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BBC World News

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:44:46 GMT

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng, whose stay at the US embassy caused a diplomatic crisis, leaves China on a plane heading for the US.

Eurozone set to dominate G8 talks

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:55:59 GMT

Europe's debt crisis is to top the agenda at the G8 summit in the US, amid fears that trouble in the eurozone could have global consequences.

Aborted lift-off for spaceship

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:58:05 GMT

The US firm SpaceX aborts the lift-off of its Falcon rocket and Dragon ship to the International Space Station.

Bomb explosion hits Italy school

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:42:32 GMT

A bomb explodes in front of a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi killing a girl and injuring six others, reports say.

Powerful car bomb hits Syria city

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:49:45 GMT

At least seven people are killed and dozens injured after a powerful car bomb explodes in eastern Syria, officials say.

US baby boomers in Hep C warning

Sat, 19 May 2012 02:02:28 GMT

US baby boomers are advised to get tested for the liver-destroying virus hepatitis C, in a move health officials say could save 120,000 lives.

China tunnel explosion 'kills 19'

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:27:00 GMT

An explosion in a road tunnel being constructed in central China's Hunan province kills at least 19 people, state media say.

Sri Lanka marks war anniversary

Sat, 19 May 2012 08:04:22 GMT

Sri Lanka marks three years since the end of its civil war with a military parade, as the government is reportedly set to free Sarath Fonseka from prison - the man who led the army during the war

Prisoners surrender in Honduras

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:34:26 GMT

Inmates who took control of a jail in Honduras on Wednesday agree to surrender after clashes that killed one prisoner and injured another 11.

Inside world's ‘priciest house’

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:36:24 GMT

The first pictures are released showing inside the "world's most expensive house", owned by the Ambani family in Mumbai.

Iran 'to sue Google' over Gulf

Thu, 17 May 2012 18:24:09 GMT

Google is facing legal action for not labelling the body of water separating Iran and neighbouring Arab Gulf states on its map service.

Maryland allows same-sex divorce

Fri, 18 May 2012 21:10:58 GMT

The highest court in Maryland allows gay couples to divorce, even though same-sex marriage is not yet allowed in that US state.

Quebec in emergency protest law

Sat, 19 May 2012 02:18:55 GMT

The government of Quebec passes an emergency bill in an effort to quell the most sustained student protests in Canadian history.

Cuban offshore oil attempt fails

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:00:34 GMT

Spain's Repsol oil company says a first attempt to find oil off Cuba's northern coast has been unsuccessful.

Third Mexican general detained

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:09:28 GMT

The Mexican army detains General Ricardo Escorcia Vargas, after putting two other officers under house arrest for alleged links with a drug cartel.

Malawi 'to overturn ban on gays'

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:19:04 GMT

President Joyce Banda says she wants Malawi to overturn its ban on homosexual acts - the first African country to do so since 1994.

Obama unveils US Africa food plan

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:45:40 GMT

US President Barack Obama announces a $3bn (£1.9bn) plan to boost food security in Africa ahead of a G-8 summit near Washington.

India charges prompt Italy row

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:24:41 GMT

Indian police charge two Italian marines with the murder of two Indian fishermen, prompting Italy to recall its ambassador.

China jails smuggler Lai for life

Fri, 18 May 2012 11:17:27 GMT

Lai Changxing, extradited from Canada to China to face smuggling and bribery charges, is jailed for life in China, state media says.

Baritone Fischer-Dieskau dies

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:13:52 GMT

The respected German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, famed for his performances of Schubert's song cycle Winter Journey, dies at the age of 86.

Argentine gas exports cancelled

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:41:57 GMT

Spanish energy giant Repsol cancels a contract to provide gas to Argentina, in a continuing row after Buenos Aries nationalised one of its subsidiaries.

World royals mark Diamond Jubilee

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:42:04 GMT

More than 20 monarchs gather to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, with protests over the inclusion of the controversial heads of Bahrain and Swaziland.

