More than one million protesters join rallies across France and a national strike causes major disruption, amid rising anger over pension reforms.

The US Afghan commander warns troops' lives will be at risk if a US church goes ahead with plans to burn the Koran, concerns echoed by the White House and Nato.

Mozambique says it will reverse the increase in the price of bread that sparked riots last week in which 13 people died.

Two US soldiers are killed in northern Iraq, the first US military deaths since Washington last month declared an end to combat operations in Iraq.

Afghanistan's central bank follows its promise to back Kabul Bank by freezing the assets of leading investors.

Billionaire investor George Soros is to give $100m to the organisation Human Rights Watch.

Suicides and depression cost Japan's economy $32bn last year, in a country which has one of the world's highest suicide rates, the government says.

At least 16 people are killed as a car bomb explodes near a police base in north-west Pakistan, in the second deadly attack on police in the region in as many days.

Nigeria's next presidential election will take place on 22 January 2011, reigniting speculation about current leader Goodluck Jonathan's intentions.

One worker is killed and 10 more are injured in an explosion at one of Mexico's largest oil refineries.

China urges international support for the Burmese general election planned for later this year, as Burma's leader begins a five-day visit to China.

The University of Baltimore is offering a new course in zombie studies.

A Muslim stonemason is immortalised by having his face carved on a gargoyle on the side of the medieval cathedral in Lyon.

A small US church says it will defy international condemnation and go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran on the 9/11 anniversary.

Mark David Chapman, who killed John Lennon, has been denied parole and will remain imprisoned for at least two more years, officials say.

Mexico's defence ministry launches an inquiry after a man and his teenage son are shot dead at a military checkpoint.

Teams in Guatemala have to halt the search for bodies following devasting mudslides which have killed at least 45 people.

Police in Swaziland arrest about 50 people ahead of protests against sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarchy, activists say.

Four Nigerian former football officials are arrested amid accusations that some $8m (آ£5m) went missing during the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Julia Gillard is to remain as Australia's prime minister after winning the backing of two key independent MPs.

North Korea has asked South Korea to send rice, cement and construction equipment after devastating floods, southern officials say.

European finance ministers agree a new framework for financial supervision, designed to help prevent future financial crises.

The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, highlights unemployment as a major challenge, in his first "state of the union" speech.

Foreign powers should stop interfering in the case of an Iranian woman who was sentenced to death by stoning, Iran's foreign ministry says.

Prominent al-Iraqiya TV presenter Riad al-Saray is shot dead in Baghdad by unknown attackers.

The UN makes a fresh appeal for Pakistan's flood victims as film star Angelina Jolie arrives in the country to highlight their plight.

One of Britain's most prestigious think tanks calls for fundamental change to Western policy in Afghanistan.

Millions of Londoners faced long delays and severe disruptions during a major Tube strike which affected nearly all its lines.

An influential committee of MPs will conduct a new inquiry into the unauthorised hacking of mobile phones and voicemail messages.

President Obama is to call for company tax breaks in his bid to regain the initiative as mid-term elections loom.

Hewlett Packard files a lawsuit against its former head Mark Hurd to try and stop him joining database software maker Oracle.

The cost of borrowing in Australia stays at 4.5% and Japan at near zero amid continuing global economic uncertainty.

England beat Switzerland 3-1 and Scotland host Liechtenstein as qualifying for Euro 2012 continues on a busy night of international football.

England record their seventh successive victory in Twenty20 internationals and a 2-0 series win over Pakistan with an emphatic six-wicket victory in Cardiff.

Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters are in US Open quarter-final action, while Rafael Nadal also plays on day nine at Flushing Meadows.

Australian author Peter Carey, who has already won the Man Booker prize twice, has made the shortlist for this year's prize.

Nominated artists Paul Weller, Dizzee Rascal and The XX are arriving in London for this year's prestigious Mercury Music Prize.

The music mogul could ditch next year's X Factor and says he only has a contract with ITV1 for this year's series.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he has not ruled out standing for president again at the 2012 elections.

Six months on from the declaration of a hung parliament in Iraq's election, there is still no new government.

The role of the gambling syndicates that can make millions from the outcome of a single game has been highlighted by the allegation that three Pakistani cricket players were involved in a betting scam.

Andrea Bocelli is inviting survivors of the attacks on 11 September 2001 in New York to concerts on the Amalfi coast.

France faces serious disruption in a nationwide strike to fight proposals to raise the retirement age.

Nick Thorpe has been visiting some of the families in western Romania, who were sent back from France.

Guatemalan officials say they have given up hope for dozens of people buried when a landslide engulfed a highway north-west of the capital.

The international community is calling for Iran to reconsider the stoning to death of a woman for adultery.

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

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