PM Maliki leads poll count in key Baghdad constituency
March 13, 2010
Partial results for Iraq’s elections show Prime Minister Nouri Maliki’s coalition ahead in the crucial area of Baghdad, election officials say.
Results from across the country suggest a tight contest may be developing between Mr Maliki and his main rival, Iyad Allawi.
Greece hit by third general strike in a month
March 11, 2010
Public services and transport in Greece have ground to a halt as workers stage a third general strike in protest at the government’s austerity measures.
Flights are grounded, and schools and hospitals closed in the 24-hour walk-out called by the two largest unions.
Protesters and police clashed during a march in central Athens, with reports of tear gas being used.
Brown visits soldiers in Afghanistan amid defence row
March 6, 2010
The prime minister has visited British troops in Afghanistan as a row grows over his evidence to the Iraq inquiry.
Gordon Brown’s aides told the BBC he rejected criticism from two former Army chiefs that as chancellor he denied pleas to send more equipment to Iraq.
Pakistan air strike ‘kills 30′ in South Waziristan
February 20, 2010
At least 30 militants have been killed in Pakistani air strike near the Afghan border, the military says.
It says a militant “hideout” was hit in the Shawal mountains of South Waziristan, following a tip-off.
Sex hormone progesterone to get head injury trial
February 20, 2010
Natural progesterone, the sex hormone used in the first contraceptive pills, is to be tested on patients with severe head injuries.
Scientists will begin a phase III clinical trial in March and say the drug could save patients’ lives and reduce damage to their brains.
Yulia Tymoshenko drops Ukraine election challenge
February 20, 2010
Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has dropped her legal challenge against her rival’s victory in Ukraine’s presidential election.
Mrs Tymoshenko said the court was not interested in giving her justice in her case against winner Viktor Yanukovych.
The Kiev court had suspended the result when Mrs Tymosheko appealed on Tuesday, claiming the poll was rigged.
Winter Olympics start despite luge tragedy
February 13, 2010
The 2010 Winter Olympics have opened but the ceremony was overshadowed by the death of 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.
He crashed at high speed at Whistler Sliding Centre during training just hours before the Games opened.
The Georgian team, wearing black armbands, were given a standing ovation at the ceremony, held in Vancouver.
Luge goes ahead after death at 2010 Winter Olympics
February 13, 2010
The luge event at the Winter Olympics will go ahead on Saturday despite the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili.
The 21-year-old Georgian died when his sled flipped and he smashed into a steel pole during a final training run at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
The decision to go ahead was taken after probes by local coroners and the International Luge Federation (FIL).
Binyam Mohamed torture appeal lost by UK government
February 10, 2010
The foreign secretary has lost an Appeal Court bid to stop the disclosure of secret information relating to the alleged torture of a UK resident.
Ethiopian-born Binyam Mohamed says UK authorities knew he was tortured at the behest of US authorities during seven years of captivity.
David Miliband had said releasing the material would harm national security.
Iraq inquiry: Short says cabinet misled on war legality
February 2, 2010
Tony Blair’s cabinet was “misled” into thinking the war with Iraq was legal, ex-International Development Secretary Clare Short has told the UK’s inquiry.
She said Attorney General Lord Goldsmith had been “leaned on” to change his advice before the invasion.