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Egyptians vote in landmark poll

Egyptians are heading to the polls in the first free presidential election in their history, made possible by last year's Arab Spring uprising.

Iran nuclear talks set to open

A group of six world powers is due to hold fresh talks with Iran in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, about Tehran's controversial nuclear programme.

Adviser attacks 'socialist' Cable

Business Secretary Vince Cable is a socialist who "appears to do very little to support business", No 10 adviser Adrian Beecroft says.

Chronic pain under-treated - NICE

Many patients with advanced cancer and other debilitating conditions are being "under-treated" for their pain, according to new guidance.

Schools saw 87,000 racism cases

Thousands of racist incidents, ranging from name calling to physical abuse, were recorded in Britain's schools between 2007 and 2011, the BBC finds.

Neets 'trapped by lack of skills'

Too many young people lack the social skills needed to get their first job, says a report on the issue of Neets.

'Emerging hospital bug' warning

Rates of hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA are going down but figures suggest other bacteria are an emerging problem in England.

Official 'offers 2012 tickets'

A senior Olympic official is suspended after a BBC investigation revealed he was willing to sell thousands of pounds worth of 2012 tickets for cash.

Detectives in bribes allegations

Two Scotland Yard detective constables and a former detective inspector have been named as "key culprits" in bribery allegations revealed to MPs.

Canada bus killer in alien claim

A man who beheaded a fellow bus passenger in Canada in 2008 has spoken out for the first time, saying he believed he was killing an alien.

Zara Phillips to ride with torch

On day five of the relay, the torch will be placed in the royal hands of Zara Phillips to finish its journey from Bristol to Cheltenham.

TV remote control inventor dies

The inventor of the television remote control, Eugene Polley, dies of natural causes, aged 96, in a Chicago hospital.

DNA to shed light on yeti claims

A UK-Swiss team is to use genetic testing to investigate the origins of remains claimed to have come from "yetis" and "bigfoot".

Orange pulls out of fiction prize

Orange announces that it is ending its 17-year sponsorship of The Women's Prize for Fiction.

Facebook float hits more problems

Shares in Facebook drop another 9% amid reports financial regulators may review whether there was a selective disclosure of information to investors.

Burberry annual profits rise 24%

Upmarket fashion retailer Burberry reports strong growth in annual profits as it continues to expand around the world.

HS2 only rail solution, MPs say

Alternatives to the High Speed Two (HS2) rail link will not solve the capacity problems on Britain's railways, MPs say.

Tory MPs urge state 'roll back'

A group of Conservative MPs elected in 2010 call for "principled conservatism" and more power to be given to individuals and businesses.

'Failings' on diabetes condemned

Standards for diabetes care are still not being met in England 11 years after they were set, a report says.

Lab grows heart muscle from skin

Scientists in Israel say they have managed to turn patients' own skin cells into heart muscle in the lab.

Fee rises 'deter mature students'

Higher undergraduate tuition fees may trigger a collapse in university applications from mature students in England, suggests a study.

Ofsted criticises maths teaching

An Ofsted report criticises maths teaching and warns over early entry to maths GCSE.

Virgin and BT in broadband row

Virgin is due to tell a Lord's select committee that rival BT is being subsidised by government cash.

Microsoft opens up So.cl network

The search result sharing service allows members of the public to sign up and view each other's "collages of content".

Parasite may aid cattle TB spread

The spread of an animal parasite across the UK may be hampering moves to curb cattle tuberculosis, research suggests.

Rewritable DNA memory shown off

Researchers demonstrate a means to use sections of DNA as individually addressable, rewritable "bits" to store data in living cells.

Jedward reach Eurovision final

The former X Factor contestants will perform in the Eurovision Song Contest final in Baku this Saturday after being voted through from the first semi-final.

Fogle to attempt Atlantic swim

TV presenter Ben Fogle is to attempt to swim 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in 100 days for charity next year.

