BBC News Headlines

Israel 'expands' Gaza offensive

Israeli forces reportedly widen their ground assault in the Gaza Strip to include Khan Younis in the south, after fierce clashes around Gaza City.

European gas supplies disrupted

Several EU countries report major disruption to their gas supplies from Russia as Moscow accuses Ukraine of shutting pipelines.

Warnings issued amid winter chill

The Met Office issues severe weather warnings as temperatures in the UK plummet as low as -10C (14F) overnight.

Woman killed on rail track named

A woman who was killed when her car was hit by a train on a level crossing in Lincolnshire is named by police.

Kidnap reporter 'feared for life'

A British journalist seized by kidnappers in Somalia and held for 40 days has spoken of how he feared for his life.

Hospital mobile bans can be eased

Hospitals in England should consider allowing more liberal use of mobile phones, the Department of Health has announced.

Sales fall at Next and Debenhams

Next and Debenhams see sales fall over the Christmas period, as a survey puts UK consumer confidence at a new low.

Final Woolworths stores to close

The final closure of the remaining 200 Woolworths stores is due to take place, the retailer's administrator says.

US vows 'huge' marine protection

The US is to establish "the largest area of protected sea in the world", banning fishing and mining, around its Pacific islands.

Darwin would have been tickled pink by Galapagos iguana find

A type of iguana missed by Darwin during his Galapagos trip promises to rewrite the animal's history in the islands.

Pompey accept Spurs bid for Defoe

Jermain Defoe looks set to return to Tottenham Hotspur after Portsmouth accept a bid for the England striker.

Tevez issues warning to Man Utd

Carlos Tevez reiterates his desire to stay at Manchester United but says he will leave if his ongoing contract negotiations are not sorted out.

Giggs hints at Man Utd retirement

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs has hinted that he could retire at the end of the season.

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Cones hotline

The lasting legacy of John Major's much ridiculed plan

Super stethoscope

How FBI technology is driving a medical advance

Sound of 2009

Australian pop duo Empire of the Sun revel in fantasy

Africa's year

2009 to bring tough economic times and close elections

Wonder years

A BBC journalist remembers his first job - at Woolworths

Fans' reaction

Apple boss Steve Jobs's health hot topic at Macworld

Divers search for missing mother

Divers are joining the effort to find a Northamptonshire mother-of-two who has been missing for five days.

Scots housing market 'best in UK'

The fall in house prices in Scotland has been less dramatic than in the UK as a whole, according to the latest figures.

Schools close due to icy weather

Freezing temperatures cause some schools in Wales to close, while emergency services are braced for a busy day.

Arsonists blamed for city blaze

A fire at a block of flats in the city of Lisburn is believed by police to have been started by arsonists.

DR Congo rebels in crisis meeting

Rebels in eastern DR Congo hold urgent talks after claims they had ousted their leader, Gen Nkunda.

Obama says US economy 'very sick'

US President-elect Barack Obama is seeing Congressional leaders to discuss his stimulus plan, which reports say could total $800bn.

New US embassy opens in Baghdad

The new US embassy in Baghdad - one of the largest and most expensive ever built - is officially opened in Iraq's capital.

Toyota shuts plants for 11 days

Toyota announces that it is to halt production at its domestic plants for 11 days in February and March.

Arson attack on French synagogue

Arsonists drive a burning car packed with a petrol bomb into a French synagogue, raising fears of new anti-Semitic attacks.

Singh accuses Pakistan on Mumbai

The Mumbai attack must have had support from some official agencies in Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says.

House prices 'fell 15.9% in 2008'

House prices fell by 15.9% last year, according to the latest survey by the Nationwide building society.

Gaza solution is possible - Blair

The conflict between Israel and Hamas can be resolved, ex-UK prime minister and current Middle East envoy Tony Blair insists.

Warning over 'third hand smoke'

Many people are unaware that even smoking away from babies or pregnant women presents a risk, according to US research.

Ofsted crackdown on dull teaching

Ofsted announces a crackdown on boring teaching as a way of tackling disruptive behaviour in the classroom.

Holes give edge to new MoD armour

Scientists from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have devised ultra-hard vehicle armour to protect military personnel.

Batman makes producers' shortlist

Blockbuster The Dark Knight is among the films nominated for best picture by the Producers Guild of America.

Tech show bucks global downturn

More than 130,000 people are expected to travel to Las Vegas for the giant Consumer Electronics Show.