Video shows daring Colombian raid
Colombia releases video of the daring raid that freed hostage Ingrid Betancourt, as she returns to France.

9/11 third tower mystery 'solved'
Fire caused the collapse of the third tower at the World Trade Center, a final report is expected to find.

Italy declares Pompeii emergency
Italian ministers declare a "state of emergency" at the ancient ruined city of Pompeii as it sinks deeper into disrepair.

SocGen hit by rogue trader fine
French bank Societe Generale is fined 4m euros for allowing one of its staff members to operate as a rogue trader.

Pakistan 'knew of nuclear flight'
Disgraced scientist AQ Khan says Pakistan flew nuclear material to North Korea with the knowledge of the army.

California fires threaten towns
Firefighters in California continue to battle huge wildfires that now threaten several towns in the US state.

Tehran responds to nuclear offer
Iran responds to an international offer of incentives for suspending uranium enrichment, EU and Iranian officials say.

Ex-Senator Jesse Helms dies at 86
Former US Republican Senator Jesse Helms - a leading conservative politician - dies aged 86, officials say.

Opposition 'must accept Mugabe'
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says the opposition has to accept him as leader before any talks.

Pope Benedict agrees to join six-day TV Bible reading
Pope Benedict agrees to take part in a Bible-reading marathon on Italian TV in October.

'Bright object' spotted in sky is the Moon, police confirm
A 999 caller worried about a bright object in the sky has the mystery solved by police - it was the Moon.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Zimbabwe to miss World Twenty20
Zimbabwe withdraw from the World Twenty20 in England next summer, but retain their ICC status.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Cricket: Shoaib's ban suspended
Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is free to play cricket after his 18-month ban for indiscipline is suspended.

Toilet to catwalk
Excrement clearers join top models in New York

Out of the blue
Bomb blast shatters Belarus' facade of stability

Charles Wheeler
Remembering the veteran BBC foreign correspondent

Safe city?
How student murders may affect views of London

In danger
Sri Lanka reporters demand freedom to cover civil war

It's quiz time!
Who irked Sarkozy on an internet video hit?

Congo ex-leader appears in court
The former vice-president of DR Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba, appears in court in The Hague.

Nigeria wants mining reparations
A Nigerian state asks for compensation for damage allegedly caused by mining firms.

Bush to attend Olympic ceremony
US President George W Bush will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the White House says.

McCain urges more border security
White House hopeful John McCain tells Mexicans better border security must come before immigration reform.

Direct China-Taiwan flights begin
The first regular direct flight from China to Taiwan in nearly six decades lands in Taipei, in a new sign of improving ties.

Australia 'needs carbon trading'
An Australian government advisor on climate change calls for a national emissions trading scheme to combat global warming.

Dozens hurt in Belarus bomb blast
Fifty people are injured in the Belarussian capital in a bomb explosion at a concert attended by President Lukashenko.

Poland holds out over US missiles
Poland's prime minister rejects the latest terms offered by the US to site part of a missile defence system there.

Israel to destroy attacker's home
Israel's defence minister orders the army to prepare to demolish the home of the Palestinian who killed three Israelis.

Hamas suspends talks over Shalit
Hamas suspends talks over a prisoner exchange deal due to involve the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

India left gives nuclear deadline
Communist allies of India's government give it a Monday deadline over the controversial US nuclear deal.

Fresh record for Indian inflation
Indian inflation reaches its latest record high as food, fuel, cement and steel prices continue to rise.

From our own correspondent Charles Wheeler
Sir Charles Wheeler has died, aged 85. He wrote many pieces for FOOC and describes here why he loved working for the programme.

Pakistan's future in the balance
Barbara Plett says Pakistan's four-month-old coalition government has not fulfilled the hopes of the people.

Your say
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