Deadly shelling hits Syrian citySyria's army again bombards the restive city of Homs and kills at least 40 people, activists say, after the UN criticised the attack's "appalling brutality".

Bank injects £50bn into economyThe Bank of England agrees to extend its quantitative easing programme by £50bn to give a further boost to the UK economy.

Mills denies Morgan message claimHeather Mills, ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney, tells the Leveson Inquiry she did not authorise former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan to access her voicemail.

Care referrals reach record highThe number of children referred into care in England hits a record high, after rising steadily in the years since the Baby P case.

Prince qualifies as Apache pilotThe MoD says Prince Harry has qualified as an Army Air Corps Apache helicopter pilot, paving the way for a possible return to Afghanistan.

'Outstanding' schools face reviewRadical improvements to England's education system are needed, says the head of Ofsted, as he announces that a quarter of all schools in England rated outstanding will be re-examined.

Greek parties fail to agree cutsGreece's PM says more talks are needed on fresh austerity proposals for a new bailout package, as euro finance ministers prepare to meet.

PM 'won't rule out' board quotasDavid Cameron has said he will not "rule out quotas" as a way of getting more women into top executive jobs, at a summit in Stockholm.

Freezing rain causes 97 crashesDrivers are urged not to venture on to roads in Cumbria after police are called to almost 100 accidents caused by freezing rain.

Parents warned over CRB proposalsParents should teach their children about the risk of paedophiles, a minister has said as he defended plans to ease Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Heart disease risk 'inherited'Scientists say a common heart disease which kills thousands each year is passed genetically from father to son.

FA to draw up England shortlistThe Football Association will "move quickly" to begin the search for a successor to Fabio Capello as England manager.

Why zebras evolved their stripesA zebra's unmistakeable stripes may have evolved to make the animals unattractive to blood-sucking flies, say scientists.

Kate attends Lucian Freud previewThe Duchess of Cambridge carries out her first solo public engagement, attending a preview of a new Lucian Freud exhibition in central London.

UK trade gap smallest since 2003The UK's trade deficit fell to £1.1bn in December, its lowest monthly level for more than eight years.