Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 Februari 2015 | 10.52
European foreign ministers have called for those involved in the fighting to the east of Ukraine to abide by the ceasefire.
The ministers of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany issued a joint statement at the end of the talks in Paris, calling for parties to "start with a total ceasefire and complete withdrawal of heavy weapons".
The ministers were meeting to consider the situation in the town of Debaltseve where fighting has continued despite the ceasefire coming into effect on 15 February.
Ukraine's foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin
There have also been attacks on the port city of Mariupol.
"Unfortunately there was no political agreement on how to condemn what happened in Debaltseve," said Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin after the talks.
1/15
Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Latest Pictures
People stand on top of burnt Ukrainian army tanks destroyed during fighting with the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army in the town of Debaltseve
Kiev accused pro-Russian rebels of opening fire with rockets and artillery at villages in southeastern Ukraine on Monday, all but burying a week-old European-brokered ceasefire deal
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Members of the Ukrainian armed forces ride an armoured personnel carrier
British infantry will take part in a training mission in Ukraine, David Cameron has announced.
The military personnel will help train the Ukrainian army and supply tactical intelligence, the Prime Minister told MPs on the Liaison Committee.
Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall reports that around 75 British soldiers will go from the beginning of March and will be based in the west of the country, some of them for up to six months.
He said: "We are talking about medical training, infantry training, intelligence logistics and the like.
"So this is not arming them with weapons, it is arming them with knowledge and it is another aspect to Britain's help for the Ukrainian government to help them repel the Russian rebels."
1/15
Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Latest Pictures
People stand on top of burnt Ukrainian army tanks destroyed during fighting with the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army in the town of Debaltseve
Kiev accused pro-Russian rebels of opening fire with rockets and artillery at villages in southeastern Ukraine on Monday, all but burying a week-old European-brokered ceasefire deal
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Members of the Ukrainian armed forces near Artemivsk. Ukraine's military said two of its soldiers had been killed and 10 wounded in the past 24 hours, signalling that fighting has not stopped to allow a truce deal to be implemented
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The German government is very concerned that there is still no comprehensive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, and urged Moscow anew on Monday to use its influence over pro-Russian separatists
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An emptied cluster munitions container is seen stuck in the ground outside apartment blocks in the town of Yenakiieve
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Mr Cameron told MPs Britain would be "the strongest pole in the tent" making the case for harsher sanctions against Russia if pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine fail to observe the ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denies arming the rebels in a war that has killed more than 5,600 people and forced over a million to flee their homes.
There would be "deeply damaging" consequences for Europe if the EU fails to stand up to Mr Putin over the crisis, the PM warned.
He added the Russian leader could target the Baltic states or Moldova if he is not reined in.
Mr Cameron told MPs he did not rule out arming Ukraine at some point in the future, but said supplying non-lethal support was the current approach.
It comes as European foreign ministers called for those involved in the fighting in the east of Ukraine to abide by the ceasefire.
Mr Cameron said it would be "miraculous" if the terms of the agreement were met in full.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has told Sky News Tonight the ceasefire negotiated in Belarus is the only option to achieve peace.
Fighting has continued around the strategically important town of Debaltseve since the ceasefire was negotiated, and Mr Cameron said he feared the rebels would target the port of Mariupol next.
This fear was echoed by Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin, who was speaking after the Paris talks.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has meanwhile accused Russia of repeatedly lying to him over Ukraine.
Mr Kerry told a Senate subcommittee: "Russia is engaged in a rather remarkable period of the most overt and extensive propaganda exercise that I've seen since the very height of the Cold War."
Separatists brought reporters to witness the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line under the ceasefire on Tuesday.
Kiev accuses the rebels of using the cover of the truce to reinforce for another advance.
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British Infantry In Ukraine Training Mission
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Members of the Ukrainian armed forces ride an armoured personnel carrier
British infantry will take part in a training mission in Ukraine, David Cameron has announced.
The military personnel will help train the Ukrainian army and supply tactical intelligence, the Prime Minister told MPs on the Liaison Committee.
Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall reports that around 75 British soldiers will go from the beginning of March and will be based in the west of the country, some of them for up to six months.
He said: "We are talking about medical training, infantry training, intelligence logistics and the like.
