Konare: ‘We don’t need your troops’
African nations can provide the entire 26,000 peacekeeping troops needed to make up the Sudan peacekeeping force in Darfur, the African Union chairman Alpha Oumar Konare has claimed. Speaking in
Khartoum after talks with the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Mr Konare added that the "ball is now in the court... [continued]
Darfur's saviour - or its curse? 
‘Blair shamed Britain over Lebanon’
Tony Blair's government damaged the reputation of the UK last year when it hesitated before calling for an immediate end to the Lebanon War, says the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee. In its
report Global Security: the Middle East, the committee said that a quicker response in calling for a ceasefire... [continued]
All you need to know on the Israel-Lebanon conflict
Heathrow climate protest hots up
More campaigners are expected to arrive today at the climate change protest camp being set up outside London's Heathrow Airport and thousands are due to turn up during the week. Protests against the
expansion of the airport will climax in a "mass direct action" next Sunday. Airport operator BAA has... [continued]
Renationalise Britain's airports
Gunman kills churchgoers
Three people died in a Missouri church yesterday when a gunman opened fire on the congregation. The man, who had two small-calibre handguns and a machine pistol, surrendered to police, after briefly holding about 50 people hostage. Police said he was a relative of a member of the congregation.
Labour savages Redwood ‘tax cuts’
Tory plans to allow bosses freedom to make workers redundant, relax working time regulations and restore Britain's opt-out from the European social chapter have been described by a Labour minister as
a lurch to the right. "They are giving up any claim to be a credible party of the centre... [continued]
Why the bookies aren't backing Cameron
Defence Secretary Des Browne talking to James Naughtie about the British commitment in Afghanistan: The fact of the matter is, it is a long-term commitment and our people are doing an exceptionally good job there. But it has to be complemented at the same time by the growth of governance from the Afghans themselves, because they have to take increasing responsibility, not just in the security forces but in governance, in order to hold the security we can generate... I never underestimated the degree of difficulty we face here, but we are making progress... It's a long-term commitment not just for us but for the whole of the international community, but mostly for the Afghans themselves, and we're there with them. From the Today programme, BBC Radio 4
Cecilia Sarkozy was conspicuous by her absence at the meeting between her husband, French President Nicholas, and George and Laura Bush... Sports presenter Gary Lineker has a new girlfriend - jewellery designer Sabine Roemer... James Bond is facing his toughest enemy yet - in the shape of Italian animal rights activists up in arms at 007's taking part in Siena's biannual horsereace il Palio in his next movie mission... Former Deputy Prime Minister The Office star Lucy Davis (right) will be pictured naked in a campaign to persuade the MoD not to use real bear skin for the Guards' hats... Actress Linda Bellingham and her partner, convicted fraudster Michael Pattemore, have moved into a luxury apartment in north London... Raine, Countess Spencer, has been invited to attend the Princess Diana memorial service on August 31... Billie Piper wants to appear in Dr Who again...
Credit crunch looms as stocks melt
Turmoil is expected to continue in global stock markets today, fuelled by fears that some of the world's biggest banks are sitting on heavy liabilities from the US sub-prime meltdown. US analysts
estimate that some $300bn (£148bn) in loans could be at risk. Sources said banks effectively stopped lending money... [continued]
Signs that point to a US meltdown
Akzo in £8bn ICI pounce
ICI, once the most closely followed stock on the London market, will today agree to a £8.1bn takeover by the Dutch chemical group Akzo Nobel. The Dutch have until 10am today to make a formal statement, and indications are that it will be a joint announcement of an agreed deal.... [continued]
