Iran’s supreme leader sharply denounced the US, accusing it of plotting to overthrow its clerical leadership, in a frosty response to an overture by President Barack Obama for better cultural ties with Iran.

Barack Obama told Iran's people today that the US wanted to engage with their country and end decades of strained relationship - if their leaders stopped making threats.

War-torn Afghanistan today pleaded for protective clothing for its staff after the first possible cases of bird flu were detected, as Azerbaijan reported three people killed by the deadly disease.