Syrian opposition groups say the city of Homs has come under the heaviest shelling in days, despite the president's pledge to engage in dialogue.

US conservative Rick Santorum wins races for the Republican presidential nomination in three states, upsetting front-runner Mitt Romney.

Checks are ordered on all Airbus A380 superjumbos after cracks were found in wing components, extending an earlier safety ruling covering 20 planes.

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed says he was forced to resign at gunpoint in a coup, a charge the country's new leader denies.

A top Chinese policeman in charge of a major crackdown on organised crime goes on leave, amid rumours of an investigation and a bid for asylum.

Greek PM Lucas Papademos is set to meet coalition parties in an attempt to seal an austerity deal to secure a new EU/IMF bailout.