Rescue plan for UK banks unveiled
Chancellor Alistair Darling announces the details of a £50bn ($88bn) rescue plan for the troubled UK banking system.

US voters put rivals to the test
The US presidential hopefuls spar over the financial crisis and foreign policy in a debate where voters put the questions.

Mbeki ally to form breakaway ANC
A close ally of South Africa's ex-President Thabo Mbeki is expected to announce a breakaway from the ruling ANC.

Russia 'starts Georgia pull-out'
Russian troops start pulling out of a "buffer zone" in Georgia ahead of Friday's deadline, reports say.

Karzai's brother met ex-Taleban
The Afghan president's brother met former Taleban leaders at a religious meal hosted by the Saudi king, the BBC learns.

Maldives begin historic election
The first multi-party presidential polls in the Maldives open, with President Gayoom seeking a seventh term.

Thai protesters vow to press on
Protesters seeking to force the Thai government to quit say they will continue their protests, a day after violent clashes in Bangkok.

Anger over Guantanamo Bay ruling
The White House criticises a US judge who ruled 17 Chinese Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay should be freed into the US.

'Tourists die' in Nepal air crash
Twelve German tourists are among 18 killed as a passenger plane crashes in Nepal's Everest region, airport officials say.

Iran announces plans for a car designed specially for women
Iran announces plans for a car designed specially for women, with features aimed at appealing to females.

Bank crisis hits Hammers spending
West Ham admit money will not be forthcoming for new players in the January transfer window as Icelandic bank Landsbanki is placed into receivership.

Big-money England match in doubt
The $20m match between England and Sir Allen Stanford's Caribbean team is in doubt after a High Court ruling over sponsorship.

No game-changer
How McCain failed to pull off the big win he needed

Two tribes
Battle for identity in the divided heart of Europe

Lexicon of love
At 59m words and 21,000 pages, why read a dictionary?

Road to recovery
Cubans face huge rebuild task, month on from storms

Risking a vote
Election challenge for Asia's longest serving leader

In pictures
Beijing returns to normal after the Olympic Games

Hijacked tanks 'for South Sudan'
The BBC sees evidence suggesting a Ukrainian ship held by pirates off Somalia is carrying tanks bound for South Sudan.

Protesters decry Peru corruption
Thousands demonstrate in Peru calling for a change to the government's economic policies and an end to corruption.

Global stocks sell-off continues
European stock markets open lower after steep falls in Asia amid fears of a prolonged global economic downturn.

Euro MPs stick to climate targets
Euro MPs refuse to dilute emissions targets, despite pressure to protect industry in the economic downturn.

Middle East stock markets plunge
Shares on the main Arab stock markets fall sharply amid concern the financial crisis in the US and Europe is spreading to the Middle East.

Pakistan MPs in security briefing
Pakistan's parliament meets in a few hours for a rare briefing by the military on the security situation.

Fraudsters 'target bank accounts'
Credit restrictions in the financial crisis are causing identity fraudsters to target existing bank accounts, a report says.

IMF in 'severe downturn' warning
The global economic downturn is likely to worsen as the financial crisis continues, says the International Monetary Fund.

Circumcision HIV impact doubted
There is no hard evidence that circumcision protects gay men from contracting HIV, research shows.

'Deepest ever' living fish filmed
The "deepest ever" living fish are discovered 7.5km down, scientists say.

Stars out for High School Musical
Screaming fans greet the stars of High School Musical 3: Senior Year for the film's premiere in London's Leicester Square.

Cars set to get parental controls
Ford is to introduce a key-based security system that limits what younger drivers can do to the family car.

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