Children's party machine gun noise prompts police response

A concerned neighbour mistook the eighth birthday party for something more sinister.

Barcelona blocks tiny 'haibu' living pods

The firm behind the 2.4 sq m (25.8 sq ft) pods says 500 people are interested in renting one.

Domino's Pizza tattoos earn some Russians 'free pizza for life'

Domino's Pizza forced to stop 'free pizzas for life' offer after too many people get logo tattoos.

US wage growth hits nine-year high

The pick-up in wage growth strengthens expectations that US interest rates will rise later this month.

Elon Musk smokes marijuana live on web show

The tech entrepreneur was offered a joint by a podcast host during filming.

London Fashion Week to go fur-free for the first time

The event will be the first of the big fashion weeks to get rid of fur completely.

Boa constrictor 'abandoned' in Heath and Reach park

A dog walker calls the RSPCA and puts the snake in a bin to ensure it did not disappear.

Springer spaniel eats 206 pebbles on Barmouth beach

Dylan needed surgery to remove the pebbles after eating them while his owners were on their honeymoon.

Nigeria takes on Africa's mobile phone giant MTN

The telecommunications giant was hit with a multi-billion dollar tax bill by Nigerian regulators.

Syria war: Iran, Russia and Turkey meet to discuss Idlib

A humanitarian disaster and use of chemical weapons are feared if an offensive on rebels begins.

Avril Lavigne says she 'accepted death' before new song

When writing her new song the singer says she had "accepted death", after contracting Lyme disease in 2014.

Protests as Moldova 'deports Turkish teachers'

Amnesty International says Moldova handed over seven school staff - alleged dissidents - to Turkey.

Salisbury Novichok poisoning: Threat from Russia is 'real' - GCHQ

The agency's head says Russia has been "brazen" in its dismissal of "international rules-based order".

Ethiopian engineer Simegnew Bekele 'took his own life'

Simegnew Bekele's death sparked a huge outcry in July as some suspected that he had been murdered.

Woman and son critically injured in giraffe attack

The British resident and three-year-old remain in hospital following the incident in South Africa.

It's Always Sunny star mocks his 'unrealistic' body change

Rob McElhenney jokes about his new physique as the 13th series of his TV show debuts this week.

Burt Reynolds turned down James Bond - and 10 other stars who rejected great roles

Reynolds said that, in hindsight, he regretted passing up the chances to play Bond and Han Solo.

Boris Johnson and wife Marina Wheeler to get divorced

Former foreign secretary and wife Marina Wheeler confirm that they have separated.

South Africa engineer Manglin Pillay sacked after sexism furore

South Africa's top engineer said women were "predisposed to caring" rather than working in business.

Quiz of the Week: Who's the most stylish?

It's the weekly news quiz - have you been paying attention to what's been going on in the world over the past seven days?

In pictures: Fresh protests rock Basra in Iraq

Demonstrators set fire to key local buildings in unrest that has killed seven protesters this week.

Syria: Who's in control of Idlib?

Who holds sway in the last major stronghold of opposition forces fighting the Syrian government?

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's presidential front-runner, stabbed at rally

Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right presidential hopeful, arrived in hospital "almost dead", his son says.

Syria war: US 'has seen evidence' chemical weapons being prepared

A diplomat says there is evidence chemical weapons are being readied for use in a major offensive on Idlib.

Is Idlib set to end Syrian war?

Syria and its ally Russia are gearing up for an all-out assault on the rebel-held province of Idlib.

British Airways boss apologises for 'malicious' data breach

The airline says personal and financial details of customers making online bookings were compromised.

Tony Blair doubts Labour can be 'taken back by moderates'

The former PM tells the BBC "moderates" may have lost the party to Jeremy Corbyn and the left.

'I live in constant fear of my next migraine attack'

Two thirds of migraines sufferers live in fear of an attack occurring, a new survey reveals.

Burt Reynolds: Hollywood star dies at 82

The moustachioed megastar starred in Deliverance, Smokey and the Bandit, and The Cannonball Run.

Fears grow for Japan quake survivors as death toll rises

Rescuers are racing against the clock to find survivors in the rubble as the death toll rises to 16.

Twitter bans Alex Jones and Infowars for abusive behaviour

Twitter follows other tech giants in banning the conspiracy theorist for "abusive behaviour".

Mexico violence: Remains of 166 found in Veracruz mass grave

The gruesome discovery was made in Veracruz state which has suffered years of drug-related violence.

Japan's Osaka makes history at US Open

Naomi Osaka becomes the first Japanese woman to reach a Grand Slam final after beating Madison Keys in the US Open semi-finals.

Serbia and Kosovo are talking about border change

Some say splitting the borders along ethnic lines could spark future tensions.

Swedish teen's sit-in climate protest

This 15-year-old girl is raising awareness of climate issues at the Swedish parliament.

Belgian weather presenter: I've had enough of racist insults

Belgian weather presenter Cécile Djunga goes public with the racist insults she has received.

Nigerian teenager dreams of opera stardom

Nigerian teenager Chinedu Michael Okechukwu dreams of being a world-famous classical singer.

Africa's week in pictures: 31 August- 6 September 2018

A selection of the best photos from across Africa and of Africans elsewhere this week.

Ida Lewis: Lighthouse heroine gets Arlington honour

A 19th Century lighthouse keeper is the first woman to have a road named after her at the cemetery.

Sunny Leone: 'Hopefully people see me evolving'

Former porn star Sunny Leone is fast building herself as a brand in India and hopes people see her "evolving".

Why is Trump worried about Idlib?

The US president may be shifting policy on Syria, writes the BBC's Barbara Plett Usher.

100 Women: The truth behind the 'bra-burning' feminists

Protesting outside Miss America 1968, women threw mops, make-up and bras into a "Freedom Trash Can" - but never set them alight.

Japan says it's time to allow sustainable whaling

Japan is trying to convince the world the time has come to make commercial whaling legal again.

What it means to be gay in rural India

Gay sex is now legal in India but attitudes in rural areas could take years to change.

Are 'swipe left' dating apps bad for our mental health?

Dating apps are hugely popular around the world, but some think they're making many of us unhappy.

What babies' nappies tell us about Iran's economic woes

The soaring cost of nappies is the latest consequence of renewed US sanctions.