West deplores veto on Syria at UN
Western nations deplore the vetoing by Russia and China of a UN resolution condemning the crackdown in Syria, as dozens are killed in Homs.

Romney takes early lead in Nevada
Early results from the Republican caucuses in Nevada give Mitt Romney an early lead in his latest bid to win the US presidential nomination.

Fidel Castro launches his memoirs
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro appears in public for the first time since April 2011 to launch a two-volume book of memoirs.

Europe freeze hits transport hubs
Freezing weather hits transport hubs across Europe, as a cold spell that has now claimed 260 lives continues.

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

Mexico 'cartel enforcer' detained
Police in Mexico say they have arrested the suspected leader of the Gente Nueva gang, the armed wing of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

Europe 'at risk of early grave'
Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd warns Europe faces an "early grave" if it continues to ignore Asia's rise.

ANC youth leader appeal dismissed
South African youth leader Julius Malema loses his appeals against the ruling ANC's decision to suspend him for bringing the party into disrepute.

Thousands in rival Moscow marches
Tens of thousands of people march in Moscow in protest at Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while his supporters hold a rally elsewhere in Russia's capital.

Monkeys fed wine 'to fight flu'
A zoo in Kazakhstan, where overnight temperatures have dipped to nearly -40C, is giving monkeys a wine concoction as a remedy against flu.

Fireman stands in for air control
A fireman guides a plane to land at an airport in India after air traffic controllers fail to turn up for work, it emerges.

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

FBI probes Anonymous phone hack
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.

William starts Falklands duties
Prince William starts work as an RAF search and rescue pilot in the Falkland Islands, having arrived in the territory on a six-week routine deployment.