Tag: World news

Amnesty International has urged the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to give up their power of veto in cases where atrocities are being committed. In its annual report, the rights group said the global response to an…

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said war with neighbouring Ukraine is “unlikely”, in an interview for Russian television.

Police in the Maldives have dragged ex-President Mohamed Nasheed into court to face charges for ordering the arrest of a top judge while still leader. Mr Nasheed, now leader of the main opposition party, was arrested on Sunday under anti-terror…

Australia is to toughen citizenship laws and tackle those inciting hatred under new measures targeting domestic extremists, PM Tony Abbott has said.

A joint Iraqi-Kurdish military force of up to 25,000 fighters is being prepared to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS), a US official says.

Rebels in eastern Ukraine have agreed to begin to pull back heavy weapons from the frontline, a Russian general involved in implementing a truce says.

Hundreds of Turkish troops in armoured vehicles have entered into northern Syria and evacuated a historic Ottoman tomb and the soldiers guarding it. Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the remains of Suleyman Shah would be moved elsewhere in Syria. He…

A rally is under way in Moscow to condemn the “coup” in neighbouring Ukraine, a year after the downfall of its pro-Russian president.

A fire has swept through the Torch skyscraper in Dubai, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. Strong winds helped the blaze to spread across the 336.1m (1,105ft) high building in the marina district. One eyewitness told the…

A joint Iraqi-Kurdish military force of up to 25,000 fighters is being prepared to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS), a US official says.

Qatar has recalled its ambassador from Egypt following a row about air strikes on Islamic State targets in Libya. Foreign ministry officials said it was prompted by comments made by Egypt’s delegate to the Arab League, who accused Qatar of…

US President Barack Obama says the US is “not at war with Islam – we are at war with the people who have perverted Islam”. He was speaking to representatives from 60 nations attending a three-day event on extremism that…

The Ukrainian president says his forces are making an “organised” withdrawal from the embattled town of Debaltseve.

Jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS) have burned to death 45 people in the western Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, the local police chief says. Exactly who these people were and why they were killed is not clear, but Col Qasim…

Ukraine’s government and separatist rebels have failed to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line, despite a Monday deadline.

Sri Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena has discussed forging closer ties with India during landmark talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two sides signed key agreements on trade and civil nuclear co-operation during Mr Sirisena’s first official foreign visit…

A video has emerged showing the beheadings purportedly of 21 Egyptian Christians who had been kidnapped by Islamic State (IS) militants in Libya.

The Islamic State group in Libya released a video on Sunday purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, prompting Egypt’s president to threaten a “suitable” punishment for the killings. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said his country reserved the…

Police in Copenhagen say they have shot dead a man they believe was behind two deadly attacks in the Danish capital hours earlier.

Fierce fighting is continuing in eastern Ukraine, hours before a ceasefire is due to come into force at midnight (22:00 GMT).

Islamic State (IS) has captured an Iraqi town about 8km (5 miles) from an air base housing hundreds of US troops, the Pentagon says. US officials downplayed the fall of al-Baghdadi, which is within striking distance of the Ain al-Asad…

Nearly 50 soldiers have been killed in a week of fighting between government troops and Kokang ethnic rebels in Myanmar, state media report.

Rohingya Muslims will not be able to vote in Myanmar’s referendum after the prime minister withdrew temporary voting rights following protests.

Rohingya Muslims will not be able to vote in Myanmar’s referendum after the prime minister withdrew temporary voting rights following protests. Hundreds of Buddhists took to the streets following the passage of a law that would allow temporary residents who…

The US has confirmed the death of aid worker Kayla Mueller, the last American hostage known to be held by Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria.

An anti-corruption party has won a stunning victory in the Delhi state elections in a huge setback for India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP admitted defeat after Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 67 of the 70 assembly…

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted defeat in Delhi state elections after results showed anti-corruption campaigner Arvind Kejriwal’s party heading for a landslide win.

The Egyptian authorities have suspended football league matches indefinitely after clashes at a stadium in Cairo left at least 22 people dead. People were crushed after police fired tear gas at supporters of Zamalek who were trying to force their…