A British man is arrested by police in Costa Rica in connection with the murder of a young Czech woman.

An advisory body to the Arab League calls for the organisation's monitors to be withdrawn from Syria because of the continuing crackdown on protests.

Thousands of revellers take to the streets across the UK to herald the new year with fireworks and parties.

Giving up alcohol or going on a detox for one month is pointless, especially after the excesses of the festive season, says a liver charity.

World stock markets finish one of the most dramatic years for the global economy, with most well down for the year.

Plans to make it a criminal offence for council tenants to sublet their homes are to be unveiled by the government.

In his new year message, the Archbishop of Canterbury urges the public not to give up on young people despite the "horrific" scenes of the summer riots.

Most people questioned in all but three of 21 countries say their country's Olympics performance is important to national pride, a BBC poll finds.