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Nick Clegg to stay Lib Dem leader 'until at least 2020'
Nick Clegg intends to remain as Liberal Democrat leader until at least 2020 - whether or not the party is in power - his office said today as speculation about the Deputy Prime Minister's future overshadowed his spring conference speech.
The Deputy Prime Minister was forced to respond to speculation about his future following reports that senior MPs were positioning themselves as possible successors.
"Nick Clegg intends to be the leader of the Liberal Democrats today, tomorrow, into the 2015 election and through the whole of the next parliament," a spokesman said.
"He intends to be leader of the Liberal Democrats whether or not we are in government."
Arab league rejects recognizing Israel as 'Jewish state'
The Arab League endorsed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's rejection of Israel's demand for recognition as a Jewish state, as U.S.-backed peace talks approach a deadline next month.
The US want Mr Abbas to make the concession as part of efforts to reach a "framework agreement" and extend the talks aimed at settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Benjamin Netanyahu has been Israel's first prime minister to make recognition of his country as a Jewish state a requirement for peace.
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Obama to host Ukraine's PM at the White House
US President Barack Obama will meet with Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk at the White House on Wednesday.
The White House called the meeting, which comes just days before a referendum on secession by Crimea, a "show of support for Ukrainian sovereignty."
The leaders are set to talk about "how to find a peaceful resolution to Russia's ongoing military intervention in Crimea that would respect Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity," the White House said.
Chinese president calls for 'diplomatic solution' in Ukraine
Chinese President Xi Jinping said the crisis in Ukraine needed to be solved via diplomacy.
In a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Xi said solution needed to be on the basis of international law, German government said in a statement.
Read: Pro-Ukraine and Russia rallies take place across Ukraine
Warm March 2014 in stark contrast to last year
This warm March is in huge contrast to March last year - the second coldest on record.
Read the full storyMerkel calls Crimean referendum 'unconstitutional'
German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Russian President Vladimir Putin referendum planned for March 16 on Crimea joining Russia violated Ukraine's constitution and was against international law.
The Chancellor also said she regretted that there had not been any progress on forming an "international contact group" which could find a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.
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Elderly pro-Ukrainian rescued by police in Donetsk
ITV News cameraman Daniel Demoustier filmed an elderly lady with a Ukrainian flag being attacked by pro-Russian protesters in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.
Old woman holding to her #Ukraine flag rescued by Police just after she got attacked by angry pro Russia protesters http://t.co/uU2MRLf91A
Khodorkovsky: 'Russian propaganda lies, as always'
One of Vladimir Putin's biggest critics, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, accused Russia of being complicit in police violence against Ukrainian protesters on Kiev's Independence Square.
The former Russian oil tycoon, addressing a crowd on the square where demonstrators rose up against Ukraine's Moscow-backed president, dismissed suggestions by Moscow that the protesters are "neo-fascists" bent on violence.
"Russian propaganda lies, as always. There are no fascists or Nazis here," Mr Khodorkovsky said.
William Hague: Russia's Ukraine intervention a 'miscalculation'
Assisted suicide law 'for Parliament to decide'
A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "The Government believes that any change to the law in this emotive and contentious area is an issue of individual conscience and a matter for Parliament to decide rather than Government policy."
PM urges Putin to 'de-escalate' Ukraine tensions
David Cameron and Vladimir Putin have spoken on the phone about Ukraine, with the Prime Minister urging a de-escalation of the ongoing crisis in the country.
A statement from Downing Street said: "The Prime Minister called President Putin this morning to urge him to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine and to support the formation of a contact group that could lead to direct talks between the governments of Russia and Ukraine."
Number 10 added that both sides "agreed that it is in all our interests to have a stable Ukraine", noting that President Putin stated he was seeking a diplomatic solution to the ongoing tensions.
Mr Cameron also underlined the importance of Ukraine choosing its own future, stating "the elections, currently scheduled for the end of May, provide the best way to do this".
