The US today scrapped plans for a missile defence shield in eastern Europe that had raised new tensions with Russia.

Hundreds of protesters carried an effigy of Uncle Sam and staged a mock trial of US President George Bush in demonstrations against his visit to the Czech Republic and American plans to build a missile defence system.

Hundreds of protesters carried an effigy of Uncle Sam and staged a mock trial of US President George Bush today in demonstrations against his visit in the Czech Republic and US plans to build a missile defence system.