"So this is not arming them with weapons, it is arming them with knowledge and it is another aspect to Britain's help for the Ukrainian government to help them repel the Russian rebels."
1/15
Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Latest Pictures
People stand on top of burnt Ukrainian army tanks destroyed during fighting with the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic army in the town of Debaltseve
Kiev accused pro-Russian rebels of opening fire with rockets and artillery at villages in southeastern Ukraine on Monday, all but burying a week-old European-brokered ceasefire deal
]]>
Members of the Ukrainian armed forces near Artemivsk. Ukraine's military said two of its soldiers had been killed and 10 wounded in the past 24 hours, signalling that fighting has not stopped to allow a truce deal to be implemented
]]>
The German government is very concerned that there is still no comprehensive ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, and urged Moscow anew on Monday to use its influence over pro-Russian separatists
]]>
An emptied cluster munitions container is seen stuck in the ground outside apartment blocks in the town of Yenakiieve
]]>
Mr Cameron told MPs Britain would be "the strongest pole in the tent" making the case for harsher sanctions against Russia if pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine fail to observe the ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin denies arming the rebels in a war that has killed more than 5,600 people and forced over a million to flee their homes.
There would be "deeply damaging" consequences for Europe if the EU fails to stand up to Mr Putin over the crisis, the PM warned.
He added the Russian leader could target the Baltic states or Moldova if he is not reined in.
Mr Cameron told MPs he did not rule out arming Ukraine at some point in the future, but said supplying non-lethal support was the current approach.
It comes as European foreign ministers called for those involved in the fighting in the east of Ukraine to abide by the ceasefire.
Mr Cameron said it would be "miraculous" if the terms of the agreement were met in full.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has told Sky News Tonight the ceasefire negotiated in Belarus is the only option to achieve peace.
Fighting has continued around the strategically important town of Debaltseve since the ceasefire was negotiated, and Mr Cameron said he feared the rebels would target the port of Mariupol next.
This fear was echoed by Ukrainian foreign minister Pavlo Klimkin, who was speaking after the Paris talks.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has meanwhile accused Russia of repeatedly lying to him over Ukraine.
Mr Kerry told a Senate subcommittee: "Russia is engaged in a rather remarkable period of the most overt and extensive propaganda exercise that I've seen since the very height of the Cold War."
Separatists brought reporters to witness the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line under the ceasefire on Tuesday.
Kiev accuses the rebels of using the cover of the truce to reinforce for another advance.
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Written By Unknown on Selasa, 24 Februari 2015 | 10.52
Greece is set to submit a list of economic reforms demanded by its creditors to extend the country's bailout programme on Tuesday.
The proposals had been due in by late Monday night as a condition of the support from the European Union (EU), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The four-month loan extension is subject to the list of reforms gaining approval.
The deal was announced on Friday evening following often hostile negotiations in Brussels.
It was painted by the country's prime minister Alexis Tsipras as a victory for the Greek people though it does little to reduce its financial obligations.
Video:Greek Rescue Package Explained
The list is understood to contain pledges to raise more in tax from the country's top earners and from a crackdown on smuggling.
The German tabloid Bild reported that the Greek government hoped to take €2.5bn (£1.8bn) more from powerful Greek tycoons, citing sources close to the hard-left government.
A similar amount would be drawn from back taxes owed to the state by individuals and businesses, Bild said.
However, the document is also said to include commitments on raising the minimum wage and protecting pensions.
1/20
Gallery: Art War On The Streets Of Athens
Athens has become a Mecca for street artists as anger grows over the impact of Greece's bailout deal with Europe
Wall paintings have sprung up all over the city reflecting the general frustration at rising unemployment and falling living standards
Vladimir Putin has said war between Russia and Ukraine is "unlikely".
The Russian president was being interviewed on state television when he was asked if he expected a war between the two countries.
In a reply that was published on the Kremlin's website, he said: "I think that such an apocalyptic scenario is unlikely and I hope this will never happen."
Mr Putin also said he did not see the need for another meeting with France, Germany and Ukraine on peace in the region and that he hoped the accords agreed to in Minsk would be respected.
He added that the four countries trust each other "on the whole".
