh warning to women to take usual precautions for their safety.

Staffing review after prison riot

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 09:25 AM PST

A review of staffing levels at Ford open prison will be held following riots over the new year holiday, says Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt.

Afghanistan blast kills soldier

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 02:33 AM PST

A soldier from 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence says.

Train boss defends rise in fares

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:17 AM PST

The chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies has defended the increasing of fares by an average of 6.2%.

Woman missing after house blaze

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 09:36 AM PST

A woman is missing following a fire at a house in Warwickshire which is too badly damaged to be entered.

Large fire destroys part of mill

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 07:51 AM PST

A former textile mill in Keighley is partially destroyed in a large fire, which at its height was tackled by 100 firefighters.

Silent tribute for Ibrox disaster

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 05:01 AM PST

A one-minute silence is held to mark the 40th anniversary of the Ibrox disaster in which 66 people died.

Former footballer's medals stolen

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 07:34 AM PST

Celtic's former assistant manager has two of his football medals stolen during a break-in at a house in Edinburgh.

Schools to be hit by water crisis

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 08:00 AM PST

Dozens of Northern Ireland schools may be unable to re-open after the Christmas break because of damage caused by burst water pipes.

Irish swine flu rises three fold

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 02:58 AM PST

The number of swine flu cases in the Republic of Ireland has more than trebled in the past week.

Bug closes hospital to visitors

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 08:21 AM PST

One of Wales' largest hospitals closes to visitors because of an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

Man in hospital after house fire

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 09:18 AM PST

A man is treated for severe smoke inhalation following a kitchen fire near Swansea.

Oprah Winfrey's OWN TV goes live

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 10:06 PM PST

US talk-show host Oprah Winfrey launches her own TV network, which will offer round-the-clock lifestyle and reality programmes.

Russia-China oil pipeline opens

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 08:56 PM PST

The first oil pipeline linking the world's biggest oil producer, Russia, and the world's biggest consumer of energy, China, begins operation.

Iran 'must free German reporters'

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 03:49 AM PST

More than 100 prominent Germans appeal for the release of two journalists held in Iran after interviewing the son of a woman sentenced to die.

Iran leader's car gets $1m offer

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 04:12 PM PST

A 33-year-old car owned by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that has been put up for auction reportedly attracts an offer of $1m (£640,000).

Christians killed in Iraq attacks

Posted: 30 Dec 2010 01:10 PM PST

At least two people are killed and 14 wounded in a series of attacks targeting Christians in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

'Five Maoists' shot dead in India

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:44 AM PST

Indian police say at least five Maoist militants have been shot dead by security forces in the eastern state of Orissa.

China factory growth pace eases

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 02:48 AM PST

China's manufacturing growth eased last month, but output is continuing to expand, state figures suggest.

E-mails go 'missing' from Hotmail

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 12:24 PM PST

A number of people with Hotmail accounts are complaining on the internet that their e-mails have been deleted.

Chuck Berry taken ill during gig

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 07:00 AM PST

Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry cuts short a concert in Chicago after collapsing on stage.

Minister tries to save Ringo home

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 02:12 AM PST

A government minister moves to stop controversial plans to demolish Beatle Ringo Starr's former home.

Archers fans gear up for 'shock'

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 05:45 AM PST

Anticipation and speculation surround BBC Radio 4's The Archers as fans await a mysterious storyline that will mark the show's 60th anniversary.

Australia floods: Eyewitness stories

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 04:53 AM PST

BBC News website readers in Queensland are describing how the state has been affected by rising floodwaters.

Australian floods: Your photos

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 02:46 PM PST

Around 200,000 Australians, across an area larger than France and Germany, have been affected by the worst flooding in Queensland for decades. BBC website readers have been sharing their photos of the floods:

iPhone alarm clock: Your comments

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 10:10 AM PST

A glitch on Apple's iPhone has stopped its built-in alarm clock going off. BBC News website readers and tweeters are sending their reaction.

Dear diary

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 07:40 AM PST

The work of diarists gives both fascinating insight and a flavour of the times, says Joan Bakewell.

Haitians protest against president

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 10:04 AM PST

Protesters demonstrated at events held to mark Haiti's Independence Day and called on the president to step down.

Plea for Iranian woman facing stoning

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 09:14 PM PST

The son of an Iranian woman convicted of adultery and helping her lover murder her husband asks the authorities to spare her life.

Pop band escapes plane explosion

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 09:32 PM PST

A Russian pop band are among the passengers who escaped after their plane burst into flames while preparing for take-off in Siberia.

Spain's anti-smoking law takes effect

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 01:25 AM PST

A tough anti-smoking law, banning smoking in all bars and restaurants, has taken effect in Spain.

Woman is victim of Australia floods

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 07:02 PM PST

Floods in the Australian state of Queensland have claimed their first victim as water levels continue to rise.

Making a champion's mountain bike

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 06:49 AM PST

As part of the BBC's World Olympic Dreams series, Kieran Fox has been to northern Spain, where skilled manufacturers make the bike for the reigning Olympic mountain bike champion Julien Absalon.

Iranian President's car 'gets $1m bid'

Posted: 02 Jan 2011 04:05 AM PST

A 33-year-old car owned by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that has been put up for auction has reportedly attracted an offer of $1m (£640,000).

Island tunes

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 04:19 PM PST

Sri Lanka's thriving Western classical music scene

In pictures

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 04:33 PM PST

New Home, New Life - The Archers for Afghanistan?

Curiosity shop

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 11:52 PM PST

Mammoth jaws and fossilised pigs for sale at auction

Dilma's parade

Posted: 01 Jan 2011 11:28 AM PST

Pictures from Brazil as first woman president is sworn in