3/22 BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition

Chavez cuts budget over oil price March 21, 2009 at 11:30 pm Venezuela's Hugo Chavez announces cuts to his 2009 budget and other measures to offset falling oil revenues. Obama fends off Geithner doubters March 21, 2009 at 11:20 pm US President Barack Obama backs his embattled treasury secretary in a US TV interview, saying he would not be allowed to resign. US 'needs new Pakistan strategy' March 21, 2009 at 10:02 pm US strategy in Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent years has failed, Pakistan's foreign minister tells the BBC. Comprehensive terror law planned March 21, 2009 at 9:52 pm Plans for an updated anti-terror strategy aim at tackling the immediate threat of terrorism and the longer-term extremism. Security tight for Macedonia vote March 21, 2009 at 8:31 pm Security is tight in Macedonia ahead of presidential and local polls seen as key to the country's EU and Nato membership bids. 'Vitamin' for baby brain disorder March 21, 2009 at 8:16 pm A dietary supplement taken during pregnancy could cut the risk of hydrocephalus, research suggests. Alien encounters: UK opens official UFO files March 21, 2009 at 8:00 pm A boomerang-shaped object seen from an airport and a woman's encounter with an "alien" are among secrets revealed in newly-released UFO files. 'Deadly' stampede at Pope speech March 21, 2009 at 7:55 pm Two people reportedly die in a stampede in Angola as the Pope gives an address at a football stadium in the capital. Pakistan judge to regain top post March 21, 2009 at 7:39 pm Pakistan's sacked top judge Iftikhar Chaudhry is to be reinstated, after mass opposition protests. Live text - Women's World Cup final March 21, 2009 at 6:39 pm England must score 167 to win the Women's World Cup after bowling New Zealand out for 166 in the final in Sydney. Murray shines in win over Federer March 21, 2009 at 6:00 pm Andy Murray reaches the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final with a fine 6-3 4-6 6-1 victory over Roger Federer. US 'backs Danish PM as Nato head' March 21, 2009 at 5:36 pm The US is prepared to back Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen as Nato's next secretary general, reports say. Iraq kidnappers send latest video March 21, 2009 at 5:16 pm The kidnappers of five Britons held in Iraq for nearly two years send a new video to the British embassy in Baghdad. Envoy damns US Afghan drug effort March 21, 2009 at 3:52 pm US counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan are "wasteful and ineffective", the US envoy to Afghanistan says. UK right-to-life case baby dies March 21, 2009 at 3:28 pm A seriously ill baby, whose parents lost a High Court battle with doctors to keep him alive on a ventilator, has died. O'Gara seals historic Irish Slam March 21, 2009 at 3:26 pm Ireland claim the Grand Slam for the first time in 61 years, beating Wales 17-15 in a dramatic Six Nations finale in Cardiff. Crowds march against Naples mafia March 21, 2009 at 3:23 pm At least 100,000 people march along the waterfront in Naples in one of the largest anti-mafia protests in years. England 26-12 Scotland March 21, 2009 at 1:27 pm England survive a disappointing second-half performance to win back the Calcutta Cup from Scotland. Toilet arsonist reward not to be sniffed at March 21, 2009 at 1:17 pm A US firm is offering a major reward as they hunt an arsonist who has attacked a host of portable toilets across San Francisco AIG bonuses 'higher than thought' March 21, 2009 at 12:54 pm Controversial US insurance giant AIG paid $218m in bonuses - much more than previously thought, a senior US official says. Nine-man Man Utd crash at Fulham March 21, 2009 at 12:53 pm Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney are sent off as Manchester United's title hopes take another blow with a shock defeat at Fulham. Staying away March 21, 2009 at 12:33 pm Madagascar unrest harms burgeoning tourist industry Malaysia tiger park plan attacked March 21, 2009 at 12:05 pm Conservationists criticise a Malaysian plan to set up a tiger park on the resort island of Penang. 'No compass' March 21, 2009 at 11:56 am Crisis sparks search for leadership in Europe Germany mourns shooting victims March 21, 2009 at 11:12 am Tens of thousands of people gather in the German town of Winnenden for a memorial service for the 15 victims of a shooting. Jury directed in Spector retrial March 21, 2009 at 10:53 am The jury in the murder retrial of Phil Spector are advised they can consider a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. Monterrey attack suspect arrested March 21, 2009 at 9:43 am Mexico arrests an alleged senior drug cartel member accused of a grenade attack on the US consulate in Monterrey. Bombers strike on Afghan new year March 21, 2009 at 8:54 am Two bombings in eastern Afghanistan have left at least eight people dead, officials say. Sudan aid cut 'extermination' March 21, 2009 at 7:57 am Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir is accused of 'exterminating' civilians by denying access to the giant refugee camps in Darfur. Still not welcome March 21, 2009 at 7:56 am Remote island bars journalist for betraying 'secret' Family hold wake for Richardson March 21, 2009 at 7:10 am The family of the actress Natasha Richardson, who died after a skiing accident, hold a wake in New York. Iran demands change in US policy March 21, 2009 at 6:59 am Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei responds to President Obama's overture by demanding US policy changes. Hungary's prime minister to quit March 21, 2009 at 6:45 am Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany says he will quit because he is an obstacle to the country's economic recovery. Two bodies found in loch search March 21, 2009 at 6:26 am Two bodies are recovered following a rescue operation at a loch, launched after four men were seen in the water. Madagascar's leader is sworn in March 21, 2009 at 6:14 am Madagascar's Andry Rajoelina is sworn in as the Indian Ocean island's new leader, but many diplomats boycott the ceremony. Jet's tail hits Australia runway March 21, 2009 at 6:06 am An airliner carrying more than 225 people makes an emergency landing after its tail hits the runway in Melbourne. Declining fortunes March 21, 2009 at 5:32 am Russians tell how they scrape a living in economic crisis Pontiff celebrates Mass in Angola March 21, 2009 at 5:15 am Pope Benedict is attending Mass in Angola's capital Luanda, as he continues his week-long African tour. N Korea confirms reporters held March 21, 2009 at 4:22 am North Korea confirms the arrest of two female US journalists, saying they were detained for illegally entering its territory. Armenian row March 21, 2009 at 12:32 am Turkish film about 1915 'genocide' revives old dispute Vicious cycle March 21, 2009 at 12:03 am Is there a way out of Kuwait's repeating crises? Queenslanders in 'historic' vote March 20, 2009 at 11:21 pm Voters in Queensland, Australia, are voting in state elections - which could see a woman backed as premier for the first time. New guidance on IVF defects risk March 20, 2009 at 9:21 pm Couples seeking IVF treatment are to be warned children born using the treatment may face a higher risk of birth defects. Afghan blasts kill Canada troops March 20, 2009 at 8:29 pm Four Canadian soldiers are killed and eight injured in two separate bombs in Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Changing nursing March 20, 2009 at 8:11 pm The nurse who helped banish bedsores Gene 'has key schizophrenia role' March 20, 2009 at 8:11 pm Scientists have discovered a single gene may control how some patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder respond to their medication. Argentine farmers in food strike March 20, 2009 at 6:51 pm Farmers in Argentina are halting grain, oilseeds and cattle sales for seven days in protest at agricultural policies. England win after farcical finish March 20, 2009 at 6:01 pm England win the first one-day international by a single run after a calamitous misreading of the rain regulations by the West Indies.