The authorities in Iraq say they have uncovered an al-Qaeda plot to use chemical weapons, as well as to smuggle them to Europe and North America.

UN officials express dismay at reports that nine North Korean refugees were repatriated by China after being arrested in Laos.

Quotas on the number of European Union citizens allowed to work in Switzerland come into force, in a move criticised by Brussels.

Jailed Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina ends her 11-day hunger strike after her prison in the Urals meets her demands on security, a friend says.

Influential cleric Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi urges Sunnis from around the Middle East to go to Syria to join the battle against President Bashar al-Assad.

Suspected Islamist militants have attacked the main prison in Niger's capital, Niamey, killing at least four people, officials say.

An asteroid that is nearly 3km across passes the Earth at a safe distance, making its closest approach to Earth at 21:59 BST on Friday.

Leading Russian economist Sergei Guriev tells the BBC he has fled to France because he feared losing his freedom on tramped-up accusations.