1. RBS boss apologises over losses
Royal Bank of Scotland's chairman says he is 'profoundly sorry' for the financial and human cost that the bank's troubles have caused.
2. Oil price goes below $50 a barrel
Oil prices have fallen below $50 a barrel amid growing fears over a global recession and lower demand for oil.
3. Madonna and Ritchie begin divorce
Singer Madonna and film director Guy Ritchie are start divorce proceedings at the High Court on Friday, according to court lists.
4. No agreement for US car bail-out
Carmakers given deadline to produce a viable recovery plan if they want a $25bn government bail-out.
5. Shannon accused 'felt threatened'
The man accused of kidnapping Shannon Matthews told police he was threatened into keeping her by her mother, a court hears.
6. Pc on BNP member list suspended
Merseyside Police suspend an officer after he is named on a list of British National Party (BNP) members.
7. 'Ugly' author a 'liar and thief'
The mother of barrister who wrote a book detailing childhood abuse brands her daughter a "wicked thief and a liar".
8. UN agrees DR Congo troop increase
The UN Security Council votes to send 3,000 more troops to DR Congo following renewed fighting in the east of the country.
9. Jackson to appear at High Court
Michael Jackson will appear at London's High Court in person next week to counter allegations that he breached a contract.
10. New entry! Top of the Pops back in Christmas schedules
Top of the Pops returns to the BBC for two shows over Christmas, despite earlier promises it would stay off the airwaves.
11. The new Doctor Who? No comment, says Paterson
Paterson Joseph - hotly tipped to replace David Tennant in Doctor Who - has suggested he would relish the role.
12. Gallas questions Arsenal courage
Arsenal captain William Gallas admits his side must toughen up if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.
13. Pietersen wants more from batsmen
Captain Kevin Pietersen wants England to score more hundreds after India's Duckworth-Lewis win in the third one-dayer.
14. Sheridan to miss Springbok Test
England prop Andrew Sheridan is ruled out of Saturday's Test against South Africa because of a neck injury.
15. Send your video, pictures and story ideas
Have you got a good story? BBC News wants to hear from you.
16. Soviet shuttle
Why did the USSR build a "copy" of the space shuttle?
17. Reality rebellion
Has TV witnessed an outbreak of civil disobedience?
18. No belly button
This model has no navel. Why the lack of tummy button?
19. Discount delight
Boost for budget supermarkets as slowdown deepens
20. Thinking allowed
Four philosophical questions to make your brain hurt
21. Rewriting history
How Congolese rebels are changing life under their rule
22. Websites probed over Baby P posts
Police investigate an internet hate campaign which breaches a banning order about those convicted in the Baby P case.
23. Fingerprints on Vicky's body bag
Fingerprints of the man accused of killing Vicky Hamilton are found on a bag containing part of her body.
24. Sign call after sand tunnel death
A coroner asks for more warning signs on beaches after recording an accidental death verdict on a teenager who died sand tunnelling.
25. Cyclist dies after road collision
A 43-year-old cyclist dies after being struck by a lorry in an early morning accident on the outskirts of Belfast.
26. S Africa to cut aid to Zimbabwe
South Africa's cabinet says it will withhold $28m of aid to Zimbabwe until a representative government is in place.
27. US warned of China 'cyber-spying'
China has increased computer espionage attacks on US government and business interests, Congress is warned.
28. Arab plan explained in Hebrew ads
The Palestinian Authority has placed a full-page advert in Israel's Hebrew newspapers to promote an Arab peace plan.
29. China fears grow over job losses
Beijing says its employment outlook is "grim", amid concerns of increasing social unrest caused by economic problems.
30. French Socialists vote for leader
France's opposition Socialists are voting for a new leader, amid bitter infighting and deep divisions in the party.
31. India praised for sinking pirates
An anti-piracy group welcomes an Indian navy warship's destruction of a suspected Somali pirate vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
32. Recession fears hit stock markets
World stockmarkets falter amid growing concerns that the world economy is entering a protracted downturn.
33. UK borrowing rise 'is necessary'
The government says it is "right to increase borrowing" as figures show public debt rose by £1.4bn last month.
34. Over-the-counter Viagra bid ends
The makers of the anti-impotence drug Viagra have withdrawn an application for the medicine to be available without a prescription.
35. Confusion over GCSE print error
A printing error on a GCSE exam being taken on Thursday has caused confusion for schools and students.
36. Mammoth's genome pieced together
A US-Russian team announces that it has sequenced most of the genome of a woolly mammoth found in Siberia.
37. Eddie Izzard plans Riches movie
Stand-up comedian Eddie Izzard says he is making a film version of his cancelled US TV show, The Riches.
38. UK 'ahead in digital TV uptake'
Digital television is spreading faster in Britain than in France, Canada, the US, Germany and Japan, according to research.