Why are fountain pen sales rising?

Is the fountain pen a curious example of an old-fashioned object surviving the winds of change?

Why readers love their moustaches

Following the feature on how to grow a four-metre moustache, readers have been sending in pictures of their own follicly fertile upper lips.

Torres is Chelsea future - Drogba

Departing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says fellow forward Fernando Torres is the future at Stamford Bridge.

Khan to fight Garcia on 14 July

Amir Khan confirms he will fight the undefeated WBC light-welterweight champion Danny Garcia in Las Vegas on 14 July.

Solskjaer pulls out of Villa race

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he is no longer interested in replacing Alex McLeish as Aston Villa manager.

Trent Bridge suits England - Stewart

"West Indies will find the going in Nottingham even tougher than they did at Lord's"

Prostitution crackdown praised

A crackdown on prostitution in a Suffolk town where five sex workers were killed could be repeated elsewhere.

More attacks on ambulance staff

The number of West Midlands Ambulance staff being attacked has risen in the past year, the service says.

Call for convictions law change

The Scottish Law Commission says prosecutors should be able to use previous convictions as evidence in Scottish trials.

Record high in oil and gas bids

A record number of applications are submitted by companies wishing to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea.

Trinity asked to return £835,000

The Trinity Housing Association is to be asked to return £835,000 of public funds that it used to buy a house and grounds from the County Down developer Ken Campbell.

Prosecutors outline Michaela case

Prosecution lawyers give their opening statement in the trial of two men charged with the murder of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius last year.

Financial advice call over cancer

A charity calls for all cancer sufferers to be given financial advice when diagnosed with the disease, as it says people are often unprepared for the cost.

Torch traffic disruption warning

Residents and businesses along the route of the Olympic torch relay are warned to expect significant disruption.

Man guilty of Terreblanche murder

A South African farm worker is convicted of murdering white supremacist leader Eugene Terreblanche in 2010, with a second man acquitted.

'Obscene' Zuma painting attacked

A painting showing South Africa's President Jacob Zuma with his genitals hanging out, angering the ANC, is vandalised in a Johannesburg gallery.

N Korea launch site in 'upgrade'

A "major upgrade" is under way at North Korea's rocket launch site, a report says, as Pyongyang hits out at US warnings on a nuclear test.

Australia denies Corby jail deal

Australia says no deal was done to cut convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby's jail term in exchange for releasing Indonesian minors.

Euro 'threat' to global outlook

A weak eurozone is the single biggest threat to the global economy, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

UK can decide on inmates' votes

The European Court of Human Rights says individual governments can decide how to implement a ban on convicted prisoners voting.

Bomb 'targets Colombia ex-leader'

A bomb is found hidden in a lamp at a theatre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, ahead of a speech to be given there by Colombian ex-President Alvaro Uribe.

Peru denies dolphin death claims

A Peruvian minister denies claims that explosions used in oil exploration are to blame for the deaths of hundreds of dolphins.

Abductions raise Lebanon tension

Tensions rise after rebels in northern Syria kidnap 13 Lebanese Shia pilgrims on their way home from visiting holy sites in Iran.

Yemen 'on brink of food crisis'

Seven aid agencies warn that Yemen is on the verge of a hunger catastrophe as a result of political instability and rising prices.

Montreal marks 100-day protest

Tens of thousands of protesters fill the streets of Montreal to mark 100 days since the start of protests against a rise in student tuition fees.

US 'could fall off fiscal cliff'

The US could tip into recession if the government does not avert year-end tax hikes and federal spending cuts, auditors say.

