3/17 BBC News | News Front Page | World Edition

US new homes increase by quarter March 17, 2009 at 9:34 am The rate of construction of new homes in the US soared by almost a quarter in February, surprising analysts, official figures show. Madagascar president 'to resign' March 17, 2009 at 9:31 am Madagascar's President Marc Ravalomanana is to stand down, paving the way for his bitter opponent Andry Rajoelina to take power. Nigerian rebels attack pipelines March 17, 2009 at 9:28 am Nigerian oil militants attack a pipeline in the Niger Delta, the second attack in four days. Bosnian Serb leader sentence cut March 17, 2009 at 9:23 am UN appeals judges at The Hague cut seven years off the 27-year prison sentence of former Bosnian Serb leader Momcilo Krajisnik. 'Shocking' hospital caused deaths March 17, 2009 at 9:19 am A hospital's "appalling" emergency care resulted in patients dying needlessly, the NHS watchdog says. Fifa confirms World Cup bids list March 17, 2009 at 9:03 am Fifa confirms the 11 candidates to make official bids to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 after the deadline for applications passes on Monday. Sarkozy faces no-confidence vote March 17, 2009 at 9:02 am President Nicolas Sarkozy is facing vote of confidence over his decision to return France to Nato's military command. Should Russia rearm? March 17, 2009 at 8:37 am Russian says it will begin a comprehensive military rearmament from 2011. Is this a new 'cold war'? UK PM in new Iran nuclear warning March 17, 2009 at 8:27 am Gordon Brown tells Iran it faces a "clear choice" over its nuclear plans, with the possibility of tougher sanctions. Day in pictures March 17, 2009 at 8:27 am Eye-catching images from around the world Pakistan rape victim campaigner weds policeman March 17, 2009 at 8:15 am A Pakistani gang rape victim who won international acclaim as a campaigner for women's rights gets married. Pope rejects condom use in Africa March 17, 2009 at 8:12 am Pope Benedict says handing out condoms is not the answer in the fight against HIV/Aids, on his first trip to Africa as pontiff. Russia announces rearmament plan March 17, 2009 at 8:03 am Russia's president unveils plans to modernise its armed forces, in response to regional instability and Nato expansion. DJ 'seeks $20m over plane crash' March 17, 2009 at 7:29 am Musician DJ AM is seeking $20m damages after suffering burns in a plane crash which killed four other people. Preserving 'Papa' March 17, 2009 at 7:24 am US and Cuba unite to rescue Ernest Hemingway papers Hope dashed for Israel-Hamas swap March 17, 2009 at 7:02 am Senior Israeli envoys return from indirect talks with Hamas in Cairo without a deal on the release of Gilad Shalit. Actress Richardson in ski accident March 17, 2009 at 6:53 am Natasha Richardson, the actress wife of Liam Neeson, is in hospital after a skiing accident in Canada, a family member has confirmed. Yellow brick code March 17, 2009 at 6:46 am What's the hidden meaning of the Wizard of Oz? Win for UK story-telling website March 17, 2009 at 6:40 am A small British company is named Best in Show at the South by Southwest Web Awards, in Austin, Texas. ICC places ban on Antigua venue March 17, 2009 at 6:35 am The International Cricket Council rules that no international cricket should be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium for at least a year. Sri Lanka plays hardball with IMF March 17, 2009 at 6:12 am Sri Lanka will not accept any conditions on a loan from the International Monetary Fund, the island's president says. Murdered Afghan leader is buried March 17, 2009 at 5:52 am The remains of former Afghan president Mohammad Daud Khan are buried in Kabul 30 years after he was killed in a coup. Philippine clashes near hostages March 17, 2009 at 5:46 am At least six people have been killed in the southern jungles of the Philippines, where three Red Cross hostages are being held. Josef Fritzl abuse trial resumes March 17, 2009 at 5:26 am Austrian Josef Fritzl, charged with crimes against the children he kept in a cellar, returns to court on the second day of his trial. See a hungry whale steal a bird's dinner - in one giant gulp March 17, 2009 at 5:08 am Humpback whales come up with a novel way for