English

Alasdair Sandford

Israel

Israel goes to polls in tight election contest

The leaders of both main parties have voted in Israel's parliamentary election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud vowed he would form the next government, while Isaac Herzog of the Zionist Un

Vanuatu

Vanuatu appeals for aid after Cyclone Pam destruction

There are reports of “utter devastation” on the outer islands of Vanuatu after the massive Cyclone Pam that tore through the South Pacific nation at

Russia

Moscow flames at Novodevichy Convent spark false rumours of Kremlin fire

Fire broke out in scaffolding surrounding the Novodevichy Convent, lighting up the Moscow night sky. The site is a popular tourist attraction and one of the Russian capital's historical and architectu

Iraq

Iraqi operation to take Tikrit from ISIL 'on hold'

Iraqi security forces with Iranian-backed Shi'ite militia are camped outside the city, apparently awaiting reinforcements, as insurgents from the self-proclaimed Islamic State dig in.

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Jordan

Fears of Palestinian-style deadlock for Syrian refugees

Syrian refugees living in the huge camp at Zaatari in northern Jordan say they see little sign of a solution to the war or their own plight. Today

Iraq

Iraq PM seeks to reassure Tikrit's Sunnis before imminent Shi'ite assault

Iraqi forces and largely Shi'ite militia, believed to be Iranian-backed, are poised to retake Tikrit from ISIL. The authorities say action is being taken in the face of fears for the majority Sunni po

Syria

UN resolutions have 'failed' people of Syria, say aid groups

On the fourth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, a report by several charities and humanitarian organisations finds that in 2014, the worst year of the war to date, three United Nations Security Coun

Israel

Orthodox Jewish women's party B'Zchutan joins Israel election race

Less than a week before the Israeli election, a Jewish ultra-Orthodox women’s party has entered the race, challenging traditional beliefs about the

Ukraine

IMF approves 15.5 billion euro loan for Ukraine

The International Monetary Fund has approved a four-year aid programme for Ukraine worth around $17.5 billion (15.5 billion euros). The country’s

Ukraine

US to send more non-lethal aid to Ukraine

Washington officials are quoted as saying that equipment worth $75m is to be sent in the coming weeks, to help Ukrainian forces fight pro-Russian separatists.

Turkey

Clashes and arrests as Turks remember boy killed by police

Turkish police have intervened in several towns to break up demonstrations, on the first anniversary of the death of a teenager who succumbed to

Italy

Italy: 40 arrests in anti-mafia sting against Naples Camorra

A nationwide operation organised from Naples has targeted alleged members of the Casalesi clan in the Camorra - including two sons of jailed crime boss Francesco Schiavone.

Israel

Outcry as Israel foreign minister says 'behead disloyal Arab-Israelis'

There have been calls for Avigdor Lieberman to be arrested, after the foreign minister and nationalist party leader said Arab-Israelis who were disloyal to the state of Israel should be decapitated.

Argentina

Video shows Argentina helicopter collision as France mourns sports stars

French sport and the country as a whole has been stunned by the deaths of three of its sports stars and five other nationals in a dual helicopter crash in Argentina. Ten people died including two Arge

Greece

Appeals for flexibility on Greek reforms but war of words with Europe continues

There is both hope that progress can be made, and tension spilling over into angry exchanges, ahead of planned negotiations on Wednesday between the Syriza government and EU creditors.

USA

Tim Cook rejoices as Apple Watch unveiled

Apple Inc has rolled out its first product in five years in a bid to extend its preeminence in mobile devices.

World

More Iraq sites at risk from ISIL 'cultural cleansing' - UNESCO

The UN's educational, scientific and cultural organisation has called for a regional and international alliance to counter the extremists' acts of destruction that it calls 'war crimes'.

Malaysia

Malaysia Airlines: Dead battery 'did not hinder' MH370 search

A day after a government interim report into the flight's disappearance, there has been more criticism of the response of the airline and the authorities into the mystery.

Syria

UN Security Council slams use of chlorine weapons in Syria

A US-backed resolution has been approved by 14 members, including Russia, while Venezuela abstained.

Germany

Ann Sophie for Germany as Eurovision winner Andreas Kümmert quits

Germany's winning Eurovision entrant at the national pre-selection show responded by immediately announcing his withdrawal from the international song contest, in favour of the runner-up.

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