Prime minister uses televised phone-in show to rail against opponents, US foreign policy and London-based expat billionaires Vladimir Putin dismissed the thousands of protesters who have massed against his rule as agents of the west in his first response to the growing discontent during a marathon phone-in show. Putin...
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Barack Obama declares Iraq war a success
President told an audience of soldiers at Fort Bragg that the final pullout after nearly nine years of conflict is an ‘historic’ moment Barack Obama marked an end to a war he once described as “dumb” by declaring the conflict in Iraq a success and saying the last US...
Pakistan to impose Nato transit tax
Plan to tax all supplies sent through Pakistan territory is latest retaliation for soldiers shelled by US helicopter Pakistan is drawing up plans to tax Nato for using its territory to supply troops in Afghanistan, in retaliation for the recent death of its soldiers in a “friendly fire” incident...
At least four people dead in Liège attack
The lone attacker threw hand grenades and shot into crowds in the Belgian city, leaving three dead A lone gunman has brought bloodshed and mayhem to the eastern Belgian city of Liège, killing three people in a frenzied attack during which he lobbed hand grenades and fired an assault...
Canada condemned over Kyoto climate treaty
China calls Canada’s decision ‘preposterous’, while Greenpeace says the country is protecting polluters instead of people Canada has been condemned at home and abroad as “irresponsible” and “reckless” for pulling out of the Kyoto climate treaty, just a day after committing to a future legally binding deal at a...
Syria holds elections amid crackdown
• Clashes between Syrian defectors and army spread• Low turn-out expected in local vote as opposition calls for boycott• Speculation of Homs assault mounts ahead of ‘deadline’• Read the latest summary 8.46am: Good morning. Here’s a round-up of developments across the region. Syria • Local elections are being held...
Putin and Medvedev try to calm Russian election outcry
Prime minister’s spokesman says Kremlin will listen to protesters, while president promises investigation into disputed election result The Russian leadership has sought to calm tensions following an unprecedented protest against Vladimir Putin that brought tens of thousands of demonstrators on to the streets of Moscow. The prime minister has...
Global climate change treaty in sight after Durban breakthrough
Climate conference ends in agreement after two weeks of talks The world is on track for a comprehensive global treaty on climate change for the first time after agreement was reached at talks in Durban, South Africa in the early hours of Sunday morning. Negotiators agreed to start work...
European leaders end Brussels summit with treaty deal
• 26 European countries to agree Lisbon changes• Cameron opposes financial transaction tax• Markets give cautious welcome to summit• Main points of the day 6.23pm: So after another day of drama, it’s time to wrap up this blog. Here are the key points: • European leaders come to a...
China rejects Durban climate change package
China’s chief negotiator says proposals on final day of Durban talks were unacceptable as they would lead to the end of the Kyoto protocol The climate change talks in Durban were in trouble on Friday night as China’s chief negotiator firmly rejected proposals for a new global treaty on...