Former rebels in DR Congo, now in the army, are running mafia-style extortion rackets in mines, campaigners say.

Beijing's silent invasion of electric bicycles

Thousands of Greek workers are expected to bring the country to a halt with a second strike in a month over austerity measures.

Mexican Carlos Slim overtakes Bill Gates as the world's richest man, according to the Forbes "rich list", with a fortune of $53.5bn.

Italy signs a deal with Google to put online the contents of its two national libraries, including works by Dante and Galileo.

An Israeli supermarket chain uses spoof surveillance footage, parodying that of the alleged assassins of a Hamas commander in Dubai, in a TV advert.

Lyon draw 1-1 in the Bernebau to earn a 2-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid.

Wayne Rooney scores twice in another irresistible display as Manchester United ease into the Champions League quarter-finals at AC Milan's expense.

EU nations decide to support a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna until stocks recover.

Why the UK fears politics and force are out of synch

The UN secretary general asks the world's leading science academies to review the UN's climate science body.

David Beckham returns to Old Trafford as his AC Milan side try to overcome Man Utd and reach the Champions League quarter-finals, while Burnley host Stoke in the Premier League.

Barack Obama warns that the crisis in quake-hit Haiti is not over, as he meets the country's President, Rene Preval.

Israel comes under growing international pressure following its approval of new building in occupied East Jerusalem.

South African President Jacob Zuma submits his declaration of interests, after critics urged an inquiry into his finances.

Up to half the food aid in Somalia is routinely diverted to corrupt contractors and militants, a leaked UN report says.

Police say 49 people are to be charged with murder following communal violence that left scores of Nigerian villagers dead.

Russia launches a criminal inquiry after claims that traffic police used civilian drivers as a "human shield" to stop criminals.

China is to lend Sri Lanka just under $200m to build a second international airport in the south of the island.

Ashton in EU turf battle over new diplomatic team

An elephant in a Sydney zoo shocks vets by giving birth to a live baby elephant who appears to have survived labour in a coma in the womb.

A Shanghai company denies it used sweatshop labour to produce World Cup mascots, as Fifa suspends its contract.

Challenges ahead for new president in quake-hit Chile

Lost Boys actor Corey Haim dies at the age of 38, the Los Angeles coroner's office confirms.

An Indian charity sends a team to Sri Lanka to provide 1,000 amputees in the war-ravaged north with artificial limbs.

The father of a British boy kidnapped in Pakistan is returning to the UK, against the wishes of the police, the BBC learns.

A Spanish woman aid worker kidnapped in West Africa last year has been freed, the Spanish government says.

EU president Herman Van Rompuy says he pities Nigel Farage, the British Eurosceptic MEP who called him a "damp rag".

Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky wins his libel case over claims he was behind the murder of former agent Alexander Litvinenko.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praises the resolve of Nicklas Bendtner, who put recent media criticism behind him by scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.

South Africa's ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify a media report in which she apparently fiercely criticised ex-husband Nelson.

Church authority at risk as scandals spread in Europe

The Dalai Lama accuses China of trying to "annihilate Buddhism", as Tibet marks 51 years since a failed revolt against Beijing.

Egypt's top Muslim cleric has died suddenly in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.

Cathay Pacific reports a return to full-year profit as cost cutting and bets on the price of fuel pay off.

The US vice-president renews criticism of Israel over an East Jerusalem building project and calls for bold steps for peace.

Granny D, who walked across the US at the age of 89 in support of election campaign finance reform, dies.

The largest meat-eating plant in the world is designed not to eat small animals, but small animal poo, scientists discover.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Lady Ashton, tells MEPs how she will shape Europe's new diplomatic service, as officials vie for influence.

The earthquake in Chile may cost the global insurance industry as much as $7bn (£4.7bn), Swiss Re estimates.

The Pakistan Cricket Board issues indefinite bans to former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan for "infighting".

Iranian President says it is the US, not Tehran, that is playing a "double game" in Afghanistan.

China's exports surged 46% in February, figures show, raising hopes of a strong recovery in global trade.

Militants attack the office of a Western aid agency, killing six people and wounding others, the agency and police say.

A court case brought by the family of Rachel Corrie, a US protester killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in 2003, opens in Israel.

Indonesia's President Yudhoyono confirms security forces killed terror suspect Dulmatin in raids in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Indonesia's President Yudhoyono confirms security forces killed Bali bomb suspect Dulmatin in raids in Jakarta on Tuesday.

A new election law formally bars pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in elections planned in Burma.

A Belgian daily has issued what is thought to be Europe's first 3D newspaper - complete with cardboard viewing glasses.

Deforestation in central Africa has revealed what could be an impact crater left by a giant space rock, scientists say.