Drivers now have to display a coloured sticker on their vehicle to enter the inner city zones. The colour depends on the pollutants the vehicle emits.

The cities are gradually phasing in fines of 40 euros (�29;$58) for anyone caught driving without a sticker.

Other German cities - but not all - plan to have such zones later in 2008.

The stickers - green, red or yellow - are mandatory not only for locals but also for foreign drivers, including tourists.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Germans tighten car exhaust rules

Where are the trials?!

The government in Riyadh will mitigate any risk posed by the former detainees with a programme to integrate them into civilian life, the Pentagon says.

Around 275 people remain at the detention centre in Cuba and the Pentagon says another 60 inmates are now eligible for transfer or release.

The US has returned dozens of Saudi former detainees over the past year.

Around a dozen Saudi nationals are estimated to remain at the US facility.

Ten Guantanamo Bay detainees have been freed and returned home to Saudi Arabia, US and Saudi officials say.

WASHINGTON — Six months ago, the Bush administration quietly eased some restrictions on the export of sensitive technologies to China. The new approach was intended to help American companies increase sales of high-tech equipment to China despite tight curbs on sharing technology that might have military applications.

But today the administration is facing questions from weapons experts about whether some equipment — newly authorized for export to Chinese companies deemed trustworthy by Washington — could instead end up helping China modernize its military. Equally worrisome, the weapons experts say, is the possibility that China could share the technology with Iran or Syria.

The technologies include advanced aircraft engine parts, navigation systems, telecommunications equipment and sophisticated composite materials.

Doubts Raised on Technology Sales to China - New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The Chinese government backed up its recent words with action Thursday, allowing the yuan currency to appreciate against the U.S. dollar in its tightly controlled foreign-exchange market at the fastest pace since Beijing ended its U.S. dollar "peg" in 2005.

The yuan closed Chinese over-the-counter trading at a new high of 7.3175 against the dollar, up 0.37% from Wednesday's close of 7.3444 -- its biggest daily rise ever. Shortly before the close, the yuan hit an intraday high of 7.3131.

"It's a huge move," said Win Thin, senior currency strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman. "I don't think it's in response to outside pressure, but rather to help China's domestic situation and fight inflation."

China accelerates pace of yuan's appreciation against dollar - MarketWatch

"The drama in the Democratic race is created by a simple fact: If Hillary Clinton is going to be stopped, it's most likely to happen in Iowa," Schneider said. "If Clinton wins Iowa, she could be unstoppable. If she loses Iowa, she may also lose New Hampshire and South Carolina. Then we've got a real race on our hands."

An American Research Group poll conducted December 20-23 had Clinton leading the field in Iowa with the support of 34 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers, while Obama received the support of 20 percent while Edwards had 19 percent. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.

However, in what may be a sign of the race's volatility, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted December 14-18 showed a much tighter race, with Clinton leading with 30 percent, Obama at 28 percent and Edwards at 26 percent. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Candidates go into overdrive, one week before Iowa caucuses - CNN.com

Iowa Republican Caucus, Huckabee leading across most polls.

RealClearPolitics - Election 2008 - Iowa Republican Caucus

Iowa Democratic Caucus, Clinton leading across most polls.

RealClearPolitics - Election 2008 - Iowa Democratic Caucus

The agreement between Pakistan and US that has happened.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 — A new and classified American military proposal outlines an intensified effort to enlist tribal leaders in the frontier areas of Pakistan in the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, as part of a broader effort to bolster Pakistani forces against an expanding militancy, American military officials said.

Militants have extended their reach beyond the tribal areas.

If adopted, the proposal would join elements of a shift in strategy that would also be likely to expand the presence of American military trainers in Pakistan, directly finance a separate tribal paramilitary force that until now has proved largely ineffective and pay militias that agreed to fight Al Qaeda and foreign extremists, officials said. The United States now has only about 50 troops in Pakistan, a Pentagon spokesman said, a force that could grow by dozens under the new approach.

U.S. Hopes to Use Pakistani Tribes Against Al Qaeda - New York Times

Beginning early next year, U.S. Special Forces are expected to vastly expand their presence in Pakistan, as part of an effort to train and support indigenous counter-insurgency forces and clandestine counterterrorism units, according to defense officials involved with the planning.

These Pakistan-centric operations will mark a shift for the U.S. military and for U.S. Pakistan relations. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the U.S. used Pakistani bases to stage movements into Afghanistan. Yet once the U.S. deposed the Taliban government and established its main operating base at Bagram, north of Kabul, U.S. forces left Pakistan almost entirely. Since then, Pakistan has restricted U.S. involvement in cross-border military operations as well as paramilitary operations on its soil.

U.S. Troops to Head to Pakistan - Early Warning

Congress and the Senate have passed the bill. Thats great!

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* CAFE Standard: Increase fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars and trucks
* Renewable Fuels Standard: Multiple-source domestic biofuels mandate with environmental safeguards
* Plug-in hybrid/electric vehicle tax credit and advanced vehicle incentives
* Repeal of $21 billion in tax subsidies for gas and oil companies (H.R. 6), international tax loophole closed, rollback of 2005 Energy Act tax breaks
* Renewable Electricity Standard: 15% by 2020 (4% may be efficiency)
* Efficiency Standards: new appliance and building standards
* Renewable Production Tax Credit and other incentives: extends existing PTC, funds renewable research, provides renewable energy bonds for power providers
* Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program
* Incentives for small business development of renewable energy technology
* Carbon Capture and Sequestration: R&D and clean coal incentives

Energy Independence and Security Act passes