The Republican senator from Arizona accused the administration, "in its desperation, " of appearing to place its hopes on persuading the Russian government to push al-Assad from power.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Subject to planning approval by the end of 2008, funding being in place and tendering being completed, the trust hopes to be on site by autumn 2009 with the new visitor centre open by spring 2011.

BBC: Step forward for Causeway centre

But defeat ended Castleford's play-off hopes as they missed out on eighth place to Brian Noble's Crusaders.

BBC: St Helens 40-30 Castleford Tigers

The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says it is a concern that the UN hopes participants at an international conference on Afghanistan, due to take place in The Hague next week, will address.

BBC: Asylum seekers up for second year

With two games left to play, they must beat Worcestershire at New Road on Friday and Somerset at Edgbaston on Sunday to guarantee a quarter-final place, while Glamorgan's already slim hopes of getting through are now over.

BBC: Bears stumble but beat Glamorgan