2/8 BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition

American woman becomes first on record to complete Atlantic swim February 7, 2009 at 10:43 pm A 56-year-old American woman has become the first on record to swim the Atlantic, taking 24 days from the Cape Verde Islands to Trinidad. Swiss to vote on EU worker rights February 7, 2009 at 10:00 pm Switzerland votes whether to continue to allow in EU workers, and whether to extend that right to Romanians and Bulgarians. Voting counts February 7, 2009 at 8:54 pm Has Iraq witnessed birth of a genuine democracy? Australia fires rage with 35 dead February 7, 2009 at 8:53 pm Australian officials warn that bush fires that have killed 35 people are not yet under control, with more extreme weather predicted. Government plans travel database February 7, 2009 at 8:14 pm The government is compiling a database to track and store the international travel records of millions of Britons. No fanfare February 7, 2009 at 7:09 pm Lacklustre close to campaigning in Israel's election UK Treasury orders probe into banks February 7, 2009 at 5:44 pm The Treasury is to order an independent probe into how banks are managed, chancellor Alistair Darling says. Obama defends economic stimulus February 7, 2009 at 5:23 pm The US president defends his economic stimulus plan as "absolutely necessary", and urges Congress to approve it quickly. Marriage over for Peaches Geldof February 7, 2009 at 5:20 pm Peaches Geldof and singer Max Drummey are to divorce, six months after their wedding in Las Vegas. New Bolivia constitution in force February 7, 2009 at 3:26 pm Bolivia's President Evo Morales enacts a new constitution that aims to empower the country's indigenous majority. England crash to innings defeat February 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm West Indies bowl out England for 51 to win the first Test by an innings and 23 runs on day four in Jamaica. Baby boy 'killed by family dogs' February 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm A three-month-old boy dies after what is believed to be an attack by two family dogs in south Wales. US fishermen trapped on ice slab February 7, 2009 at 2:41 pm A rescue operation is under way to save about 200 people trapped when a huge slab of ice broke away from the shore of Lake Erie. Forgotten classic car sells for 3.4m euros at auction February 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm A Bugatti car, which gathered dust in a Tyneside garage for 47 years, sells for 3.4m euros (£3m) at an auction in Paris. Liverpool go top after late drama February 7, 2009 at 2:28 pm Fernando Torres scores a dramatic late header to take Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League and leave Portsmouth in relegation trouble. Impressive Irish hold off France February 7, 2009 at 2:08 pm Ireland recover from a slow start to claim a magnificent win over a battling France side in a thrilling RBS Six Nations opener at Croke Park. Somali leader arrives in capital February 7, 2009 at 1:37 pm Somalia's new president arrives in the capital Mogadishu, his first trip there since being elected a week ago by MPs. Italian right-to-die row deepens February 7, 2009 at 1:29 pm A political standoff develops in Italy over the right of a woman who has been in a coma for 17 years to die, despite a ruling in her favour. Jolie and Pitt expected at Baftas February 7, 2009 at 12:24 pm Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are expected to attend Sunday's Bafta film awards in London. Photosynthesis viewed in a flash February 7, 2009 at 11:28 am Using ultra-short laser pulses, scientists hope to understand how plants harvest the Sun's energy. Kercher friendship 'had cooled' February 7, 2009 at 10:48 am The friendship between murdered British student Meredith Kercher and accused Amanda Knox had "cooled" before her death, a court hears. Germany warns Iran over sanctions February 7, 2009 at 10:39 am Germany warns Iran that it would support tougher sanctions if diplomatic efforts to stop the Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons broke down. Rocky ride February 7, 2009 at 9:57 am The challenges ahead for Evo Morales and Bolivia Gospel truth February 7, 2009 at 9:52 am Hear the secret behind the Soweto Choir's success Pakistan Taleban 'kill' hostage February 7, 2009 at 8:33 am A Taleban group in Pakistan claims it has killed a Polish engineer kidnapped in September, reports say. Police 'kill five' in Madagascar February 7, 2009 at 8:19 am Police open fire on an opposition protest in the capital of Madagascar, killing at least five people, reports say. US offers new foreign policy tone February 7, 2009 at 8:17 am New US Vice-President Joe Biden outlines the Obama government's foreign policy, emphasising a new tone with the world. Sacked Baby P chief defends case February 7, 2009 at 8:16 am The ex-head of Haringey children's services criticises the way ministers handled the outcry over the Baby P case. Great escape February 7, 2009 at 7:54 am Wartime trek to freedom through southern China See no evil February 7, 2009 at 7:42 am Silence on murders raises questions about Russia Australian bush fires turn deadly February 7, 2009 at 7:09 am Fourteen people have been killed in wildfires in southern Australia, and there are fears as many as 40 people may have died. Unwell Kinnear taken to hospital February 7, 2009 at 7:03 am Newcastle say manager Joe Kinnear has been taken to hospital as a "precautionary measure" after feeling unwell. Live text - Premier League February 7, 2009 at 7:01 am Man City host struggling Middlesbrough in Saturday's early Premier League game, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa all in action later. Manchester United star has his car seized by police February 7, 2009 at 5:25 am Manchester United player Carlos Tevez's car was seized after it is found he did not have a full UK driving licence, police say. History's lesson February 7, 2009 at 4:25 am Israel's Likud says peace is not the preserve of the left Week in pictures February 7, 2009 at 3:19 am The best images from around the world this week US character actor Whitmore dies February 7, 2009 at 2:56 am Veteran actor James Whitmore, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrait as President Harry Truman, dies aged 87. Malaysian twins spared death row February 7, 2009 at 2:38 am Malaysian identical twins escape hanging for drug trafficking as a court fails to decide which brother was the criminal. Seven police killed in Pakistan February 7, 2009 at 12:44 am Seven police officers are killed in an attack by unknown assailants on a checkpoint in Mianwali in Punjab province. Latin America poverty 'may soar' February 6, 2009 at 9:41 pm A senior UN official says the world's economic crisis could cause poverty in Latin America to rise by 15% this year.