Best of BBC news

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

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

Horse-drawn carts will disappear from the streets of Colombians from 2013

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.

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

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.

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

At least 15 people die and 29 are missing after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake strikes islands in the central Philippines.

The Brazilian government privatises three airports, including the country's largest in Sao Paulo, in sales valued at $14bn.

Red Bull launch their new car for the forthcoming season, to be driven by world champion Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber.

A factory has collapsed in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore with many people, including women and children, feared trapped.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says he will head a unity government between Hamas and Fatah ahead of elections in the West Bank and Gaza.

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

Alberto Contador is handed a two-year ban for a doping offence - and is stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title.

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US space agency officials let their European counterparts know that it is now highly unlikely that America will participate in joint missions to the Red Planet in 2016 and 2018.

Ghana admit they are lucky to have reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, after being gifted an extra-time winner by Tunisia.

Roman Catholic leaders e meet to draw up guidelines on how the church should deal with the sexual abuse of children by priests.

Government talks in Greece to try to agree new austerity measures needed to secure bailout funds and avoid defaulting on its debts, are delayed.

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