The latest world headlines from BBC News

UN to vote amid Syria violence

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

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.

Europe hit by Russia gas shortage

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

Obama urges 'keep recovery going'

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

Saigon fall reporter dies at 79

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.

Wikileaks suspect to face trial

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

Lance Armstrong team probe closed

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

Cairo clashes over football anger

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

Anger over NY police Muslim memo

Civic groups from around the US are urging New York's attorney general to investigate the New York Police Department surveillance operations.

Oil spurs Canadian PM China visit

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

Colombia emerald tsar faces probe

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

Striking galaxy image from Hubble

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

VIDEO: Wikileaks suspect faces court martial

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

VIDEO: Russian fuel supplies shortage

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

VIDEO: Heavy rains cause havoc in Australia

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

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VIDEO: Cardboard Ayatollah lampooned

A cardboard cut-out version of the founder of Iran's Islamic revolution is mocked online after touring Tehran.

VIDEO: Ex-Ambassador death 'torture'

The Libyan authorities are being urged to investigate the death of the country's former Ambassador to France, who died less than 24 hours after being arrested by Tripoli-based militia.

VIDEO: More demonstrations expected in Moscow

More demonstrations are expected in Moscow on Saturday as part of ongoing protest against fraud in December's parliamentary elections in Russia.

VIDEO: Son on Libyan diplomat's 'torture'

The Libyan authorities are being urged to investigate the death of a former ambassador who, it is believed, was tortured in custody.

US job numbers show strong growth

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

New Virgin staff pay for checks

Virgin Atlantic is forcing successful job applicants to pay for their own criminal record checks, Radio 4's Money Box reveals.

Apple overturns Motorola's ban

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

Hackers breach FBI-UK police call

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

Poster 'threat' to Dujardin Oscar

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

King's Speech premieres on stage

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

Largest optical telescope created

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

Prince optimistic for fisheries

Prince Charles says there is a reason to be optimistic about the state of the world's oceans, but it is "critically urgent" to tackle overfishing.

Malaria toll 'is twice as high'

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

Brains may be wired for addiction

Abnormalities in the brain may make some people more likely to become drug addicts, according to scientists.

Terry stripped of captaincy by FA

The Football Association prevent John Terry from leading England 'until allegations against him are resolved'.

Artist set for Facebook windfall

A US graffiti artist who painted Facebook's offices is set to become a millionaire when the social network begins trading as a public company.

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.

Many die at S Sudan peace meeting

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.

Life term for Khmer Rouge jailer

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

French air workers to hold strike

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

Cuban blogger denied travel visa

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.