Day in pictures: 22 May 2012

24 hours of news photos 22 May 2012

In pictures: Chelsea Flower Show

Press day at the Chelsea Flower Show

Day in pictures: 21 May 2012

24 hours of news photos: 21 May

In pictures: Annular eclipse

Eastern Asia to the western US states

Robin Gibb's life in pictures

Bee Gees' singer Robin Gibb has died

In pictures: Chelsea bus parade

Chelsea celebrate their European Cup triumph

In pictures: Falklands War Memorial unveiled

Veterans and families attended service

Week in pictures: 12-18 May 2012

News photos from around the world

VIDEO: House of Commons

The former News International employees accused of misleading Parliament should face "profound consequences", Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairman John Whittingdale has said.

VIDEO: Prince Charles turns his hand to DJing

Prince Charles proved to be a dab-hand as a DJ on a visit to a youth centre music studio in Canada.

VIDEO: Official 'offers 2012 tickets'

A senior Olympic official was willing to sell thousands of pounds worth of tickets to the London 2012 Games for cash, an undercover BBC London investigation reveals.

VIDEO: Egypt preparing for landmark polls

Egyptians are preparing to head to the polls in their first free presidential election, 15 months after ousting Hosni Mubarak in the Arab Spring uprising.

VIDEO: Many 'under-treated' for pain

Many patients with advanced cancer and other debilitating conditions are being "under-treated" for their pain, new guidance from the health watchdog NICE says.

VIDEO: How to move a 6,200 tonne building

A 6,200 tonne building is being moved 60 metres to make way for the expansion of a railway in Zurich.

VIDEO: Workers rescued from Mexico office fire

A fire in an office building in Mexico City prompted the evacuation of 600 people and the rescue of about a dozen office workers who were trapped on the roof of the building.

VIDEO: Zuma painting defaced in gallery

A painting of the South African President Jacob Zuma has been vandalised at a gallery in Johannesburg.

VIDEO: Is it wrong to sell an Olympic torch?

Professor Michael Sandel - who has taught political philosophy since 1980 - claims there has been a shift from having a market economy to being a market society, where people are mainly motivated by money.

Living with a Nazi name

The troubled descendants of Nazi war criminals

VIDEO: Met Office: How to count pollen

How pollen is captured and counted for forecast

Trafficked: Sex slaves seduced and sold

One trafficked girl's escape from sex slavery

Scissor Sisters: 'Albums are a waste of songs'

Scissor Sisters focus on fun factor for fourth album

Greece: The upside of default

Why a Greek default wouldn't spell the end of the world

Racist torment in the classroom

How bullying made girl's school life a 'daily torment'

London seeks lead role as China's currency goes global

London seeks leading role as Chinese currency goes global

Votes for prisoners anger papers

Votes for prisoners anger papers

Torres is Chelsea future - Drogba

Departing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says fellow forward Fernando Torres is the future at Stamford Bridge.

Khan to fight Garcia on 14 July

Solskjaer pulls out of Villa race

Trent Bridge suits England - Stewart

"West Indies will find the going in Nottingham even tougher than they did at Lord's"

Olazabal wants four vice-captains

Europe's Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal will appoint four vice-captains for this year's event at Medinah in September.

Spain's Villa to miss Euro 2012

Kelly in England call for Norway

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly is added to the England squad ahead of Saturday's friendly match with Norway.

Ballard sets new 100m world best

British sprinter Graeme Ballard sets a new 100m world record for his category at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

Meyer wary of England challenge

Heyneke Meyer says his South Africa side will not underestimate England when the teams meet in June's three-Test series.

Clijsters to retire after US Open

Former world number one Kim Clijsters says she will retire after attempting to win a fourth US Open title in September.

Hargreaves released by Man City

Mourinho signs Real Madrid deal

Keeper Almunia to leave Arsenal

Manuel Almunia among seven players to be told by Arsenal that they will be released when their contracts expire on 30 June.

Pietersen praises England bowlers

Els defends changes at Wentworth

Ernie Els defends his changes to the West Course at Wentworth and says the majority of players enjoy the more challenging design.

Newcastle to seal Amalfitano deal

Newcastle will sign 22-year-old French midfielder Romain Amalfitano on a free transfer from Stade de Reims.

