The latest world headlines from BBC News
Iran attacks US over Afghanistan
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says it is the US, not Tehran, that is playing a "double game" in Afghanistan.
China's exports see big increase
China's exports surged 46% in February, figures show, raising hopes of a strong recovery in global trade.
Collider to shut down for a year
The Large Hadron Collider must be shut down for a year starting in late 2011 to address design flaws, the BBC has learned.
Jerusalem row clouds Biden visit
US Vice-President Joe Biden meets Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, with discussions dominated by Israeli plans for 1,600 more homes in East Jerusalem.
'Last Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia
Indonesia's president confirms security forces have killed the last main suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings, Dulmatin.
Berezovsky wins poison libel case
Oligarch Boris Berezovsky wins his libel case over claims he was behind the murder of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko.
US 'hid terror suspect treatment'
A former UK spy chief says she did not know US intelligence services were mistreating terror suspects until after she retired.
Egypt's top cleric dies aged 81
Egypt's top Muslim cleric has died suddenly in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.
Ring may be giant 'impact crater'
Deforestation in central Africa has revealed what could be an impact crater left by a giant space rock, scientists say.
Oscar bosses defend Farrah Fawcett snub
Actress Farrah Fawcett was not in the Oscars memorial segment because she was more known as a TV star, the Academy says.
Good egg - DNA of extinct birds found in ancient shells
The eggshells of long-dead and extinct species are a particularly good source to find preserved DNA, researchers say.
Life bans for Yousuf and Younus
Top Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan are told they cannot represent their country again.
Onions ruled out of opening Test
England bowler Graham Onions is ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury, while Stuart Broad faces a fitness test.
Bendtner response delights Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praises the resolve of Nicklas Bendtner, who put recent media criticism behind him by scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.
Can US broker Middle East peace?
Joe Biden is in the region to encourage talks between the Palestinians and Israel. What can be achieved?
Insurers 'face $7bn Chile bill'
The earthquake in Chile may cost the global insurance industry as much as $7bn (£4.7bn), Swiss Re estimates.
German exports fall unexpectedly
German exports fell unexpectedly in January, with analysts saying that the cold weather that month was to blame.
Economic storm not over, says PM
Gordon Brown warns of economic storms ahead but vows not to "let you down" as the date of the Budget is announced.
File-sharing sanctions 'unfair'
Illegal file-sharers should be fined, rather than have their internet connection cut off, says the boss of BT.
Facebook calls for 'iconic games'
Facebook calls on game designers to make an iconic title, such as Mario or Halo, specifically for the social network.
Hard drive evolution could hit XP
Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years but it could cause problems for Windows XP users.
Letterman blackmail is admitted
A US TV producer pleads guilty to attempting to blackmail US chat show host David Letterman over his affairs.
Actor Sheen 'set for TV return'
Actor Charlie Sheen is expected to return to the set of Two and a Half Men after a spell in rehab, his publicist says.
Third of EU emissions 'imported'
Research shows some EU countries "import" about a third of their carbon emissions from developing countries.
Superweed predator to be released
A plant-eating predator that preys on aggressive superweed Japanese knotweed is to be given a trial release in England.
'No proof' IVF aided by acupuncture
There is no evidence acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine boost the chance of IVF success, fertility experts warn.
ANC wants Winnie Mandela clarity
South Africa's ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify a media report in which she apparently fiercely criticised ex-husband Nelson.
US apology for Gaddafi comments
The US apologises for comments made by a spokesman after Libya's Col Gaddafi called for a holy war against Switzerland.
US activist Granny D dies at 100
Granny D, who walked across the US at the age of 89 in support of election campaign finance reform, dies.
Ban honours UN's Haiti 'heroes'
Ban Ki-moon pays tribute to the 101 UN staff who died in the Haiti quake, as President Preval seeks US support for the economy.
China 'seeking end to Buddhism'
The Dalai Lama accuses China of trying to "annihilate Buddhism", as Tibet marks 51 years since a failed revolt against Beijing.
Burma law bans Suu Kyi from poll
A new election law formally bars pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in elections planned in Burma.
Ashton sets out diplomatic vision
The EU's foreign policy chief, Lady Ashton, tells MEPs how she will shape Europe's new diplomatic service, as officials vie for influence.
Obama backs Greece on speculators
The US president has 'responded positively' to calls to clamp down on market speculators, says the Greek PM after talks.
Gaza activist's death case opens
A court case brought by the family of Rachel Corrie, a US protester killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003, opens in Israel.
Israel and Syria in nuclear bids
Israel and Syria both tell a conference in Paris they want to use nuclear power to generate electricity.
Aid agency attacked in Pakistan
Gunmen attack the office of a Western aid agency, killing six people and wounding others, the agency and police say.
Indian MPs approve women's bill
India's upper house sees a second day of uproar as it backs a bill to reserve a third of all parliamentary seats for women.
More schools fail Ofsted checks
More schools in England are being judged as inadequate in Ofsted's new-style inspections, according to figures just released.
Plane-spotters return from India
Two British plane-spotters return home from India after being fined for monitoring aircraft.
Northern Rock sees reduced losses
Northern Rock says that it made "good progress" in 2009, after reporting a sharp fall in its annual losses.
Cars in rail 'Russian roulette'
The driving test should have compulsory questions on level crossings to teach good habits in learner drivers, says Network Rail.
Inmate reoffending 'costs £10bn'
Reoffending by thousands of criminals serving short sentences in England and Wales costs up to £10bn a year, says a report.
UK industrial output falls back
Industrial production in the UK fell unexpectedly in January, dropping by 0.4% form December, official data has shown.
