The United States is preparing to boost its military presence in Europe and at a cost of up to $1bn (€734m) President Barack Obama has said.

President Barack Obama will press European leaders this week to keep up the pressure on Russia over its threatening moves in Ukraine, while seeking to assuage fears from Poland and other Nato allies that the West could slip back into a business-as-usual relationship with Moscow.

The global recession, Afghanistan, Iran and Middle East peace topped the agenda of talks today between President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy before the leaders commemorated the D-Day invasion that cemented the trans-Atlantic alliance.

JAMES DOOHAN, the actor who played Scotty in the 60s Star Trek TV series and in films, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his agent confirmed.

James Doohan, the actor who played Scotty in the 60s Star Trek TV series and in films, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his agent confirmed.

LEADERS from more than a dozen countries yesterday put aside disputes over Iraq to thank the Allied forces who fought one of the most decisive military battles ever in the D-Day invasion that broke Nazi Germany's grip on Europe.

US president George Bush was heading to Paris today for talks with one of his strongest war critics, President Jacques Chirac, a day after Pope John Paul spelled out his opposition in no uncertain terms.

French President Jacques Chirac is heading for a one-day visit to Moscow today for talks with President Vladimir Putin on the situation in Iraq, the European Union's expansion eastward and Russian and French aerospace cooperation.