Isis kidnaps 20 foreign medical workers in Libya's Sirte
BREAKING: Foreigners include nationals from the Philippines, India, and Ukraine.
Israel votes in key parliamentary elections as Netanyahu faces tough challenge
Incumbent PM Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party and Zionist Union led by Yitzhak Herzog locked in close contest.
Elusive Putin puts Northern Fleet on full combat readiness
Moscow announces sudden large-scale military exercise of its Northern Fleet owing to increasing security threat.
Isis: Saddam Hussein's tomb in Tikrit destroyed in fighting
Former dictator's tomb levelled in heavy fighting between Iraqi forces and IS militants.
Brazil: One million people march against President Dilma Rousseff over economy and corruption
Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Rio de Janerio and Porto Alegre witness massive protests over alleged corruption in state-run oil firm Petrobras.
Pakistan: Two blasts rip through Lahore churches, killing 14
Angry Christian mob lynches suicide blast suspect as Pakistan Taliban claims responsibility for church attacks.
Brazil: Dozens killed in bus crash
Up to 51 people have been reportedly killed after a passenger bus plunged 400 metres into a ravine in southern Brazil.
Isis: Iraqi Kurds accuse Islamists of using chemical weapons against Peshmerga forces
Kurdish government accuses Islamists of using chlorine gas against Peshmerga fighters.
Myanmar: 50 feared dead as overcrowded ferry capsizes
Aung Tagun 3 sailing from Taunggok to Sittwe said to have been carrying more than 200 people.
Chile forest fire threatens port city of Valparaiso: Stunning images
Forest fire rages across historic Chilean port city of Valparaiso as thousands of evacuations are under way.
Cyclone Pam causes widespread devastation in Vanuatu in South Pacific
Vanuatu capital Port Villa bears brunt of storm while Kiribati and the Solomon Islands also battered.
Ferguson on high alert after shooting of two police officers
Police call incident an 'ambush' by protesters as the two injured officers are out of hospital.
North Korea fires seven missiles as South Korea and US wrap up military exercise
Seoul and Washington conclude computer-simulated Key Resolve joint military exercise.
Isis clings on to Tikrit as Iraqi forces close in
Iraqi forces said to have recaptured three-fourths of Tikrit as 150-odd Isis militants continue to hold out.
US military helicopter crashes in Florida, all 11 troops missing
Search and rescue measures underway for missing American troops as Black Hawk goes down.
North Korea declares 2015 as Friendship Year with Russia
Pyongyang intends to boost political and economic ties with Moscow in 2015.
Colombia suspends aerial attacks on Farc rebels for one month
President Juan Manuel Santos announces temporary suspension of bombing in response to Farc's unilateral ceasefire.
Isis: 100 hostages flee Islamist jail in Syria
Dozens of captives escaped from a prison in al-Bab town of Syria located near the Turkish border after intense Isis infighting.
US: Police officer shoots dead naked unarmed black man in Atlanta
Victim suspected of mental illness as he was acting erratic when shooting took place.
Argentina: French Olympians among 10 killed in collision of two helicopters
Gold-medal swimmer Camille Muffat and boxer Alexis Vanstone among those killed in helicopter crash.
Isis: Officials confirm nine foreigners taken hostage by gunmen after Libya oil field attack
Four Filipinos, two Europeans, two Bangladeshis and a Ghanaian are being held hostage by suspected Isis-backed men.
Boko Haram blitzed by Chad-Niger offensive after declaring support for Isis
African forces launch ground and aerial attacks after Islamists pledge allegiance to Isis.
Solar Impulse 2 takes off on around-the-world flight from Abu Dhabi
First stop of Swiss solar-powered plane will be Oman capital Muscat.
India: Tensions run high in Nagaland over lynching of rape suspect [GRAPHIC IMAGE]
Internet and mobile messaging services suspended in bid to contain situation in north-eastern Indian state.
MH370: Malaysia marks first anniversary of disappearance of Kuala Lumpur-Beijing flight
Malaysia and Australia vow to continue search efforts in southern Indian Ocean to find missing aircraft.
Isis: Iraqi forces storm Dawr and al-Baghdadi, push for Islamist stronghold Tikrit
US coalition air strikes and Shiite militia help Iraqi forces recapture key territories from Sunni insurgents.
Mali Bamako restaurant attack by Islamists leaves 3 Europeans and two others dead
French national and Belgian among victims as Islamist gunmen open fire and lob grenades at 'The Terrace' in Malian capital.
North Korean envoy caught smuggling 27kg of gold in Dhaka
Son Yung Nam, flying from Singapore to Bangladesh capital, detained briefly.
China knife attack wounds nine, one assailant shot dead by police
Two knife-wielding men go on stabbing spree at Guangzhou train station.
India: Furious mob breaks into jail, parades rape suspect naked and lynches him
Thousands of angry protesters strip rape suspect naked and drag him through the streets for sexually assaulting Naga girl.
