The latest stories from the Home section of the BBC News web site.
Updated: 5 min 50 sec ago
Volcanic ash triggers plankton bloom
The 2010 Icelandic volcanic eruption, which disrupted flights across Europe, also had a "significant but short-lived" impact on the North Atlantic, a study says.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Death penalty 'trending downwards'
A trend towards abolishing the death penalty continues in most countries, despite some resuming executions in 2012, Amnesty International says.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Quake risk from fracking 'minimal'
Researchers believe that hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas is not a major cause of earthquakes that can be felt.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Science 'javelins' spear big glacier
UK researchers develop an air-dropped projectile to put instruments in some of the most inaccessible places in Antarctica.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Senate to vote on gun control bill
The US Senate is set to hold a crunch vote on Thursday on whether to debate a gun control law, as a conservative blockade of the bill begins to splinter.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Charities want more national parks
Two charities are calling for the establishment of at least seven more national parks in Scotland.
Categories: International News, National / International News
'Sharp fall' in business failures
The number of Scottish business failures has dropped sharply, according to new figures released by KPMG.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Lords urge independence 'clarity'
Both the UK and Scottish governments are told to be "more open" about what happens after the independence vote.
Categories: International News, National / International News
US blacklists Honduran 'drug lord'
The US Treasury freezes the assets of an alleged Honduran drug lord accused of smuggling cocaine to Mexico's powerful cartels.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Jet2 resumes flights at NI airport
The airline Jet2 resumes flights at Belfast International Airport, after it suspended its operations earlier this week due to safety concerns.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Malaga owner blames racism for exit
Malaga owner Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani claims his side's dramatic Champions League defeat at Dortmund was "an injustice and racism".
Categories: International News, National / International News
VIDEO: Saudis build 1,000-mile border fence
Saudi Arabia is building a fence, over 1,000 miles long, in order to seal off its troubled frontier with Yemen.
Categories: International News, National / International News
KPMG quits audit roles over claims
KPMG, one of the world's largest accountancy firms, has resigned as auditor to Herbalife and Skechers amid claims against a former employee.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Galatasaray 3-2 Real Madrid (3-5 agg)
Real Madrid survive a late onslaught from Galatasaray to reach the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win.
Categories: International News, National / International News
UK child well-being: Problems and progress
Benefit cuts will widen 'prosperity gap' says Mark Easton
Categories: International News, National / International News
Thatcher 'racist', says Australia FM
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr describes "unabashedly racist" comments made by the late Margaret Thatcher in her retirement.
Categories: International News, National / International News
McGuinness opposes Thatcher parties
Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness says people should not celebrate the death of Baroness Thatcher but crowds gather for a 'street party' in west Belfast for the second night in a row.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Cardiff 1-1 Barnsley
Barnsley score a stoppage-time equaliser to deny leaders Cardiff from taking a major step towards Premier League promotion.
Categories: International News, National / International News
VIDEO: Reporter tries to live on £53 a week
A BBC reporter attempts to live for one week on no more than £53.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Dortmund 3-2 Malaga (agg 3-2)
Borussia Dortmund score twice in injury time to snatch a dramatic Champions League win over Malaga and reach the semi-finals.
Categories: International News, National / International News
