Fresh evidence has emerged that British military intelligence ran a secret operation in Iraq which authorised degrading and unlawful treatment of prisoners.

In the face of bomb and mortar attacks that killed 38 people and wounded 89 others, Iraqis went to the polls yesterday.

British ministers ignored the military's warning that more time was needed before the invasion of Iraq, an inquiry hears.

Medic says 20 years of injury and death in NZ no preparation for life on patrol.

Taliban fighters have developed a deadly new generation of their most lethal weapon, the improvised explosive device, or IED, which is almost undetectable because it has no metal or electronic parts, military experts said last week.

Demand for a seat to watch Tony Blair give evidence to the Iraq inquiry has been so high that a public ballot is to be held to allocate the limited places.

A year after the gesture that instantly gained him adulation throughout the Arab world, the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at President George W. Bush has complained that life since then has not lived up to expectations.

Barack Obama has the worst poll rating for any American President since Truman at this stage in the presidency.