Iraq Shia protesters camp out in Green Zone after storming

 

 Protesters sat on the ground inside the Green Zone as darkness fell 

 

Supporters of a powerful Shia Muslim cleric have set up camp outside parliament in Baghdad, after thousands stormed the Green Zone secure area.

Elephant summit: Kenya sets fire to huge ivory stockpile

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Media captionThis fire will keep burning for a number of days, reports Anne Soy in Nairobi

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has set fire to a huge stockpile of ivory in an effort to show his country's commitment to saving Africa's elephants.

Brazilian president's campaign strategist arrested

Joao Santana was known as "the maker of presidents" in South America



Brazilian prosecutors have filed corruption charges against President Dilma Rousseff's electoral strategist.

US man 'jailed for spying in North Korea'

 

North Korea has sentenced a US citizen to 10 years of hard labour for spying, reports Chinese news agency Xinhua.

It named the person as Kim Dong-chul, a naturalised US citizen born in South Korea who was arrested last October.

Arrests and police injuries in France labour law protests

Protesters wore fabric over their faces as protection from tear gas fired by security forces



Twenty-four police officers have been injured, three of them seriously, during protests against a proposed labour law change in France.

Venezuela crisis: Opposition claims big win in push to recall Maduro

Thousands of people came out onto the streets to sign the petition for a recall referendum



The Venezuelan opposition has claimed that 600,000 people have signed a petition for a recall referendum on President Nicolas Maduro.

Cuba visit: Philip Hammond says he is 'keen to forge new links'

Mr Hammond attended a wreath laying ceremony at Revolution Square in Havana


Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was keen to "forge new links across the Atlantic" as he arrived in Cuba for a historic visit.

Colombia legalises gay marriage

LGBT activists celebrated in Bogota earlier this month after an appeal against gay marriage was rejected

Colombia's top court has legalised same-sex marriage, making the country the fourth in Latin America to do so.

Kunduz hospital bombing: 16 US forces 'disciplined'

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The BBC obtained exclusive footage from inside the MSF hospital in Kunduz

Sixteen US military personnel have been punished with disciplinary measures over the bombing of an Afghan hospital that left 42 dead, officials say.

US election 2016: Former House Speaker Boehner calls Ted Cruz 'Lucifer'

Mr Cruz is seen by many Republicans as the only option to prevent Mr Trump from being the party's presidential candidate

Republican road to the White House  Meet Ted Cruz's harshest critics
Donald Trump's deal diplomacy
Trump has a doctrine but no details
Five ways Republican bloodbath could end

New York Times chief executive accused of discrimination

Mark Thompson is accused alongside another executive of creating an "environment rife with discrimination" at the New York Times

The chief executive of the New York Times is facing multi-million dollar legal action alleging he introduced an "environment rife with discrimination based on age, race and gender".

Prince death: Search warrant issued at musician's home

 It is unclear what role painkillers played in Prince's death

A search warrant was obtained in relation to the home of Prince shortly after he died, court documents show.

Avalanche fears over unauthorised Everest helicopter flights

 Everest Base Camp is open for business and vital for tourism 

 

Helicopter firms are carrying out unauthorised sightseeing flights over the upper reaches of Mount Everest, Nepalese officials say.

Syria conflict: Aleppo in 'catastrophic' state says UN

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Dr Vickie Hawkins, executive director of Doctors Without Borders: Attack on hospital is "absolutely devastating"

Syria's war

• What's left of Syria after five years of war?
• Syria peace talks and polls signal Assad's growing confidence
• Why is there a war in Syria?
• What's a 'cessation of hostilities'?

The UN says the situation in Syria's city of Aleppo is catastrophic, after dozens of people were killed in attacks on targets including a hospital

North Korea missile tests: UN 'preparing response'

The UN Security Council is preparing a response to North Korea after it test-launched two mid-range missiles, China's UN ambassador Liu Jieyi says.

The B&B where cannabis is part of your stay

In today's Magazine

• Food Photographer of the Year 2016
• Conspiracy Files: Who shot down MH17?
• The science behind online dating profiles
• 'Condescending' tourist guide revised

A couple of years ago, the cannabis industry was pretty much illegal in the American state of Colorado - but now it's growing fast and armoured cars full of cash are a common sight on Denver's streets.