Iran attacks US over Afghanistan
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says it is the US, not Tehran, that is playing a "double game" in Afghanistan.
China's exports see big increase
China's exports surged 46% in February, figures show, raising hopes of a strong recovery in global trade.
Collider to shut down for a year
The Large Hadron Collider must be shut down for a year starting in late 2011 to address design flaws, the BBC has learned.
Jerusalem row clouds Biden visit
US Vice-President Joe Biden meets Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, with discussions dominated by Israeli plans for 1,600 more homes in East Jerusalem.
'Last Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia
Indonesia's president confirms security forces have killed the last main suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings, Dulmatin.
Berezovsky wins poison libel case
Oligarch Boris Berezovsky wins his libel case over claims he was behind the murder of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko.
US 'hid terror suspect treatment'
A former UK spy chief says she did not know US intelligence services were mistreating terror suspects until after she retired.
Egypt's top cleric dies aged 81
Egypt's top Muslim cleric has died suddenly in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.
Ring may be giant 'impact crater'
Deforestation in central Africa has revealed what could be an impact crater left by a giant space rock, scientists say.
Oscar bosses defend Farrah Fawcett snub
Actress Farrah Fawcett was not in the Oscars memorial segment because she was more known as a TV star, the Academy says.
Good egg - DNA of extinct birds found in ancient shells
The eggshells of long-dead and extinct species are a particularly good source to find preserved DNA, researchers say.
Life bans for Yousuf and Younus
Top Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan are told they cannot represent their country again.
Onions ruled out of opening Test
England bowler Graham Onions is ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury, while Stuart Broad faces a fitness test.
Bendtner response delights Wenger
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praises the resolve of Nicklas Bendtner, who put recent media criticism behind him by scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.
Can US broker Middle East peace?
Joe Biden is in the region to encourage talks between the Palestinians and Israel. What can be achieved?
Insurers 'face $7bn Chile bill'
The earthquake in Chile may cost the global insurance industry as much as $7bn (£4.7bn), Swiss Re estimates.
German exports fall unexpectedly
German exports fell unexpectedly in January, with analysts saying that the cold weather that month was to blame.
Economic storm not over, says PM
Gordon Brown warns of economic storms ahead but vows not to "let you down" as the date of the Budget is announced.
File-sharing sanctions 'unfair'
Illegal file-sharers should be fined, rather than have their internet connection cut off, says the boss of BT.
Facebook calls for 'iconic games'
Facebook calls on game designers to make an iconic title, such as Mario or Halo, specifically for the social network.
Hard drive evolution could hit XP
Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years but it could cause problems for Windows XP users.
Letterman blackmail is admitted
A US TV producer pleads guilty to attempting to blackmail US chat show host David Letterman over his affairs.
Actor Sheen 'set for TV return'
Actor Charlie Sheen is expected to return to the set of Two and a Half Men after a spell in rehab, his publicist says.
Third of EU emissions 'imported'
Research shows some EU countries "import" about a third of their carbon emissions from developing countries.
Superweed predator to be released
A plant-eating predator that preys on aggressive superweed Japanese knotweed is to be given a trial release in England.
'No proof' IVF aided by acupuncture
There is no evidence acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine boost the chance of IVF success, fertility experts warn.
ANC wants Winnie Mandela clarity
South Africa's ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify a media report in which she apparently fiercely criticised ex-husband Nelson.
US apology for Gaddafi comments
The US apologises for comments made by a spokesman after Libya's Col Gaddafi called for a holy war against Switzerland.
US activist Granny D dies at 100
Granny D, who walked across the US at the age of 89 in support of election campaign finance reform, dies.
Ban honours UN's Haiti 'heroes'
Ban Ki-moon pays tribute to the 101 UN staff who died in the Haiti quake, as President Preval seeks US support for the economy.
China 'seeking end to Buddhism'
The Dalai Lama accuses China of trying to "annihilate Buddhism", as Tibet marks 51 years since a failed revolt against Beijing.
Burma law bans Suu Kyi from poll
A new election law formally bars pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in elections planned in Burma.
Ashton sets out diplomatic vision
The EU's foreign policy chief, Lady Ashton, tells MEPs how she will shape Europe's new diplomatic service, as officials vie for influence.
Obama backs Greece on speculators
The US president has 'responded positively' to calls to clamp down on market speculators, says the Greek PM after talks.
Gaza activist's death case opens
A court case brought by the family of Rachel Corrie, a US protester killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003, opens in Israel.
Israel and Syria in nuclear bids
Israel and Syria both tell a conference in Paris they want to use nuclear power to generate electricity.
Aid agency attacked in Pakistan
Gunmen attack the office of a Western aid agency, killing six people and wounding others, the agency and police say.
Indian MPs approve women's bill
India's upper house sees a second day of uproar as it backs a bill to reserve a third of all parliamentary seats for women.
More schools fail Ofsted checks
More schools in England are being judged as inadequate in Ofsted's new-style inspections, according to figures just released.
Plane-spotters return from India
Two British plane-spotters return home from India after being fined for monitoring aircraft.
Northern Rock sees reduced losses
Northern Rock says that it made "good progress" in 2009, after reporting a sharp fall in its annual losses.
Cars in rail 'Russian roulette'
The driving test should have compulsory questions on level crossings to teach good habits in learner drivers, says Network Rail.
Inmate reoffending 'costs £10bn'
Reoffending by thousands of criminals serving short sentences in England and Wales costs up to £10bn a year, says a report.
UK industrial output falls back
Industrial production in the UK fell unexpectedly in January, dropping by 0.4% form December, official data has shown.