Hosts Brazil open the 2014 Fifa World Cup against Croatia on Thursday, kicking off a 32-team tournament that ends on 13 July.

The economic crisis in Europe and North America led to more than 10,000 suicides, according to figures from UK researchers.

Low-level drug offences should be decriminalised in West Africa, according to a commission headed by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

England will inspect the pitch for the Italy game, with the groundsman responsible admitting: "It is in bad shape."

Action must be taken to stop the "housing boom" in parts of the UK getting "out of control", according to Business Secretary Vince Cable.

Two rare snow leopards are born at a zoo in Cumbria and will be able to be seen by the public in a few weeks.

Comedienne Dawn French says she is 'utterly shocked' by the death of her Comic Strip co-star Rik Mayall

Governments will be held to account over ending sexual violence in war zones, Angelina Jolie tells the BBC during a global conference in London.