Parents want Israel to answer for daughter's bulldozer death

American Rachel Corrie was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003 as it razed homes in a Palestinian camp. On Wednesday, her parents seek answers in an Israeli court.

U.S. hikers held in Iran call home

Three U.S. hikers who were detained in Iran have spoken by phone with their relatives for the first time since authorities jailed them more than seven months ago, the hikers' families said Wednesday.

Jury urges death for 'Bachelor No. 1'

A California jury recommended Tuesday that a man who once appeared on "The Dating Game" be executed for the murders of four women and a child.

Dutch bishops launch child abuse probe

Catholic bishops in the Netherlands have announced an independent investigation into allegations of child abuse by clergy, widening a scandal that already touches countries including the United States, Ireland, Germany and Austria.

Ex-doc sentenced for wife's poisoning

A former Ohio doctor was sentenced to life in prison for poisoning his wife with cyanide five years ago. The judge lamented that she could not hand down a stiffer sentence.

Church: Excluding lesbians' kids correct

The archdiocese of Denver, Colorado, is defending its decision not to re-enroll two children in a Catholic school in Boulder next year because their parents are lesbians.

Missing executive's body found in river

The body of a missing energy executive was pulled from the Mississippi River in New Orleans on Tuesday, four days after he disappeared, police said.

Lawmaker foe of gay rights: I'm gay

Why would a gay politician vote against gay rights?

BofA to cut overdraft fee

Bank of America said Wednesday that it plans to ditch overdraft fees on debit card purchases this summer.

Jobless benefits, tax cuts race clock

A nearly $140 billion bill to extend unemployment benefits and a host of expiring tax cuts cleared a procedural hurdle Tuesday in the Senate on a vote of 66-34.

Biden steps up pressure on Israel

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

Iran attacks US over Afghanistan

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

Collider to shut down for a year

The Large Hadron Collider must be shut down for a year starting in late 2011 to address design flaws, the BBC has learned.

'Last Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia

Indonesia's president confirms security forces have killed the last main main suspect in the 2002 Bali bombings, Dulmatin.

China's exports see big increase

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

Berezovsky wins poison libel case

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

Kidnap boy's father returns to UK

The father of a British boy kidnapped in Pakistan has returned home against police wishes, the BBC learns.

ANC demands Winnie Mandela answers

South Africa's ruling ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify comments attributed to her that starkly criticised her ex-husband, Nelson.

Egypt's top cleric dies aged 81

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

Oscar bosses defend Farrah Fawcett snub

Actress Farrah Fawcett was not in the Oscars memorial segment because she was more known as a TV star, the Academy says.

DR Congo deforestation reveals Earth's hidden secrets

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

Pakistan to ban Yousuf & Younus

Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan are banned indefinitely from representing their country.

Onions ruled out of opening Test

England bowler Graham Onions is ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury, but there are more encouraging signals about Stuart Broad.

Beckham excited by Man Utd return

AC Milan's David Beckham says he is excited to face Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time but maintains he wants them to lose.

Can US broker Middle East peace?

Joe Biden is in the region to encourage talks between the Palestinians and Israel. What can be achieved?

BBC World News

Fighting the tide

Church authority at risk as scandals spread in Europe

Dotcom Crash

10 years on from when the Nasdaq bubble burst

Phantom returns

The critics' verdicts on Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies

Day in pictures

Eye-catching images from around the world

Biswas on India

Women's quotas - historic moment for largest democracy

Galapagos tension

Can all species live side by side in unique ecosystem?

Insurers 'face $7bn Chile bill'

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

Airlines offer to give up slots

British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia offer to give up take off and landing slots in London and New York, say EU watchdogs.

German exports fall unexpectedly

German exports fell unexpectedly in January, with analysts saying that the cold weather that month was to blame.

'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Burbank at 38

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- The Los Angeles coroner's office says "The Lost Boys" actor Corey Haim is dead at 38....

AP-GfK Poll: Obama more popular than Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans have come to detest Congress ever more deeply as it nears the end of a nasty fight over health care. But more than half still back President Barack Obama, a bright spot for a Democratic Party counting on its leader to help stave off expected losses in elections this fall....

APNewsBreak: German diocese to examine choir abuse

BERLIN (AP) -- A spokesman for the Regensburg Catholic diocese in Germany says the diocese will investigate allegations of physical and sexual abuse that have swirled around a famed choir once led by Pope Benedict XVI's brother....

Obama pushing on health care end game

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is making his closing arguments for a health care overhaul, pushing a new anti-fraud plan as he cranks up the pressure on skittish Democratic lawmakers to act fast....

Runaway Prius driver: Brakes were 'almost burned'

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) -- Before he called 911, James Sikes says he reached down with his hand to loosen the "stuck" accelerator on his 2008 Toyota Prius, his other hand on the steering wheel. The pedal didn't move....

Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Legislation blending help for the jobless with popular tax breaks for businesses and individuals is slated to pass the Senate Wednesday over protests from conservatives who say it adds too much to the $12.5 trillion national debt....

