Speaking after the G8 summit, US President Obama says leaders agree that economies must focus on jobs and growth to boost recovery.

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake in northern Italy kills at least three people and causes thousands of others to flee into the streets.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ends a hectic week by getting married to long -time girlfriend Priscilla Chan in a surprise ceremony at his home.

Sri Lanka's President Rajapaksa has signed papers to free his political rival General Sarath Fonseka from prison - three years after the civil war ended.

Chelsea achieve a dramatic Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich following a penalty shoot-out at the home of the German side.

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng arrives in New York, after his escape to the US embassy in Beijing last month sparked a diplomatic crisis.

After crisis talks with Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, African Union mediator Thabo Mbeki says the president is committed to security agreements with South Sudan.

Voters in Serbia have a choice between a reformist and a nationalist as they vote for a president, months after winning EU candidate status.

A rally car ploughs into spectators in the Var region of southern France, killing a marshal and one other person, and injuring 17.

Residents in the Libyan city of Benghazi vote in local council elections, the first polls held in the city since the 1960s.

Two veteran politicians contest elections in the Dominican Republic after a presidential campaign dominated by concerns over rising food and fuel costs.

The Olympic flame sets off on its 70-day tour of the UK in the build-up to the London 2012 games.

A bomb has exploded in front of a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi killing at least one girl and injuring six others.

Thousands of members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force take part in an event to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, including a flypast of 78 current and historic aircraft.

South Africa is to opens its first theatre in a township - Soweto - once home to former President Nelson Mandela.

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At least nine people have been killed and dozens injured after a car bomb exploded in eastern Syria, according to reports.

Sri Lanka marks the three-year anniversary of the end of its 26-year civil war with a large military parade in the capital, Colombo.

Although the Maldives are known as an unspoilt tourist paradise, the islands struggle with managing their waste, as the BBC discovered on a visit to an 'apocalyptic' floating island waste dump.

The leaders of the G8 group of major economies say they want Greece to remain in the eurozone, and commit to promoting growth.

Facebook shares end a volatile first day of trading at $38.23, barely above the company's initial pricing, having initially jumped more than 10%.

Mobile phone data of suspects in police custody is to be extracted and retained, regardless of whether charges are brought, the BBC has learned.

Researchers reveal details of a promising way to make a fundamentally different kind of computer memory chip.

The respected German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, famed for his performances of Schubert's song cycle Winter Journey, dies at the age of 86.

President 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.

The US firm SpaceX aborts the lift-off of its Falcon rocket and Dragon ship to the International Space Station.

Japan urges businesses and households to cut electricity use by up to 15% to avoid possible blackouts.

US 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 in pregnancy is safe and does not carry risks for the baby, a review of research has suggested.

Roberto Di Matteo refuses to be drawn on his long-term Chelsea future - even after winning the Champions League.

Ian Bell feels the wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul holds the key to England's chances on the fourth day of the first Test.

The Smith Museum in Stirling is unlocking the display case and letting fans hold the oldest football in the world.

Google is facing legal action for not labelling the body of water separating Iran and neighbouring Arab Gulf states on its map service.

Somali government soldiers are among five people killed in two bomb attacks in the capital Mogadishu blamed on al-Shabab Islamist fighters.

A small number of British soldiers could remain in Afghanistan after forces withdraw in 2014, a senior UK government official says.

A bomb outside a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi kills a teenage girl and injures five other people as children gather for classes.

A fourth senior Mexican officer is detained as part of an investigation into links between the army and drug trafficking cartels.

At least nine people are killed and dozens injured after a powerful car bomb explodes in eastern Syria, officials say.

The highest court in Maryland allows gay couples to divorce, even though same-sex marriage is not yet allowed in that US state.

The senior Scotland Yard officer in charge of three linked phone-hacking investigations will retire later this year, the Met Police confirms.

The Olympic flame is being carried from Plymouth to Exeter on the second day of the torch relay ahead of the London 2012 Games.

A service takes place later to dedicate a new memorial at Britain's National Memorial Arboretum to the 255 Britons who died in the Falklands War.

The EU is urged to contest Scotland's plans for a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

News photos from around the world

24 hours of news photos: 18 May

The world's monarchs gather at Windsor Castle

A photographer's view of Hackney

Queen's visit to Cheshire and Merseyside

Olympic flame tours Greece

Readers' photos on the theme sailing

24 hours of news photos: 17 May 2012

The Chinese who actually like cheese... stir-fried of course!

The European dream has become a nightmare, laments Will Self

The elusive search for dialogue in battle-scarred Syria

How worthwhile is Nato's missile defence system?

How Didier Drogba's self-belief has been key in Chelsea's glory

Child politicians in Dominican Republic challenge corruption

Expat millionaire 'thanked' by poor Somalis

Doubts over Peru's strategy against Shining Path rebels