world news EU parliament urges Saudi arms embargo The European Parliament has voted for an EU-wide arms embargo against Saudi Arabia. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the embargo on 25/02/2016
Sport FIFA's five presidential candidates The FIFA presidential elections take place on Friday in Zurich Switzerland. Five contenders are in the running to replace banned outgoing president 25/02/2016
United Kingdom BBC under fire over handling of Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal The BBC has come in for strong criticism over its handling of allegations against one of its late stars, Jimmy Savile, accused after his death of 25/02/2016
world news {Watch} Stunning new image of the Milky Way released A stunning new image of the Milky Way has been released. What is known as the APEX telescope in Chile has captured the full area of the Galactic 25/02/2016
Turkey Turkey: detained journalists expected to be freed, still face trial Turkey’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday (February 25) that the detention of two prominent opposition journalists had “violated their rights.” Can 25/02/2016
Afghanistan {Watch} From plastic bag to the real thing: Messi delights Afghan boy with signed jersey An Afghan boy who became an Internet sensation by wearing a plastic bag fashioned as a Lionel Messi shirt now has the real thing. The Argentinian 25/02/2016
Europe News Greece fumes over Austria's 'hostile' migration policy Austria’s tough stance on migration is undermining the EU’s response to the refugee crisis, Greece’s interior minister told euronews on Thursday 25/02/2016
Italy Italian Senate approves watered-down bill allowing civil unions The Italian Senate has approved a much-opposed civil partnerships bill after the government used a confidence motion 25/02/2016
Business China challenge at Mobile World Congress At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, China is in the ascendant, with firms like Huawei, Xiaomi and ZTE challenging the dominance of Samsung and Apple in the smartphone market . 25/02/2016
Hungary EU Commission questions legality of Hungary's migrant referendum The European Commission says Hungary’s planned referendum on the EU’s quota plan for asylum seekers may be at odds with an agreed strategy to handle 25/02/2016
Business Poorer Egyptians pay the price for the country's foreign currency crisis Egypt's foreign currency crisis is causing big problems as much of its food and energy is imported and ordinary people are suffering amid rising prices. 25/02/2016
Iran Iran's religious minorities ready to vote in general election The overwhelming majority of Iranians are Shi'ite Muslims with numbers as high as 80 percent of the population. 25/02/2016
World Iran elections: reformists build momentum - view from Tehran On Friday elections take place that will shape the future of Iran for at least a decade. Hardliners and moderate candidates will vie for seats in 25/02/2016
Italy Pope says it's not what God wants, but Italian Senate says Yes to civil unions The country's Senate has approved a bill on the issue by 173 to 71 votes. 25/02/2016
Sport A bout time: Professional boxers could appear at Rio Olympics New plans being proposed at boxing’s world governing body (AIBA) could see professionals allowed to participate at this summer’s Rio Olympics. Boxing 25/02/2016
Europe News EU's migration system close to 'complete breakdown' The EU’s migration system is on the point of complete breakdown, according to a top European Commission official. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the European 25/02/2016
France French court approves plan for partial demolition of 'Jungle' camp The French government’s plan to clear part of the ‘Jungle’ migrant camp was on Thursday given the go-ahead by a court in Lille. The French Interior 25/02/2016
Ireland Ireland election: high risk of political stalemate - polls Ahead of Ireland’s general election on Friday (26 February), polls were suggesting a result likely to lead to political stalemate, raising concern 25/02/2016
Sport NBA: Oklahoma halt losing streak with victory in Dallas The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday to complete a season sweep of the Texas franchise. Oklahoma playing led for the 25/02/2016
Syria UN airdrop in Syria goes 'off target' The United Nations says the planned ceasefire due to come into force in Syria this weekend is set to rescue the population from “the abyss” and end 25/02/2016
Business IMF calls for G20 coordinated stimulus to keep global economy from stalling The International Monetary Fund is urging the G20 to plan now for a coordinated stimulus programme to keep the slowing global economy from stalling. 25/02/2016
Europe News EU's Schulz slams Hungary's 'populist' migrant referendum Hungary’s decision to hold a referendum on the EU’s relocation scheme for refugees and migrants has been branded as ‘populist’ by the European 25/02/2016
Austria Greece recalls Vienna ambassador in migrant row Greece recalled its ambassador in Vienna, the country’s foreign ministry said, after Austria excluded it from a meeting of Balkan states on Europe’s 25/02/2016
USA Israel 'freebie' sparks Oscar night outcry Glitz, glamour and…goody bag controversy! Yes, it is nearly time for the Academy Awards and as anticipation mounts over who will get their hands on 25/02/2016
Business UK economic growth solid but heavily dependent on consumer spending Britain's economy relied heavily on consumer spending to drive growth at the end of 2015, with a sharp fall in business investment and a drag from trade. 25/02/2016
Business January eurozone inflation weaker than first thought, cheaper oil the main drag The spectre of deflation hangs over the eurozone as the European Union's statistics office revised downward its initial inflation estimate for January with the slumping cost of crude oil a big element 25/02/2016
Culture news Milan Fashion Week opens in burst of colour and femininity The creme de la creme of fashion turned out in force for the opening of Milan Fashion Week at the Palazzo Reale. Even prime minister Matteo Renzi was 25/02/2016
My Europe Series Is aid the solution to European migrant crisis? There is an increase in migratory pressure to Europe which could be easily handled by the 28 if they could get their act together as a group 25/02/2016
Postcards Postcards from Japan: Relaxing in traditional hot springs This week in Postcards from Japan we are in Kagoshima, where there is pleasure to be found in the geothermal activity 25/02/2016
Postcards Unwinding in Japan's geothermal wonderlands Mention the word onsen to people in Japan and their faces instantly light up; and it’s not surprising, as this is a word that symbolises something 25/02/2016
