The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution backing an Arab peace plan for Syria, amid fresh reports of mass killings in Homs

Heavy snow is forecast for most of England and Wales later, with warnings of likely disruption to rail services and on the roads.

The number of civilians killed and injured in the Afghan conflict has risen for the fifth year in a row, a UN report reveals.

The FBI investigates how activists linked to Anonymous obtained a recording of a phone call between US and UK police on their operations against hacking.

A British cruise ship passenger has fallen overboard in waters near Mexico, the owner of the vessel says.

Wikileaks suspect Bradley Manning, charged with leaking thousands of classified documents, will face a court martial, says the US Army.

US prosecutors close an investigation into allegations of criminal conduct over doping claims in a cycle team partly owned by Lance Armstrong.

At least four people are killed in clashes between Egyptian protesters and police, amid ongoing anger over deaths after a football match.

Barack Obama challenges Congress to keep the economic recovery going as new data shows unemployment is down to its lowest rate in three years.

The government is looking for 12 run down High Streets in England to share £1m as a part of plans proposed by TV retail guru Mary Portas.

The crew of the US explorer ship Sea Hunter has pinpointed the whereabouts of a shipwreck from World War II, which they believe contains $3bn in platinum.

Children's laureate and Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson writes a poem in protest at planned library closures across the country.

The US economy created 243,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%, official figures show.

Around 20% of unemployed people who have been on the government's main welfare-to-work scheme, the Work Programme, for at least 6 months have been found a job, the BBC has learnt.

Chris Huhne vows to clear his name as he resigns as energy secretary to fight a charge of perverting the course of justice relating to a 2003 speeding case.

Lib Dem minister Ed Davey is named the new energy and climate change secretary following Chris Huhne's resignation, while Norman Lamb takes over his role as business minister.

Physiotherapist leaders have joined the Royal College of GPs in calling for the health bill in England to be scrapped, increasing pressure on the government.

The number of deaths worldwide from malaria has been underestimated, according to data published in the medical journal the Lancet.

The incoming fair access watchdog says universities will be fined for failing to recruit more students from poorer backgrounds.

The results of England's academy schools are being inflated by the over-use of vocational equivalents, analysis suggests.

Apple is granted a suspension of a sales ban imposed on some of its iPads and iPhones in Germany.

Hackers Anonymous release a recording of an intercepted conference call between the FBI and UK police discussing their efforts to fight hacking.

The Hubble space telescope captures an image of a "barred spiral" galaxy that could help us better understand our own Milky Way.

Astronomers at the Paranal observatory combine four telescope to create the world's largest virtual device with a 130m-mirror.

Almost a year after the film reigned supreme at the Oscars, the stage version of The King's Speech has its world premiere.

Movie billboards in Paris featuring The Artist actor Jean Dujardin might affect his chances of winning an Academy Award, according to French press.

Scooters are becoming increasingly popular as people look to cut costs and stretch their budgets, but could the boom spark safety problems?

The Magazine's weekly quiz of the news, 7 days 7 questions.

Former England manager Graham Taylor says Steven Gerrard should replace John Terry as the national team's captain.

Chris Robshaw says England's young side will not be daunted by Saturday's Six Nations opener at Murrayfield.

Watch the explosive Six Nations opener as France face Italy, Scotland play host to England and Wales travel to Ireland in the opening weekend's fixtures.

Speaking at the launch of Ferrari's new car for 2012, Felipe Massa says he is confident the team can achieve success with the "aggressive" F2012 and win their first drivers' title since 2007.

Five people were arrested after gaining entry to the Syrian embassy in London during a protest against the Syrian regime, Scotland Yard says.

Former Home Secretary David Blunkett demands an apology to the people of Sheffield for an "unwarranted slur" on the city by Scotland Yard officers.

The Met Office warns that snow will affect many parts of southern and eastern Scotland at the weekend.

Two men are arrested in connection with the death of a man who was shot in an East Renfrewshire street last year.

A man in his 20s has shot himself in a hairdressers in Dungannon, County Tyrone.

A man accused of murdering Constable Stephen Carroll tried to collect information on another policeman for republicans, a court hears.

A bogus therapist and his wife who told women they could diagnose and treat cancer are found guilty of sexual assault and fraud.

The Conservatives demand answers about links between the Labour Party and the chief executive of a charity facing allegations of financial mismanagement.

At least 37 people have been killed in South Sudan following a shoot-out at a peace meeting aimed at ending recent violence, officials say.

Despite the loss of his mother Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan is determined to continue playing at the Africa Cup of Nations in her memory.

Cambodia's UN-backed genocide court rejects an appeal by Khmer Rouge jailer Duch and increases his sentence to life imprisonment.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit China next week to discuss the future of Canada's oil products.

Freezing weather sweeping across Europe is causing a shortage of vital Russian gas supplies to several countries, officials say.

Unions representing French pilots and aircrew plan to strike from Monday to Thursday.

Influential Colombian emerald dealer Victor Carranza is investigated for alleged links with paramilitary groups in the 1990s.

A Cuban woman who writes a blog critical of the Communist authorities says she will not be able to travel to Brazil after Cuba refused her an exit visa.

The BBC's Director General, Mark Thompson, accuses the Iranian authorities of intimidating those working for its Persian service.

Two US women tourists and their Egyptian guide who were kidnapped in the south of Egypt's Sinai peninsula have been released, security sources say.

A major US breast cancer charity reverses a decision to cut funding to reproductive health group Planned Parenthood, after a furious outcry.

George Esper, who reported on the fall of Saigon for the Associated Press during the last days of the Vietnam war, dies at the age of 79.

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

24 hours of news photos: 2 February 2012

Readers pictures on the theme of hunger

Many die in clashes after match between rivals

Shortlist for Sony World Photography Awards

Ministers will "unwind" any tax avoidance schemes being used by public sector employees, Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander has announced.

Many parts of the UK are expected to see heavy snow on Saturday, bringing disruption to roads and rail.

Spencer Kelly explains, with the help of some rather outlandish wigs, how malware changes and disguises itself to avoid detection.

Alleged Wikileaks suspect Bradley Manning is to face a court martial, the US Army has confirmed.

The cold weather has led to a shortage of Russian fuel supplies in eight countries.

Protesters have been gathering in Tahrir Square following Egypt's football killings.

With heavy snow being forecast to hit Britain over the weekend, the elderly are being advised to keep warm and to 'take the cold weather seriously'.

Severe flooding is threatening parts of New South Wales and Queensland in eastern Australia, with towns cut off and thousands of residents evacuated.

The Queen has planted trees at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

The parents looking to exchange their student child for yours

The greenhouse where tropical plants are brightening up winter

Are the living outnumbered by the dead?

A selection of news pictures from around the world

Papers cover Chris Huhne's exit