1/14
Gallery: Ukraine Crisis: Latest Pictures
Fighters with the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic ride in the back of a truck towing a mobile artillery cannon as they leave the frontline, and head towards Donetsk
A pro-Russian separatist forces' truck in Debaltseve. Despite the ceasefire the government in Kiev said armoured columns had crossed the border from Russia to reinforce the separatists
Written By Unknown on Senin, 23 Februari 2015 | 10.52
A national security hotline received 18 calls about the self-styled cleric Man Haron Monis just days before he took 18 people hostage at a cafe in Sydney, a report into the siege has revealed.
The calls between December 9 and December 12 last year all concerned offensive material on his Facebook page.
Three days later he was shot dead by police, ending the 17-hour siege which left two hostages dead.
It was later revealed the Iranian-born attacker, who had long been known to security services, was out on bail at the time of the attack for a string of charges.
Releasing the government's report - the first since the siege - Prime Minister Tony Abbott admitted "the system" had let the public down.
Video:Dec: Harrowing Siege Deaths Account
"Plainly, this monster should not have been in our community," Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney.
"He shouldn't have been allowed into the country. He shouldn't have been out on bail. He shouldn't have been with a gun. And he shouldn't have become radicalised."
The report said all 18 calls were investigated by intelligence and police authorities, but none indicated a specific intention to carry out an attack, meaning the risk assessment for Monis was not changed.
"On the basis of the information available at the time, he fell well outside the threshold to be included in the 400 highest priority counter-terrorism investigations," the review said.
1/15
Gallery: Dec: Funerals Held For Sydney Siege Victims
A photo tribute for Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson is seen amongst flowers at a wreath laying ceremony after they were killed in a siege in the Lindt Cafe in Sydney on 16 December
Funeral services were held for the pair on 23 December. Mr Johnson's father Ken Johnson arrives for the service at St Stephen's Uniting Church
Ukrainian forces have begun the process of withdrawing heavy weapons from the frontline in agreement with separatist rebels, a military spokesman has confirmed.
However, convoys of armoured vehicles have been tracked entering Ukraine from Russia, and attacks from pro-Russia rebels have been continuing near the village of Shyrokyne, close to Mariupol.
Meanwhile, at least two people have been killed and 15 others wounded after an "unknown explosive device" was thrown from a car in the government-controlled city of Kharkiv.
The incident, which is being treated as a terrorist act by the Interior Ministry, happened during a peace march to mark one year since former president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted from power. Several suspects have been detained by the Ukrainian authorities.
Speaking to Sky News, Air Chief Marshal Lord Stirrup said the UK should consider providing weapons to Ukraine, and accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of running a "gangster regime".
Ukrainian prisoners wait to be exchanged for rebel troops
Earlier on Sunday, Ukrainian government troops and rebel prisoners were exchanged across the frontline at a village in the country's war-torn east.
Some 139 Ukrainian soldiers and 52 rebels were swapped, according to a separatist official.
Video:Kerry Warns Russia Over Ukraine
The exchange took place in no-man's land near the village of Zholobok, about 12 miles from Luhansk.
The Ukrainians, some on crutches, were made to walk about two miles to a rendezvous point ahead of the exchange.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko wrote on his Twitter page that he had been informed about the exchanges.
It came after Britain and the US discussed further sanctions against Russia in the wake of the breakdown of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Moscow was being "extraordinarily craven" in its support for Ukrainian separatists in fighting that has raged in recent days.
Pro-Moscow rebels said most of the Ukrainian soldiers released were captured during fighting for the town of Debaltseve.
Some of the soldiers exchanged appeared to be injured and both sides accused the other of mistreating prisoners.
Video:Kerry Warns Russia Over Ukraine
The peace agreement signed last week in Minsk looked forward to an exchange of all prisoners as well as a cessation of hostilities.
Under the agreement, fighting was supposed to have stopped last Sunday with the pulling back of heavy weapons taking place on Tuesday.
On Saturday, Ukraine's military and the separatists accused each other of continuing to mount attacks a week after the ceasefire was called.
Ukrainian security spokesman Colonel Andriy Lysenko said one serviceman had been killed and 40 wounded in attacks over the past day.
He added that rebels were continuing to move equipment toward the port city of Mariupol.