Prince 'did not leave will', sister Tyka Nelson tells court

 

The size of Prince's fortune remains unclear 

 

Pop star Prince did not leave a will, his sister has revealed in court documents.

Prince 'did not leave will', sister Tyka Nelson tells court

 

 The size of Prince's fortune remains unclear 

 

Pop star Prince did not leave a will, his sister has revealed in court documents.

Eleven bodies found at Cape Verde barracks

 The barracks housed soldiers protecting a communications hub 

 

Police in the Cape Verde islands off northwest Africa say they have found the bodies of 11 people, including eight soldiers, at a military barracks.

Islamic State: Up to $800m of funds 'destroyed by strikes'

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the US released footage of what is said was an air strike on an Islamic State cash depot in Mosul

Islamic State

• Recapture of Palmyra tightens noose on IS
• Islamic State group: The full story
• Who is Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?
• Islamic State: What is the attraction for young Europeans?

Up to $800m (£550m) in cash held by so-called Islamic State (IS) has been destroyed in air strikes, a US military official says.

Apple revenue falls for first time since 2003

Apple reported a 13% drop in its second quarter revenue on Tuesday as sales of iPhones slipped.

The technology giant reported quarterly sales of $50.56bn (£34.39bn) down from $58bn last year - the first fall in sales for the company since 2003.

Austria election: Far-right tops first round of presidential vote

 The success of Mr Hofer (centre) shakes up the two-party grip on Austrian politics 

 

Austria's far-right Freedom Party candidate has come top in the first round of presidential elections, preliminary results show.

UK 'anti-IS fighters' freed in Iraq

Mr Holmes was detained in an area controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government

Islamic State
Recapture of Palmyra tightens noose on IS
Islamic State group: The full story
Who is Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?
Islamic State: What is the attraction for young Europeans?

Two Britons and an Irishman have been freed in Iraq after being held on their way home from fighting against so-called Islamic State (IS), the Foreign Office has said.

Brazil corruption: $125m of dirty money 'repatriated' in 2015

Much of the money recovered had been diverted from Brazil's state oil company Petrobras

Brazil has said it repatriated $125m (£86m) last year siphoned off to foreign bank accounts by corrupt officials, politicians and businessmen.

Obama dismisses N Korea proposal to 'halt' nuclear tests

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Media captionRi Su-yong said his country would not be cowed by international sanctions.

US President Barack Obama has dismissed North Korea's proposal to suspend nuclear tests if the US ends its annual military exercises with the South.

India revokes passport of drinks tycoon Vijay Mallya

Mr Mallya was once dubbed the King of Good Times 

 

India has revoked the passport of business tycoon Vijay Mallya accused of hiding in Britain over billions in debt from his defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

Papa Wemba, Congo music star, dies after stage collapse

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Media captionWatch a clip from Papa Wemba's 2015 music video D'adoration

The influential Congolese musician Papa Wemba has died aged 66 after collapsing during a concert.

Fear over eating disorder care in Japan

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Media captionThe BBC's Tulip Mazumdar speaks to Japanese girls under pressure to be thin

Most people suffering with eating disorders in Japan are not receiving any medical or psychological support, according to doctors.

Syria conflict: Obama 'to send 250 more non-combat troops'

Mr Obama is expected to make announcement during his official visit to Hanover

Syria's war
What's left of Syria after five years of war? 

Syria peace talks and polls signal Assad's growing confidence
Why is there a war in Syria?
What's a 'cessation of hostilities'?

US President Barack Obama is to send 250 additional military personnel to Syria to support local militias in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS), officials have said.

President Sisi urges Egyptians to 'defend state' ahead of protests

On TV, Mr Sisi again warned of "evil" forces conspiring against Egypt

Egypt under Sisi

 

Egypt's revolutionaries - where are they now?
Enduring repression and insurgency in Egypt's Sinai
Why US-Egyptian ties are warming
What's become of Egypt's Morsi?

Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has urged citizens to defend the state and its institutions ahead of planned anti-government protests.

Serbia election: Pro-EU Prime Minister Vucic claims victory

Incumbent Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic cast his vote in the capital Belgrade

Serbia's pro-EU PM Aleksandar Vucic has claimed victory in general elections after pollsters' projections showed his Progressive Party won 50% of the votes.

