Surcharges for using a debit or credit card to pay for travel, theatre or cinema tickets will be banned by the end of 2012, the government plans.

A mysterious bony growth found in elephants' feet is actually a sixth "toe", scientists report.

A strong earthquake rocks the New Zealand city of Christchurch, closing the airport and sending residents rushing from buildings.

Iraqi Vice-President Tarik al-Hashemi says PM Nouri Maliki is to blame for huge attacks in Baghdad, saying he is failing to focus on security.

Britain's outgoing top civil servant Sir Gus O'Donnell says "enormous challenges" - including a referendum on Scottish independence - face the UK.

Leaders from around the world prepare to attend the funeral of former Czech President Vaclav Havel in Prague.

The French government is to announce whether it will pay for 30,000 women to have faulty breast implants removed.

Chinese writer Chen Wei is jailed for nine years by a court in Sichuan for "inciting subversion" through pro-democracy essays.