British-born Mr Indyk served as America’s ambassador in Tel Aviv between 1995 and 1997

Read the full text of his letter

He may have been out of office for four years, but George W Bush is still costing the US taxpayer a sizeable sum.

The Republican House of Representatives voted to keep the US government going until the end of September, paving the way for the Senate to approve the measure to avoid a shutdown of federal agencies.

Jack Lew, President Barack Obama's pick to replace Tim Geithner as Treasury Secretary, was grilled on his tenure at Citigroup, with Republican lawmakers pressing him on his past investments in a Cayman Islands fund and on a nearly $1m bonus he received as Citi was receiving government support during the financial crisis.

1. Malia photobombs Sasha's picture. youtube.com

Only hours after President Barack Obama chided his nation at an inter-faith memorial service in Newtown, Connecticut, for not doing enough to protect its children from violence, a small but swelling chorus broke out in Washington offering him support for new curbs on gun ownership.

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has been admitted to hospital for medical tests, although the government said there was no cause for alarm.

Why condemn a "voluntary" donation if there's no other option?

Leslie Woit finds treats for the body and spirit in America's snow-capped peaks and valleys

This tropical paradise has long been calling pleasure seekers to its shores, writes John Walsh

Follow the latitude of luxury at 35 north

In securing a second term, Mr Obama showed how entrenched social change now is

A presidential challenger who appears to believe in so little does not deserve to win