BBC News - Home

Mubarak jailed for protest deaths

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:52:22 GMT

Egypt's ex-President Hosni Mubarak is jailed for life over the killing of demonstrators last year, but the acquittal of key aides spark calls for protests.

Aid workers freed in Afghanistan

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:09:03 GMT

Four aid workers, including a Briton, kidnapped in north-eastern Afghanistan last month are freed in a "breathtaking" operation by Nato special forces.

Queen starts festivities at Derby

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:45:49 GMT

The Queen attends the Epsom Derby, with 150,000 other racegoers, kicking off the first major event of her Diamond Jubilee weekend.

Deadly Lebanon clashes over Syria

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:20:41 GMT

At least seven people are killed and many injured in the Lebanese port city of Tripoli, as clashes erupt linked to unrest across the border in Syria.

Syria crisis 'at tipping point'

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:52:59 GMT

Peace envoy Kofi Annan warns that the spectre of all-out sectarian war is approaching in Syria as its neighbours urge Russia to stop backing Damascus.

Plan to remove 'granny flat' tax

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:11:53 GMT

Ministers say up to 300,000 families in England could benefit from plans to scrap council tax for so-called granny flats and ease rules on garage conversions.

Stinger halts 'wrong way' car

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:24:52 GMT

Police use a stinger to halt a car which travelled the wrong way for more than 14 miles on the M25 and M26.

Bishop fears divorce 'epidemic'

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:43:15 GMT

Promiscuity, and divorce have reached epidemic proportions in the UK, the Bishop of London says, as he urges people to restore relationships.

Long tailbacks for Dover ferries

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:08:08 GMT

Traffic heading for Dover is severely congested after eight-mile queues built up as bank holiday travellers headed for the port.

Torch relay visits Isle of Man

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:59:01 GMT

The Olympic flame is carried on a TT motorcycle , a train and tram as the torch relay hits the Isle of Man.

Voice contestants set for final

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 07:50:24 GMT

The final four contestants are set to compete to be crowned the winner of BBC One's The Voice later.

Hot favourite Camelot wins Derby

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:09:31 GMT

Camelot gives trainer Aidan O'Brien his fourth straight Classic with the trainer's son Joseph piloting the winner home in the Derby.

Lambert confirmed as Villa boss

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:47:14 GMT

Aston Villa confirm the appointment of Paul Lambert as their new manager from Premier League rivals Norwich City.

Stoner secures pole in Catalunya

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:27:58 GMT

Casey Stoner storms to pole position in Catalunya as Cal Crutchlow qualifies in a career-best third spot.

VIDEO: Classic Euro moments - with a twist

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:45:23 GMT

Watch some of the great European Championship moments over the years - with a difference.

Weak US job figures hit markets

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:34:28 GMT

Stock markets fall following news that the US economy added considerably fewer jobs than had been expected in May.

BP to pursue sale of TNK-BP stake

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:01:17 GMT

BP plans to divorce its Russian oligarch partners by selling its stake in the massively lucrative TNK-BP joint venture.

Most MPs back Elizabeth Tower bid

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:37:52 GMT

A campaign to rename the tower housing Big Ben after the Queen receives the backing of the majority of MPs.

Hague in Syria civil war warning

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:57:33 GMT

Syria is sliding towards all-out civil war, British Foreign Secretary William Hague warns.

Early birth 'risks mental health'

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:46:57 GMT

Being born prematurely is linked to an increased risk of a range of mental health problems later in life, according to researchers.

NHS 'too quick to resuscitate'

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:53:19 GMT

Frail elderly patients are suffering "undignified and distressing" deaths because hospitals wrongly try to resuscitate them, a watchdog says.

Childcare providers 'making loss'

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:02:34 GMT

Almost a quarter (24%) of childcare providers are running at a loss, with a further 11% just breaking even suggests a report for the government.

Teachers may strike over exams

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:27:08 GMT

Members of Scotland's largest teaching union are to be asked to consider striking unless new school exams are delayed by a year.

