• Suspected US missile attacks rock NW Pakistan (AP)

AP - Three suspected U.S. missile strikes in less than 12 hours hit militant targets in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, officials said, an unusually intense barrage that follows four other such attacks in the last week. At least 14 suspected militants were killed.

  • European pressure mounts on Iran over stoning case (AP)

AP - European Union nations and the continent's biggest human rights organization slammed Iran on Wednesday for its plan to stone a woman convicted of adultery, while Iran's ambassador to the Vatican said there is "hope" the punishment could be eased upon review by Iranian authorities.

  • Mullah Omar tells Afghans Taliban are winning (AP)

AP - The Taliban's shadowy leader told Afghans on Wednesday that the insurgents are winning the war and warned Americans that they are wasting lives and billions in tax dollars by continuing in the conflict.

  • Report: Castro says Cuban model doesn't work (AP)

AP - Fidel Castro told a visiting American journalist that Cuba's communist economic model doesn't work, a rare comment on domestic affairs from a man who has conspicuously steered clear of local issues since stepping down four years ago.

  • In Gulf work camp, jobless begin glum journey home (AP)

AP - The hidden face of the Emirates' economic crunch is in places such as Industrial Zone 18 and the ramshackle compound for about 700 migrant workers within. For more than six months, they have lived on charity, fought off rats and slept amid piles of trash after a construction company abruptly closed and left them jobless.

  • Afghan Cleric Uses Koran Burning for Political Gain (Time.com)

Time.com - Whether or not the Koran burning happens in Gainesville on Saturday, a religious conservative in Kabul is already using the event to propel his political ambitions

  • Capello confirms he will quit after Euro 2012 (AFP)

AFP - England manager Fabio Capello has ruled out the possibility that he will continue in the job after the Euro 2012 tournament, killing off speculation that recent good performances could prolong his stay.

  • Pessimistic about peace, Israelis greet new year (AP)

AP - Israelis usher in the Jewish new year, or Rosh Hashana, at sundown Wednesday with a widespread sense of pessimism that a new round of U.S.-sponsored Mideast talks can achieve peace.

  • Mayor of northern Mexico town killed by gunmen (AP)

AP - Mexican prosecutors say hooded gunmen have killed the mayor of a small town in northern Mexico. He is the third mayor to have been slain in the last month, apparently by Mexico's drug cartels.

  • US tries to avert Sudan war after 'inevitable' split (AFP)

AFP - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday called Sudanese leaders in a bid to defuse what she called the "ticking time bomb" of an inevitable secession of the country?s restive and oil-rich south.

  • The science of manly dance moves

Scientists say they have carried out the first rigorous analysis of dance moves that make men attractive to women.

  • How BP will kill the oil spill

A scale model of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and how it is being repaired

  • Behind the scenes of new Strictly

As preparations are made for the eighth series of Strictly Come Dancing, Radio 1 Newsbeat's Natalie Jamieson has a look behind the scenes.

  • Pope 'looking forward' to UK visit

The Pope has said he is "very much looking forward" to his visit to the UK next week, and thanked all those involved in advance for their efforts.

  • Jolie praise for Pakistan military

Angelina Jolie has visited Nowshera in north-west Pakistan to highlight the plight of more than 20 million people affected by the country's worst ever floods.

  • Taxpayers forced to pay extra for HMRC blunder

Tens of thousands ordered to repay tax face being charged interest at six times the Bank of England base rate.

  • John Higgins banned from snooker but cleared of match-fixing

Former world champion banned from snooker until November for bringing game into disrepute but cleared of "agreeing or offering" to accept bribes.

  • Damilola Taylor's killer Ricky Preddie released

Ricky Preddie, 23, was jailed in 2006 along with his brother Danny for the manslaughter of the 10-year-old schoolboy.

  • Daily Telegraph praised in Parliament for campaign over murder of Yvonne Fletcher

The Daily Telegraph has been praised in Parliament for its reporting of a campaign to bring the killers of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher to justice.

  • Millions of households have no breadwinner

A report by the Office for National Statistics shows that in almost one in five household there is not one person with a job.

  • Henry Webster race attack: schools ordered on offensive against racist bullies

Teachers should investigate whether racism is a factor in every incident of bullying, case review into problems at school concludes.

  • HMRC review: one in five tax records could contain errors

An all-party group of MPs will today tell the Treasury that HMRC is "a 19th century organisation" in need of fundamental reform.

  • Phone-hacking claims: only 12 high-profile figures' phones hacked, say police

Only twelve high profile figures definitely had their phones hacked into as part of the News of the World tapping scandal, a Scotland Yard chief has said.

  • Phone-hacking claims: new inquiry launched

A new inquiry into allegations that public figures had their phones hacked by the News of the World has been launched.

  • Tube strike: millions face travel chaos tonight with nine lines affected

Chaos for commuters as a fresh wave of Tube strikes leaves 10 Underground lines fully or partly suspended.

  • David Cameron intervened over Libya obstruction of Yvonne Fletcher murder probe

David Cameron has personally intervened in a bid to bring the killers of policewoman Yvonne Fletcher to justice, it has emerged.

  • News of the World phone-hacking claims: police will speak to Andy Coulson

Andy Coulson, one of David Cameron's most senior aides, will be questioned by police over alleged phone-hacking while he was editor of News of the World, a senior officer said.

  • HMRC tax errors: first letters drop through doors

Some of the nearly six million people who paid too much or too little tax find out whether they are due a rebate or must pay more.

  • Heathrow 'all day' take off plan scrapped

Residents welcome confirmation there will be no change to way runways at the west London airport are used.

  • Australia election: Labour's Julia Gillard retains power after securing support of independents

Labour PM retains power after securing the backing of two independents to form a minority administration.

  • Killers of WPc Yvonne Fletcher should be put on trial in Britain not Libya, MP to say

The Metropolitan Police is close to concluding its investigation into the shooting of WPc Yvonne Fletcher, it is claimed.

  • Tube strike: millions hit by travel chaos with nine lines affected

Commuters face chaos as a fresh wave of Tube strikes leaves 10 Underground lines fully or partly suspended.

  • Rail chiefs 'cash in as accidents go unrecorded'

Network Rail directors, who shared £2.36m in bonuses last year, alleged to have pocketed bigger awards than they should have.

  • American Bob Diamond to take over as new chief executive of Barclays

American described as the "unacceptable face of banking" by Lord Mandelson is to take over from John Varley in a dramatic shake-up.

  • MI6 spy Gareth Williams murder: police probe poisoning theory

Mediterranean couple hunted by police over the suspected murder of Gareth Williams while inquiries focus on a poisoning theory.

  • New powers to block Britons from extradition

An independent review of agreements with the US and European nations is to be announced by the Home Secretary.

  • MI6 spy Gareth Williams murder: police hunt for Mediterranean couple

Detectives release CCTV images and announce they are seeking a young Mediterranean couple seen at his block of flats in London.

  • MI6 spy Gareth Williams: police statement in full

Here is the Scotland Yard statement on the death of Gareth Williams in full.