The fiercest attack yet - involving heavy artillery - rocks the Syrian city of Homs, as the US closes its Damascus embassy over security concerns.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condemns a unity deal between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, saying it damages prospects for peace.

Thousands of Trendnet security camera webfeeds have been breached and shared on the internet, including live video from children's rooms.

Italy activates emergency measures to conserve gas supplies as freezing weather continues to grip the country and much of Europe.

The Chinese unit of Citigroup wins approval to launch credit cards in the country, the first non-Asian bank to do so.

Explosions have hit a police station in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, scene of deadly attacks last month, and a market in Maiduguri to the west.

President Barack Obama tells a US network that he deserves a second term in the White House, as a poll puts his approval rating above 50%.

The body of a Chinese worker who fled a camp in Sudan when rebels attacked has been found, says China, while 29 kidnapped workers are still missing.

Romania's intelligence service chief Mihai Razvan Ungureanu is nominated as prime minister after Emil Bloc resigns amid widespread austerity protests.

A new record for activity on Twitter during a sports event was set during the 2012 Super Bowl, with more than 10,000 messages sent per second, Twitter says.

Brazilian troops clash with police striking over pay and conditions in the state of Bahia, as they try to remove them from the state assembly.

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.

Many people are feared trapped in the rubble of a three-storey factory in the Pakistani city of Lahore following a gas explosion.

The Arctic conditions sweeping Europe have tightened their grip, with more deaths reported in Poland and Ukraine, taking the toll to well over 200.

For Czech Republics ice wine makers freezing temperature is just right for harvesting grapes.

Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.

Sixty years ago today King George VI died and his 25-year-old daughter Princess Elizabeth became Queen.

Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people in a bombing and mass shooting in Norway, has appeared in court in Oslo.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will head a Palestinian unity government, after a second meeting with Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.

The Arctic conditions sweeping Europe have tightened their grip, with more deaths reported in Poland and Ukraine, taking the toll to well over 200.

Greece holds further talks with its international lenders, as the debate on more austerity measures continues.

The price of gas increases sharply around Europe as below-freezing temperatures lead to a surge in demand.

Telecoms regulator Ofcom tells BT Group to cut the wholesale prices it charges for use of its lines

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.

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.

The mother of the actress Phil Spector murdered has settled a wrongful death case against the music producer, according to her lawyer.

Fast declines in some UK and European ladybirds are being caused by the spread of the invasive harlequin species, scientists show.

The "love song" of a 165-million-year-old insect is recreated from a tiny and remarkably intact fossil, say scientists.

The risk of birth defects increases four-fold if the pregnant mother has diabetes, a study of 400,000 pregnancies in England suggests.

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.

Gordon Taylor, head of the Professional Footballers' Association, calls the England manager's criticism of the decision to oust John Terry as England captain "bizarre and disappointing".

Luis Suarez returns after but cannot inspire Liverpool to victory as they share a goalless draw with Tottenham.

American broadcaster apologises after British singer puts her middle finger up during Super Bowl performance.

Gerard Depardieu is to star in a movie about the sex scandal that caused IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn to resign.

Somalia starts a major operation to remove tens of thousands of people who have been squatting in government buildings in the capital.

An illegal medicine factory collapses in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, killing at least 13 people and leaving many trapped, officials say.

Radical cleric Abu Qatada is granted bail following a hearing at the UK's Special Immigration Appeals Commission.

The Brazilian government privatises operations at three airports as part of moves to upgrade transport links ahead of the World Cup.

The US is working closely with Israel to use diplomacy to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, President Barack Obama says.

US President Barack Obama places new sanctions on Iran, blocking government assets held in the US, including the Iranian Central Bank.

MPs and peers are are urging the government to bring in a law in England and Wales against stalking - as is already the case in Scotland.

Network Rail bosses, including chief executive Sir David Higgins, say they will not accept bonuses this year amid growing political pressure.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will lead global celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens's birth later.

The former first minister and leader of the DUP, Ian Paisley, has been admitted to hospital.

Much of UK with several inches of snow

New York Giants beat New England Patriots

Making make use of old rubber trees in Liberia

News photos from around the world: 28 January-3 February

Sixty photographs for 60 years on the throne

Haunting views of Venice's waterways

Drawing offices where Titanic was designed

24 hours of news photos: 3 February 2012

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India's love affair with Charles Dickens

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Road warriors struggle to get connected

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The author's earnings, 200 years after his death

How Elizabeth became queen in a treehouse in Kenya

Why climate sceptics claim they've cracked the consensus

Lucian Freud as seen by his assistant, model and friend