Ratings agency Moody's cuts the credit ratings of 16 Spanish banks, as shares in struggling lender Bankia fell another 14%.

Facebook prices its shares at $38 each ahead of one of the most eagerly anticipated share flotations in recent stock market history.

Japan completes its first successful commercial launch of a foreign-made satellite early on Friday, marking its entry into the launch business.

Months of warnings have failed to stop a major malnutrition crisis in Niger, affecting more than six million people, Save the Children says.

Dieting in pregnancy is safe and does not carry risks for the baby, the British Medical Journal says in a review of research.

Lai Changxing, extradited from Canada to China to face smuggling and bribery charges, is jailed for life in China, state media says.

The US says it has relaxed some sanctions on investments in Burma and named an ambassador to the country following political reforms.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Sudan to try to restart talks between Sudan and South Sudan after heavy fighting last month.

The music industry pays tribute to Donna Summer, famous for disco hits like I Feel Love and Love To Love You Baby, after she dies aged 63.

Relatives of Chen Guangcheng describe beatings meted out by local officials after the Chinese activist's escape from house arrest last month.

A Florida neighbourhood watch volunteer who shot an unarmed black teenager had a bloody nose and a cut on his head, according to police reports.

A bus crash in central Vietnam leaves 34 people dead and at least 20 injured.

Rescuers in Tyumen, central Russia, free a man from a rubbish chute he had jumped into to hide from his girlfriend.

A man is being held in custody until a $20,000 diamond he is believed to have swallowed passes through his system, Canadian police say.

Children from racial and ethnic minorities now account for more than half the births in the US, estimates from the latest census data say.

Mary Kennedy - the estranged wife of Robert F Kennedy Jr, nephew of John F Kennedy - died of asphyxiation due to hanging, authorities say.

Officials say prisoners have taken control of a jail in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula where at least one person died in a fight between inmates on Wednesday.

The Brazilian government reaches a deal with Rio de Janeiro hotel owners to cut spiralling room prices ahead of a major UN summit in the city.

The South African government's failure to provide textbooks to all state school pupils violates the constitution, the high court rules.

The King of Bahrain and Swaziland's King Mswati III are among controversial monarchs expected at a Windsor Castle lunch hosted by The Queen later.

Mumbai cricket officials are due to meet to discuss a move to ban Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan from entering Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

At least six policemen and a civilian have been killed and 13 wounded in a suicide attack on a governor's compound in western Afghanistan, police say.

France's new government holds its first cabinet meeting, announcing a 30% pay cut for President Hollande and his ministers.

A cabinet of professors and diplomats is sworn in in Greece to steer the debt-ridden eurozone state into repeat elections on 17 June

The head of Syria's main opposition umbrella body, the Syrian National Council, says he will resign amid growing criticism and rifts within the group.

The US has plans in place to attack Iran if other measures fail to stop it developing nuclear weapons, Washington's envoy to Israel says.

The taxpayer could lose about £2bn once the assets of collapsed bank Northern Rock are wound down, the National Audit Office estimates.

Thieves steal a metal plaque erected in memory of two young boys killed by IRA bombs in the Cheshire town of Warrington.

The US says it will impose import tariffs of about 30% on Chinese solar companies, saying China is flooding it with subsidised products.

Concern over the eurozone debt crisis has continued to weigh on financial markets, with the euro dropping more than a cent against the US dollar.

Social networking service Pinterest is to receive $100m in funding, prompting analysts to value the two-year-old firm at up to $1.5bn.

Roberto Martinez is given permission to speak to Liverpool and is one of several candidates shortlisted to succeed Kenny Dalglish.

Stuart Broad is happy with England's position after day one of the first Test at Lord's as West Indies close on 243-9.

Striker Robin van Persie joins up with the Dutch squad having yet to make a final decision on his Arsenal future.

Adele picks up two prizes at the prestigious Ivor Novello songwriting awards - but misses out on two more trophies.

Three of the four original members of Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles are to leave the group, paving the way for the group's first female performer.

The Rodin Museum in Philadelphia is re-opening after a series of renovations.

Relatives of the blind Chinese activist, Chen Guangcheng, have given detailed accounts of the torture and retribution they have allegedly suffered at the hands of Chinese authorities.

The meeting takes place as eurozone crisis rumbles on.

Passengers on New York's subway system are familiar with the sight of buskers performing for the crowds, but the musicians who play underground must be scrutinised before earning a spot there.

Tens of thousands of Chilean students take to the streets to demand free education.

A team of speed flyers have become the world's first to successfully descend Italy's Mount Etna.

A recent wave of attacks at schools in Afghanistan is forcing the Ministry of Education to close down schools across 11 provinces.

The leader of a left-wing party in Greece, Alexis Tsipras, looks likely to do best in next month's election and there is increasing speculation that Greece could be forced out of the euro if his party wins.

The Pakistani government appears to be on the verge of lifting its six-month blockade on the transport of Nato goods through Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.

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