News from the BBC

Many killed in Afghan bomb blasts

At least 30 people have been killed in a series of suspected suicide bombings in the Afghan city of Kandahar, officials say.

Calls to raise crime age rejected

The age of criminal responsibility will stay at 10, the government says, after a senior adviser for England calls for it to be raised.

Clegg 'will not back early cuts'

The Lib Dems would not support any plan to cut public spending too early in the next Parliament, leader Nick Clegg has said.

Vatican defends Pope in abuse row

The Vatican denounces efforts to involve the Pope in a child abuse scandal dating back to his time as archbishop in Germany.

Anti-Berlusconi protest in Rome

Tens of thousands of Italians stage a protest in central Rome against the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.