Conflict
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China and Japan clash over disputed islands
Japan calls them the Senkaku Islands; China, Diaoyu. Today, both nations claim them as their own – and simmering tensions are threatening to turn nasty.
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Syria’s story at crossroads as civil war declared
In Syria’s ancient capital Damascus, battle is raging more furiously than ever. With the uprising now officially a civil war, this is a new chapter in Syria’s uprising. What happens next?
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Thousands of soldiers face sack as army slashed
The British Army is to be cut to its smallest level in hundreds of years. More than ten thousand soldiers will lose their jobs. But does the UK need an army at all?
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Fireworks for America on Independence Day
Today is the Fourth of July – the anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. Americans everywhere are celebrating, but is the nation as ‘exceptional’ as some would like to think?
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French spy and World War II hero dies aged 88
Count Robert de La Rochefoucauld was an aristocratic daredevil who led daring SOE sabotage missions behind Nazi lines in Occupied France. Now, his obituary has gone viral.
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British bombers finally given London memorial
In World War II, Allied bombs wreaked death and destruction on innocent civilians. Yet the pilots who dropped them were deeply brave. Now they have finally been honoured with a memorial.
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Assad talks of ‘war’ as rebels hit vital TV centre
The Syrian dictator says his country is now ‘in a state of war.’ Rebels are closing in on the capital. Army morale is collapsing. Allies are falling away. Is it all over for Bashar al Assad?
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Russian and Saudi arms fuel Syria’s suffering
As grim news drips in daily from Syria, it has emerged that both rebels and the government are being armed from abroad. Some fear that the conflict is developing into a ‘proxy war.’
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Nukes, dictators and mad Vikings in virtual future
A gamer has become an online celebrity after playing the same game of Civilization II (a history simulation) for ten full years. His virtual world has now reached 3991 AD – and is an Orwellian...
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Dozens of children butchered in Syria massacre
UN observers have confirmed horrifying reports from the town of Houla, which came under attack from Syrian government forces on Friday. This is the conflict’s worst confirmed atrocity so far.
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‘Butcher of Liberia’ found guilty of war crimes
At a special court at The Hague, former warlord Charles Taylor was convicted of atrocities committed during one of Africa’s most savage civil wars. A dark chapter in history is ending at last.
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Deadly attack opens Taliban ‘spring offensive’
At least 36 Taliban fighters are dead after launching a daring assault on government buildings in central Kabul. The reaction of ordinary Afghans? Keep calm and carry on.
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Bloodshed casts doubt on Syrian ceasefire
After thirteen months of conflict in Syria, a UN-backed deal offers hope for peace. But as the ceasefire deadline approaches, the war is intensifying. Will the government keep its promises?
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Drones provoke worries of ‘Playstation’ mentality
The USA has embraced the use of unmanned aircraft known as ‘drones’ in its fight against terrorism, and other countries are following suit. Is this the beginning of ‘robot wars?’
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Twenty years on, Sarajevo still scarred by siege
In the 1990s, Sarajevo was home to the longest siege of modern times, and one of the bloodiest. It began twenty years ago this week – and though it is over, many still suffer from its effects.