Archive of articles from 2009

Ordinary Afghans share security fears

Need to rebuild: Three quarters of the population have been forced to leave their home since wars began in 1979

Afghan civilians want both Taliban and coalition forces to do more to protect their safety.

Brown: We'll set a timetable for withdrawal

Britain: 'Patriotic and outward-looking'

Talks in the new year should involve discussions over the timing of British withdrawal from Afghanistan, the prime minister has announced.

Atheists lose Thought for the Day battle

Thought for the Day will continue as normal

Radio 4's Thought for the Day slot is remain closed to non-religious contributors after the BBC Trust ruled it did not contravene BBC guidelines.

It's official: Clinton fancies Miliband

The pair share a platform during a visit to the US

David Miliband is "attractive" and "vibrant", Hillary Clinton had admitted.

Pickles branded 'dictator' after deselection failure

Eric Pickles told he's a nice man - but a dictator nonetheless

Conservative party chairman Eric Pickles was accused of being a "dictator" after PPC Elizabeth Truss saw off a bid to deselect her last night.

Dementia drain: Hospital 'spells misery' for patients

Prolonged hospital stays: costly to the patient and the NHS

Dementia sufferers often leave hospital in a worse condition than when they entered, a report has claimed.

Copenhagen cop-out: The 'longest suicide note in history'?

Procrastinating politicians are in danger of turning next month's climate change talks in Copenhagen into little more than a talking shop, a body of leading scientists and engineers has warned.

Weak economy could ruin election

A weakened economy early next year could shatter Labour's hopes for re-election

The government faces more problems in the run-up to the election with the news that the economy is set to weaken early next year.

'Thousands of children' failed by system

Children and young people who regularly go missing from their home or school could be at risk of sexual exploitation

Thousands of children are being put at risk of sexual exploitation because local authorities are ignoring the problem, children's charity Barnardo's has argued.

Labour surges but Cameron trusted, poll shows

Cameron ranks high on prime ministerial qualities, the poll shows

Labour is seeing a poll boost, according to the latest ICM poll, but David Cameron's reputation as decisive and respected is holding firm.

Inflation up as prices rise

Feul prices are behind the rise, according to experts

The first rise in in the Bank of England's inflation benchmark since February has been announced.

Cable calls for 10% levy on bank profits

Vince Cable believes the Labour government is to blame for the banking crisis

Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor Vince Cable has criticised high-risk "casino banking" and called for a ten per cent levy on bank profits this year to tackle the national deficit.

Miliband warns against Afghanistan 'vacuum'

Abandoning Afghanistan would leave vacuum, Miliband warns

David Miliband has called for a "clear political strategy" to match military efforts in Afghanistan.

Labour candidates call for electoral reform

Gordon Brown promised a referendum on electoral reform during the Labour conference

A group of Labour candidates has written a letter to Gordon Brown calling for a referendum on electoral reform to be held on the day of the general election.

Clegg: Cancel the Queen's Speech

The Queen's Speech should be scrapped this year and replaced with thorough implementation of reforms to parliament, Nick Clegg said this morning.

Truss' fate to be decided at deselection meeting

Decision time: Norfolk Conservatives will vote tonight on whether Elizabeth Truss will represent them in next year's election

A Conservative PPC will attempt to avoid deselection tonight as she faces party members who claim she misled them over her affair with a Conservative MP.

Long-awaited Merlins make Afghan landing

Blades clipped: The Merlin arrived at Camp Bastion transported in the C-17 carrier

The first of six RAF Merlin helicopters due to be deployed to boost frontline troops in Afghanistan has arrived in Camp Bastion today.

Tories blame overcrowding for overnight prisoner release

Prisoners allowed out overnight before being released permanently

A rise in the number of prisoners allowed to spend nights outside jail has been caused by overcrowding, the Conservatives have claimed.

BNP's Griffin to mount Barking challenge

Nick Griffin will stand against Margaret Hodge in Barking

British National party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin will stand in Barking at the general election, he has announced.

Govt plots bonus curbs for bankers

Treasury plans to prevent bankers receiving "ludicrous bonuses" are receiving a mixed welcome ahead of the Queen's Speech.

Tories deny Murdoch deal

Allegations of a deal between Murdoch's News International and the Conservatives have been denied by the opposition party

The Conservatives have denied a deal with Rupert Murdoch as a "completely wrong and totally improper" allegation.

PM to offer Australian apology

Thousands of British children were shipped off to the Commonwealth - predominantly Australia and Canada.

The prime minister is preparing to offer an apology to British children forcibly sent to Commonwealth countries for a life of abuse and unpaid labour.