St George's Anglican Church, Venice

Freed French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt urges that Farc guerrillas release captives and engage in peace talks.

The first regular direct flight from mainland China to Taiwan for nearly 60 years lands at Taipei's airport.

Sri Lanka reporters demand freedom to cover civil war

Three people are charged with the murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella who was stabbed to death in north London.

US sprinter Tim Montgomery admits dealing heroin, two months after he was jailed for fraud.

An American man who was born female but underwent gender realignment surgery, gives birth, US media report.

Oil prices continue to climb with US light crude at a record closing price and London Brent above $146.

How Obama is trying to win the Republican South

US President George W Bush will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the White House says.

Interest rates in eurozone countries increase for the first time in 12 months in a bid to combat inflation.

French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt holds an emotional reunion with her children after six years as a hostage.

MPs vote against giving themselves an above-inflation pay rise, but to keep their second homes allowance.

Google must divulge the viewing habits of every user who has ever watched avideo on YouTube, says a US court.

Venus Williams reaches her seventh Wimbledon final in fine style, beating Elena Dementieva 6-1 7-6 (7-3).

Two French students found stabbed to death in a south-east London flat had suffered "horrific" injuries, police say.

The music industry says thousands of UK broadband users who share tracks illegally will be warned about it in letters.

Serena Williams will face sister Venus for the third time in a Wimbledon final after bringing Zheng Jie's incredible run to an end with a 6-2 7-6 win.

Who irked Sarkozy on an internet video hit?

Pondering the potential of 'smart power'

Turkey's ruling AK Party defends itself in court against charges that could see it closed down.