Sporadic gunfire rang through the suburbs of Guinea’s capital and trucks full of soldiers patrolled the streets, but Conakry was largely quiet as the onset of martial law imposed a strict curfew following three days of deadly protests.

President Lansana Conte declared a state of emergency in Guinea tonight, announcing in a broadcast on state radio and television he had ordered the army to "take all necessary measures" to restore order after three days of violent protests.

France’s highest court today convicted far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen of inciting racial hatred for telling a newspaper in 2003 that Muslims would one day run France and strike fear into the hearts of the non-Muslim population.

A retired French general says the orders he issued to torture and kill prisoners during the Algerian independence war were justifiable acts of duty, a court has heard.