BBC News

5 January 2012 Last updated at 17:46 ET

Nurse arrested in hospital probe

Police investigating the poisoning of patients at Stepping Hill Hospital arrest a nurse on suspicion of tampering with medical records.

A teenage boy was tortured and drowned on Christmas Day after being accused of being a witch, the Old Bailey hears.

The Attorney General's Office is reviewing the minimum terms given to Stephen Lawrence's killers following a request from a member of the public.

UK warns Iran over trading route

Any attempt by Iran to close a vital trade route would fail, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond tells the Atlantic Council think tank in the US.
Iraqi militia offer Briton's body

The Iraqi militia that kidnapped five Britons in 2007 says it will hand over the body of the last missing man, who it says was "killed in a clash".
Pensions offer rejected by Unite

Unite rejects the government's final offer on public sector pensions for NHS workers and warns strikes could continue into the Olympics.
Teenager 'was seeing older men'
Winds cause disruption around UK
UK aid worker seized in Pakistan
Bomb found in north Belfast car
2012 swimming fans given pledge
Abbott sorry for Twitter race row
Mum killed in front of daughter
Ditch class size limit, Gove told
Mortgage rationing 'to get worse'
Action pledged on tax avoidance

News, features and analysis helping you understand what matters and why

Khan alleges ringside wrongdoing

Amir Khan accuses an unidentified man of "interfering" with officials and the judges' scorecards during his defeat by Lamont Peterson.
Ivory Coast reject Toure request
Third sex charge for footballer

How do you cycle to the South Pole?

An expedition is attempting to be the first to use a bike to reach the South Pole. So how can you cycle in some of the most extreme conditions on the planet?
Children have never had it so good
The master of the snippet

MP aims to be police commissioner

Former police minister and ex-First Minister Alun Michael announces his intention to stand for south Wales police and crime commissioner.
300-strong Lords 'not big enough'
Burma 'to release more prisoners'

2011 in the House of Commons Watch

From phone-hacking to the Arab Spring, and from the eurozone to Hillsborough it has been a momentous year in the House of Commons. Democracy Live has some of 2011's parliamentary highlights.