Campaigners from around the world are urging Russia to back the UN Security Council and help bring an end to the crisis in Syria, coinciding with what they are calling the one-year anniversary of violence in the country.

Iran dismissed the idea of downgrading diplomatic relations with Britain today despite soaring tensions between the two countries after Iranian authorities detained local British Embassy employees for allegedly stirring up post-election unrest.

UNOFFICIAL political activity in Iraq is grounds for execution, and lopping off tongues is still in practice, according to a damning report released yesterday on rights abuses under the rule of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.