Ireland forward Leamy quits game

A hip injury forces Ireland and Munster back-row forward Denis Leamy to retire at the age of 30.

Champions League final photos

All the best action from the Champions League final in Munich.

VIDEO: Chelsea hero exits after eight years

Striker Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea this summer after eight years with the club, as BBC Sport's Patrick Gearey reports. (UK users only)

VIDEO: Torres is the future - Drogba

Didier Drogba says Fernando Torres is "the future" of Chelsea, as the Ivory Coast striker confirmed he will leave the club on a free transfer this summer.

VIDEO: In-depth interview - Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba reflects on his top five moments at Chelsea and jokes that he would come back to cut the grass, but is tight-lipped on his future after confirming he will leave the club this summer.

VIDEO: Archive 2006 - Hargreaves excels for England

After being released by Manchester City, BBC Sport looks back on a great Owen Hargreaves performance against Portugal at the World Cup in 2006.

AUDIO: Drogba on his 'best-ever' goal

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says his match-winning penalty against Bayern Munich to clinch the Champions League trophy was his "best-ever goal".

VIDEO: West Ham win thrilling final

West Ham beat Blackpool 2-1 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley to gain promotion to the Premier League.

VIDEO: No timescale for new boss - Gourlay

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay hails the club's "phenomenal" players following their Champions League victory over Bayern Munich in a penalty shoot-out.

VIDEO: Rose's PGA Championship preview

BBC Sport looks ahead to this year's PGA Championship at Wentworth with world number 10 Justin Rose.

AUDIO: Pietersen hails world-class pair

Kevin Pietersen says Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson make a "fearsome" partnership, following England's five-wicket victory over West Indies in the first Test.

VIDEO: F1's greatest drivers - Lewis Hamilton

Formula 1 commentary legend Murray Walker looks at the highs and lows of the career of 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

VIDEO: No Olympics for Kosovo's top guns

International politics crushes sporting dreams of a nation.

AUDIO: Pistorius happy after 200m win

South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius is pleased with his performance after a comfortable victory in the 200m race at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

VIDEO: Matthew wins third British Open

World champion Nick Matthew becomes the first Englishman to win the British Open three times in the professional era after beating Egypt's Ramy Ashour.

VIDEO: Countdown to Paralympic Games

Paralympic athletes gather to mark a 100 days to go before the London Games begin.

VIDEO: Team that keeps torch relay moving

What keeps the Olympic torch relay on the road?

Euro 1968: Mullery's moment of madness

Spurs legend Alan Mullery relives his infamous sending off against Yugoslavia, as England's world champions came unstuck in Italy

Departing Drogba signed off in style

Didier Drogba will make his exit after eight years at Chelsea with the Ivory Coast striker knowing it is mission accomplished

F1’s greatest drivers – Lewis Hamilton

Commentary legend Murray Walker and chief F1 writer Andrew Benson look back on Lewis Hamilton's career so far.

Kosovo gunning for Olympic justice

Not recognised by the International Olympic Committee, Kosovo athletes face battle for sporting recognition

The model who charmed 'The Cobra'

Carl Froch's partner Rachael Cordingley discusses the man behind the boxer

Jeremy Guscott Q&A

Former England centre on European champions Leinster, the upcoming Premiership final between Leicester and Harlequins, and other topics

Montpellier: The anti-Man City

How Montpellier overcame big-spending Paris Saint-Germain to win the French title on an annual budget of £29m

Avil quits after eating disorder

Hollie Avil, who competed in the triathlon at the Beijing Olympics, retires after battling an eating disorder.

Britain face Argentina in opener

GB men's Olympic hockey team will face Argentina in opening match at London 2012 on 30 July at the Riverbank Arena.

Team GB name table tennis squad

Team GB name their table tennis squad for the London Olympics, including Joanna Parker and Paul Drinkhall as the singles players.

