• Israel eyes break-up of conglomerates
Panel appointed by the government recommends splitting holdings in a move that would force tycoons to divest assets worth billions of dollars
• Hungary hits at Brussels funds threat
Budapest condemns ‘unfounded and unfair’ European Commission plans to suspend nearly €500m of funding because of an excessive budget deficit
• Syrian assault spurs call for intervention
The intensifying assault on the city of Homs killed dozens, including two western journalists, sparking fresh pleas for international action
• Obama proposes corporate tax cut
The president has proposed slashing the US corporate tax rate from 35 to 28 per cent in a move that could determine where global companies choose to invest
• Germany fights eurozone firewall moves
Steffen Seibert, spokesman for Angela Merkel, insisted that Berlin saw no need to increase the size of the €500bn European Stability Mechanism
• Strauss-Kahn freed after night in French jail
Former head of the International Monetary Fund is released after police questioning over his links to an alleged French prostitution ring
• Anti-piracy pact falters after protests
A controversial anti-piracy agreement faces delays after the EU opted to ask its own courts whether the treaty was in line with European law
• Obama sings the blues but it is Republicans who feel down
As confidence in the White House about the election grows, the president may be enjoying his best moment in office since his January 2009 inauguration
• West dismayed at failure of IAEA talks in Iran
The failure of talks between Iran and the IAEA over Tehran’s nuclear programme has triggered dismay among western powers
• US farm subsidies attacked amid boom
With commodity prices soaring and land values at record highs, agriculture is enjoying a windfall but the good times have not escaped notice in Washington