Western countries have been searching for signs of a weakening of Moscow's support for Assad, hoping this could finally prise him from power in the same way that Russian withdrawal of backing for Slobodan Milosevic heralded the Serbian leader's downfall in 2000.

MSN: U.N. envoy says Assad can't be in Syrian transition

For all their effort, Villa's desire to prise open the Liverpool defence was undermined by a lack of creativity in midfield.

BBC: Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool

At Glasgow's Kelvin Hall on Saturday, the tattoo took on a prophetic character, for the Coatbridge boxer had to endure an almighty battle to prise the WBO super-featherweight title from Puerto Rico's fearsome Roman Martinez.

BBC: Incomparable drama in Glasgow on Burns' night

Indian legislation about the liability for nuclear accidents in effect closes to American companies the very market Mr Bush sacrificed so much to prise open.

ECONOMIST: America and India try to define a new sort of relationship