POLITICS

Human rights charity blames 'widespread discrimination' against gay, lesbian and transgender people.

A strong explosion rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus, injuring at least 3 people.

Senior Hamas official identified as Kamal Hussein Ghannaja was gunned down in Damascus. Finger pointed at both Israel and the Assad regime.

Turkey's state television said the country is deploying anti-aircraft weapons along the Syrian border.

Handshake between Queen Elizabeth and former IRA commander Martin McGuinness is latest in line of public reconciliations.

Journalist Natasha Smith suffered a vicious sexual assault in Egypt.

MSCI downgrades firm in Corporate Social Reponsibility Index for Israel's use of Caterpillar bulldozers to destroy Palestinian homes.

Birth control legislation may be brought in as Africa's most populous country faces demographic nightmare of 400 million by 2050.

International envoy Kofi Annan invites permanent members of UN security council to Action Group for Syria.

At least 42 migrants found dead after suffocating in back of smuggling truck on way to Malawi.

On Wednesday 27 June 2012, French President François Hollande met German Chancellor Angela Merkel for preliminary talks prior to Thursday's, yet another "crucial", European Union meeting to try to further resolve the crisis in the Eurozone. The political leaders of France and Germany, so recently partners in agreement on the best way forward for the single currency are, effectively, now poles apart in their approach to the crisis and its solution.

Opposition gunmen storm HQ of al-Ikhbaria satellite broadcaster and kill seven in shootout and bombing.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wraps up his visit to Latin America with the announcement of a $10bn credit support for infrastructure development of the region.

Argentine bishop Fernando Bargallo caught frolicking with woman in Mexican beach resigns amid fresh calls to allow priests to marry.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi seeks more engagement than confrontation with the EU.

Assad says Syria is at war as fighting reaches outskirts of capital Damascus.

The University of Exeter, SSE, Consumer Focus and WWF, along with representatives from 12 other organisations, release results of a series of roundtables on UK energy policy.

Historic moment of Queen shaking hands with McGuinness is likely to redefine Anglo-Irish relationship.

Vladimir Putin tours the Middle East to remark Russia's controversial albeit growing role in the area

Masum Turker claims intelligence services pinpoint Russia's Admiral Chabanenko warship in Syrian harbour as aggressor.

Hacker Hell attacks anti-graft campaigner elected to board of state-controlled airline Aeroflot

George Osborne weathers Labour jeers to announce plans to raise fuel duty by 3p in August will be put on hold.

UN expert tasked with investigating human rights violations in Syria finally enters the country.

Russian leader urges more commitment to peace process and warns against unilateral actions undermining it.

Lou Nuer and Murle tribal groups engaged in tit-for-tat theft, arson, looting and kidnapping, says UN.

Four ultra-Orthodox Jews held on suspicion of defacing the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.

Erdogan ups the ante in row with Damascus and warns Syria border incursions will be viewed as military threat.

South African government accused of preferring to spend money destroying books rather than educating children.

Secret service boss Jonathan Evans says games are terror target but not an easy one.