Biden says Palestinians deserve 'viable' state

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of U.S. support after Israel announced plans to expand a Jewish neighborhood in disputed east Jerusalem....

Google opens Web store for business applications

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Google Inc. will sell the online services of other business software makers in an effort to fill its own product gaps and persuade more companies to rely on applications piped over the Internet....

Letterman: Case against producer handled properly

NEW YORK (AP) -- From the start, David Letterman made sure the story of a $2 million shakedown attempt over his sex life was one he narrated himself....

Lakers snap 3-game skid on Bryant's late jumper

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant hit a 17-foot fallaway jumper with 1.9 seconds left, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to snap their three-game losing streak with a 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night....

Biden says Palestinians deserve ‘viable’ state

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has told the Palestinians that they deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory.

NYT: Michelangelo bumped from art chart by ...

By one new metric, Michelangelo has been bumped from his perch atop the Italian art charts by Caravaggio.

Pa. woman charged with recruiting jihadists

A federal indictment accuses a Pennsylvania woman of using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and promote terrorism overseas, NBC News reports.

Dalai Lama: China aims to annihilate Buddhism

The Dalai Lama blasted Chinese authorities Wednesday, accusing them of trying to "annihilate Buddhism" in Tibet as he commemorated a failed uprising against China's rule over the region.

NYT: Flu shots in kids provide ‘herd immunity’

Although previous studies have demonstrated what scientists call “herd immunity,” none have been so incontrovertible as a study of farming colonies in Canada.

NYT: Food aid to Somalia diverted

As much as half the food aid sent to Somalia is diverted from needy people to a web of corrupt contractors, Islamist militants and local U.N. staff, according to a new report.

Israel, Syria pursue nuclear Mideast

Dual announcements by bitter rivals Israel and Syria that they want to pursue atomic power plants could fuel a widening web of suspicion across the region.

Swedish papers publish Prophet Muhammad drawing

At least three Swedish newspapers on Wednesday published a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad with the body of a dog after an alleged plot to murder the artist who created it was uncovered in Ireland.

3 arrested in theft of Cyprus ex-leader’s body

Three men are arrested over the theft of the body of former President Tassos Papadopoulos, which was found reburied in another grave three months after being dug up and reportedly held for ransom.

US aid group attacked in NW Pakistan; 6 dead

Suspected militants armed with grenades attacked the offices of a U.S.-based Christian aid group helping earthquake survivors in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing six employees and wounding several others, police and the organization said.

Family of slain U.S. activist sues Israel

The family of an American killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza will launch a damages case on Wednesday, stoking controversy over the treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters and angering Israelis frustrated by international criticism.

NYT: Damage often invisible in Chile capital

The streets of Santiago, Chile's capital, appear mostly unscathed, but many people do not know if their lives will ever be the same.

Ex-spy chief: US misled allies over detainees

United States intelligence agencies misled key allies, including Britain, about its mistreatment of suspected terrorists, the former head of the country's domestic spy agency, MI5, said Tuesday.

100 Homes Threatened by Weakened Dam in Northern California

Iran Test-Fires Another 'Top Secret' Missile

Moussaoui Juror Falls Ill; Deliberations to Resume Friday

DHS Press Secretary Arrested on Child Seduction Charges

Duke Lacrosse Coach Resigns Amid Rape Flap

Saddam Dodges Questions From Prosecutors

Video Claims to Show Insurgents Dragging Burning Body of U.S

Kidnapped Brothers Killed in Venezuela

French Unions: Repeal Labor Law in 10 Days, or Else

Three Arrested, Man Shot in 'Baby Shower Gone Bad'

PM Says New Hamas Government Is Broke

Late-Season Snowfall Strikes East Coast

Obama pushing on health care end game (AP)

'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Burbank at 38 (AP)

Biden says Palestinians deserve 'viable' state (AP)

APNewsBreak: German diocese to examine choir abuse (AP)

Biden condemns Israeli settlement project (Reuters)

Pope denounces 'atrocious' Nigeria bloodshed (AFP)

Ahmadinejad mocks Gates on visit to Kabul (AFP)

Google opens Web store for business applications (AP)

Letterman: Case against producer handled properly (AP)

Senate to pass jobless aid, business tax breaks (AP)

Brown says UK to maintain AAA credit rating (Reuters)

First Iraq vote results expected by Thursday: U.N. (Reuters)

Iceland opposition toughens on new "Icesave" talks (Reuters)

Runaway Prius driver: Brakes were 'almost burned' (AP)

AP-GfK Poll: Obama more popular than Congress (AP)

Lakers snap 3-game skid on Bryant's late jumper (AP)

Pelosi faces biggest test on healthcare vote (Reuters)

Economists trim 2011 U.S. growth forecast (Reuters)

Toyota, U.S. officials investigate runaway Prius (Reuters)

Democrats doubt deadline on healthcare (Reuters)