latest news from the BBC world news team:

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 »
Partial results from the Republican caucuses in Nevada give Mitt Romney a convincing 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.

Colombia emerald tsar faces probe »
Influential Colombian emerald dealer Victor Carranza is investigated for alleged links with paramilitary groups in the 1990s.

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.

Ivory Coast power past co-hosts »
Ivory Coast cruise to a 3-0 win over co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the quarter-finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

England players go unsold at IPL »
Seven England players and Ireland batsman Kevin O'Brien fail to attract bids at the Indian Premier League auction.

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.

French air workers to hold strike »
Unions representing French pilots and aircrew plan to strike from Monday to Thursday.

UN faults Italy over WWII claims »
The UN's highest court rules that Italy was wrong to allow its courts to make claims for compensation against Germany for Nazi war crimes.

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

Sinai gunmen release US tourists »
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.

Transport hit as snow sweeps in »
Snowfalls of up to 15cm (6in) cause disruption to road, rail and air travel in parts of Britain, with the threat of more delays later.

'A little too much drink' warning »
Drinking "just a little more than they should" puts people at risk of serious illness including heart disease, stroke and cancer, the government is warning.

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.

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.

Scotland 6-13 England »
England's new-look side give interim coach Stuart Lancaster the best possible start by claiming a first win at Murrayfield in eight years.

Man City 3-0 Fulham »
Manchester City hit two early goals before seeing off a heavy snow storm to open up a three-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.

GB set up final against Argentina »
Great Britain beat Germany 2-0 to reach their first Champions Trophy final, where they will face hosts Argentina.

Acting veteran Ben Gazzara dies »
US film and Broadway actor Ben Gazzara has died in New York at the age of 81.

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.

VIDEO: BBC team smuggled into Homs »
Syrian government forces have bombarded the city of Homs with artillery shells and mortars, killing at least 55 people, according to opposition groups.

VIDEO: European freeze hits transport hubs »
Freezing weather has hit transport hubs across Europe, closing airports, blocking roads and halting trains.

VIDEO: Rival rallies on streets of Moscow »
Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Russia's capital Moscow in protest at Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's grip on power.

VIDEO: Australian summer floods swamp homes »
Flooding in the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales has forced thousands of families from their homes.

VIDEO: Finland's internet-controlled cafe »
Finnish cafe offers internet controlled design experience as part of a festival.

VIDEO: Afghan civilian deaths rise again »
The number of civilians killed and injured in the Afghan conflict has risen for the fifth year in a row, a UN report reveals.

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.

VIDEO: Rolls-Royce to open Singapore plant »
Rolls-Royce will open a new half a billion dollar plant in Singapore later this month.

VIDEO: One-minute World News »
Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.

A Point of View: Mourning the loss of the written word »
Moving towards a world without handwritten letters

In pictures: Hope returns to Kandahar »
City of hope in the heart of the Taliban's spiritual homeland

Close encounters with Filipino witches »
Searching for witches on a tropical island

In pictures: Venezuela parade »
Venezuela's President Chavez marks 20 years since failed coup

Italy's young generation 'forced to leave' »
Country's beauty not enough to keep jobless from leaving

Could drought threaten South Africa's rooibos tea? »
Could drought threaten South Africa's rooibos tea exports?

'Cycling gave me my freedom back' »
'How riding helps me fight my brain tumours'