Mexico missing students: Government 'hampered' independent inquiry

Relatives of the missing students attended the delivery of the panel's final report

A panel of international experts investigating the disappearance of 43 Mexican trainee teachers in 2014 says the government of President Enrique Pena Neto has hampered its inquiries.

'Don't buy death' - Somalis urged to stay and rebuild their country

It's part of a journalist's job to keep track of awful events. But stories about rickety boats crammed with migrants capsizing in the Mediterranean occur with horrible frequency.

How moobs are teaching women about breast cancer

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A video showing how to do a breast cancer check using man boobs has been watched nearly 7 million times.

Russians respond to 'disabled should die straight away' row

 
The article was prompted by the visit to Russia of motivational speaker Nick Vujicic, who has no arms or legs

Solar Impulse completes Pacific crossing

 The plane gets all its energy from the sun 
 

The solar-powered aeroplane, Solar Impulse, has completed a three-day flight over the Pacific Ocean.

It flew over San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge on Saturday evening as it prepared to land in California.

Syria conflict: Obama rules out ground troops for Syria

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Barack Obama said "applying international pressure" would help broker a transition

Syria's war

• What's left of Syria after five years of war?
• Syria peace talks and polls signal Assad's growing confidence
• Why is there a war in Syria?
• What's a 'cessation of hostilities'?

President Barack Obama has ruled out deploying US ground troops in Syria and says military efforts alone cannot solve the country's problems.

Final piece of type 1 diabetes puzzle solved

A complete picture of the areas that the immune system attacks to cause type 1 diabetes has finally been revealed by scientists.

The study, published in the journal Diabetes, discovered the fifth and final critical target at which the immune system errantly takes aim.

Prince death: Singer cremated in private ceremony

 Fans are still paying tributes outside singer's state in Minneapolis 
 

Prince has been cremated with a small, private service for family, friends and musicians, his publicist has confirmed.

Migrant crisis: EU-Turkey deal is 'working'

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Media captionMr Tusk said "no-one has the right to lecture Turkey on what they should do"

Migrant crisis

• Short migrant journey back to Turkey
• EU-Turkey migrant deal: A Herculean task
• Turkey has European Union over a barrel
• The tricky business of solving Europe's migrant crisis

Last month's EU-Turkey deal on tackling the migrant flow has begun to produce results, a top EU official has said.

Painting thought to be Caravaggio masterpiece found in French loft

Warning: The paintings featured below depict a graphic image

 

A bar has been placed on this work leaving France for 30 months

A painting that may be by the Italian master Caravaggio and worth £94m ($135m) has been found in the loft of a house in southern France.

Pakistan trial: Evidence blows up in court, injuring two

 Some reports spoke of a grenade but police said it was a detonator 
 

A device being presented as evidence at a trial in a Pakistani court blew up after the judge asked a police officer to show how it worked.

Germany Turkey: Police protection for satirist Boehmermann over Erdogan poem

 Satirist Jan Boehmermann told his audience that the contents of the poem were barred under Germany's criminal code 
 

A German TV comic, Jan Boehmermann, has been placed under police protection after he read an obscene poem about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Canada's 'Black Widow' charged with breaking release terms

 Shepard agreed to not go online when she was released from jail 
 

A Canadian woman dubbed the "Black Widow" after a series of convictions involving male partners has been charged with breaking the terms of her release.

Boko Haram crisis: 'Huge rise' in child suicide bombers

 This 15-year-old was abducted and forced to be a militant's wife until freed by Cameroon's army

Boko Haram

• 'How I almost became a suicide bomber'
• 'Boko Haram took my children'
• Nigeria community divided over Boko Haram
• On patrol with Nigerian soldiers battling Boko Haram

Boko Haram's use of child bombers has increased over the last year with one in five suicide attacks now done by children, the UN's child agency says.

IMF: EU exit could cause severe damage

The UK's exit from the European Union could cause "severe regional and global damage", the International Monetary Fund has warned in its latest outlook.

Hawking backs interstellar travel project

   This generic artist's concept shows how a solar sail might work
 

Stephen Hawking is backing a project to send tiny spacecraft to another star system within a generation.

Entertainer and producer David Gest found dead

Gest produced the highest-rated musical special in US TV history: Michael Jackson's 30th Anniversary Celebration 
 

Entertainer, producer and reality television star David Gest has died in a London hotel aged 62, a statement from his friend says.

