Top Syria diplomat abandons AssadFile image of Nawaf Fares in 2006

Syria's ambassador to Iraq says he has defected to the opposition - the first senior diplomat to abandon the government of President Bashar al-Assad.


Somali boys fetching water from a puddle in Dadaab refugee camp in KenyaAid agencies make Kenya appeal

Aid agencies operating in a refugee camp near Kenya's Somali border warn they are facing a funding shortfall, putting tens of thousands at risk.

Olympic StadiumMay to make Olympics statement

The home secretary is to make an urgent statement in the Commons on Olympics security, after it emerged an extra 3,500 troops are needed.

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