getting an easy snack, footage reveals. Saving paradise March 17, 2009 at 3:57 am Maldives facing up to challenge of global warming Lost Cairo March 17, 2009 at 3:32 am Demise of the Egyptian capital's bar and cafe culture China seeks export carbon relief March 17, 2009 at 1:23 am China says importers of Chinese-made goods should pay for carbon emitted during their manufacture. Hormone 'to restart reproduction' March 16, 2009 at 11:20 pm Scientists say a recently discovered hormone could form the basis of an effective and less risky fertility treatment. US law sparks Mexican trade row March 16, 2009 at 10:57 pm Mexico says it will raise its tariffs on 90 US products, after the US halted a scheme allowing Mexican lorry drivers on to US roads. Sex change March 16, 2009 at 8:34 pm Six years after legal prostitution came to New Zealand Universities push for higher fees March 16, 2009 at 8:07 pm Universities in England and Wales want to increase fees to between £4,000 and £20,000, according to a survey by BBC News. Experts unearth tiny meat-eating dinosaur in Canada dig March 16, 2009 at 7:56 pm The smallest meat-eating dinosaur ever found in North America has been identified from six tiny pelvic bones. Madagascar rival claims mandate March 16, 2009 at 7:40 pm Madagascar's opposition leader stakes a claim to lead a new government, hours after troops storm a presidential palace. Downturn 'risks Africa conflict' March 16, 2009 at 6:23 pm Leaders warn parts of Africa could be plunged back into conflict if they do not get help to recover from the global crisis. West Ham & Baggies labour to draw March 16, 2009 at 5:59 pm Basement club West Brom fail to take advantage of a injury-hit West Ham side in a mediocre 0-0 draw at Upton Park. Seattle paper moves online only March 16, 2009 at 4:23 pm Tuesday's edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer will be the last copy to be printed, as a slimmed-down edition moves solely online. Aid workers 'released' in Somalia March 16, 2009 at 4:04 pm Four UN aid workers, three of them foreigners, are freed in southern Somalia hours after being abducted, reports say. Smell of the cellar March 16, 2009 at 3:26 pm Items from Fritzl's cellar put under the noses of jurors Russia to approve new Moon rocket March 16, 2009 at 3:25 pm Russian space officials are to select the winning proposal for a new rocket intended to carry cosmonauts on missions to the Moon. Blast strikes Pakistan bus depot March 16, 2009 at 1:57 pm At least seven people are killed in an explosion at a bus depot on the outskirts of the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi, police say. Fritzl hears daughter evidence March 16, 2009 at 1:56 pm Austrian Josef Fritzl is quizzed over video testimony from the daughter he has admitted raping and fathering children with. Madagascar army seize presidency March 16, 2009 at 1:38 pm Explosions and gunfire are heard in Madagascar's capital as the army storms a residence of President Ravalomanana. Obama wants to block AIG bonuses March 16, 2009 at 1:08 pm US president Barack Obama calls for bonus payouts to executives announced by US insurance giant AIG to be blocked. Gravity satellite launch delayed March 16, 2009 at 1:00 pm The European Space Agency delays its gravity mapping satellite because of a technical problem at its Russian launch site. Iranian drone 'shot down in Iraq' March 16, 2009 at 12:43 pm US forces shot down an Iranian drone aircraft 60 miles (100km) north of Baghdad last month, the US military says. Report claims CIA used 'torture' March 16, 2009 at 12:17 pm A leaked ICRC report says torture was used by the US on al-Qaeda suspects in CIA secret prisons. China athletes 'faked their age' March 16, 2009 at 11:55 am Thousands of young athletes in southern China are faking their age to gain an advantage over their rivals, a study suggests. US seeks $100m of Madoff assets March 16, 2009 at 11:47 am The US wants to seize more than $100m of property and assets belonging to disgraced US financier Bernard Madoff, prosecutors say. Sudan to 'expel all aid groups' March 16, 2009 at 11:37 am Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir says he wants all international aid groups out of the country within a year.