Syria artillery onslaught on Homs
Heavy artillery fire rocks the restive Syrian city of Homs, in what anti-government activists are calling one of the fiercest assaults yet.
Abbas to head interim government
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he will head a unity government between Hamas and Fatah ahead of elections in the West Bank and Gaza.
Contador given two-year drug ban
Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador is handed a two-year ban for a doping offence, and loses his 2010 Tour de France title.
US sanctions Iranian Central Bank
US President Barack Obama places new sanctions on Iran, blocking government assets held in the US, including the Iranian Central Bank.
Mars cooperation near collapse
US space agency officials tell Europe it is highly unlikely that America will participate in joint missions to the Red Planet in 2016 and 2018.
Romanian PM resigns over protests
Romania's Prime Minister Emil Boc steps down to "defuse political and social tension" after a series of austerity protests.
Radical cleric Qatada given bail
Radical cleric Abu Qatada is granted bail following a hearing at the UK's Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Deadly quake hits the Philippines
At least 15 people die and 29 are missing after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake strikes islands in the central Philippines.
Many trapped in Lahore collapse
A factory building collapses in the Pakistani city of Lahore with many people, including women and children, feared trapped.
Europe's big freeze tightens grip
The Arctic conditions sweeping Europe tighten their grip, with more deaths reported in Poland and Ukraine, taking the toll to well over 200.
Queen commemorates 60-year reign
The Queen visits a school in Norfolk and there are gun salutes around the UK as she marks the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
SA 'resurrected singer' detained
A South African man who claims to be a famous Zulu musician who apparently died in 2009 is in custody until DNA tests determine his identity, police say.
VIDEO: Breivik appears in Oslo court
Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in a bombing and mass shooting in Norway, has appeared in court in Oslo.
VIDEO: Factory collapse traps many in Pakistan
A factory has collapsed in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore with many people, including women and children, feared trapped.
VIDEO: The day Elizabeth became Queen
Sixty years ago today King George VI died and his 25-year-old daughter Princess Elizabeth became Queen.
VIDEO: One-minute World News
Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.
VIDEO: Snow-covered scenes across Europe
The Arctic conditions sweeping Europe have tightened their grip, with more deaths reported in Poland and Ukraine, taking the toll to well over 200.
VIDEO: Eritrean refugees kidnapped in Sudan
An estimated 2,000 Eritreans arrive every month in Sudan, hoping to claim asylum.
VIDEO: Evacuation from Queensland floods
Floods continue to threaten Queensland in eastern Australia, with the town of St George expected to be worst hit.
VIDEO: Madonna performs at Super Bowl
American broadcaster NBC has apologised after the singer M.I.A. put her middle finger up during the half-time performance.
Delay in Greece bailout meeting
Government talks in Greece to try to agree new austerity measures needed to secure bailout funds and avoid defaulting on its debts, are delayed.
China in EU carbon scheme 'ban'
China tells its airlines not to pay charges to the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, aimed at cutting carbon emissions.
Ofcom wants Openreach price cut
Telecoms regulator Ofcom tells BT Group to cut the wholesale prices it charges for use of its lines
Acta protests spread over Europe
Dozens of protests are planned across Europe in opposition to the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
Madonna 'brassy' at Super Bowl
Madonna "rose to the occasion" to give "a shot of female brass" to the Super Bowl in her 12-minute half-time show, reviewers say.
Phil Spector death case settled
The mother of the actress Phil Spector murdered has settled a wrongful death case against the music producer, according to her lawyer.
Race to drill into Antarctic lake
Russian scientists are attempting to beat US and British rivals to be first to drill into an Antarctic sub-glacial lake.
'Birth defect risk' for diabetics
The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, a study of 400,000 pregnancies in England suggests.
Transplant jaw made by 3D printer
An 83-year-old woman is fitted with a jaw made by a 3D printer in what doctors say is the first operation of its kind.
Campaign to cut smoking in cars
A campaign to stop people smoking in cars when carrying children - and which could pave the way for a ban - is launched by the Welsh government.
Pakistan seal England whitewash
England slump to a 71-run defeat in the third Test in Dubai to suffer a series whitewash by Pakistan for the first time.
Capello opposes FA Terry decision
Fabio Capello says he disagrees with the decision of his employers to remove John Terry as England captain.
NBC sorry after M.I.A. 'gesture'
American broadcaster apologises after British singer puts her middle finger up during Super Bowl performance.
Depardieu to star as Strauss-Kahn
Gerard Depardieu is to star in a movie about the sex scandal that caused IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn to resign.
Somalia moves to evict squatters
Somalia starts a major operation to remove tens of thousands of people who have been squatting in government buildings in the capital.
China stresses Tibet stability
The Tibetan regional government warns its officials to maintain stability in the area or face dismissal or criminal charges ahead of the Tibetan new year.
Merkel: 'Normal' to back Sarkozy
German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a joint cabinet session with President Nicolas Sarkozy, 80 days before French voters go to the polls.
Brazil privatises three airports
The Brazilian government privatises three airports, including the country's largest in Sao Paulo, in sales valued at $14bn.
US and Israel 'in unison' on Iran
The US is working closely with Israel to use diplomacy to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, President Barack Obama says.
Egypt 'to try foreign NGO staff'
Egypt says it is to try 43 people - including Americans and other foreigners - over the alleged illegal funding of non-governmental organisations.
Schools and roads affected by ice
Drivers are being warned of black ice and some schools are closed, after the snow that fell across much of Britain at the weekend.
Erring celebrities 'fair targets'
Newspapers should have the latitude to look into the lives of celebrities who err, the Daily Mail's editor Paul Dacre tells the Leveson Inquiry.
Network Rail boss foregoes bonus
Network Rail bosses, including chief executive Sir David Higgins, say they will not accept bonuses this year amid growing political pressure.
Germans jailed for terror offence
Two German nationals are jailed and given deportation orders after pleading guilty at the Old Bailey to possessing documents useful to terrorism.
In pictures: Snowy Sunday
Much of UK with several inches of snow
In pictures: Making charcoal from Liberian rubber trees
Making make use of old rubber trees in Liberia
Week in pictures: 28 January-3 February
News photos from around the world: 28 January-3 February
The Queen: 60 photographs for 60 years
Sixty photographs for 60 years on the throne
In pictures: Venice in Solitude
Haunting views of Venice's waterways
Where the Titanic was born
Drawing offices where Titanic was designed
Day in pictures: 3 February 2012
24 hours of news photos: 3 February 2012
Day in pictures: 2 February 2012
24 hours of news photos: 2 February 2012
India's love affair with Charles Dickens
India's love affair with Charles Dickens
VIDEO: The art of boxing
The champion female fighter on the art of winning
The moment a princess became a queen
How Elizabeth became queen in a treehouse in Kenya
Day in pictures: 6 February 2012
24 hours of news photos from around the world
Avoiding Syria's secret police
The Syrian activists daring to evade the secret police
Super Bowl photos
New York edge a thriller in Sunday's Super Bowl
In pictures: Deep sea discoveries
Scientists find two species of colourful worms
Working with Lucian Freud
Lucian Freud as seen by his assistant, model and friend
Tales of woe from the roaming professionals
When working in a new country can prove unlucky