Iran’s supreme leader is attempting to extinguish an annual event celebrating the last days of winter and the Persian calendar year, and the government is strengthening its security presence in the days leading up to a major holiday, Iranian media reported.

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Iranian leader shuns ancient fire festival

Proposals for a fully elected House of Lords will be set out shortly by the government, the transport secretary tells the BBC.

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Elected Lords plan ‘coming soon’

Tens of thousands of Italians stage a protest in central Rome against the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

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Anti-Berlusconi protest in Rome

Members of the BNP or any group which may promote racism will not be banned from teaching in England, the government says.

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BNP teachers will not be banned

Plans for a new high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham are to be published by the government later.

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High-speed rail line plan awaited

Some 90% of farms redistributed to South Africa’s black population are failing to produce, the government admits.

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SA black-owned farms ‘failing’

The Conservatives say revamped contracts for the government’s NHS IT system would “tie the hands” of the next administration.

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NHS IT deal ’stitch up’ claims

Shootouts between drug suspects and the military in three cities in the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas have left seven dead and 11 wounded, the government reported.

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7 killed in Mexico shootouts

Venezuela’s top human rights official on Thursday disputed findings of a report issued by an Organization of American States commission, and accused the panel of unfairly distorting statistics to show a pattern of political repression and abuses by the government.

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Venezuela disputes abuse report

The 30-year rule for publishing secret government papers is to be reduced to 20 years, the government announces.

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New 20-year rule on secret papers

More senior Turkish military officials have been questioned over an alleged plot to destabilize the government, as Turkey’s top soldier held talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the arrests.

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Turkish army chiefs quizzed on ‘coup’

Former Australian Guantanamo detainee Mamdouh Habib wins the right to sue his government for alleged complicity in torture.

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Guantanamo man to sue Australia

Seven senior military officers are formally charged in Turkey with attempting to overthrow the government.

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Turkey officers in ‘coup’ charges

Authorities in Turkey formally charged and imprisoned seven senior military officers Wednesday who are among 49 military leaders accused of trying to overthrow the government.

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Charges over alleged Turkey coup plot

Major strikes were expected to bring Greece to a standstill Wednesday as thousands of transport workers protested against severe austerity measures the government says are needed to tackle the country’s crippling budget deficit.

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Greek workers strike over budget cuts