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

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

Parliament in Baghdad delays voting on a request to grant the prime minister emergency powers as the north slips out of government control.

Foreign Secretary William Hague says the UK will not be getting involved militarily in Iraq, despite Islamist insurgents making big advances.

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann say the fact that recent searches found no trace of their daughter reinforces their belief she could still be alive.

A second baby given suspected contaminated hospital feed has died, but the death is not thought to be related to the infection, says Public Health England.

Tate is gifted works, thought to be valued in the region of £50m, by the late American artist Cy Twombly.

An osprey at an Aberfoyle reserve has his work cut out after being caught setting up nests with two different females.