The increasing rapidity with which the Greenland Ice Sheet is melting is only one of several phenomena which have shown that global warming is speeding up in the years since President Bush withdrew the US from Kyoto

Obama brings US in from the cold

In a landmark speech, the next president pledges to revive Kyoto Protocol and end American isolationism over climate change
Comments: 46

Shamsia, a 17-year-old schoolgirl, rests on a hospital bed after acid was sprayed into her face on a street in Kandahar by men using a water pistol

Once more fear stalks the streets of Kandahar

Five years after his last visit, Robert Fisk finds the Taliban back in charge of their spiritual home – and girls attacked with acid simply for attending school.
Comments: 36

More Robert Fisk articles

Shopping is just so over

It was our national pastime – but Bank of England says love affair with retail is at an end.
Comments: 7

Fading light prompts England defeat new

England slumped to their third successive defeat in the one-day series today after India successfully negotiated fading light to secure their triumph.

India v England - scorecard

Union: 'Ban teachers who are BNP supporters'

Union calls for action after far-right party's members are listed online.

The Big Question: What does the leaked list of its 13,500 members reveal about the BNP?

Don't miss...

Sparrow mystery
Independent offered convincing theory to falling numbers
James Lawton
England display mettle made in Italy

World Heritage
Gas plant to overshadow Greek temples
Shopping
It was our national pastime - but now is just so over

Sex & the citizens
New prostitution laws explained
Shane Williams
Why facing the All Blacks rekindles some fond memories

New legislation that would make it a criminal offence to pay to have sex with someone who is 'controlled for another person's gain' are set to be introduced

Sex & the citizens: New prostitution laws explained

New laws for the oldest profession are designed to 'punish the punter' and protect the prostitute. Ben Russell explains Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's proposals

Al-Qa'ida chief brands Obama a 'house negro'

Al-Zawahiri tries to undermine President-elect's appeal to Muslims in first video message since election

Giovanni Trapattoni, the coach Of Republic of Ireland, looks on prior to the international friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Poland at Croke Park in Dublin

Trapattoni's unbeaten run with Ireland is ended by the Poles new

Judging by the fact that half of Dublin's Croke Park stadium seemed filled with Poles on last night, it looked a sure fire bet that you'd have struggled to find a decent plate of ziemiaki, kotlet and kapusta in Dublin city – meat, potato and cabbage, to you and me.

Dow plunges below 8,000 to five-year low

New turmoil in global bond markets on commercial mortgage fears

Claudia Castillo: The pioneer's story

'Now I feel great. I am honoured'

A life brought into focus: A new gallery celebrates the life of photographer Bob Carlos Clarke

Socialite Tamara Beckwith used to beg Bob Carlos Clarke to take photos at her parties. Now she’s setting up a gallery in his memory.

'Artists' gallery' unveils £13.5m expansion

Time machines: Our chronic obsession with watches

From Oysters to Seamasters, Skyhawks to Hemipodes, the world of luxury watches is booming as if recession were an alien concept. But who actually needs a diamond-encrusted, solid gold chronograph with built-in altimeter? John Walsh finds out what makes this extraordinary industry tick

First digital switchover under way new

The UK's first full-scale digital television switchover was on course for completion today.

Mystery of the vanishing sparrow

The Independent offered £5,000 for a convincing theory about why the house sparrow was dying out in cities. The answer seems to lie with falling insect numbers, reports Michael McCarthy