Ukraine is concerned that rebels will try to seize the city with a view to establishing a land corridor between mainland Russia and Crimea.
Written By Unknown on Minggu, 22 Februari 2015 | 10.52
Ukraine: US And UK Warn Of Further Sanctions
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Video:Kerry Warns Russia Over Ukraine
Britain and the US have discussed further sanctions against Russia in the wake of the breakdown of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Moscow is being "extraordinarily craven" in its support for Ukrainian separatists in fighting that has raged in recent days.
Mr Kerry said before a meeting in London with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond that the two countries would discuss new economic measures to put pressure on Russia to end such support for the rebels.
He said: "Russia has engaged in an absolutely brazen and cynical process over these last days.
"We know to a certainty what Russia has been providing to the separatists, how Russia is involved with the separatists.
Video:London Remembers Ukraine Protests
"This is behaviour that is completely counter to everything that the global community has worked to achieve since World War II."
Mr Kerry accused Moscow of "land-grabbing" in Ukraine while cynically talking about peace.
He pointed specifically to the port of Mariupol, which pro-government forces say is threatened by a build-up of rebel military equipment.
If the rebels take the city, they would establish a land corridor between mainland Russia and the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Mr Kerry said: "What's happening with respect to Mariupol even now is just simply unacceptable, so we are talking about additional sanctions, additional efforts."
1/8
Gallery: Thousands Mark Kiev Sniper Killings One Year On
Thousands of people have attended a ceremony marking a year since snipers killed scores of anti-government protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev
Mourners lit candles to remember the 100 who died over three days of demonstrations against the then president, Moscow-leaning Viktor Yanukovich
]]>
Beams of light shone up into the sky as a minute's silence was held in Independence Square for the 'heavenly hundred'
]]>
Those attending the ceremony, including current president Petro Poroshenko and the young son of one of the victims, then sang the national anthem
]]>
Mr Poroshenko has claimed an influential aide to Vladimir Putin was behind the sniper killings in February last year
]]>
The message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, would be: "We're not going to play this game.
"We're not going to sit there and be part of this kind of extraordinarily craven behaviour at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of a nation."
Mr Hammond also condemned the "unacceptable" way in which the ceasefire had been "systematically breached".
It comes as former Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the West should supply sophisticated weaponry, including anti-tank weapons and drones.
Kiev and the rebels have both accused each other of keeping up the attacks.
1/10
Gallery: Ukraine: Protesters Bide Their Time (14 February 2014)
President Viktor Yanukovych ditched a planned EU trade and political pact in favour of closer ties with Moscow, sparking violent protests.
An anti-government protester drinks hot tea at the barricades built at the site of recent clashes with riot police.
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Ukrainian forces on Saturday reported attacks over the past day that killed one serviceman and wounded another 40, with mortars hitting the fringes of Mariupol, among other locations.
The rebels said Ukrainian forces shelled 15 locations overnight, including parts of Donetsk, the largest city the rebels control.
The current crisis was sparked by the ousting of Moscow-leaning president Viktor Yanukovych last February.
Weeks after Mr Yanukovych's removal, Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula and pro-Russian separatists seized key buildings in Ukraine's east, sparking a conflict that has killed more than 5,000 people.
The country's current president, Petro Poroshenko, has accused an influential aide to Mr Putin of being behind the killings of 100 activists during the demonstrations.
Video:Tension Continues After Fighting
In Moscow, thousands of protesters gathered to demonstrate against what they called a "fascist coup" in Ukraine.
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Ukraine: US And UK Warn Of Further Sanctions
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Kerry Warns Russia Over Ukraine
Britain and the US have discussed further sanctions against Russia in the wake of the breakdown of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said Moscow is being "extraordinarily craven" in its support for Ukrainian separatists in fighting that has raged in recent days.
Mr Kerry said before a meeting in London with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond that the two countries would discuss new economic measures to put pressure on Russia to end such support for the rebels.
He said: "Russia has engaged in an absolutely brazen and cynical process over these last days.
"We know to a certainty what Russia has been providing to the separatists, how Russia is involved with the separatists.
Video:London Remembers Ukraine Protests
"This is behaviour that is completely counter to everything that the global community has worked to achieve since World War II."
