An explosion rips through an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, west of the site of the blast in April that caused a huge oil spill.

Ten election campaign workers have been killed in an air strike by Nato-led forces in Afghanistan, Afghan officials say.

The three Pakistan cricketers accused of corruption may have been set up, according to the country's high commissioner.

Areas along the US East Coast declare states of emergency as Hurricane Earl churns towards the region, forecast to brush land on Thursday night.

The European Commission criticises France over its expulsions of Roma (Gypsies) and requests more information about the crackdown.

ICRC increases its Pakistan floods appeal by $76m as it warns that only a fraction of humanitarian needs are being met.

The German central bank calls on the country's president to dismiss one of its board members over comments he made about immigration and Jews.

Police in Spain arrest a Russian man wanted for questioning about a fire at a Russian nightclub that killed more than 150 people in 2009.

Burger King is being sold to private equity firm 3G Capital in a deal valued at $3.26bn (£2.1bn), it has been announced.

Honduras accuses Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa of risking the life of a Honduran migrant who survived last month's Mexico massacre.

Physicists explain one of football's most spectacular free-kicks, showing that Roberto Carlos's 1997 "impossible goal" was not a fluke.

People who do puzzles and crosswords may stave off dementia longer but experience a more rapid decline once the disease sets in, a study suggests.

Top seed Caroline Wozniacki takes centre stage on day four at the US Open with Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic in action later.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz is suspended for six months after it is ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup.

England and Durham pace bowler Graham Onions to miss the Ashes series against Australia this winter because of a back operation.

David Cameron supports William Hague "100%" following speculation about the foreign secretary's private life, the PM's spokeswoman says.

A florist beat his wife and daughter to death with a rubber mallet before hanging himself amid fears he would lose his biggest customer, an inquest hears.

The parents of so-called "honour killing" victim Shafilea Ahmed are arrested on suspicion of her murder, sources say.

Labour defends its leadership election rules amid evidence some people can cast multiple votes.

A cheating husband murdered his wife after she found out about his infidelity, a court heard.

Thousands of Tube workers will strike next week as talks between London Underground bosses and two unions break down.

The Scottish government says drinkers should be charged a minimum of 45p for every unit of alcohol as part of efforts to cut consumption.

Royal Bank of Scotland says Scotland is likely to gain jobs as a result of major restructuring, despite news that 3,500 UK posts will be lost.

A six-year-old boy who was struck by a speedboat at Cranfield beach in County Down dies in hospital.

Justice department officials have told MLAs that an administrative or clerical error was made in the special treatment order placed on James and Owen Roe McDermott.

A nurse found dead at her Bridgend home was unlawfully killed by her former partner, a coroner rules.

The Welsh Secretary says she is minded to accept changes to the referendum question after watchdog report.

US authorities indict 11 German and Chinese executives for conspiring to illegally import $40m worth of honey from China.

Police shoot dead a gunman who took three hostages at the Discovery Communications HQ near Washington and free his prisoners.

Chilean miners trapped underground receive their first hot meal in 26 days, as Nasa experts arrive at the mine site.

South Africa is to start expelling Zimbabweans again, from 31 December, the government announces.

The UN postpones the release of a draft report that accuses the Rwandan army of possible genocide in DR Congo till next month.

Russia will consider lifting its grain export ban only after the next year's harvest has been reaped, Vladimir Putin says.

The European Central Bank raises its forecast for eurozone growth for this year and next year, and keeps interest rates on hold.

President Barack Obama hails the end of US combat operations in Iraq, saying the US has paid "a huge price" to "put Iraq's future in its people's hands".

Two Yemenis arrested in Amsterdam on suspicion of planning a terror attack are released, prosecutors in the Netherlands say.

Three days of mourning begins in Pakistan after bomb attacks on a Shia Muslim procession in Lahore city kill 31 people.

The head of Afghanistan's Central Bank tells the BBC he will not allow the country's biggest commercial bank to collapse.

One of four key independent lawmakers endorses Australian PM Julia Gillard, leaving her just two seats short of the majority needed to form the next government.

Three people die as Seoul is hit by its strongest typhoon in 15 years, while storms continue to cause heavy rain and landslides in China.

Dell withdraws its bid for 3Par after rival Hewlett-Packard raises its offer for the data storage company to $2.1bn.

Zara starts selling its clothes online for the first time following similar moves from Gap and Banana Republic last month.

Samsung has become the latest manufacturer to enter into the tablet computer market with its Galaxy Tab.

A potentially revolutionary circuit component, once a laboratory curiosity, is to be mass-produced for the first time.

The global disparity in access to broadband around the world and the cost of a connection is revealed by UN figures.

Apple launches a music-based social network called Ping as part of its latest upgrade to the iTunes music software.

Catherine Zeta Jones reveals she is "furious" that doctors failed to detect husband Michael Douglas' throat cancer earlier.

Some of musician Bob Dylan's artwork, never seen before by the public, is to be displayed at Denmark's National Gallery.

British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf, billed as "Islam's biggest rock star", is donating profits from his latest single to help flood victims in Pakistan.

A growing number of New York sky-scrapers switch off their lights at night to help reduce the number of migratory birds hitting the buildings.

A species of acacia tree found in Eastern Africa seems to be protected from elephant damage - by the ants that live on it.

There is no place for God in theories on the creation of the Universe, Professor Stephen Hawking concludes in a new book.

British scientists say they are closer to knowing why older women trying to fall pregnant are more likely to produce abnormal eggs.

Many parents are incapable of giving their children the correct dose of liquid medicines, claim Australian researchers.

About 10,000 cases of breast and bowel cancer could be prevented each year in the UK if people did more brisk walking, claim experts.

Two women from Islamabad, who decided to put their personal lives on hold in order to help Pakistani flood victims, describe the areas they visited and what they did there.

Tony Blair used alcohol as a 'prop' during his time in power but how many of us do the same?

It's goodbye to GMTV on Friday, after 17 years on ITV. How well do you remember it and all the other morning shows?

The BBC's James Reynolds has been at the San Jose mine in Chile, where he spoke to the partner of one of the trapped miners.

Tablet computers to rival Apple's iPad are creating a stir as one of Europe's largest technology shows, the IFA, gets under way in Berlin.

Susan Powell takes a look at the track of the current Atlantic storms

An island off Peru is making money from selling bird poo to use as organic fertiliser.

Jennifer Mascia gave World News America a first person account of her extraordinary childhood and her surprise at finding out about her father's mafia past.

A doctor in Egypt is being taken to court for carrying out an illegal operation to circumcise young girls following the death of a 13-year-old.

Three people die as Seoul is hit by its strongest typhoon in 15 years, while storms continue to cause heavy rain and landslides in China.

What do Mohammad Amir's family and home-village make of his alleged involvement in a cricket betting scam?

Hindus celebrate birth of Krishna at Janmashtami celebration

BBC Burmese marks 70 years of broadcasting

How Peru is converting bird droppings into energy

Striking images from around the world

Documenting New Yorkers' changing accents