The Bolivian President Evo Morales, has threatened to close the United States embassy after his official plane was banned from European, reports the BBC.

A senior Burmese military official has been blacklisted by the US, who accuse him of making arms deal with North Korea, in breach of sanctions.

The US Treasury claimed Lieutenant-General Thein Htay purchased military equipment from North Korea, defying several UN resolutions.

The chief of the armed forces in Egypt, General Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi, announced the suspension of the current constitution in what the current presidency called a full military coup.

In a statement on events unfolding in Egypt, the US President Barack Obama urged the Egyptian army to ensure power was handed over "to move quickly and responsibly to return full authority back to a democratically elected civilian government as soon as possible through an inclusive and transparent process."

See here for full statement. extract reproduced below:

"As I have said since the Egyptian Revolution, the United States supports a set of core principles, including opposition to violence, protection of universal human rights, and reform that meets the legitimate aspirations of the people.  The United States does not support particular individuals or political parties, but we are committed to the democratic process and respect for the rule of law.  Since the current unrest in Egypt began, we have called on all parties to work together to address the legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people, in accordance with the democratic process, and without recourse to violence or the use of force."

Defending the US surveillance programme, Khurshid said:

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has said he was not consulted by the army about a statement, giving him 48 hours to find a solution for the political crisis that has gripped the country.

"The presidency asserts that the presidency is going on in its pre-planned path to hold a comprehensive national reconciliation," said a statement by the president’s office.

The United Nations human rights office today called on Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, to listen to the demands of the Egyptian people that, over the last few days, h

The UN has begun its mission in Mali, taking control of around 6,000 West African troops.

The force will take over from French forces, which have controlled security operations in the country.

Croatia has joined the EU, becoming its 28th member. It has been over two decades since it split away from Yugoslavia in order to secure its independence.

Amidst widespread celebrations, Croatia's president Josipovic said, it was "a great and joyful day for our homeland".

The Egyptian army gave the country’s rival parties 48 hours to resolve the deadly political crisis, today.

Whilst on a visit to strengthen trade relations with Kazakhstan, British Prime Minister David Cameron has been urged to bring human rights issues to the table in discussions.

Over 40 people where killed in bomb blasts in Pakistan whilst the UK prime minister visited the country to hold talks with the newly elected prime minister Nawaz Sharif. 

One bomb by checkpoint near a Shiite Muslim mosque in the south-western city of Quetta killed over 20 people, whilst a car bombing in Peshawar, killed 17. 

One of the UK's top generals in Afghanistan has told the Guardian that the West should have tried to talk to the Taliban over a decade ago as it would have been easier to find a solution in 2002 when the Taliban were on the run.  

General Nick Carter said,   

British Prime Minister David Cameron said during a visit to Afghanistan that the Taliban should join the political process.

"I believe that the Taliban, watching all this progress, are beginning to realise that they are not going to secure a role in Afghanistan's future through terror and violence but by giving up their arms and engaging in a political process.