POLITICS

Obama's plan for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by end of 2014 threatened by rift with Pakistan and possibly scuppered by France's new president, Francois Hollande

Previous global corporate icon stands trial for conspiracy and securities fraud in the Federal District Court of Manhattan today.

Israel's foreign ministry spokesman said South Africa's decision to ban imported goods marked as 'made in Israel' when they come from the West Bank settlements had "characteristics of racism".

Under pressure: Jeremy Hunt to be investigated by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over claims he did not register £27,000 donations.

Former culture secretary Tessa Jowell claims police never asked her to make written statement on Clive Goodman and Glenn Mulcaire hacking arrests.

Iranian foreign minister rules out inspection of country's nuclear facilities as UN delegation arrives in Tehran.

Suicide bomber kills at least 96 soldiers during rehearsal for military parade in Sanaa, Yemen.

Fears that Syrian crisis has contaminated Lebanon as clashes in Beirut between pro- and anti-Assad groups leave three dead

Israeli human rights group releases video showing Israeli soldiers failing to intervene as Israeli settlers opened fire on Palestinians in West Bank.

Nick Clegg too expresses concern at the growing uncertainty over the eurozone crisis.

Thousands of protesters flood Chicago against the Afghan war, climate change and several other grievances.

An Alliance Ground Surveillance system and a Smart Defence capability also to be developed.

Fear of Taliban militants filling the vacuum after foreign troops are pulled out will be one of the main items on the agenda.

Apart from eurozone crisis, the summit concentrated on a whole range of issues including Afghanistan and Iran.

His arrival is expected to ease the diplomatic tussle between the US and China.

Leaders stress importance of cohesive eurozone and the need for Greece's continuation in the bloc.

Chen had sparked a diplomatic tussle between the US and China after fleeing house arrest and taking shelter in the US embassy in Beijing.

From the eurozone crisis to Afghanistan, Syria and rising global oil rises are likely to figure at the summit.

Warsi comments come after eight men of Pakistani origin are charged with sexual abuse of young girls at Rochdale.

Obama, Hollande acknowledge need for reforms to avert global crisis.

An Israeli man was charged with arson after he threw Molotov cocktails at the homes of African migrants in Tel Aviv.

As the King of Bahrain arrives in the UK to celebrate the Queen's Diamond jubilee, protesters in Bahrain continue to take to the streets in protest of the lack of political reforms and human rights abuses.

Turkish residents claim dead bee-eater is Israeli secret service agent.

Crowded night bus plunges off bridge into river in central Vietnam, killing 34 passengers and injuring 21 others in one of the country's deadliest road accidents.

Rights groups have condemned the detention of a Shia activist Kamel Abbas al-Ahmed in Saudi Arabia for his support of religious freedom

Footage posted on YouTube of protesters taking refuge in UN vehicle as Assad forces attack Syrian students at Aleppo University.

The head of the Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun announced he is resigning from his position amid growing divisions within the umbrella opposition group.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he believes the global Islamic terrorist network Al-Qaida was behind two recent car bombings that killed 55 people in Damascus.

Queen's invitations to controversial foreign monarchs has been criticised after two of the dinner expected guests were dubbed 'royal tyrants', by activist Peter Tatchell.