Pro- and Anti-Putin Rallies Draw Mass Turnouts in Moscow
James Brooke
Braving bitter cold weather, thousands of opponents and supporters of PM Putin demonstrate ahead of March presidential poll

Fresh protests at Syrian embassy
Fresh protests take place at the Syrian embassy in London over President Assad's regime.
Europe Continues to Suffer Severe Winter Weather
VOA News
Ukraine among hardest hit where temperatures as low as minus 32 degrees Celsius have left more than 120 people dead

French socialists riled by Merkel backing of Sarkozy (Reuters)
Reuters - German Chancellor Angela Merkel's backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in the upcoming presidential vote has riled his socialist rival Francois Hollande's camp, which warned her to exercise restraint, a German ...
Forest owner Doughty found dead
Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty is found dead in the gym at his home in Lincolnshire at the age of 54.
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS 2012 - PODCAST: Zambia rout Sudan to reach Africa Cup semi-finals
News Wires
The Chipolopolos of Zambia cruised to a 3-0 victory over Sudan on Saturday to reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 16 years.

Large fire closes capital streets
More than 100 firefighters and 20 fire engines tackle a large fire in central London.
European chill moves west, 122 die in Ukraine (Reuters)
Reuters - Bitterly cold weather that has claimed hundreds of lives in eastern Europe swept westwards over the continent on Saturday, blanketing Rome's Colosseum with snow for the first time in three decades and disrupting air a...
Parts of UK brace for snow
Parts of the UK have been placed on a level three of four snow warning in anticipation of heavy snow on Saturday, February 4.
Related Stories
South Korean soldiers naked in snow in PyeongchangSouth Korean soldiers in semi-naked m...
Greek banks recap via common shares with restrictions: source (Reuters)
Reuters - Greece has agreed to recapitalize its struggling banks after a planned bond swap largely through common shares with restricted voting rights, a banking source told Reuters on Saturday.
Panetta reassures European allies over defense cuts (Reuters)
Reuters - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reassured European allies on Saturday that Washington remains committed to their security despite an austerity drive, as NATO pushed for new ways for alliance members to maintain capabil...
Warning as heavy snowfall hits UK
Snow is falling across much of the UK, from southern Scotland to the English Midlands, disrupting flights and leading to calls for drivers to take care.
Rome struggles with more snow (AP)
AP - Romans bewildered by their city's first big snowfall in 26 years used government-issued shovels to clear sidewalks and piazzas, and kitchen utensils to clear windshields Saturday.

RUGBY - SIX NATIONS: French hosts beat Italy in Six Nations opener
News Wires
Title favourites France opened their Six Nations campaign with a 30-12 victory over a gallant Italian side on Saturday, avenging their shock defeat to the same opponents in Rome last year.

Argentines seek peaceful resolution in Falklands (AP)
AP - London's tabloids and British leaders are depicting Argentina as dangerous and belligerent 30 years after its invasion of the Falkland Islands. Argentines say Britain should consider its own history of waging war around th...

US renews warning to Egypt over aid (AP)
AP - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Saturday issued a new warning to Egypt that the failure to resolve a bitter dispute over the status of non-governmental pro-democracy groups may lead to the loss of America...
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.
Russians stage rival protests over Putin (Reuters)
Reuters - Tens of thousands of Russians defied bitter cold in Moscow on Saturday to demand fair elections in a march against Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule, while supporters of the prime minister staged a rival rally drawing com...
Spain's Socialists elect Rubalcaba leader (AP)
AP - Spain's opposition Socialist party elected Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba as its secretary general on Saturday, replacing former Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero as party leader.

Tens of thousands rally against Putin's rule (AP)
AP - Their frozen breath rising in the brutally frigid air, tens of thousands of protesters marched through downtown Moscow on Saturday to keep up the pressure on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin one month before a presidential el...

