2/28 BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition

US may boycott racism conference February 27, 2009 at 9:20 pm The US threatens to boycott a UN conference on racism, calling a draft text "unsalvageable" and saying it unfairly criticises Israel. Councils in 'ghost town' warning February 27, 2009 at 9:05 pm Local authorities in England want new powers to transform empty shops into community projects during the recession. Motor neurone disease 'gene clue' February 27, 2009 at 7:36 pm A gene linked to a type of motor neurone disease that runs in families has been pinned down after a 10-year search. Ill Castro 'takes walk in Havana' February 27, 2009 at 7:29 pm Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, not seen in public since 2006, goes for a walk in Havana, Venezuela's president says. GE makes rare cut in dividend February 27, 2009 at 6:47 pm General Electric makes a rare cut in its shareholder dividend in a bid to conserve cash amid the economic downturn. Bangladesh army backs government February 27, 2009 at 6:36 pm The head of Bangladesh's army pledges support for the government following a bloody mutiny by border guards. Spanish seize huge cocaine haul February 27, 2009 at 5:39 pm A Venezuelan fishing boat is seized with five tonnes of cocaine on board, Spanish customs officials say. Kurdish 'grave sites' to be dug February 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm A Turkish prosecutor orders excavations at sites where it is thought bodies of Kurds killed in the 1990s may have been dumped. France end Wales Grand Slam hopes February 27, 2009 at 4:43 pm Wales suffer defeat for the first time in the Six Nations under Warren Gatland, beaten 21-16 by France in Paris. Broken by debt February 27, 2009 at 4:38 pm Hungarians feel the force of the economic crisis Bopara takes England to big total February 27, 2009 at 4:35 pm Ravi Bopara makes 104 as England declare on 600-6 and reduce West Indies to 85-1 by the close on day two of the fourth Test in Barbados. US detainee 'on terror charges' February 27, 2009 at 3:32 pm A Qatari-Saudi national held on US soil is formally charged by a court with supporting a foreign terror group. Hostage robbers in Irish bank haul February 27, 2009 at 1:20 pm An armed gang which has carried out the Irish Republic's biggest ever robbery at a Dublin bank is sought by police. Obama outlines Iraq pullout plan February 27, 2009 at 1:14 pm President Barack Obama announces details of his plan to withdraw most US troops from Iraq by August 2010. Death probe for coma case father February 27, 2009 at 1:03 pm The father of an Italian woman who died after a right-to-die row is under investigation for murder, prosecutors say. Italy murder suspect 'did cartwheels' February 27, 2009 at 1:02 pm Meredith Kercher murder suspect Amanda Knox "turned cartwheels" in the police station after the killing, a policeman testifies. S Africa hit back after North ton February 27, 2009 at 12:59 pm South Africa stabilised after a disastrous start to finish on 85-3 in their reply to Australia's 466 on day two of the first Test in Johannesburg. Canada 'turns back Russia bomber' February 27, 2009 at 12:34 pm Canadian jets intercepted a Russian bomber on the eve of US President Obama's visit to Ottawa, Canadian officials say. Pilfered euro sparks German row February 27, 2009 at 12:26 pm The sacking of a worker suspected of pilfering provokes wrangling in Germany about public morality and big business. Brown vows to claw pension back February 27, 2009 at 11:32 am Gordon Brown pledges to "use every legal means at our disposal" to claw back Sir Fred Goodwin's "unacceptable" £16m pension. Budget airline Ryanair mulls charging for using toilet February 27, 2009 at 11:00 am The Irish budget airline says it is considering charging passengers for using the toilet while flying. Zuma dismisses new SA challenge February 27, 2009 at 10:53 am Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa's ruling ANC, tells the BBC he is not worried by the emergence of a new opposition. Bangladesh troops find mass grave February 27, 2009 at 10:36 am Troops searching the site of a mutiny in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, find a grave thought to contain 58 bodies. Ang Lee to head Venice festival February 27, 2009 at 10:19 am Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee is to head the jury at this year's Venice Film Festival, organisers announce. US increases stake in Citigroup February 27, 2009 at 10:17 am Citigroup agrees a deal which sees the US government increase its stake in the ailing bank from 8% to 40%. US economy suffers sharp nosedive February 27, 2009 at 9:47 am The US economy shrank by 6.2% in the last three months of 2008 revised official figures show - worse than thought. Vatican rejects bishop's apology February 27, 2009 at 9:41 am The Vatican rejects a British bishop's apology for offending people by denying the full extent of the Holocaust. No deal in Israel coalition talks February 27, 2009 at 9:23 am Israel's prime minister-designate says talks to include the centrist Kadima party in a coalition have ended without agreement. Day in pictures February 27, 2009 at 8:51 am Some eye-catching images from around the world Live text - West Indies v England February 27, 2009 at 8:34 am Paul Collingwood makes 96 as England push towards the 500 mark on day two of the fourth Test against West Indies in Barbados. Hasina's test February 27, 2009 at 7:26 am Has the mutiny strengthened Bangladesh's PM? Betancourt 'selfish in captivity' February 27, 2009 at 7:15 am Ingrid Betancourt, held by Farc rebels in Colombia, was selfish in captivity, say fellow hostages in a new book. Too hot to handle February 27, 2009 at 6:46 am Kenya book shops running scared of corruption expose Reynolds' China February 27, 2009 at 6:39 am Washington and Beijing engage in annual name-calling Asean seals regional trade pact February 27, 2009 at 6:22 am South East Asia's governments sign a free-trade deal with Australia and New Zealand at the Asean summit in Thailand. Eastern Europe banks get bail-out February 27, 2009 at 5:26 am Central and Eastern Europe banks are to get a 24.5bn euro rescue package to support them in the economic crisis. Humble fleece February 27, 2009 at 5:21 am Can even a model make this jacket look fashionable? Protests continue on Sharif ban February 27, 2009 at 5:12 am Protests against a court decision to ban Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and his brother from elected office enter a third day. The Simpsons to set US prime-time TV series record February 27, 2009 at 4:04 am The Simpsons is to become the longest-running prime-time series in US TV history after two more seasons were ordered. Angry young men February 27, 2009 at 2:54 am Are Gaza's youths ready recruits for the militant groups? What is the way forward in Iraq? February 27, 2009 at 12:58 am President Obama has revealed plans to withdraw most US troops from Iraq by August 2010. Do you agree with the proposals?