* Bush toughens sanctions on Sudan US President George W Bush has announced fresh sanctions against Sudan over the four-year Darfur conflict.
* Syrians vote to endorse Assad for second term Posters plastered on walls of the capital and songs blaring from cars and loudspeakers proclaimed "We love you" as Syrians voted in a referendum to endorse President Bashar Assad - the only candidate - for a second term.
* Russia tests long-range missile Russia has test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile, Russian military officials say.
* China to catch up with US economy: world poll China is on course to catch up with the United States and join the front ranks of world economic powers, but that is little cause for concern even among Americans.
* Blair in Libya for Gaddafi talks Tony Blair has arrived in Libya at the start of a week-long tour of Africa seen as highlighting what he believes to have been foreign policy successes.
* Arabs Fear U.S-Iran Talks Cut Them Out Arab officials and commentators said Tuesday they feared the budding dialogue between Washington and Iran could cut them out of the debate over the future of Iraq.
* Israel party votes to oust leader Israel faces further political uncertainty after the Labour party, a key coalition member, voted to replace its much-criticised leader.
* High Court Bans New Muslim Burial Site Next to Temple Mount The High Court of Justice has upheld a decision by Public Security Minister Avi Dichter to ban Muslim burials on the grounds immediately southeast of the Temple Mount.
* Abbas to meet Israeli PM as Gaza violence persists Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday that he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert next week for the first time in nearly two months.
* Merkel promises 'fair' solution on EU constitution German chancellor Angela Merkel has said she is determined to find a way out of the EU's institutional impasse.