Beckham shown red card at kids football match
David Beckham says he recently saw red - after being kicked out of the stadium whilst watching one of his son's team's football matches.
Related Stories
David Beckham talks Olympic hopes and staying with LA GalaxyDavid Beckham gi...
Heavy snow traps many people in Bosnia (AP)
AP - Bosnia's government declared a state of emergency in its capital on Saturday after Sarajevo was paralyzed by snow, and hundreds of people remained trapped in their homes and vehicles throughout the country.

Robin Gibb feeling 'fantastic'
The Bee Gees Robin Gibb says he is enjoying a "spectacular" recovery from colon cancer, and hopes to be back to work by April.

Europe freeze hits transport hubs
Freezing weather hits transport hubs across Europe, as a cold spell that has now claimed 260 lives continues.
Protesters storm 5 of Syria's embassies (AP)
AP - Demonstrators have stormed five Syrian embassies in Europe and the Middle East after Syrian forces reportedly killed more than 200 people in the city of Homs.

Five arrested after Syrian embassy storm
Five people have been arrested after breaking into the Syrian ambassy in London following protests over alleged human rights abuses.
Related Stories
William Hague expresses disappointment with SyriaOver 200 feared dead in Syria c...
Russia: still 2 big problems with Syria resolution (AP)
AP - Moscow still sees two problems of "crucial importance" with a draft U.N. resolution on the violence in Syria, Russia's foreign minister said Saturday amid Western attempts to head off a Russian veto in the Security Council.

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.
Clinton: US, Europe must do more against tyrants (AP)
AP - The Obama administration on Saturday called for stepped up U.S.-European cooperation to isolate tyrannies like the Assad regime in Syria, promote democracy in the Arab World and beyond and repair damage from the global fin...

Games Makers start 2012 training
Thousands of London 2012 "Games Maker" volunteers attended their first training sessions at Wembley Arena.
Arrest in Betty Yates murder case
A man is arrested in connection with the murder of Worcestershire pensioner Betty Yates.
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.
Russia, China Veto UN Resolution on Syria
VOA News
US Ambassador Susan Rice told Security Council the US 'is disgusted' by Russian, Chinese 'no' votes that blocked resolution

Vettriano's Butler in rare show
One of the most famous paintings by Fife artist Jack Vettriano has gone on public display for the first time in two decades.
Ear bitten off in fast food queue
A man had part of his ear bitten off in a "violent" and "unprovoked" attack by two men in a Glasgow fast food outlet.
Heathrow Airport cancels flights ahead of snow (AP)
AP - The owner of Heathrow Airport says it has canceled 30 percent of flights for Sunday amid forecasts for snow and severe weather in London.
Husband on arson charge over fire
A man who allegedly set fire to his County Antrim home appears in court charged with arson.
Child in adult chess tournament
A six-year-old boy from Oxford takes part in his first chess tournament playing against adults.
Tens of thousands protest in Moscow
Tens of thousands of Russian political activists have gathered in Moscow for a series of rallies ahead of next month's presidential poll.
Related Stories
William Hague expresses disappointment with SyriaWilliam Hague welcomes Bur...
Huhne's exit 'a loss to cabinet'
Chris Huhne's resignation as Energy Secretary will be a loss to the cabinet and the Lib Dems, his former parliamentary private secretary tells BBC News.
Next England captain 'up in the air'
Fabio Capello has been left with the daunting - and by no means easy - task of replacing John Terry as England captain ahead of Euro 2012.
Related Stories
Sir Alex Ferguson on John Terry and Rio FerdinandChelsea want to forget Jo...
Pressure on Huhne to deny 'golden parachute'
Former Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is under increasing pressure to give up a severance package, which could see him take home £17,000.
Related Stories
Chris Huhne resigns over speeding allegationsChris Huhne resigns but maintain...
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS 2012 - PODCAST: Equatorial Guinea seek Nations Cup giant killing
bmcpartland
The quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations get underway on Saturday with co-hosts Equatorial Guinea hoping to pull off a major shock against tournament favourites Ivory Coast. Zambia play Sudan in the day's other match.