More Olympic tickets go on sale

More tickets are to go on sale on Wednesday for events at the London 2012 Olympics, with anyone eligible to buy a ticket.

Ennis accepts apology after error

GreatCity Games organisers apologise to Jessica Ennis for a mix-up that invalidated her 100m hurdles personal best.

Newcastle win to complete sweep

Newcastle Eagles complete a clean sweep of all four BBL titles by beating Leicester Riders 71-62 in the Play-Offs final

Haye fears Vitali fight - Boente

David Haye turned down a fight with Vitali Klitschko because he fears him, claims the Ukrainian's manager Bernd Boente.

Best replaces Gabriel for Windies

Injured West Indies seamer Shannon Gabriel will miss the rest of the Test series against England and be replaced by Tino Best.

Rodriguez retains lead in Italy

Joaquim Rodriguez retains the lead in the Giro d'Italia as fellow Spaniard Jon Izagirre wins the 16th stage.

Taylor wins Premier League title

Phil Taylor wins his sixth Premier League Darts title, beating Simon Whitlock 10-7 in the final at London's O2 Arena.

Experience is vital - Pistorius

South African amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius hopes his past experiences can help him in the Paralympic 100m final.

Gers sanction warning by Johnston

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston warns against heavy additional sanctions against Rangers if new owners form a "newco".

Williams ready after fire drama

Chief engineer says the team is ready for the Monaco GP despite having their preparations "hampered" by Spanish GP fire.

McDowell loses Match Play final

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell is narrowly beaten by Nicolas Colsaerts in the final of the World Match Play in Andalucia.

Hannah Whelan lifts double bronze

Hannah Whelan wins two bronze medals at the 2012 European Championships, as Romania dominate the tournament.

Danson & Cullen named in GB squad

Injury worries Alex Danson and Crista Cullen have been named in the Great Britain women's hockey squad for the Olympics.

Frankel ranked best for 25 years

Frankel is rated as the best horse in the world for the last quarter of a century by the British Horseracing Authority.

Lorenzo eases to win at Le Mans

Jorge Lorenzo beats Valentino Rossi in France on a wet Le Mans track to go top of the MotoGP standings ahead of Casey Stoner.

GB eight without Louloudis again

Constantine Louloudis will be absent from the men's eight at the World Cup in Lucerne as he recovers from a back injury.

Leuluai expects Rhinos reaction

Leeds Rhinos prop Kylie Leuluai wants his side to bounce back against Bradford Bulls at Magic Weekend on Sunday.

Saints sign Australian Shepherd

Northampton Saints sign Australia and Western Force full-back Cameron Shepherd for the 2012-13 season.

Snooker needs O'Sullivan - Hendry

Stephen Hendry warns snooker chief Barry Hearn that the sport without world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan would be far less attractive.

Payne fails to finish in Israel

World champion Keri-Anne Payne fails to finish her 10km race at the European Open Water Swimming Cup because of a shoulder injury.

Keothavong beaten in Strasbourg

Anne Keothavong is knocked out of the Strasbourg International by Mirjana Lucic, the British number two losing 2-6 7-5 6-4.

Minichiello joins Dutch Bobsleigh

Great Britain's former bobsleigh world champion Nicola Minichiello makes history by becoming the first female head coach of a winter sport.

Drogba confirms Chelsea departure

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea on a free transfer this summer after eight years with the club.

Relegated Dunfermline release 12

Dunfermline offer new contracts to Gary Mason and Liam Buchanan but release 12 players after relegation.

Defeats will test Wales - Shane

Shane Williams says Wales' current crop are mentally tough, but that their reaction to set-backs will be crucial.

McMahon and Nocher make Olympics

Sycerika McMahon and Melanie Nocher both qualify for the Olympics after producing brilliant swims at the European Championships.

Formula 1 gossip column

A selection of gossip and stories from around F1