The Government is to cut its longstanding commitment to provide foreign aid to India because the country's growing economy means it no longer needs British support, it emerged today.

Embattled minister overruled department to help controversial leader Paul Kagame

Taliban plans forced SAS to bring forward daring rescue mission

A British aid worker held hostage in Afghanistan is recovering from her ordeal today after special forces swooped on a remote hide-out.

The mutilated body of a British aid worker who was kidnapped earlier this year in Pakistan has been found in the south-western city of Quetta.

Thousands flee to neighbouring Lebanon as regime cracks down ahead of ceasefire

Russia offered heavily-qualified support yesterday for a United Nations initiative to end the bloodshed in Syria, as opponents of President Bashar al-Assad's regime faced an intensifying struggle to oust him.

As Burma prepares for by-elections, a new report accuses the army of the rape, torture and murder of ethnic people, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) saying that the abuse of civilians has deepened since fighting against ethnic Kachin rebels in the country's north-east was triggered last year after a 17-year ceasefire. Up to 75,000 people have been forced from their homes.

The United States and Russia clashed over Syria at the U.N. today after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the divided Security Council to speak with one voice and help the Middle Eastern nation "pull back from the brink of a deeper catastrophe."

UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos headed to the shattered central Syrian city of Homs today, where activists have accused regime forces of trying to cover up evidence of a month-long military assault and alleged execution-style killings.

China urged the Syrian government and rebels trying to oust President Bashar al-Assad to end all acts of violence, especially against civilians.

Tunisia's president has said he is ready to offer asylum to Syrian leader Bashar Assad as part of a negotiated solution to the Syrian conflict.

Britain is to recognise the Syrian opposition as a "legitimate representative" of the country's people, William Hague said today.

Architecture is traditionally one of the more lasting human endeavours.