India withdraws diplomats’ families from Bangladesh amid rising tension

India will withdraw its diplomats’ families and dependents from Bangladesh in the face of security threats as tension rises ahead of a February 12 general election, an Indian official said on Wednesday. Campaigning begins on Thursday for Bangladesh’s election, which has sparked protests and counter-protests. Ties between the South Asian neighbours soured after former Prime […]

Erdogan, Trump discuss Syria ceasefire and Gaza in phone call

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed developments in Syria and Gaza in a call with US President Donald Trump, his office said on Wednesday, as Syria’s Turkey-backed government announced a ceasefire with US-allied Kurdish forces after days of clashes. Syria’s government this week seized swathes of territory in the northeast and gave the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic […]

Trump floats ‘Board of Peace’ – then says UN must go on

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, “You got to let the UN continue,” when asked about his plans for a so-called “Board of Peace” that has alarmed international experts. Governments around the world have reacted cautiously to Trump’s invitation to join that initiative that the U.S. president says aims to resolve conflicts globally, a plan that diplomats said could harm […]

Imam sentenced in London

An imam who carried out an illegal marriage ceremony for two 16-year-olds has been given a suspended prison sentence. Ashraf Osmani told Northampton Crown Court he was unaware the law had changed nine months earlier, raising the minimum marriage age in England to 18. The 52-year-old had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two […]