Iran: Zarif criticises Revolutionary Guards’ influence in leaked tape

A leaked audio tape in which Iran’s Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, bemoans that the Revolutionary Guards dominate the country’s foreign policy and took it into Syria’s civil war at…

UK: “let the bodies pile high in their thousands” rather than order a third lockdown- PM

Boris Johnson suggested that “bodies could pile high” during a heated discussion in No 10 in the autumn about lockdown, sources familiar with the conversation have said. On Monday, the…

USA: Nomadland, Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Kaluuya share Oscars 2021 glory

Film drama Nomadland has scooped three Oscars including best picture, while British stars Sir Anthony Hopkins and Daniel Kaluuya have won acting awards. Nomadland’s Chloé Zhao made history as the…

USA: Biden says Armenian mass killing was genocide

Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide. The killings took place in the waning days…

USA: Chloe Zhao makes history at Oscars 2021

Chloe Zhao has made history by becoming the first woman of colour – and only the second woman at all – to win the best director award at the Oscars.…

Chad crisis: Army refuses to negotiate with rebel ‘outlaws’

Chad’s ruling military council has rejected an offer of ceasefire talks with rebels it has been fighting since the unexpected death of president Idriss Déby. The military council took power…

Somalia: Rival units fight amid row over president’s term

Fighting has broken out in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, between different sections of the security forces. Reports said heavy weapons were used and mortar rounds were fired near the presidential…

South Korea: Airline ex-CEO fined for refusing Menstrual leave

A former airline CEO who refused to allow female staff to take menstrual leave protected by employment law has been fined almost $1,800 (£1,300; 2m won) by a court in…

Indonesia: Navy submarine found split into three on sea bed

An Indonesian navy submarine that sank off the coast of Bali on Wednesday has been found split into three pieces on the sea bed, officials say. All the vessel’s 53…

Iraq: 82 dead after ‘oxygen tank explodes’

At least 82 people have been killed in a fire at a hospital treating coronavirus patients in the capital of Iraq, Baghdad. More than 100 others were injured in the…