Wikipedia takes its Italian pages offline in protest at Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's proposed privacy law.

Shares in internet portal firm Yahoo leap on rumours that Microsoft is considering a second attempt at a takeover.

The mother of murder victim Sarah Payne and murdered schoolgirl Megan Russell's father are taking legal action over alleged phone hacking.

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin declares she will not run for the White House in the 2012 presidential elections.

The BBC is to announce how it proposes to make budget cuts of 20% as a result of the freeze to the licence fee.

The cheapest pint of beer is 28p cheaper in pubs in the north of England compared with south-east hostelries, a survey suggests.

Steve Jobs, co-founder of US computer giant Apple, dies, aged 56, after a career that transformed digital technology with a series of innovations.

Three out of the top 10 universities in the world are in the UK, according to a global list headed by US universities.