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Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:04:06 GMT

Whether it’s the shape-shifting group of reptilian descendants from the constellation Draco who control humanity, or the shadowy cabal of powerful financiers and politicians who covertly run all governments, conspiracy theorists are once again preparing for their annual jamboree of protest against those who really rule the world, this year in the highly secretive destination of... Watford.

Early summit date set for US and China

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:17:11 GMT

China’s new leader, Xi Jinping, will confer with President Barack Obama next month in California, months earlier than expected, as both sides seek to stem a drift in relations troubled by issues from cyber-spying to North Korea.

Ah, Mr Fogle, we've been expecting you: The case of the hapless wig-wearing American diplomat expelled from Moscow is not as simple as it first seemed

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:00:22 GMT

In the long and sinuous history of international espionage, the one thing you can absolutely rely on is that very little is as it first appears. And so it is with Ryan Christopher Fogle, third secretary in the political department of the US Embassy in Moscow, comedy wig owner, and, apparently, a man who thinks it wise to hang around near park entrances at midnight with €100,000 (£85,000) in cash about his person.

Britain will use G8 to aid dementia research

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

David Cameron plans to use Britain’s presidency of the G8 leading industrialised nations to spearhead a new international drive to boost dementia research.

UN has a new nutritional, sustainable diet for a hungry world: insects

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:28:55 GMT

The solution to world poverty may have been under our noses all along. The United Nations has issued official advice suggesting that Earth’s inhabitants eat insects to help combat food-insecurity and reduce pollution worldwide.

UN has a new nutritional, sustainable diet for a hungry world: bugs

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:28:55 GMT

United Nations has a new nutritional, sustainable diet for a hungry world: bugs

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:28:55 GMT

The martyrdom of St Bono

Sat, 11 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

To some, Bono is the ultimate celebrity philanthropist, the leather-clad rocker who cajoles presidents into committing billions to help the world's poorest. But, according to a scathing new biography, the U2 singer is an "ambassador for imperial exploitation" and a hypocrite who has failed to come clean over his own "murky" tax affairs.

'History of Syria being written in blood of its people' says David Cameron after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:31:14 GMT

David Cameron discussed Syria with Vladimir Putin at the Russian President's holiday home today, but the talks appeared to provide little in the way of concrete progress in the search for a solution to the crisis.

'History of Syria being written in blood of its people' says David Cameron after talks with Vladimir Putin

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:31:14 GMT

Syria ‘is ready’ to let in UN chemical experts

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:22:48 GMT

The Syrian government has said it is ready for the United Nations to investigate whether chemical weapons had been used in the country’s two-year-long civil war.

President Assad says Syria must become a 'resistance nation like Hezbollah'

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:22:48 GMT

Syria must become a “resistance nation like Hezbollah” says its embattled President Bashar al-Assad, who has used an interview with a Syrian newspaper to heap praise on the militant group in neighbouring Lebanon.

Pakistani court declares US drone strikes in the country's tribal belt illegal

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:59:13 GMT

A Pakistani court has declared that US drone strikes in the country's tribal belt are illegal and has directed the government to move a resolution against the attacks in the United Nations.

David Cameron: Proof grows that President Assad used sarin in Syria's civil war

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:20:43 GMT

The deadly nerve agent sarin does appear to have been used by Bashar Assad’s regime during Syria’s two-year civil war according to a “growing body of limited but persuasive information”, David Cameron has told MPs.

Russia and US agree to hold Syrian peace conference

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:22:18 GMT

Russia and the United States have announced that they will convene a conference by the end of the month to bring together representatives of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition and rebel groups fighting his regime.

John Kerry seeks Vladimir Putin’s help in finding solution to Syria conflict

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:22:18 GMT

The US Secretary of State has sought Russian help in ending Syria’s civil war, telling President Vladimir Putin in Moscow that common interest in a stable Middle East could bridge divisions among the big powers.

Queen to miss Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka due to long-haul travel review - and will send Prince Charles instead

Tue, 07 May 2013 08:39:10 GMT

The Queen will miss the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting for the first time since 1973, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

The Queen to miss heads of Commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka

Tue, 07 May 2013 08:39:10 GMT

The Queen will miss the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting for the first time since 1973, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

Exclusive: Syrian aid in crisis as Gulf states renege on promises

Sat, 04 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Millions of Syrian refugees face food rationing and cutbacks to critical medical programmes because oil-rich Gulf states have failed to deliver the funding they promised for emergency humanitarian aid, an investigation by The Independent on Sunday has found.

Britain wades in as Cyprus is threatened by a cheese war

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:20:20 GMT

Britain has waded into the row over attempts by Cyprus to win protected status for haloumi cheese, with a warning that the move could inflame relations with the Turkish-Cypriots who share the divided island.

Somalia: UN’s late declaration of famine in 2011 cost lives

Thu, 02 May 2013 18:34:38 GMT

The United Nations has admitted that a delay in declaring a famine in Somalia in 2011 cost additional lives, after a new report revealed that more than a quarter of a million people died, half of them young children.

Nigeria joins journalist danger list on World Press Freedom day

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:29:50 GMT

Nigeria today joined the list of countries where journalists are routinely murdered and assaulted without any convictions for their attackers.

War reporting - a veteran’s guide: Shot at, seized by a murderous mob and chased by kidnappers...

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:27:23 GMT

This article is part of the series Voices in Danger, which aims to highlight the plight of journalists working in difficult conditions around the world.

Years ago, a colleague rang me for advice. She was being sent to Baghdad in advance of a US threat to attack Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. But should she go? Were the dangers simply so great that she should not risk her life? I gave her the only advice I could – the decision was up to her, but she should remember one thing: she was going to Baghdad to report, not to die.

War reporting - a veteran’s guide: Shot at, seized by a murderous mob and chased by kidnappers...

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:27:23 GMT

David Cameron tells United Arab Emirates ruler of concerns about treatment of three British holidaymakers convicted of possessing drugs

Wed, 01 May 2013 12:28:35 GMT

David Cameron has told the ruler of the United Arab Emirates that the UK has “concerns” about the treatment of three British holidaymakers convicted of possessing drugs.