Vatican plays down Pope's remarks

The Vatican plays down the importance of Pope Benedict's remarks appearing to temper the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church to condoms.

Unite chooses McCluskey as leader

Len McCluskey becomes leader of the country's biggest trade union after winning an election race for the post of general secretary of Unite.

N Korea plant 'confirms US fears'

The top US commander says a report that North Korea has built a new nuclear facility is further evidence of Pyongyang's "belligerent behaviour".

Boy injured in group attack dies

Four men are charged with murder as a 16-year-old boy critically injured in an attack in Northamptonshire dies in hospital.

Painful wait for NZ mine families

The families of 29 miners trapped in a New Zealand mine after an explosion face many hours more delay as toxic gases prevent rescuers going in.

Balls: We were wrong on liberties

Labour got the balance wrong between national security and civil liberties when it was in power, shadow home secretary Ed Balls says.

Plain cigarette packets proposed

Cigarettes packets should be plain brown or grey and retailers should cover up displays to protect children, a Department of Health proposal says.

Afghan MPs barred for poll fraud

Afghanistan's election watchdog disqualifies 19 candidates over fraud in the September poll - seven of them sitting MPs.

Tiger talks aim to double numbers

An international summit opens in Russia with leaders aiming to agree moves to double the number of tigers in the wild.

CO2 drop 'smaller than expected'

Carbon emissions fell in 2009 due to the recession - but not by as much as predicted, suggesting the fast upward trend will soon be resumed.

Harry Potter casts spell over UK box office

The latest Harry Potter film looks set to smash UK cinema box office records, Warner Bros says.