Nations on the front line in Afghanistan stepped up pressure on their Nato allies today warning their refusal to join the battle was threatening the country’s future.

The foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed today to increase cooperation after meeting with Group of Eight counterparts concerned that acrimony between the two neighbours is helping the Taliban inflict mounting losses on NATO troops and Afghan civilians.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the US “would look at the full range of options” available to the UN Security Council to respond to Iran’s defiance of council resolutions concerning its nuclear programme.

THE winner of Canada’s election began facing the challenge yesterday of pushing his agenda of tax cuts and more defence spending through a parliament he does not control.

Conservative leader Stephen Harper won a victory today in Canada’s election, ending 13 years of Liberal rule, pushing the country rightward on social and economic issues and bolstering ties with the US.