Mr Kerry accused Moscow of "land-grabbing" in Ukraine while cynically talking about peace.
He pointed specifically to the port of Mariupol, which pro-government forces say is threatened by a build-up of rebel military equipment.
If the rebels take the city, they would establish a land corridor between mainland Russia and the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula.
Mr Kerry said: "What's happening with respect to Mariupol even now is just simply unacceptable, so we are talking about additional sanctions, additional efforts."
1/8
Gallery: Thousands Mark Kiev Sniper Killings One Year On
Thousands of people have attended a ceremony marking a year since snipers killed scores of anti-government protesters in the Ukrainian capital Kiev
Mourners lit candles to remember the 100 who died over three days of demonstrations against the then president, Moscow-leaning Viktor Yanukovich
]]>
Beams of light shone up into the sky as a minute's silence was held in Independence Square for the 'heavenly hundred'
]]>
Those attending the ceremony, including current president Petro Poroshenko and the young son of one of the victims, then sang the national anthem
]]>
Mr Poroshenko has claimed an influential aide to Vladimir Putin was behind the sniper killings in February last year
]]>
The message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said, would be: "We're not going to play this game.
"We're not going to sit there and be part of this kind of extraordinarily craven behaviour at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of a nation."
Mr Hammond also condemned the "unacceptable" way in which the ceasefire had been "systematically breached".
It comes as former Defence Secretary Liam Fox said the West should supply sophisticated weaponry, including anti-tank weapons and drones.
Kiev and the rebels have both accused each other of keeping up the attacks.
1/10
Gallery: Ukraine: Protesters Bide Their Time (14 February 2014)
President Viktor Yanukovych ditched a planned EU trade and political pact in favour of closer ties with Moscow, sparking violent protests.
An anti-government protester drinks hot tea at the barricades built at the site of recent clashes with riot police.
]]>
Ukrainian forces on Saturday reported attacks over the past day that killed one serviceman and wounded another 40, with mortars hitting the fringes of Mariupol, among other locations.
The rebels said Ukrainian forces shelled 15 locations overnight, including parts of Donetsk, the largest city the rebels control.
The current crisis was sparked by the ousting of Moscow-leaning president Viktor Yanukovych last February.
Weeks after Mr Yanukovych's removal, Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula and pro-Russian separatists seized key buildings in Ukraine's east, sparking a conflict that has killed more than 5,000 people.
The country's current president, Petro Poroshenko, has accused an influential aide to Mr Putin of being behind the killings of 100 activists during the demonstrations.
Video:Tension Continues After Fighting
In Moscow, thousands of protesters gathered to demonstrate against what they called a "fascist coup" in Ukraine.
Alexis Tsipras has said Greece "won a battle, not the war" by cutting a financial deal with Europe after days of tense negotiations.
The Greek prime minister said his country was now leaving its period of austerity and had dispensed with the "troika" of European Union, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank inspectors who are hated by many Greeks.
In a televised statement, he told Greeks: "Yesterday we took a decisive step, leaving austerity, the bailouts and the troika behind.
"We won a battle, not the war.
"The difficulties, the real difficulties...are ahead of us."
Without a deal in Brussels, Greece faced panic when banks opened on Tuesday after the long weekend but the country has now secured a four-month extension to its EU funding.
This means it avoids bankruptcy and an exit from the euro but it has to come up with promises of economic reforms by Monday and some, such as the Irish finance minister Michael Noonan, say the deal is only a temporary reprieve.
Mr Noonan, himself from a country which endured years of austerity under its own bailout programme, says the eurozone had given nothing to the Greeks, despite the tough talk from Mr Tsipras.
He said: "Their political problem is that this a reversal of their election position.
Video:New Greek PM Sworn In
"They're now compromising and compromising quite significantly.
"The biggest threat to Greece was that their banking system would go belly up next Wednesday."
Mr Noonan said Greece now faces another bailout on top of the two totalling €240bn that it has had since 2010, adding: "Once you get them into the safe space for the next four months, there'll be another set of discussions which will effectively involve the negotiation of a third programme for Greece."
Mr Tsipras and his Syriza party won power in Greece on the back of promises to end the country's EU and IMF bailout programme and cooperation with the "troika" that monitored their compliance with the bailout deal's conditions.
