Village Fete

Afghanistan's pristine jihad draws in outsiders

Analysts have monitored a surge in online recruitment of 'lions of Islam' to join the war through jihadist websites

‘It’s like Wales: a little stream, woods – and then a bomb’

This isn't like the old-style Afghan war - Improvised Explosive Devices have become the Taleban's preferred weapon

Afghan police killed in ‘friendly fire’

US Marine Special Forces operating with Afghan troops were involved in the nighttime firefight with local police

No contact with Iraq kidnappers, say officials

Officals say that they had no way of verifying claims that one of five Britons held by militants in Iraq had killed himself

Free trade: the sticky issue of bananas

On the eve of the world trade summit, negotiators have yet to reach agreement over imports of the fruit into Europe

PM announces extra funding for Palestinians

PM pledges $60 million extra funding for Palestinians and says he wants to help them get cheap mortgages

Iranian rebel flees into exile

A heroic Iranian dissident tells of his flight from torture in his homeland and the price he paid for his defiance

US gives Iran two week nuclear deadline

US and Iranian officials reach deadlock over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme leading to a two week break in talks

Sextet agree to hold off on new sanctions against Iran

Talks held in Geneva today have ended with no clear answer from Tehran on proposed incentives for suspending its nuclear programme

Brown agrees to cut British troops in Iraq

The decision was made during a surprise visit to the country today, however the Prime Minister declined to set a timeframe for their departure

Iran rules out freeze on nuclear work

At a meeting being held today in Geneva the Iranian ambassador said it was not in Iran's agenda to discuss the issue

Jewish guerrillas told British: quit Palestine or die

A pamphlet warning Britons to leave the Middle East or face death has come to light in a stash of illicit propaganda

Israel makes arrests in alleged plot against Bush

Six Arabs are accused of trying to set up an al Qaeda cell within the country and using helicopters to attack President George W. Bush.

Israelis mourn men whose capture sparked war

Anger at hero's welcome in Lebanon for released prisoner who killed four-year-old, as soldiers are laid to rest

Kuwait names first Iraq ambassador since 1990

Move is key step in mending ties between the two states and evidence of desire among Sunni countries to get closer to Baghdad