Nearly five years after his capture by insurgents, Sgt Bowe Bergdahl’s "safety and health were both in jeopardy" and officials had to act quickly to obtain his release, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said yesterday.

A US appeals court has upheld the first-ever rules governing greenhouse gases, clearing a path for sweeping regulations affecting vehicles, coal-burning power plants and other industrial facilities.

Al Gore today announced a surprise Live Earth concert in Washington, foiling Senate Republicans who blocked Gore’s attempt to bring the global warming extravaganza to the grounds of the US Capitol.