Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world on the basis of sheer geography and has the fifth-largest population as well. But in 2026, it will also be the fifth-largest economy in the world, says its finance minister, Guido Mantega.

Ghana star Michael Essien tells the BBC about his hopes for the Black Stars and why his brother's death inspired him to set up a charitable foundation

Barcelona plan an £85m swoop for Wayne Rooney, plus other rumours.

A hoaxer pretending to be Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was interviewed by some Portuguese-language radio stations before being found out.

England boss Fabio Capello says he will only take fully-fit players to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Berwick collect all three points with a dramatic win over 10-man Stranraer.

G20 Finance Ministers are meeting in St Andrews, in Scotland to pursue an agenda of financial reform and economic recovery.

A look at what is behind the removal of Manuel Zelaya from the Honduran presidency and what this means for the country.

Meet the people - and wildlife - along one of Brazil's longest roads.

Preview followed by live coverage of Monday's game between Liverpool and Birmingham City in the Premier League.

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand faces a prolonged injury absence as the club try to find the cause of his problem.

The world's most powerful finance ministers are in St Andrews for a summit aimed at pulling the global economy out of recession.

The UK government has admitted that a new legally binding global treaty on climate change is highly unlikely to be agreed this year.

Striker Benni McCarthy is included in coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's first squad back in charge of South Afirca.

A chronology of key events

Seven members of an endangered Amazonian tribe have died from swine flu, an indigenous rights group says.

BBC journalist Ben Sutherland is travelling along the route of Brazil's controversial BR-319 - the road that cuts right through the Amazon rainforest.

Man Utd to bid £12m for Benfica star Angel Di Maria, plus other rumours

Colombian opposition groups react angrily after details of a controversial military deal with the US are made public.

A Brazilian man surprises his family by turning up at his own funeral, reports say.