Paul Ryan rules out 2016 presidential bid

Mr Ryan has said he does not want to run for president in 2016

Republican road to the White House

• Video What is a contested convention?
• Five ways Republican bloodbath could end
• Could Trump really save the US $19tn?
• How extreme is Donald Trump?

US House Speaker Paul Ryan has officially ruled out making a late attempt to become the Republican presidential nominee.

Brazil's Dilma Rousseff accuses deputy of coup plot

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Brazil political crisis: Why Dilma Rousseff faces impeachment calls

President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil has denounced a "coup" plot against her, suggesting that Vice-President Michel Temer is one of the "conspirators".

North Korea 'tests long-range missile engine'

 Image caption Kim Jong-un reportedly watched the latest test 
 

North Korea says it has successfully tested an engine designed for an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Royal Opera House audience boo violent production of Lucia di Lammermoor

 Image caption Diana Damrau has played the role of Lucia di Lammermoor seven times 
 

The opening night of a production of Lucia di Lammermoor has been booed by the audience at the Royal Opera House.

The production of Donizetti's tragic opera directed by Katie Mitchell had been preceded by warnings of explicit sex scenes and violence.

Romania sells communist luxuries of ex-ruler Ceausescu

 Image caption Up for sale: A model of Nicolae Ceausescu's childhood village home 
 

For the fifth year running a Romanian auction house is putting up for sale diplomatic gifts and other luxuries once owned by ex-communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena.

Thirteen North Koreans defect from overseas restaurant

 Image caption The two Koreas are separated by a heavily fortified, demilitarised zone 
 

Thirteen North Koreans working at the same restaurant abroad have defected to South Korea, Seoul officials say.

Nato and Russia to discuss Ukraine

A US destroyer visited the Polish port of Gdynia on Friday 
 

Nato and Russia are to meet to discuss the Ukraine crisis, which has severely strained relations since Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Gay slur aimed at hairdresser 'not homophobic' - French ruling

 Image caption The judgement relates to the case of a hairdresser fired while he was sick 
 

A Paris tribunal has ruled that calling a male hairdresser a "faggot" is not homophobic - "because hair salons regularly employ gay people".

Migrant crisis: Germany sees huge fall in asylum claims

 Image caption Germany has been accepting migrants under an EU-Turkey deal, but overall numbers have dropped

Migrant crisis

• Short migrant journey back to Turkey
• EU-Turkey migrant deal: A Herculean task
• Turkey has European Union over a barrel
• The tricky business of solving Europe's migrant crisis

Germany has seen a slump in the number of people arriving to seek asylum, weeks after several Balkan states tightened their borders, figures show.

US to push Apple for access to Brooklyn iPhone

 Image caption The Department of Justice would like access to an iPhone that is part of a drugs case in New York 
 

The US Department of Justice has said it will pursue its request for Apple to help unlock an iPhone that is part of a drugs case in New York.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt announce Red Sea bridge

 Image caption King Salman and President Sisi are close allies 
 

Saudi Arabia's king has announced that a bridge linking the country to Egypt will be built over the Red Sea.

Giulio Regeni murder: Italy recalls ambassador to Egypt

 Image caption The case has attracted renewed criticism of Egypt's human rights record

Egypt under Sisi

• Egypt's revolutionaries - where are they now?
• Enduring repression and insurgency in Egypt's Sinai
• Why US-Egyptian ties are warming
• What's become of Egypt's Morsi?

Italy has recalled its ambassador to Egypt for consultations over the murder of student Giulio Regeni in Cairo.

Paris attacks: 'Key suspect Abrini' arrested

 Image caption Abrini was captured on CCTV (R) at a service station at Ressons in northern France while driving a car with Paris suspect Salah Abdeslam

Belgium under attack

• Victims of the Brussels attacks
• Have Belgian blunders hampered Brussels attacks inquiry?
• Brussels attacks: Molenbeek's gangster jihadists
• Paris and Brussels bombers' links uncovered

The key remaining suspect in November's Paris terror attacks, Mohamed Abrini, has been arrested, media and police sources say.

Belgian media say Abrini is also likely to be the "man in the hat" seen on CCTV before the blasts in the Brussels airport departure hall on 22 March.