Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said there will be no peace deal with Israel unless the Jewish state stops settlement construction in areas the Palestinians claim for their future state.

The US government turned up the pressure on the head of a small church who plans to burn copies of the Koran on September 11, warning him that doing so could endanger US troops and Americans everywhere.

An American held captive for seven months in North Korea stepped off a plane in his home town today, looking thin but joyful as he hugged the former president who had helped win his release and family and friends surrounded him in a group embrace.

An agreement between Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace talks is imminent, US officials said today.

Tens of thousands of North Koreans rallied in their capital to condemn the United States and South Korea on the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, while Seoul told Pyongyang to admit responsibility for a deadly warship sinking.

The Pakistani Taliban denied any role in the botched car bombing in Times Square but praised the suspect for a “brave job”, as New York authorities pressed him on his claims of terrorist training.

A week of national mourning has been declared in Poland after the country's President died in a plane crash.

China urged the United States today to immediately cancel plans for President Barack Obama to meet with the Dalai Lama next week, warning the move could further hurt ties.