Best of BBC news

A witness in the Rhys Jones murder inquiry is given £80,000 in compensation after his identity was revealed by Merseyside Police.

England slump to a 71-run defeat in the third Test in Dubai to suffer a series whitewash by Pakistan for the first time.

Romania's Prime Minister Emil Boc steps down to "defuse political and social tension" after a series of austerity protests.

The Queen visits a school in Norfolk and there are gun salutes around the UK as she marks the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

Heavy artillery fire rocks the restive Syrian city of Homs, in what anti-government activists are calling one of the fiercest assaults yet.

Prime Minister David Cameron praises the "magnificent service" given by the Queen, as she celebrates 60 years on the throne.

Labour has urged ministers to block six-figure bonuses for Network Rail bosses, insisting they have the power to prevent such payouts.

There is no evidence a Surrey police officer leaked information to the media during the investigation into Milly Dowler's disappearance in 2002, says the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Simon Thomas pulls out of the Plaid Cymru leadership election and throws his support behind Ceredigion Assembly Member Elin Jones.

At least seven people die after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines, official reports say.

Drivers are being warned of black ice and some schools are closed, after the snow that fell across much of Britain at the weekend.

Alberto Contador is handed a two-year ban for a doping offence - and is stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he will head an interim unity government to prepare for elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom tells BT Group to cut the wholesale prices it charges for use of its lines

Party leaders in Greece are to resume crisis talks on new austerity measures demanded by EU leaders in return for funds needed to avoid defaulting on its debts.

Taiwan smartphone maker HTC reports a 57% jump in annual profits, but it predicts a downbeat start to trading this year.

Police believe 829 people were "likely" victims of phone-hacking by newspapers, the Leveson Inquiry hears.

The Stephen Carroll murder trial has heard "a very high level of gunshot particles" were found on a jacket alleged to belong to one of the accused.

The father of murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton is reunited with some of her possessions almost 21 years after she went missing.

Radical cleric Abu Qatada should be freed from jail because he has been held too long, his lawyer tells a bail hearing.