Emails ?prove BP systematically put safety at risk?

Congressional investigators have published a series of internal BP memos which they say proves that the British company systematically and negligently put safety at risk on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in order to increase profits.

Uzbekistan closes borders to refugees

Uzbekistan last night closed its borders to refugees fleeing neighbouring Kyrgyzstan as the numbers killed in the ethnic violence spiralled and aid agencies reported fresh allegations of atrocities from the survivors.

Serbia closer to EU membership thanks to ?co-operation? over Ratko Mladic

Serbia took a significant step towards joining the EU after European foreign ministers relaxed demands for the alleged genocide fugitive Ratko Mladic to be arrested before allowing its membership application to proceed.

Russia poised to intervene as ethnic violence rages in Kyrgyzstan

The Kremlin edged closer last night to military intervention in Kyrgyzstan as the number of people killed in ethnic violence spiralled and as many as 100,000 refugees flooded neighbouring Uzbekistan.

India fails to honour its elephant promise over granting of freedom

Swaying forlornly in her concrete pen the rheumy-eyed Laxmi does not look like a cold-blooded killer.

US military to punish culprits behind toxic waste dumping in Iraq

The American military has announced an investigation into its disposal of hazardous material in Iraq and declared its intention to prosecute anyone violating environmental standards.

Turkish aid flotilla was bringing wheelchairs, toys ? and hope

For the people of Gaza the most precious commodity on board the Turkish flotilla stormed by Israel last month was not electric wheelchairs or children?s toys or medicine: it was hope.

Gaza crossing points opened as Israel bows to international pressure

Israel bowed to international pressure yesterday when it agreed to reopen crossing points into Gaza for everyday goods.

World Cup footballers Messi and Ronaldo join roar for ban on ?deafening? vuvuzela

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi joined calls by broadcasters and fans to ban the vuvuzela at the World Cup as British supermarkets reported selling one of the plastic horns every two seconds.

US pension funds sue BP directors over the falling share price

Fifteen directors of BP, including Tony Hayward, the chief executive, and Carl-Henric Svanberg, the chairman, are being sued personally by two US pension funds for their role in the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.

Britain must prepare for casualty spike in Afghanistan, Cameron warns

David Cameron warned yesterday that there would be more British deaths in Afghanistan this summer but said that the threat to Britain of an al-Qaeda attack from the region had dropped.