The leader of Israel's governing Kadima party, Tzipi Livni, recommends elections after failing to form a government.

Students have a reputation for enjoying regularly drinking themselves into stupefaction, but there are a growing number who are deciding not to touch a drop. So how hard is it to be teetotal at university?

Late-night Berlin bars, 1980s alt-pop and John Lennon's quest for peace and love have all had a big influence on Keane's new album.

Pundits and editorial writers see another strong finish for Hillary Clinton in Puerto Rico, but say it is not enough.

Some institutions do need to be changed, but altering the ones that are just fine as they are just adds to uncertainty, says Clive James.

Pundits may say the US presidential race is the most exciting of all time but they have forgotten the tumultuous sprints of the 1960s, says the BBC's Nick Bryant.

The BBC's Chris Morris reports on the controversy over a shipping canal project between India and Sri Lanka.

Israeli and Palestinian commentators have mixed reactions to Monday's Olmert-Abbas talks.

Britain's Tony Blair visits the Middle East hoping to ease troubles even though his premiership is drawing to a close, the BBC's Paul Reynolds says.

Alfredo Stroessner was a military strongman who ruled Paraguay for 35 years, from 1954 to 1989. Under his rule Paraguay became a haven for Nazi war criminals, peaceful opposition was crushed and the country's indigenous population was persecuted.

Despite President Museveni's achievements there is growing pressure on him to stand down and accept he has been in power for long enough.

One of the few Russia's joint ventures with oil majors in western Siberia gains pace amid political doldrums in Moscow.

Ricky Hatton's victory over Kostya Tszyu was the finest display by a British fighter for 20 years.

Romans are proud of the funeral they put on for Pope John Paul II, the BBC's Stephanie Holmes reports.

Police order a Liverpool pub to close during the next two Everton home games after football violence.

In the first of his weekly opinion slots for BBC Radio 4, seasoned political commentator Brian Walden wonders if the indifference of many voters is, in fact, a sign of a country more at ease with itself.

A tumultous year for world champions England ends with them rediscovering their old selves.

Venezuela's parliament has named 17 new Supreme Court judges, increasing the size of the country's highest court by more than half.