Russia's FSB - successor to the KGB - has become even more powerful on Vladimir Putin's watch. How have the security services come to occupy such a prominent position in the world's largest country?

After the 2010 student protests, there was speculation today's London demo against education cuts would be similarly violent. But a sizeable police presence meant there was only sporadic disruption.

This year's Booker Prize chair courted controversy when she revealed her panel was looking for "readable" books. We asked members of the Channel 4 newsroom what they thought of the shortlist.

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is best known for negotiating an end to the Vietnam war. But he also helped turn Egypt away from the USSR and towards the west.

Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates turned from cut-throat capitalist to philanthropist when he decided to devote himself to his charitable foundation.

The Obama administration has presided over a significant increase in unmanned CIA drone attacks on Pakistan. Who is pushing the policy forward - and can it succeed?

Recent events in the Middle East have highlighted the United Kingdom's position as one of the world's most successful arms producers.

Well connected in the west, Saif al-Islam had been tipped to succeed his father, Muammar Gaddafi, as leader of Libya - until his appearance on Libyan state TV.

As turmoil rages in the Middle East, the Duke of York's business connections are beginning to unravel.

There was a split between the UN Security Council's permanent members when they came to vote on a Libyan no-fly zone resolution. So who voted for what - and why?