Kenya's humanitarian crisis grows

Kenya's humanitarian crisis grows

At least 180,000 people have been displaced by unrest after last week's disputed Kenyan election, say UN officials.

Afghanistan appeals for food aid

Afghanistan appeals to the international community for extra supplies of wheat to tackle dire food shortages.

Spears barred from child visits

A Los Angeles court gives sole custody of Britney Spears' children to her ex-husband, Kevin Federline.

Rain and blizzards hit California

A storm sweeps through California, unleashing rain, wind and snow and cutting power and transport links.

Colombia boy may be hostage's son

DNA tests on a fostered Colombian boy suggest he is a hostage's son thought to have been in captivity.

US shares slump on work worries

US shares plunge as unemployment hits a two-year high in December, raising fears about a possible recession.

Sweden defence secrets blunder

Sweden's military reports a security breach as an employee leaves a memory stick with secrets on a public computer.

US contenders eye next key state

US presidential hopefuls head to New Hampshire a day after the Iowa result throws the nominating races wide open.

Indian crocodile deaths mount

The number of endangered crocodiles that have died this month in the central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh has risen to 67, officials say.

Sailors saved after three months

Eleven fishermen are rescued three months after being shipwrecked in the Russian Far East.

Safety concerns end Dakar Rally

The 2008 Dakar Rally is cancelled following the murder of four French tourists in Mauritania.

Somali interim leader collapses

Somalia's interim President Abdullahi Yusuf collapses and the new PM appoints a cabinet in his absence.

One laptop project loses partner

Intel withdraws from a project that aimed to put cheap laptops in the hands of children in developing nations.

Chavez in major cabinet reshuffle

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reshuffles his cabinet, following a poll defeat of his reform proposals.

Atlantis work delays lab launch

Nasa says work on the Atlantis shuttle's fuel sensors will push back the launch of the Columbus lab to perhaps February.

Burma marks Independence Day

Burma's leader calls for national unity, as the country marks 60 years since the end of British colonial rule.

N Korea defiant on nuclear issue

North Korea pledges to boost its "war deterrent", days after missing a deadline for declaring its nuclear activities.

Georgia poll manipulation feared

Georgia's main opposition leader says the authorities are preparing to rig Saturday's presidential election.

Court shuts top Amsterdam brothel

A Dutch judge orders the closure of a leading Amsterdam brothel, over links to the Hells Angels.

Palestinians killed in Gaza raid

Two Palestinian militants are killed in an Israeli raid in Gaza, bringing the total killed in the last 24 hours to 11.

Hezbollah sets resolution terms

Hezbollah in Lebanon says it will not allow a president to be elected unless it gets a third of the cabinet seats.

UK detectives arrive in Pakistan

British investigators are in Pakistan to assist in the inquiry into the assassination of former PM Benazir Bhutto.

Boy dies in India school shooting

A schoolboy is shot dead by a fellow student at a school in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police say.

Competition 'tough' for NHS posts

Junior doctors across the UK are being warned they face the toughest competition ever for training posts.

Japan stocks drop to 17-month low

Japan's Nikkei stock index falls 4% to its lowest in 17 months on worries over a strong yen and high oil prices.

Universal flu jab works in people

Human trials suggest a single jab could give lifelong protection against all types of flu.

Ant and butterfly's 'smell war'

The chemical con trick used by Alcon blue butterfly larvae to get ants to take care of them is detailed by scientists.

Tech show to fight economic fears

More than 140,000 people are expected in Las Vegas for the start of the Consumer Electronics Show.

R&B star sues over R Kelly tour

R&B singer Ne-Yo takes legal action against R Kelly over being dropped as the support act on his tour.

Iraqi bloggers

For an inside view of life in Iraq, we cherry-pick recent postings from Iraqi bloggers - those who left - and some who were trying to leave.