Far right banned from the police

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A Liverpool police officer has been suspended from duty after his force discovered his name on a leaked membership list of a far-right political party. Read more...

Solar-powered tankers ready for 2010

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An Australian company has just signed a deal with major Chinese cargo company COSCO to provide tankers powered by sails that are fuelled by sunlight. Read more...

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Mullahs clamp down on 'immoral' internet sites

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More than five million "immoral" websites have been banned by the Iranian government. We asked two of our Iranian observers how and why the censors are muscling in on the country's internet users. Read more...
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Kigali demonstrates against the extradiction of Rose Kabuye

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A Kigali resident sent us photos of the procession from his iPhone. He explains why he took part in the demonstration. Read more and see his photos...

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How to gatecrash the Moscow metro

How to... get on to the Moscow metro without buying a ticket. See the video.

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Is French socialism dead?

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Despite three days of grappling at their annual congress, none of the French Socialist Party top dogs managed to emerge as leader of the party. We ask some socialist supporters what they make of the chaos. Read more...

The German Obama?

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When an ethnic Turk was elected leader of the Green Party in Germany on Saturday, the international press immediately christened him "The German Obama". But a German with Turkish parents tells us, "I hadn't even thought about comparing them". Read more...

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Alright to work until 70?

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You're forced to retire at 65 in France. But not for long - the French government is discussing plans to push it up to 70. Great, you might think. But the French don't. An extra five years of work means the end of social protection, they say. Read more and take part in the debate...

Coup d'état in Moscow

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Webusers are puzzled over photos of an enormous green skull and crossbones projected onto the Russian Houses of Parliament, which appeared last week. A terrorist threat? A music file-share warning? One of our Observers found out who did it, and asked them why. Read more...

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Crisis in Congo – 250,000 forced to flee, disease rampant

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These photos were taken by a humanitarian aid worker who's working kilometres from the frontline in east DR Congo. Read his account and see his photos.

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Coltan, the 'blood mineral' of Congo

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A mineral that's used to make mobile phones is helping to finance the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, say NGOs. Read more...

Scandal in China: soldiers work for butchery

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To publicise his donkey meat, a butcher from Hunan sent fake Japanese soldiers marching through the streets on asses. For once, the Japanese and Chinese agree on something - that the stunt was anything but funny. Read more...

Ultraviolent arrest in Iran

This video of a police arrest has been circulating on the Iranian blogosphere since Monday. The man arrested was accused of stealing money and a mobile phone. Read more and see the video...

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Daydream nation: Jerusalem goes to the polls

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Israel went to the polls Tuesday for its municipal elections. One of our Israeli Observers gave his perspective on the vote. Read more...

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Gay marriage outlawed anew in California. Are Mormons to blame?

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Since same-sex marriage was banned in California last Tuesday, gay activists have rallied against the vote with daily protests, blaming the Mormon Church for swaying the electorate with a cash-crammed campaign. One blogger is calling for a "boycott of the State of Utah" and all business owners who donated to the cause. Read more...