Austrian leader critical of European court Austria’s chancellor has questioned the powers of Europe’s top court with the suggestion it has strayed into areas of national competence. Vienna 31/12/2005
Kidnapped British family freed in Gaza The three British hostages released in the Gaza Strip have left the territory. A previously-unknown group freed aid worker Kate Burton and her 31/12/2005
Ex-Syrian deputy claims Assad threatened Hariri In another diplomatic blow for Syria, the country’s former vice president has claimed his boss threatened Lebanon’s ex-prime minister Rafik al-Hariri 31/12/2005
Russia rejects Kiev's plea to postpone gas prise rise Russia’s state-controlled gas monopoly has rejected an appeal from Ukraine to freeze a planned steep price rise. Gazprom told Prime Minister 31/12/2005
German hostages in Yemen freed A happy new year for Juergen Chrobog. The former German government minister has been released along with his family by kidnappers in Yemen. They 31/12/2005
Syrian parliament backs treason charge for vice-president Syrian MPs have unanimously voted for the country’s former vice-president to be tried for treason. That followed a TV interview in which the 31/12/2005
East Asia first to see in the new year East Asian countries have been the first to celebrate 2006, and the mood has been festive and upbeat, in marked contrast to last year when the 31/12/2005
Thousands turn out for Algerian president's post-operation homecoming Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has returned home after more than a month in France, where he had surgery for a bleeding stomach ulcer 31/12/2005
Moscow and Kiev discuss new gas offer Moscow and Kiev are discussing a last-minute proposal to resolve their gas row. Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered Ukraine supplies at 2005 31/12/2005
Thousands welcome Algerian leader home Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has returned home after treatment at a French hospital. Thousands of people flooded into the capital Algiers 31/12/2005
Ex Syrian Vice-President says Assad threatened Hariri before assassination A former top member of Syria’s political inner circle is claiming that the country’s President Bashar al-Assad threatened Lebanon’s ex-Prime Minister 31/12/2005
German hostages in Yemen freed A hostage drama in Yemen is over. Kidnappers have freed a former German government minister with his wife and three children. They had been held 31/12/2005
Spain and Belgium axe the ashtrays Two more European countries join Ireland, Italy and Norway in banning smoking in public places. In Spain. people will not be able to light up in all 31/12/2005