Twenty Mercenaries mercenary protector 6: obeyness

US-UK 'may rethink Syria support' NEW

Britain and the US have warned they will rethink support for Syria's opposition if it fails to join peace talks, a Syrian source tells the BBC.

Israel holds the burial service for former PM Ariel Sharon, earlier lauded at a state memorial as an "indomitable" defender of his people.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo wins the 2013 Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi and Franck Ribery at a ceremony in Zurich. BBC SPORT

Panama Canal: US fears come true?

US companies lost out on a lucrative project to expand the Panama Canal. Now, cost overruns and a work stoppage could leave US ports high and dry.

Coverage of events which have reshaped the Middle East over the past three years

Act of vengeance

Graphic first-person account of cannibalism in troubled CAR
Driving with the sheikh

The BBC's Jon Sopel goes on a ride with Dubai's ruler
A verdict on the army

Egypt referendum 'a vote on the removal of President Morsi'
'I knew I'd die'

Girl forced to wear suicide vest tells her story
Extreme commuting

For some, a six-hour journey is time well spent
Echo Chambers blog

Booze, Woody Allen and controversy at Golden Globes10