Microsoft joins law enforcement to sue "scareware" merchants who frighten people into buying unnecessary software for fake security fixes.

Thirty years since the last death from smallpox, Fergus Walsh reports on the battle to eradicate serious disease.

Water companies say they are going to join police in tackling the problem of bogus caller crimes.

Resident only parking schemes "could end the scourge of all-day parking in city centre communities of Belfast".

Plastic litter is the scourge of the Isle of Man's beautiful beaches, according to conservationists.

Dan Parks is the scourge of Edinburgh as he scores all 23 points in Glasgow's Magners League win at Firhill.

Strains of tuberculosis are a growing problem, particularly in the developing world, reports Fergus Walsh.

The BBC's Daniel Schweimler reports on the rise of paco, a by-product of cocaine peddled in poor parts of Buenos Aires.

The BBC's Bilal Sarwary reports on how corruption has taken hold on Afghan society.

A rise in blood-sucking parasites known as ticks are threatening livestock, warn farmers in mid Wales.

Despite the scourge of war, famine and disease, Africa's business leaders remain confident, as the BBC's Martin Plaut explains.

A council takes on two staff to help combat the growing scourge of obesity in the area.

Hitmen were a scourge of Russia in the post-communist chaos of the 1990s and continue to make their bloody mark, the BBC News website's Patrick Jackson writes.

The scourge of English cricket batsmen receives an honorary doctorate - from an English university.

The scourge of background music must be banned, the House of Lords is being told in new law plans.

A look back at some of the measures implemented in the fight against crime involving knives.

As the volume of drugs and variety available in Northern Ireland continues to grow, BBC Newsline's Maryann Maguire reports on a team working behind the scenes, trying to draw out those who keep their addictions a secret and suffer in silence.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attacks a rise in neo-Nazism in Russia as it marks victory in World War II.

At least 280 foreigners and thousands of Iraqis have been taken hostage since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

University researchers tackle the scourge of the elderly - leg ulcers - with ultrasound therapy.