Report: Monti says Italy a "safe place" (AP)
AP - Italy is now a "safe place" amid market turbulence, Premier Mario Monti said in an interview published Saturday, pressing for Europe to turn its political energy to generating growth rather than further plans to strengthen...

Clinton: US, Europe must work to defeat tyrants (AP)
AP - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is calling on Europe and the United States to do more together to defeat tyrannies, promote democracy and repair the damage from the global financial crisis.

Over 200 feared dead in Syria clashes
Syrian campaigners claim more than 200 people have been killed and hundreds wounded in an army bombardment on the city of Homs.
Related Stories
Syria issues 'general amnesty'William Hague expresses disappointment with SyriaFive a...
Greek debt talks to stretch into weekend (AP)
AP - "Crucial" issues remain to be resolved in Greece's critical negotiations over a second multibillion euro international bailout, and talks would continue into the weekend, the country's Finance Minister said early Saturday.

French air workers to hold strike
Unions representing French pilots and aircrew plan to strike from Monday to Thursday.
Prince William praises the Queen
As the celebrations for the Queen's Jubilee approach, Prince William has praised his grandmother.

Search underway for British cruise passenger
An unidentified British man is missing after apparently falling from a cruise ship in waters near Mexico.

Madonna Fail: Give Me All Your Luvin' video premiere
The premiere of Madonna's new single Give Me All Your Luvin' at Piccadilly Circus went a bit wrong.
Related Stories
Madonna promises no wardbrobe malfunction at the Super BowlMadonna dedicates Super Bowl show to her dadMadonna de...
Madonna dedicates Super Bowl performance to dad
Madonna is gearing up for this weekend's Super Bowl performance.

Huhne resigns over points charge
Chris Huhne vows to clear his name as he resigns as energy secretary to fight a charge of perverting the course of justice relating to a 2003 speeding case.
Turkey Tries to Navigate Sectarian Divides in Middle East
Dorian Jones
Erdogan has strongly denied his government is following a sectarian agenda

Hackers attack Greek Justice Ministry website (AP)
AP - Hackers have attacked the Greek Justice Ministry website to protest the government's signing of a global copyright treaty and its handling of the financial crisis.
BBC accuses Iran of intimidating its staff (AP)
AP - The head of the BBC on Friday accused Iran of intimidating staff members of its Persian service through slander, snooping and the arrest of their relatives.
Russia’s Democracy Movement Faces a Test of Strength Saturday
James Brooke
Protest organizers shorten the duration and distance of the march to help participants able to stand Arctic cold in Moscow

Russia criticises Syria UN draft
Russia's deputy foreign minister says Moscow "cannot support" the current draft UN Security Council resolution on Syria, Russian media report.
NATO: Forces Will Not Back Down During Afghan Transition
Al Pessin
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says US desire to complete transition does not amount to disengagement

Def Sec'y Panetta: Pressure must be kept on Iran (AP)
AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Friday the key to stopping Iran from getting a nuclear bomb is keeping global support for tough economic sanctions.

UK minister quits Cabinet to fight criminal charge (AP)
AP - British leader David Cameron made a third unwanted shake up of his government since 2010 on Friday after Cabinet minister Chris Huhne quit as prosecutors charged him over an alleged attempt to pin a speeding penalty on his...

Google asked to pause rule change
An EU data protection group writes to Google to ask them to suspend changes to their privacy policy.
Obama to host state dinner for British PM (AP)
AP - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host the British prime minister and his wife for an official visit and state dinner in March.
Motorola makes Apple pull devices
Motorola forces some 3G iPhones and iPads to be pulled from Apple's German online store after enforcing a patent injunction.
PDA Animated Weather (PAW)
Space Science and Engineering Center (SSEC)
University of Wisconsin-Madison