Microsoft previews latest Windows

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:57:51 GMT

Microsoft is launching the most complete preview yet of its forthcoming Windows 8 operating system, the biggest redesign since Windows 95.

Facebook users cut off from site

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:12:34 GMT

Facebook suffers a series of service disruptions which leave many people unable to use the social network.

'No signal' from targeted ET hunt

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:50:03 GMT

Astronomers use a high-resolution radio technique for the first time to hunt for signals from potentially habitable planets - but turn up nothing.

US court battle over lethal drugs

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:47:53 GMT

A US government agency goes to court to secure supplies of a drug used in lethal injections, which have dwindled since an importation ban.

Michael Mann to head Venice jury

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:42:55 GMT

Heat director Michael Mann will lead the jury at this year's Venice Film Festival, organisers announce.

Evans misses show as baby arrives

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:08:54 GMT

Radio 2's Chris Evans misses his breakfast show as his wife goes into labour with the couple's second child.

The cruellest of internet hoaxes

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 09:53:47 GMT

Attention seeking on the internet takes many forms, but the people who hoax online forums with tales of sick children are among the most painful.

A universal plug socket... at last?

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:26:57 GMT

Three pins. Two pins. Slanting pins. Straight. Circular. Could the days when every region has its own type of electric plug could be ending, asks Peter Day?

Sixth charge over teen's killing

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:48:36 GMT

A sixth person has been charged in connection with the death of a teenager whose body was found in a field.

Arrests made over street attack

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:12:24 GMT

Two men are arrested after a disturbance in Small Heath leaves a 22-year-old critically ill.

Man dies after cruiser capsizes

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:06:27 GMT

A 48-year-old man dies after the boat he and two others were fishing off capsizes near Greenock on the Firth of Clyde.

Murder inquiry after fight at pub

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:06:07 GMT

A murder investigation is launched after a 29-year-old man dies following a fight outside a pub in Dundee.

Belfast to welcome Olympic flame

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:09:05 GMT

The Olympic flame is due to arrive in Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, as part of its journey to London for the opening ceremony of the 2012 games.

Gun salute for NI Jubilee party

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:57:12 GMT

The royal family's official residence in County Down is the venue for one of the main Diamond Jubilee events in Northern Ireland this weekend.

Girl, 16, dies after moped crash

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:17:12 GMT

A teenage girl, who was riding a moped, dies following a collision with a car.

Tribute paid to 'steadfast' Queen

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:01:26 GMT

First Minister Carwyn Jones pays tribute to the Queen as final preparations get under way for the Diamond Jubilee.

Sudanese refugees 'flee to South'

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:31:24 GMT

Thousands of Sudanese pour over the border into South Sudan to escape fighting between government forces and rebels, an NGO says.

Somalia funding 'goes missing'

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 11:41:16 GMT

Large sums of money received by Somalia's interim government have not been accounted for, says a World Bank report being circulated at talks on the country’s future.

US warships in Pacific relocation

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 03:54:37 GMT

Defence chief Leon Panetta gives the first details of America's new naval strategy in Asia, saying most US warships will be based in the Pacific by 2020.

Burma 'abandons nuclear research'

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:35:35 GMT

Burma has abandoned research into nuclear power generation, its defence minister Hla Min tells a Singapore security conference.

Srebrenica deaths 'not genocide'

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 16:02:53 GMT

Serbia's new President, nationalist Tomislav Nikolic, denies that the Srebrenica massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Bosnia in 1995 was genocide.

French hunt 'killer' porn actor

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:39:31 GMT

French police are searching for a Canadian porn actor wanted over the murder and dismemberment of a man in Montreal.

Honduras in anti-corruption drive

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 05:03:27 GMT

An anti-corruption commission begins work in Honduras, where it will target rogue officials in the judicial system and police.

Venezuela bans private gun owners

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:54:26 GMT

Venezuela brings in a new law banning the commercial sale of guns and ammunition, in an attempt to control worsening crime rates.

Deadline set in Iran terror case

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:10:54 GMT

A US appeals court gives the state department four months to decide whether the MEK Iran dissident group should remain on the US terror blacklist.