Protesters angered by Gulf union

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:54:23 GMT

Thousands of Bahrainis protest outside the capital against a plan to create a union of Gulf Arab countries, with similar demonstrations in Tehran and Dubai.

Armed forces in Jubilee parade

Sat, 19 May 2012 12:29:46 GMT

Thousands of members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are taking part in a parade and flypast for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Cameron joins talks over eurozone

Sat, 19 May 2012 03:42:19 GMT

UK PM David Cameron joins other world leaders at the G8 summit for talks set to focus on the eurozone crisis, amid signs a deal is unlikely to be reached.

Facebook shares see modest debut

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:49:36 GMT

Facebook shares end a volatile first day of trading at $38.23, barely above the company's initial pricing, having initially jumped more than 10%.

Market jitters over eurozone woes

Fri, 18 May 2012 17:31:52 GMT

European markets suffer a nervous session with investors unsettled by a downgrade for Spanish banks and the political crisis in Greece.

Yahoo jumps on Alibaba deal talk

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:35:40 GMT

Shares in internet giant Yahoo rise 5% on reports that it is close to selling its valuable stake in Alibaba Group, the Chinese e-commerce company.

Bring on Bayern, says Lampard

Sat, 19 May 2012 09:45:18 GMT

Chelsea captain Frank Lampard is relishing the task of leading his team into the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Best eyes upset win over Leinster

Fri, 18 May 2012 18:40:40 GMT

Hooker Rory Best insists Ulster have no interest in playing the 'brave losers' role in Saturday's Heineken Cup final against Leinster.

Serena Williams in injury scare

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:10:48 GMT

Serena Williams says she will be fit for the French Open after withdrawing from the Italian Open with a sore back.

Obama leads Donna Summer tributes

Fri, 18 May 2012 08:59:34 GMT

President Barack Obama joins a host of music industry luminaries in paying tribute to Donna Summer following the disco star's death at the age of 63.

Moffat to receive special Bafta

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:13:47 GMT

Doctor Who producer and Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat is to receive a special prize at this year's Bafta TV awards, organisers announce.

Sweden tipped for Euro success

Fri, 18 May 2012 10:54:04 GMT

Sweden is the frontrunner to win at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, while Engelbert Humperdinck believes the UK can triumph.

VIDEO: Bomb explosion at Italy school

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:42:58 GMT

A bomb explodes in front of a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi killing at least one girl and injuring seven others.

VIDEO: Concordia salvage details revealed

Sat, 19 May 2012 00:41:36 GMT

The operation to remove the wreck of the Costa Concordia will be the biggest of its kind, at a cost reported to be at least $300m, according to salvage firms and the ship's owners.

VIDEO: Couples in mass Nigeria wedding

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:19:49 GMT

One hundred couples have been married in a mass wedding in Nigeria's second city, Kano.

VIDEO: Tension over Spanish bank debts

Fri, 18 May 2012 19:04:48 GMT

The Spanish government has announced that the level of bad loans held by the country's banks is at an 18-year high.

VIDEO: France confirms early Afghan exit

Fri, 18 May 2012 16:49:52 GMT

France has confirmed it plans to withdraw its combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2012, two years ahead of the agreed Nato schedule.

VIDEO: Zuckerberg rings Nasdaq bell

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:39:22 GMT

In one of the largest and most high-profile share floatations of recent years, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, rang the opening bell of the Nasdaq exchange.

VIDEO: World royals gather to mark Jubilee

Fri, 18 May 2012 20:41:05 GMT

Royals from around the world have gathered in Britain to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

AUDIO: Film tackles Mugabe's rise and fall

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:25:27 GMT

Film director Simon Bright discusses his new film about Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's triumphs and failings.

VIDEO: One-minute World News

Sat, 19 May 2012 11:49:56 GMT

Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.

Smoke alarms unsettle New York Amish

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:45:33 GMT

Do smoke alarms violate Amish religious freedom?