Minaret ban fits pattern of populist protest

The Swiss electorate has struck a blow against freedom of association and conscience - it should be speedily overturned

Obama's moment of truth on Afghanistan

In one speech, the US President must convince war-torn country and his own troops that this is not his Vietnam

Goldsmith warned Blair over Iraq war legality

The then-Attorney General sent a previously undisclosed letter warning that invading would breach international law

Widow welcomes jail terms given to killers

Linda Robertson says the sentences given to those who murdered Malcolm on his yacht would give them time to reflect

How Woods buckled under pressure

A year without winning a major championship and the difficulties in his marriage have soured the Chosen One

How Josiel turns paper sculptures into notes

Frenchman sets new standards in the art of origami but claims that his art is not appreciated closer to home

Correction

A photograph caption on page 7 of Saturday's Times wrongly stated that it was Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Greek police to reinvestigate death

Family of 17-year-old Briton found dying outside island nightclub claim police covered up his death to protect tourism

UAE moves to head off run on banks in Dubai

Central bank says it 'stands behind local and foreign banks operating in the country' amid fears over the state's debt

Tiger Woods faces police interview after crash

The world’s No 1 golfer told a friend his wife had "gone ghetto" on him after a report he had been unfaithful to her

Burp free sheep to help stop climate change

Australian scientists are hoping to breed sheep that burp less and therefore reduce the country's methane emissions

Sri Lanka war hero to run for president

General Sarath Fonseka who led the assault against the Tamil Tigers has been a vocal critic of President Mahinda Rajapaksa

US 'failed to kill cornered bin Laden'

Report finds al-Qaeda head was trapped in Tora Bora and had written will when US failed to order attack by troops

Colleen McCullough to undergo brain surgery

Author of best-selling novel The Thorn Birds suffers from disorder that causes excruciating pain to all parts of her face

Attack is the best form of defence

Tehran believes that the world is unable to take serious steps to prevent it from building a uranium enrichment industry

A terribly polite bombshell

The Iraq war inquiry began in a strange atmosphere of high civility, yet already its revelations are damning

Cool cat Obama must count on his nine lives

With large swathes of the US 'going rogue', can a president with preternatural calm resonate? Can he bring the people with him?

Abu Dhabi rides in to rescue Dubai

Wealthy neighbour promises no blank cheque but says it will help the debt-laden Gulf state on a 'case by case basis'

How Dubai's dream sank in a sea of debt

The emirate’s debt-fuelled spree has been exposed by the recession. Will UK banks and contractors get back their money?