Syria's murderous regime is doomed, says defiant William Hague
UK foreign secretary warns President Assad he risks all-out civil war if he remains in power, despite collapse of UN resolution
William Hague has described the Syrian regime as "doomed" and "murdering" and warned that the country is moving closer to an all-out civil war following the dramatic collapse of a major diplomatic effort to call for President Assad to stand down.
The foreign secretary said hopes now rested on the Arab League to increase pressure for political change in the light of this weekend's setback. On Saturday, a United Nations security council resolution calling for the president to resign was vetoed by Russia and China, angering western diplomats.
Patrick Cockburn: The death of the American dream in Afghanistan
A devastating leaked Nato report shows the extent of US failure, as the Taliban prepare for the occupying forces to leave
The United States' announcement that it plans to end the combat role of its troops in Afghanistan earlier than expected, and before the end of next year, is a crucial milestone in the international forces' retreat from the country. Coming after the French decision to go early, the US move looks like part of a panicky rush for the exit. More important, Afghans like to bet on winners, and the US action will convince many that these are increasingly likely to be the Taliban and Pakistan rather than the Afghan government. No wonder Nato officials looked so anxious as they pretended that the US action had not come as a nasty surprise.
Young, Wired and Angry
A Revised Portrait of Hungary's Right-Wing Extremists
By Keno Verseck
Though largely ignored by the national media, Hungary's right-wing extremist Jobbik party operates within a surprisingly well-developed and self-sustained online universe. What's more, recent studies have found that the party's supporters aren't the "losers" that many experts thought they were.
The leader of Hungary's right-wing extremists rarely expresses himself so clearly. Speaking before a crowd of a few thousand supporters in Budapest's Sportmax complex on Saturday, Jan. 21, Gábor Vona announced the end of liberal democracy in the world. In the speech traditionally delivered before party members in January, the 33-year-old politician demanded "no compromising" either with or as part of the ruling political system, calling instead for "fighting, fighting and still more fighting." "We are not communists, fascists or National Socialists," Vona said. "But -- and this is important for everyone to understand very clearly -- we are also not democrats!"
Egypt clashes rage into fourth day
Protesters and riot police fought pitched battles in Cairo on Sunday as clashes sparked by the failure of Egypt's military rulers to prevent deadly football-linked violence raged into a fourth day.
Hundreds of riot police blocked off roads leading to the interior ministry headquarters in the centre of the capital, firing tear gas to keep dozens of rock throwing protesters at bay.
Police erected a concrete block wall on Mansur street, which has become the nerve centre of the deadly clashes, while entrenching themselves behind coils of barbed wire on other roads.
Brazil's poor seem left behind in growth spurt, observers say
The razing of the Pinheirinho slum that was home to 8,000 squatters highlights the plight of those who can't afford to live in their own communities.
February 5, 2012
Reporting from Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil—
Two children ran through the rubble, ducking under smoke pouring from a building that was still burning. Everywhere were signs that people had left in haste: toys, half-cooked meals, couches, ID cards, a fan photo of Justin Bieber.The wasteland was the aftermath of a surprise raid by 1,800 police in riot gear, launched late last month on Pinheirinho where 8,000 squatters had been living illegally since 2004. After clashing with residents and sympathizers armed with clubs and iron bars, the officers bulldozed the community.
Europe's big freeze: cold claims more victims, snow hits travel
Bitterly cold weather sweeping across Europe claimed more victims on Sunday and brought widespread disruption to transport services, with warnings that the chilling temperatures would remain into next week.
Hundreds have lost their lives in eastern Europe as freezing weather sweeps across the continent westwards, while major airports warned that services would be delayed or cancelled.
In England, snowfall late on Saturday left roads were left impassable, and sections of motorways were brought to a standstill, forcing some divers to abandon their vehicles.
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