The latest stories from the Home section of the BBC News web site.
Updated: 11 min 50 sec ago
Police shake-up over missing people
Police are to stop sending officers to every report of a missing person to help focus resources on those most at risk, it is announced.
Categories: International News, National / International News
UK unemployment rises to 2.52m
Unemployment rose by 7,000 to 2.52 million between November and January, according to official figures.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Al-Qaeda 'kills French Mali hostage'
Al-Qaeda-linked militants tell a Mauritanian news agency they have killed French hostage Philippe Verdon, because of France's intervention in Mali.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Gabon-bound boat sinks off Nigeria
A wooden boat carrying 160 people has capsized off Nigeria's coast as it was heading towards Gabon, workers in charge of the rescue effort say.
Categories: International News, National / International News
VIDEO: President Obama arrives in Israel
Barack Obama arrives in Israel for his first trip there as president, amid a stalled peace process and anxiety over Syria and Iran.
Categories: International News, National / International News
UK charities start Syria appeal
The Disasters Emergency Committee, which represents 14 UK aid agencies, starts an appeal to help those affected by two years of conflict in Syria.
Categories: International News, National / International News
VIDEO: Beckham on his goals in China
David Beckham has arrived in China in his new role as global ambassador for Chinese football.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Al-Qaeda claims Baghdad bombings
A militant umbrella group that includes al-Qaeda in Iraq says it was behind the wave of bombings in Baghdad on Tuesday which killed some 50 people.
Categories: International News, National / International News
EU farm subsidy plan criticised
Green groups are angry that farmers will be paid twice by taxpayers for the same work under a new EU subsidy plan.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Girl of six dies after canal plunge
A six-year-old girl dies and two other children are injured after falling into a canal in Kidderminster.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Bank of England still divided on QE
Members of the Bank of England's rate-setting committee remain divided over whether to inject more stimulus money into the UK economy, minutes of its March meeting reveal.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Ice blades threaten Europa landing
Jupiter's icy moon Europa is a prime target for future space missions as it harbours a buried ocean that could have the right conditions for life - but jagged ice blades could make landing hazardous.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Should everybody get paid bereavement leave?
If a loved one dies, there are no guarantees that a worker will get paid bereavement leave. Should this be a legal right?
Categories: International News, National / International News
Osborne posts first Twitter message
Chancellor George Osborne uses Budget day to join microblogging site Twitter.
Categories: International News, National / International News
German court to hear Afghan lawsuit
A German court is to hear multi-million euro lawsuit by 79 Afghan families seeking damages for the deaths of dozens of civilians killed in an air strike.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Beckham begins China envoy role
David Beckham is in Beijing for a four-day visit to begin his new role as a special ambassador for Chinese football.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Lancaster queries ref performance
England's Stuart Lancaster is awaiting "clarification" about referee Steve Walsh's decisions in the 30-3 loss to Wales.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Ex-England skipper White retires
Former England and Arsenal captain Faye White announces her retirement from football at the age of 35.
Categories: International News, National / International News
AUDIO: 'Sorry we offended our tenants'
A housing association in Manchester has caused a backlash from some of it tenants after it asked them in newsletter, "Can you really afford Sky, cigarettes, bingo, drinks and other non-essentials?" once the forthcoming benefit changes come in.
Categories: International News, National / International News
Housing executive 'out of control'
A Public Accounts Committee report has accused the Housing Executive of being "out of control" over management of maintenance contracts with millions.
Categories: International News, National / International News
