Iran's president says he wants nuclear power as soon as possible, as critics in Iran urge him to accept UN demands.

Zimbabwe police ban protests as Robert Mugabe marks his 83rd birthday by vowing to stay on as president.

Italy's fragile coalition loses a crucial senate vote on keeping troops in Afghanistan, seen as a test of government unity.

Iraq's prime minister moves to put an end to disquiet about an alleged rape of a Sunni women by police.

Two clowns have been shot dead in the middle of a show in the eastern Colombian town of Cucuta, police say.

India and Pakistan sign an agreement to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear conflict in the region.

Celebrities donate $1.3m to Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign at a lavish Beverly Hills fund-raiser.

Pop star Britney Spears is back in rehab, days after shaving her head, US media reports say.

Uefa investigates the crush scare involving Man Utd fans at the Champions League tie against Lille.

Australia coach John Buchanan backs his team to come good in time for the World Cup.

France coach Bernard Laporte makes five changes to his pack for Saturday's visit of Wales in the Six Nations.

The UN Security Council approves the deployment of an African peacekeeping force to tackle unrest in Somalia.

Mining giant Anglo American is to return $3bn to shareholders after reporting a 46% rise in annual profits.

The US says it is reviewing the way its wounded soldiers are cared for at hospitals, after critical media reports.

The jury in the perjury trial of former top White House official Lewis "Scooter" Libby is set to begin deliberations.

A UN envoy says the Philippines army is in "almost total denial" about a wave of extra-judicial killings.

A newly-appointed Thai economics chief resigns after protests over his links to the former prime minister.

Serbian and ethnic Albanian leaders are holding final talks in Vienna on the UN plan for Kosovo's future.

A Moroccan man is sentenced to death for murdering a European Union advisor and his wife in their Rabat home.

Israeli undercover agents kill a commander of the militant Islamic Jihad group in the northern West Bank.

Archaeologists unveil the latest finds at the Saqqara necropolis, or city of the dead, near Cairo.

Hundreds of former Maoist rebels walk out of a holding camp in Nepal, complaining of poor conditions.

Three people are killed and 16 injured in a mine explosion in eastern Sri Lanka, officials say.

Four people who lost all or part of their company pensions win their High Court case against the government.

Japan's central bank shows signs of confidence in the country's economy, raising interest rates to 0.5%.

A natural family planning method is as effective as the contraceptive pill, German research suggests.

Calls to ban hi-tech locks that limit what people can do with digital media have been rejected.

This year's Oscars winners and losers are decided as the voting deadline passes ahead of Sunday's ceremony.

Seattle mayor Greg Nickels uses this week's Green Room to explain how US cities are changing the climate debate.