Democratic Republic of Congo toughest place for mothers

May 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In dr congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's toughest place to raise children, Save the Children reports.

Finland was named the best place to be a mother, with Sweden and Norway following in second and third places.

The charity compared factors such as maternal health, child mortality, education and income in 176 countries.

In India, over 300,000 babies die within 24 hours of being born, accounting for 29% of all newborn deaths worldwide, the report says.

Queen to miss Commonwealth meeting

May 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In Commonwealth

For the first time since 1973 the Queen will not be attending the Commonwealth heads of government meeting this year, Buckingham Palace has said.

She will be represented by the Prince of Wales at the summit in Sri Lanka in November.

Buckingham Palace said it was reviewing the amount of long-haul travel the Queen undertook.

The Queen, 87, is the head of the Commonwealth and every two years leaders meet to discuss global issues.

President Mohamud and David Cameron discuss Somalia

May 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In Cameron

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says Somalia has entered a new era that will herald the end of more than two decades of conflict.

He was speaking at a major international conference in London to help Somalia rebuild itself.

The UK and other donors pledged some $130m (£84m) in aid for Somalia.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said huge progress was being made in curbing piracy and tackling an Islamist insurgency in Somalia.

Somalia is widely regarded as a failed state, hit by numerous conflicts since the overthrow of long-serving ruler Siad Barre in 1991.

Russia and United States agree to hold Syria Conference

May 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In america

Russia and the US have agreed to work towards convening an international conference to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Secretary of State John Kerry announced it would follow on from an Action Group for Syria meeting in Geneva last June.

Mr Kerry said they would try to "bring both sides to the table".

Relations between Moscow and Washington have been strained in the last two years by differences over Syria.

'Important track'

G8 ministers condemn North Korea nuclear moves

April 11, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In G8

Foreign ministers from the G8 group of nations have condemned in the "strongest possible terms" North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.

Tensions have risen on the Korean peninsula in recent weeks.

The ministers also expressed "deep concerns about the increasing human tragedy of the conflict in Syria".

They also endorsed what they called a historic pledge on preventing sexual violence in conflict.

The Group of Eight nations comprises the US, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia.

Lady Thatcher funeral guest list released

April 11, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In Thatcher

Downing Street has released an initial list of invitations to Baroness Thatcher's funeral next Wednesday.

All surviving US presidents and British prime ministers are on the guest list, as well as a representative of the Reagan family.

Ronald Reagan's widow Nancy is understood to be too frail to travel.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev will also not be attending owing to health problems, his spokesman has said.

The guest list for the event was drawn up by Lady Thatcher's family with the assistance of the government and the Conservative Party.

Baroness Thatcher funeral details

April 10, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In Thatcher

The funeral of Baroness Thatcher, the first female UK prime minister, will be along the same lines as those of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Queen Mother.

She has been awarded a ceremonial funeral with military honours which will take place on Wednesday, 17 April, at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

It will be the first time the Queen has attended the funeral of a British prime minister since that of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965.

Syria crisis top of agenda at G8 ministers meeting

April 10, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In G8

Foreign Secretary William Hague has said the crisis in Syria will be at the "top of the agenda" when G8 foreign ministers meet in London this week.

He has warned that the "situation in Syria continues to get worse".

Mr Hague said that top of his "personal agenda" is another initiative, to end a "culture of impunity" over sexual violence and abuse during war.

Foreign ministers from the G8 nations are starting two days of talks in London before the G8 summit in June.

South Korea raises alert with North to vital threat

April 10, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In Korea

South Korea has raised its alert level to "vital threat" amid indications the North is preparing for a missile test.

At least one ballistic missile with an estimated 3,000km (2,000-mile) range is fuelled and ready for launch, US and South Korean sources say.

Pyongyang has been making bellicose threats against South Korea, Japan and US bases in the region.

The threats follow tough new UN sanctions imposed on North Korea last month after its third nuclear test.

Margaret Thatcher Dies Following A Stroke

April 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In dead

Margaret Thatcher, who has died following a stroke, was one of the most influential political figures of the 20th Century.

Her legacy had a profound effect upon the policies of her successors, both Conservative and Labour, while her radical and sometimes confrontational approach defined her 11-year period at No 10.

Her term in office saw thousands of ordinary voters gaining a stake in society, buying their council houses and eagerly snapping up shares in the newly privatised industries such as British Gas and BT.