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Iranian Revolutionary Guards parade in Tehran. The Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the West’s threats of war would not ‘divert Iran from its nuclear course’

Drums of war beat louder as Iran and Israel step up rhetoric

Evidence is mounting that Washington believes an Israeli attack on Iran is now only a matter of time.

UN Security Council to vote on Syria resolution as hundreds are killed in Homs

The United Nations Security Council will meet today to take up a much-negotiated resolution on Syria, a Western diplomat said.

Diplomats hope Russia will back UN resolution

Envoys at the UN Security Council awaited a decision by Moscow yesterday on the latest version of a European-Arab draft resolution endorsing an Arab League plan for Syria, and some diplomats said the Kremlin may go along with it.

Islamists' election success could deepen Kuwait's political crisis

Kuwait's Islamist-led opposition took control of the Gulf state's parliament yesterday, making sweeping gains in a snap election on the back of a wave of public anger over corruption and political deadlock.

Israel calls for attack on Iran 'before it is too late'

Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak issued a stark warning last night that military action may be needed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons before it is "too late" and Tehran puts its programme beyond the reach of external attack.

Kuwaiti snap election set to bolster opposition

Opposition candidates were expected to make gains in a snap parliamentary election held yesterday in the Gulf Arab state.

President Bashar al-Assad's regime has been a major customer for Russian arms manufacturers

UN waters down Syria proposals in bid to win Russia's backing

Call for Assad's removal is dropped and arms embargo shelved in effort to placate Moscow

The plan calls for Assad to delegate his authority to his deputy

UN may drop 'Assad quit' call

UN Security Council ambassadors are considering a revised resolution aimed at stopping the bloodshed in Syria that removes an explicit reference to President Bashar Assad stepping aside.

Israel's military leaders warn against Iran attack

Former Israeli defence chief says that a strike on Iran would plunge the Middle East into war

Impasse at the UN as Russia digs its heels in over Syria

Russia warned the West it was ready to veto UN action on Syria last night, hardening its stance even as reports indicated special forces had been deployed to crush resistance in the rebel-held town of Zabadani, only 20 miles west of Damascus.

IAEA delegation to plans new trip to Iran

A senior UN nuclear expert announced plans to revisit Tehran soon after a “good trip,” indicating progress on his team's quest to probe suspicions that the Islamic Republic is secretly working on an atomic arms program.

Supporters of President Bashar Assad at a rally in Sabe Bahrat square, Damascus

Robert Fisk: Syria is used to the slings and arrows of friends and enemies

Bashar al-Assad is clinging to power despite the slow growth of a civil war. But if the regime should survive, what sort of country will it rule?

Iranians reach out – in Spanish

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has launched a Spanish-language satellite TV channel, saying it would hit the world's "dominance seekers" – an apparent jab at the US and the West.

Israel sets up elite command unit to strike behind 'enemy' lines

Covert operations on rise amid concern that sanctions may not halt Iran nuclear programme
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Stalemate at UN on resolution urging Assad to go

A defiant Russia resisted intense pressure from the West and several Arab countries yesterday for a strong United Nations resolution demanding President Bashar al-Assad steps aside to end the political violence in Syria and speed a transition to democracy.

Day In a Page

The Super Bowl: The greatest show on turf

The Super Bowl: The greatest show on turf

Forget the game – it's about so much more than that
The $18bn family feud that is a real-life Australian soap opera

The $18bn family feud

A messy court case has shed light on Australia's richest and most secretive family
What happens when an uncontacted tribe meets 'civilisation'?

What happens when an uncontacted tribe meets 'civilisation'?

Margarita Mbywangy's tribe was nearly wiped out when the modern world came calling
Britain’s first benefit refugees

Britain’s first benefit refugees

Single mothers reliant on the state are among the first and biggest victims of the Government’s welfare reforms
Science behind the big freeze: is climate change bringing the Arctic to Europe?

Science behind the big freeze

A loss of sea ice could be a cause of the bitter winds that have swept across the UK in the past week, weather experts say
Divine duck: Mark Hix cooks with the most succulent of birds

Divine duck: Mark Hix cooks with the most succulent of birds

It's the perfect ingredient with which to create these warming winter dishes.
On the waterfront: Frank Meadow Sutcliffe's Whitby

On the waterfront: Frank Meadow Sutcliffe's Whitby

In the photographer's day, Whitby was a place of Bram Stoker stories, gambolling urchins and an endlessly photogenic sea.
Burma back on the map: Tourism returns to South-east Asia’s forbidden land

Travel: Burma is back on the map

South-east Asia’s forbidden land has plenty to entice visitors – and with the travel boycott at an end, they are sure to arrive in numbers.
Spiritual travel for atheists: Do pilgrimages have a place in modern society?

Do pilgrimages have a place in modern society?

Their ideals should be applied to journeys today too, says Alain de Botton.
48 Hours: Mainz

48 Hours in Mainz

This German city where the Rhine and Main meet is gearing up for carnival season.
The artist vandalising advertising with poetry

Poetic vandalism

Q&A with Scottish artist Robert Montgomery whose new show opened in London today
Bonus backlash: PM urged to block rail chief's payout

Bonus backlash

PM urged to block rail chief's payout
Universities set to lose £5.6bn as overseas applications plummet

Universities set to lose £5.6bn...

... as overseas applications plummet
From here to obscurity: the young star who found that fame is fickle

From here to obscurity

The young star who found that fame is fickle
The 'ghost bike' revolt: families demand action on cyclist deaths

The 'ghost bike' revolt

Families demand action on cyclist deaths