The Environment Agency has been clearing "pinch points" along the River Thames to ensure water continues flowing further downstream.

BBC: Thames Water says drainage system 'overwhelmed'

The UK Border Agency is now close to clearing the back-log of almost half a million asylum cases.

BBC: In full: David Cameron immigration speech

The Syrian military issued a statement stressing its "resolution to decisively eliminating the criminal and murder gangs and chasing them out of their rotten hideouts wherever they are until clearing the homeland of their evils, " state-run news agency SANA said.

CNN: Syria shows al-Assad, amid speculation on his whereabouts