Brazilian police are investigating more than 1,200 women suspected of having had illegal abortions at the same clinic.

Guy Ritchie tells a newspaper that discussion over the terms of his divorce from Madonna "was never, ever about money".

Thieves have stolen the remains of a billionaire who died in 2006 from his vault in southern Austria, police say.

Polish researchers say they have solved an ancient mystery and identified the remains of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

Jonny Wilkinson's mentor Steve Black believes the England fly-half can defy his injuries and play until he is 40.

US carmakers are given a deadline to produce a viable recovery plan if they want a $25bn government bail-out.

Singer Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are to be divorced in London on Friday, High Court lists show.

A Syrian-born arms dealer is convicted by a US court of conspiring to sell weapons to left-wing Colombian rebels.

Pirate copies of the anti-mafia film Gomorra go on sale in the heartland of the Naples Camorra clan it depicts.

China has increased computer espionage attacks on US government and business interests, Congress is warned.

Five Algerians held at Guantanamo Bay for almost seven years must be freed, a US judge rules.

Talks between Somali pirates and owners of a Saudi tanker are being conducted by specialists, shipping sources tell the BBC.

France's opposition Socialists are voting for a new leader, amid bitter infighting and deep divisions in the party.

Four philosophical questions to make your brain hurt

India recall star batsman Sachin Tendulkar to their one day side for the remaining four matches against England.

Improved security in Iraq has led to 800 doctors returning so far this year, a senior health ministry official says.

Underwear model Karolina Kurkova has no belly button. Is a barely-there navel for cosmetic or medical reasons?

The Palestinian Authority has placed a full-page advert in Israel's Hebrew newspapers to promote an Arab peace plan.

Wall Street shares fall steeply for the second day in a row, amid investors' growing fears of a protracted economic downturn.

The UN Security Council votes to send 3,000 more troops to DR Congo following renewed fighting in the east of the country.

Somalia must be helped by the international community to stop it becoming a "magnet for pirates," a senior Egyptian official has said.

Panama extradites a Colombian suspected of running the country's biggest pyramid finance scheme.

What is missing from this supermodel's body?

South Africa's cabinet says it will withhold $28m of aid to Zimbabwe until a representative government is in place.

More than 30 Nobel Peace Prize winners are calling for an effort to improve education in war zones.

Singer Michael Jackson is to give evidence at London's High Court to counter allegations that he breached a music contract.

Arsenal captain William Gallas admits his side must toughen up if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

Why US shops are running short of kosher meat

Captain Kevin Pietersen wants England to score more hundreds after India's Duckworth-Lewis win in the third one-dayer.

Some poor countries score well compared to richer ones in a report assessing the treatment of children in Africa.

Will Darfur rebels meet Sudan leader in The Hague?

US environmentalists accuse President Bush of trying to rush through changes to the Endangered Species Act.

The man who shot to fame in the US presidential election as "Joe the Plumber" signs a book deal.

Russia's prime minister vows to prevent another financial "collapse", referring to the country's 1990s crises.

Jewish settlers protesting against an eviction order in Hebron spray an insult to the Prophet Muhammad on a mosque wall.

Pakistan summons the US ambassador to protest at a deadly US missile attack deep inside Pakistan territory.

How Congolese rebels are changing life under their rule

International Space Station marks its tenth anniversary

The International Criminal Court prosecutor seeks the arrest of Darfur rebel commanders for killing peacekeepers.

Yemen faces economic and political turmoil as its oil runs out, with security implications for the whole region, a report says.

Serbia's iconic car finally runs off the road

India take a 3-0 lead in the one-day series with a 16-run Duckworth-Lewis win over a much-improved England side in Kanpur.

An anti-piracy group welcomes an Indian navy warship's destruction of a suspected Somali pirate vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

Beijing says its employment outlook is "grim", amid concerns of increasing social unrest caused by economic problems.

Gazans report worst ever living conditions

South Korean activists send thousands of propaganda leaflets into North Korea, amid fury in Pyongyang.

EU ministers agree to reform farm policy by moving more subsidies away from production and liberalising the dairy market.

Icy swims numb the pain of Iceland's financial woes

Michael Clarke saves Australia from total collapse with 98 as they are bowled out for 214 in the first Test against New Zealand.

Sri Lankan troops have captured the first line of defence of Tamil Tiger rebels on the Jaffna peninsula, the army says.