Putin visits UK for Syria talks

At least 20 people were killed when Syrian security forces fired three mortar rounds at a Palestinian camp in Damascus, medical sources said.

Witnesses in the camp told Reuters by telephone that the mortars hit a busy street as people were preparing for the Ramadan meal to break their fasting.

Russian expert James Nixey told ITV News that he does not think the meeting between Russian President Putin and Prime Minister Cameron will "result in a substantial change in position."

He says there is still a "fundamental divergence of values" on the issue, and he does not think "one pre-judo meeting" will accomplish.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Russian President Vladimir Putin watch the action during the women's judo semi-final in London. The pair met earlier today at Downing Street for talks on the Syrian crisis.

Rights group Amnesty International has urged the Prime Minister to raise the case of punk band Pussy Riot with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who is visiting the UK today.

The group of leading musicians are on trial and facing prison for performing what they say was a "legitimate protest". Amnesty's Europe and Central Asia director John Dalhuisen said:

The Russian Foreign Ministry said today it would not back a Saudi-drafted resolution on Syria at the UN General Assembly, saying it was unbalanced and would not help end the violence in the country.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the draft placed "full responsibility" for what is happening in th country "solely on the Syrian authorities" and made no demands on the opposition.

Vladimir Putin has arrived at Downing Street ahead of talks on Syria , in the latest round of Olympic Games-focused diplomacy.

David Cameron will discuss trade and human rights with the Russian President, with a focus on the Syrian crisis.

Vladimir Putin will be visiting the London 2012 judo competition today. The Russian President, who is a judo enthusiast and a black belt holder, presented an instructional DVD in the martial art in 2008. This video is in Russian.

Learning Judo with Vladimir Putin first gives viewers an insight into the martial art, before going on to demonstrate a series of throws and holds.

Will Boris Johnson want to see him in action after watching this?

A spokesman for US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has said the Pentagon chief and Jordan's King Abdullah agreed that Syrian leader Bashar Assad must give up power, the Associated Press reported.

Spokesman George Little made the statement after Mr Panetta met with the king in Amman today, as part of his tour to the Middle East and North Africa.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell has urged caution over direct backing for Syrian insurgent groups, after unconfirmed reports suggested that President Barack Obama authorised covert aid to Syrian rebels.

Sir Menzies said: "Our justifiable anger at the barbarism of the Assad regime and its indiscriminate use of force should not blind us to the fact that elements of the insurgency are unscrupulous and wholly indifferent to human rights and religious tolerance.

"Syria is hardly likely to emerge as a liberal democracy if the Assad regime falls, but we should be careful in case, by our actions, it is replaced by a regime which displays the same intolerance. The United Nations route, however difficult, is still the best choice."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said that Russian President Vladimir Putin should "strip to the waist" and take part in the Olympic judo event.

Mr Putin, who holds a black belt in the martial art, will visit Downing Street before heading to the Olympic Park.