North Kosovo, in orange, is Serb-run. Pristina aims to start trade war with Belgrade. Two policemen were wounded Monday, with one later dying of his injuries, in an operation to extend central control over North Kosovo. Since the region claimed independence in 2008, its largest remaining majority-Serb enclave has resisted rule from the capital, Pristina. The European Union, which normally backs Kosovo’s... 

If you are worried about spoilers, relax. In the first place, Paul is an utterly predictable parody of E.T. Only if you haven’t seen the latter will anything come as a surprise and in that case you’d be missing the point. In the second place, Paul is one of the most offensive movies I have ever seen. If I am spoiling it for you, you probably deserve it. Paul stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost,... 

The first serious move after months of promised reform, the Syrian government today announced that it was ending its near 50-year ban on opposition political parties, though with a number of caveats. The new law resembles the laws under Mubarak in Egypt, allowing opposition parties but forbidding any based on religion, region, or ethnicity. This would keep the Kurds from forming parties, as well as... 

The U.S. State Department has quietly put Russian officials connected to the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky on a visa blacklist as Moscow threatens to curtail cooperation on Iran, North Korea, Libya and the transit of supplies for Afghanistan if the Senate passes a measure imposing even tougher sanctions for human rights abuses. The Russian government has grown ever more infuriated by a series of... 

Residents are seen near a military trailer truck destroyed when a booby-trapped car exploded in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on Sunday. 20 Other Troops Wounded in Attack on Convoy. A Yemeni car bomber detonated his payload near a military convoy in the southern port city of Yemen today, killing at least 10 soldiers and wounding over 20 others. The attack came as the troops were heading to... 

China and India alone will account for 2.5+ billion of the total 7 billion world population, which is more than a third. The second largest population is found in Africa. Europeans account for less than 1 billion in all their countries combined and their population is in free fall, close to total extinction in the next 100 years. Though the birth rate in the U.S. has dropped for a third year in the... 

A startling Federal Security Service (FSB) report on the 22 July massacre in Norway states that two-days prior to this catastrophic attack Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg [photo top right with Putin] placed an “urgent” call to Putin “begging” Russia’s leader to help stop the events that left nearly 100 innocent civilians dead. According to the FSB, Stoltenberg first learned of... 

In 1971, President Richard Nixon, motivated by addiction among US soldiers in Vietnam, told Congress drug abuse was “public enemy number one”. Despite decades of battling against narcotics, the levels of addiction, trafficking and violence continue to rise. The war on drugs has failed. Now, politicians in Latin America are calling to review all options, from full legalisation to a new war. Four... 

At least 231 injured after knife-wielding men attack pro-reform protesters marching to defence ministry in Cairo. More than 231 people have been injured in clashes between groups of armed men and pro-reform protesters marching towards Egypt’s ministry of defence in the capital, Cairo, the country’s health ministry said. Thousands calling for the “downfall” of the country’s... 

California’s Central Valley, which has long been considered the nation’s breadbasket, has also become a new hotbed for property crime. Except instead of stealing things like cars and high-dollar electronics, thieves there are stealing fruits and vegetables from farms, as well as farm equipment, and even the copper used to power water systems. Dismal economic conditions, fewer rural law... 

Although present, the burqa remains very rare in Belgium. A new law banning the burqa comes into force in Belgium on Saturday. The law has been approved with overwhelming support by both houses of parliament, a rare display of unity in this otherwise divided nation. Belgium is now the second country in the European Union after France to implement a burqa ban. The law has found unanimous support among... 

Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in London. The Back To Black singer was found at the property by emergency services at 3.54pm, and it’s believed Winehouse’s death was due to a suspected drug overdose. Winehouse was apparently ‘beyond help’ when paramedics arrived, according to Sky sources. Sources have also claimed Winehouse’s death was due to a drug overdose. Two... 

Life is good for Rome's political class. As Rome implements deep austerity measures in a bid to save its economy from a fate similar to Greece, many Italians are voicing anger over the privileged lifestyles of their elected representatives. Italy’s elected officials are the highest paid politicians in the world and are also among the biggest cheaters, according to an anonymous Italian blogger... 

Higher power: Viewers are told to simply alert security and the matter will be dealt with from there on. A video released by the Department of Homeland Security urging people to report anything suspicious has caused outrage by characterising white middle class Americans as the most likely terrorists. The promotional video is part of Homeland Security’s $10million ‘See Something, Say Something’... 

At least 90 people are now confirmed dead after a shooting spree at a Norwegian youth camp. That attack came just a matter of hours after a powerful blast in downtown Oslo claimed at least seven lives. The Norwegian Prime Minister said more democracy and openness is the answer to the violence. But Helge Luras from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs believes it’s the country’s...