Thousands take part in Nepal animal sacrifice

More than 500,000 beasts to be slaughtered over two days despite protests against the bloody Hindu ritual

Security clampdown in Thailand over riot fears

There is concern that Red Shirt supporters of the ousted Prime Minister will disrupt the King's birthday ceremonies

Carla Bruni gets a big break for the silver screen

First Lady of France accepts Woody Allen's invitation to appear in his next film but fears she may be 'completely hopeless'

Two executed over milk that killed babies

Anger as former head of state-run dairy company gets life sentence for role in laced-milk scam that killed six babies

Bid to still frenzy over Israeli soldier release

Israel and Hamas play down anticipation that Gilad Schalit will be freed in exchange for Palestinian militants

Queen in Bermuda amid Guantanamo row

There had been fears the Royal visit may be overshadowed by row between Britain and Bermuda over former Guantanamo detainees

Police and politicians linked to poll massacre

At least 46 dead and state of emergency declared in Philippines as dozens of bodies recovered from shallow graves

China calls for 'serious soul-searching' on climate

China's special representative to Copenhagen says the major responsibility for reaching a deal lies with developed countries

Obama's delay 'is affecting British support'

The Defence Secretary said the President's actions had contributed to falling public backing for the Afghanistan mission

Nationwide strikes bring Ireland to standstill

250,000 public sector workers are on strike to protest government plans to cut their pay in next month's budget

White House turns out for Indian Prime Minister

Salad leaves were courtesy of the First Lady, served up to a host of stars from Bollywood to Hollywood

Congo warlord ignored claims of atrocities

All around were reports of rape and murder, child soldiers and butchery, but he smiled gently and protested his innocence

Huge experiment to look at elusive neutrinos

A scientific project in Japan is investigating a fundamental particle called the neutrino, about which much is unknown

Royal driver on trial over French car crash

Keith Bridges, a retired police driver, is accused of causing four deaths while drunk near his Dordogne home

Congolese militia leaders deny war crimes

Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo, on trial in The Hague, are accused of sending child soldiers to kill 200 villagers

To surge or not? Obama's Afghan decision

A rigged election, rising casualties and the military - said to be trying to force the President's hand - helped delay policy

Brazil leader attacked over Ahmadinejad visit

Lula da Silva criticised for welcoming 'pariah' Iranian counterpart as Tehran makes most of huge propaganda coup