Two killed in Gaza border clash

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:17:29 GMT

An Israeli soldier and a Palestinian have been killed during an exchange of fire along the Gaza border, which has been relatively calm recently.

Bail revoked for George Zimmerman

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:51:09 GMT

The US neighbourhood watchman charged with the murder of a black unarmed teenager has his bail revoked and must surrender himself within 48 hours.

Quebec tuition talks fall apart

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:14:40 GMT

Negotiations between the Quebec government and student leaders over tuition rises have failed, as Montreal braces for further protests.

In pictures: Jubilee preparations

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:58:54 GMT

Final preparations for Diamond Jubilee celebrations

Day in pictures: 31 May 2012

Thu, 31 May 2012 11:47:36 GMT

24 hours of news photos: 31 May 2012

Your pictures: Reunion

Thu, 31 May 2012 08:49:05 GMT

Readers' photos on the theme reunion

In pictures: Last days of Brazil's biggest dump

Wed, 30 May 2012 13:02:07 GMT

Rio de Janeiro's rubbish dump closing

In pictures: Italy hit by fresh quake

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:33:45 GMT

Northern Italy struck by earthquake

Day in pictures: 30 May 2012

Wed, 30 May 2012 12:22:35 GMT

24 hours of news photos: 30 May

Day in pictures: 29 May 2012

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:26:20 GMT

24 hours of news photos: 29 May 2012

A medic's pictures of the Falklands war

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:06:53 GMT

Personal photos from the Falklands conflict

VIDEO: House of Commons

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:28:59 GMT

A Labour MP has told the House of Commons that UK businesses need better management rather than deregulation.

VIDEO: Katherine Jenkins sings national anthem

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:03:36 GMT

Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins sang the national anthem as The Queen arrived at Epsom Derby kicking off the first major event of her Diamond Jubilee weekend.

VIDEO: Jubiliee skydivers land at Epsom course

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:48:07 GMT

The Queen has spent the afternoon at Epsom Derby race course to kick off the first major event of her Diamond Jubilee weekend.

VIDEO: Queen kicks off jubilee at Derby

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 13:32:10 GMT

The Queen has arrived at Epsom Derby, driving on the race course, to kick off the first major event of her Diamond Jubilee weekend.

VIDEO: Gun salutes mark Jubilee festivities

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 12:26:25 GMT

Gun salutes have echoed across London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast on the anniversary of the 1953 coronation, marking the start of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

VIDEO: How Royal Derby fever hit UK in 1953

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 08:48:08 GMT

The BBC's Mike Bushell looks back at the Queen's love of horse racing, in particular the Epsom Derby.

VIDEO: Chaotic scenes as Mubarak sentenced

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 10:39:43 GMT

Scuffles broke out in court after a judge delivered the verdict of life in prison for Egypt's former president Hosni Mubarak.

VIDEO: Cameron on 'brave' hostage rescue

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 09:21:46 GMT

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to the bravery of the forces involved in the rescue operation of four aid workers in Afghanistan.

VIDEO: Researchers make 'electric cloth'

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 18:37:47 GMT

A fabric which is a good conductor of electricity but so thin it is invisible to the naked eye, has been made by scientists in Devon.

Pomp and pageantry on the Thames

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 02:56:10 GMT

Royal extravaganzas on the Thames past and present

In pictures: Day 15 Isle of Man

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:15:50 GMT

Olympic torch has first motorbike ride on Isle of Man

VIDEO: Five Minutes With: Juliet Stevenson

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 00:18:31 GMT

Juliet Stevenson on her Woody Allen experience

Are men really more unfaithful than women?

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:39:36 GMT

Do men really cheat on partners more than women?

Week in pictures: 26 May - 1 June 2012

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 15:31:32 GMT

The best photos from around the world this week

My name is... Canned Meat

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 23:40:24 GMT

Why Cuba has a passion for crazy names

Leaks and power plays in Vatican City

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 00:59:45 GMT

The mission to stop leaks from the Vatican

Can Syria avoid 'catastrophic civil war'?

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:29:16 GMT

Will Houla massacre tip Syria into civil war?