BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen is writing a diary of the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Israelis on the front lines of the latest conflict are determined the offensive should continue until its war aims are achieved, says the BBC's Paul Wood in Sderot.

From Sarah Palin to Cheryl Cole, Georgina Baillie to Christine Ohuruogu, some of the women who have made the headlines in 2008.

Running a prison is one of the toughest jobs going. Traditionally governors have worked up through the ranks, but now graduates are fast-tracked into senior roles to broaden the profile of the Prison Service. Among them is Scott Bumby, 29.

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness urge the NI public to vote for Dungiven's Eoghan Quigg on Saturday.

A police constable who punched his girlfriend in a caravan is sentenced for the attack.

A watchdog rules that a TV advert showing images depicting child abuse and drug taking is appropriate for broadcast.

A widow from Merseyside appeals for the public's help to catch the person who left her husband dying in their driveway.

A Northern Ireland schoolboy sings his way into the final next week of ITV1's X Factor talent contest.

Teenage Diana Vickers misses out on a place in the X Factor final as three acts are selected by the public to compete.

The story of Orenthal James "OJ" Simpson is that of the fall of a hero.

Map and timeline detailing progress in the search for Shannon Matthews and subsequent court case.

How the extraordinary hunt for 9-year-old Shannon Matthews unfolded.

England take on the All Blacks at Twickenham while Wales play Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

A farmer from Cumbria, who was heavily in debt and having an affair, is found guilty of murdering his wife.

A former Malaysian flight attendant who repeatedly scalded her Indonesian maid is jailed for 18 years.

The mother of Shannon Mathews bursts into tears minutes after starting her evidence at Leeds Crown Court.

A witness collapses at the Old Bailey after seeing CCTV footage of her friend being shot in an alleged dance feud.

Jonny Wilkinson's mentor Steve Black believes the England fly-half can defy his injuries and play until he is 40.

Geordan Murphy returns to the Ireland side along with Stephen Ferris and Jerry Flannery for the game against Argentina.