Video:Greek People Ready To 'Turn A Page'
While winning support at home from Greeks who see his actions as getting tough instead of begging to Brussels and taking orders from Berlin, Mr Tsipras is still under pressure to move fast.
About a billion euros flooded out of Greek bank accounts on Friday, due to savers' fears that the talks would fail and Athens might put measures in place to stop withdrawals in preparation to bring in its own currency.
This came after about €20bn withdrawn by Greeks since December, when the prospect of a Syriza electoral victory became clear.
Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 21 Februari 2015 | 10.52
Eurozone finance ministers have agreed to extend Greece's rescue loans - although not by as long as the government wanted.
The deal, which will enable Athens to continue paying its bills, was reached at talks in Brussels which were delayed for four hours as ministers worked on a draft accord.
Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the eurozone's top official and the Dutch finance minister, said Athens had asked for a six-month extension but this was rejected.
"Four months is the appropriate delay in terms of financing and future challenges," he said.
The agreement was clinched just a week before Greece's €240bn (£178bn) bailout expires, leaving just enough time for some member country parliaments to endorse it.
Video:Greek Rescue Package Explained
As part of the deal Greece must provide a list of economic and other reforms based on the current bailout programme by Monday.
This will be reviewed on Tuesday by the European Central Bank (ECB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission.
If the three institutions do not believe the proposals go far enough, the list will be revised with a view to it being agreed by the end of April.
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said the deal would mark a new era for Athens and its relations with the European Union.
Video:Osborne Urges Eurozone Deal
"Today was a pivotal moment because Greece for five years now has been lonely, isolated in the Eurogroup. Today that isolation has broken," Mr Varoufakis said.
He said Greece had not used any threats or bluff to get the agreement and added it was a small step in a new direction for the country.
Markets reacted positively to the deal, with the Dow and S&P 500 surging to fresh records on Wall Street.
Mr Dijsselbloem said it was a "first step in this process of rebuilding trust" between Greece and its euro partners and allows for a strategy to get the country "back on track."
Video:Greece: Everything You Need To Know
"Trust leaves quicker than it comes," he said.
Mr Dijsselbloem worked flat out on Friday to secure an agreement as Germany insisted Greece stick with the austerity commitments included in its bailout programme.
The fraught discussions focused on a new package of concessions beyond those contained in the formal request for a loan extension submitted on Thursday.
Greece has ruled out another bailout like the existing one, saying the people who swept the anti-austerity Syriza party to power last month would not tolerate it.
1/20
Gallery: Art War On The Streets Of Athens
Athens has become a Mecca for street artists as anger grows over the impact of Greece's bailout deal with Europe
Wall paintings have sprung up all over the city reflecting the general frustration at rising unemployment and falling living standards
A huge fire engulfed part of the Torch Tower in Dubai on Friday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee the 1,100ft skyscraper.
Witnesses said the blaze appeared to have started in the middle of the residential building, rapidly spreading across some 15 floors.
In several videos posted on social media websites, multiple floors of the high-rise were seen ablaze.
Strong winds fanned the flames and debris from the fire could be seen falling from building, according to local media reports.
One witness said flames shot out from two sides of the building as glass and metal rained down from near the summit of the structure.
Footage shows the fire sweeping through the upper floors. Pic: Jaime Muller
Another witness said it looked "like the Titanic going down", according to Gulfnews.com.
It is unclear what caused the fire and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Residents of at least one neighbouring tower were told to evacuate as a precaution because of high winds, but they were later allowed back inside.
It took firefighters several hours before they extinguished the blaze, according to a Reuters witness at the scene.
The Torch Tower has 79 floors and is one of the world's tallest residential buildings.
Hundreds of Torch Tower residents were evacuated. Pic: Jaime Muller
It is located in the Marina district of the city which is home to dozens of towering apartment blocks and hotels, many of them built over the past decade.
The apartments are popular with Dubai's large number of expatriate professionals.
Dubai, known for its skyline of hugely varied skyscrapers, has seen fires at towers in the past.
In 2012, a huge blaze gutted the 34-Tamweel tower in the nearby Jumeirah Lake Towers district. It was later revealed to have been caused by a cigarette butt thrown into a bin.
