Mitt Romney will top the vote in Arizona and Michigan, the hotly contested state of his birth where the primary delegate count is still up in the air. FULL STORY

The Syrian government holds a referendum on a new constitution, amid continuing violent unrest and a boycott by the opposition.

Syrians are voting on a new constitution that could theoretically end the five decades of one-party rule which has sparked the wave of violent protests across the country.

The controversial bill requiring a woman to get an ultrasound before having an abortion is poised to pass the legislature this week.

The United Nations Security Council is to vote on increasing the number of troops fighting militants on the ground in Somalia – considered the world’s most failed state.

Western nations deplore the vetoing by Russia and China of a UN resolution condemning the crackdown in Syria, as dozens are killed in Homs.

The UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution backing an Arab peace plan for Syria, amid fresh reports of mass killings in Homs

UN nuclear inspectors have arrived in Iran to investigate the suspected development of atomic weapons – on the day lawmakers are expected to ban oil exports to Europe.

Front-runner Mitt Romney faced intensified criticism from his Republican foes, spending the day before the New Hampshire primary explaining a remark he made.

Campaigning is reaching a fever pitch on the eve of the first vote in the race for the Republican nomination in this year’s US presidential election.