The head of Syria's main opposition coalition tells the BBC international allies must honour what he says were promises to supply heavy weapons to the Free Syrian Army.

US President Barack Obama is to hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as the 29 April deadline for a peace deal with Israel nears.

The EU and US impose travel bans and asset freezes on several officials from Russia and Ukraine after Crimea's referendum to join Russia.

A 4.4-magnitude earthquake strikes the Los Angeles, California, area, rattling nerves but so far causing no major damage or injury or deaths.

One of Cameroon's best-known singers, who spent three years in jail for his role in anti-government protests, has died in exile in the US.

The world's largest St Patrick's Day parade kicks off under a cloud of boycotts over the organisers' refusal to include openly gay groups.

Sir Mick Jagger is said to be "shocked and devastated" by the apparent suicide of his girlfriend, fashion designer L'Wren Scott, in her New York flat.

The parents of a Megumi Yokota, a Japanese girl abducted by North Korea in 1977, describe their first meeting with her daughter as "miraculous".