Syria Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, under intense international pressure over Lebanon, agreed to a withdrawal of all military and intelligence personnel from the country, a UN envoy said. Iran Iran said it was determined to press on with its nuclear programme, snubbing an announcement by the United States that it would offer Tehran incentives to halt sensitive fuel cycle work. Mideast The militant Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas announced it would end a long-standing boycott and take part in Palestinian legislative elections in July. Iraq Iraqi captors have indefinitely postponed their threatened execution of a Filipino hostage as efforts were underway to free other foreigners held in the violence-torn country. Britain Britain's Home Secretary Charles Clarke signed control orders to restrict the movements of 10 "terrorism" suspects under legislation passed in an epic overnight battle this week between the two houses of parliament. US Prosecutors painted Michael Jackson as a "spendaholic" on the verge of bankruptcy, as they argued to win access to the superstar's financial records. China China accepts the resignation of Tung Chee-hwa as Hong Kong leader and gives him a sinecure at an advisory body, as preparations start for picking a successor on July 10 to serve the remaining two years of his term. US A suspect was arrested after a massive manhunt in the southeastern United States after a man on trial for rape grabbed a deputy's gun and shot dead a judge and two other officials in an Atlanta courthouse, before seizing a car and fleeing, police and US media said. India Thousands of people began the long march across a vast expanse of arid western India to honour the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, India's independence hero and apostle of non-violence. Portugal Portugal's first-ever majority Socialist government was sworn in on before President Jorge Sampaio, less than a month after a snap election ended nearly three years of centre-right rule.