Euro row brews as G8 summit opensClaims that Germany's chancellor suggested debt-stricken Greece should reconsider its place in the eurozone spark a row as the US hosts G8 leaders.
Facebook shares see modest debutFacebook shares end a volatile first day of trading at $38.23, barely above the company's initial pricing, having initially jumped more than 10%.
Private spaceship set for launchCalifornia's SpaceX company is preparing to launch to the space station - the first resupply mission to the orbiting outpost by a private company.
Syria protests 'grip Aleppo city'Syrian activists report thousands at protests in the city of Aleppo, which has so far largely stayed loyal to the president since the uprising began.
UN nuclear chief to visit IranThe head of the UN nuclear watchdog will travel to Iran on Sunday to "discuss issues of mutual interest".
Prisoners surrender in HondurasInmates who took control of a jail in Honduras on Wednesday agree to surrender after clashes that killed one prisoner and injured another 11.
Argentine gas exports cancelledSpanish energy giant Repsol cancels a contract to provide gas to Argentina, in a continuing row after Buenos Aries nationalised one of its subsidiaries.
Protesters angered by Gulf unionThousands of Bahrainis protest outside the capital against a plan to create a union of Gulf Arab countries, with similar demonstrations in Tehran and Dubai.
Travel ban on Guinea-Bissau juntaThe UN Security Council imposes a travel ban on five leaders of the recent military coup in Guinea-Bissau, and demands a return to democracy.
Maryland allows same-sex divorceThe highest court in Maryland allows gay couples to divorce, even though same-sex marriage is not yet allowed in that US state.
Olympic relay flame lands in UKDavid Beckham lights a cauldron in Cornwall after the flame touches down, ready for the start of the London 2012 torch relay.
VIDEO: France confirms early Afghan exitFrance has confirmed it plans to withdraw its combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2012, two years ahead of the agreed Nato schedule.
VIDEO: Concordia salvage details revealedThe operation to remove the wreck of the Costa Concordia will be the biggest of its kind, at a cost reported to be at least $300m, according to salvage firms and the ship's owners.
VIDEO: Five Minutes With: Dita Von TeeseBurlesque star Dita Von Teese talks to Matthew Stadlen about why she does what she does, the art of striptease, her personal style and fitness regimes and why she is not anti-feminist.
VIDEO: World royals gather to mark JubileeRoyals from around the world have gathered in Britain to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
VIDEO: Sacha Baron Cohen as himselfSacha Baron Cohen steps out of character to give a rare interview as himself, but admits it is 'probably a mistake'.
VIDEO: One-minute World NewsWatch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.
VIDEO: Tension over Spanish bank debtsThe Spanish government has announced that the level of bad loans held by the country's banks is at an 18-year high.
VIDEO: Human cost of Greek economic crisisWith rising crime and suicide rates, Greek comic Katerina Vrana explores the human cost of the financial crisis in her homeland.
Merkel 'suggests Greek euro vote'Greek officials say Germany's Chancellor Merkel has suggested a euro referendum, but Berlin denies the report, as world leaders gather in the US for a G8 summit meeting.
Market jitters over eurozone woesEuropean markets suffer a nervous session with investors unsettled by a downgrade for Spanish banks and the political crisis in Greece.
Met Police to extract phone dataMobile phone data of suspects in police custody is to be extracted and retained, regardless of whether charges are brought, the BBC has learned.
Silicon trick for next-gen memoryResearchers reveal details of a promising way to make a fundamentally different kind of computer memory chip.
Baritone Fischer-Dieskau diesThe respected German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, famed for his performances of Schubert's song cycle Winter Journey, dies at the age of 86.
Obama leads Donna Summer tributesPresident Barack Obama joins a host of music industry luminaries in paying tribute to Donna Summer following the disco star's death at the age of 63.
SpaceX readies historic missionCalifornia's SpaceX company looks to open a new era in human spaceflight by becoming the first private operator to deliver cargo to the space station.
Japan urges cuts in power usageJapan urges businesses and households to cut electricity use by up to 15% to avoid possible blackouts.
US baby boomers in Hep C warningUS baby boomers are advised to get tested for the liver-destroying virus hepatitis C, in a move health officials say could save 120,000 lives.
Dieting 'safe for pregnant women'Dieting in pregnancy is safe and does not carry risks for the baby, a review of research has suggested.
'Bring on Bayern,' says LampardChelsea captain Frank Lampard is relishing the task of leading his team into the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
Strauss ton gives England controlCaptain Andrew Strauss scores his first century in 18 months as England dominate West Indies on the second day of the first Test.
Iran 'to sue Google' over GulfGoogle is facing legal action for not labelling the body of water separating Iran and neighbouring Arab Gulf states on its map service.
Shah Rukh Khan given stadium banBollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is banned from Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium for five years following angry exchanges with staff at an IPL cricket match.
Malawi 'to overturn ban on gays'President Joyce Banda says she wants Malawi to overturn its ban on homosexual acts - the first African country to do so since 1994.
India charges prompt Italy rowIndian police charge two Italian marines with the murder of two Indian fishermen, prompting Italy to recall its ambassador.
Italian fraudster's assets seizedItalian police seize assets estimated to be worth about 330m euros (£253m) from convicted businessman Gioacchino Campolo.
Cuban offshore oil attempt failsSpain's Repsol oil company says a first attempt to find oil off Cuba's northern coast has been unsuccessful.
World royals mark Diamond JubileeMore than 20 monarchs gather to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, with protests over the inclusion of the controversial heads of Bahrain and Swaziland.
Quebec in emergency protest lawThe government of Quebec passes an emergency bill in an effort to quell the most sustained student protests in Canadian history.
Armed forces to march for JubileeThousands of members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force are to take part in a parade and flypast for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
PM warns Hollande over tax planUK PM David Cameron warns French President Francois Hollande that Britain will not accept a Europe-wide financial transaction tax, saying it is not a "sensible measure".
Olympic torch relay to set offThe Olympic flame will begin its 70-day tour of the UK later on in the build up to the London 2012 games.
Seven dissident suspects chargedSix men and one woman in Northern Ireland are charged with a series of terrorist offences, including conspiracy to murder and cause explosions.
Week in pictures: 12-18 May 2012News photos from around the world
Day in pictures: 18 May 201224 hours of news photos: 18 May
In pictures: Monarchs at WindsorThe world's monarchs gather at Windsor Castle
Hackney's 'beauty and ugliness'A photographer's view of Hackney
In pictures: Royals in North WestQueen's visit to Cheshire and Merseyside
In pictures: Olympic flame tours GreeceOlympic flame tours Greece
Your pictures: SailingReaders' photos on the theme sailing
Day in pictures: 17 May 201224 hours of news photos: 17 May 2012
Why chess is booming in IndiaCould India become a chess superpower?
A glimpse of life after Nato in Afghanistan's wild eastA glimpse of life after Nato in Afghanistan's wild east
Al-Qaeda's hidden war in YemenYemeni forces strike at al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
Crime and punishment, Norwegian styleThe island where inmate are free to wander woods and beaches
South Africa targets rainbow touristsCan South Africa overcome prejudice to attract gay tourists?
Huge economic challenge awaits Egypt's next leaderEgypt's economic crisis sets major task for country's next leader
Small countries push for a more open UNSmall countries seek Security Council change
Euro fears on the streets of SpainEuro woes turn mood in Madrid fearful
