Turkey on Wednesday stopped NATO members from starting talks on the bids launched by Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, a diplomatic… — Turkey on Wednesday stopped NATO members from starting talks on the bids launched by Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, a diplomatic source told DW correspondent Teri Schultz, currently on assignment in Stockholm. Helsinki and Sweden handed their official bid to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday morning.

A heavy sandstorm in Iraq, the latest of what Iraqis say is an unprecedented number to hit the country in recent weeks, closed some state… — A heavy sandstorm in Iraq, the latest of what Iraqis say is an unprecedented number to hit the country in recent weeks, closed some state schools and offices and halted flights at Baghdad International Airport on Monday. In Baghdad and southern Iraqi cities, a red haze of dust and sand…

Russian forces opened fire on Israeli jets with advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles as they allegedly attacked targets in northwestern… — Russian forces opened fire on Israeli jets with advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missiles as they allegedly attacked targets in northwestern Syria last week, Channel 13 news reported Monday, in what could signal a significant shift in Moscow’s attitude to Israel.

Somalia’s former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been elected president after a final vote that was only open to the country’s MPs. — Somalia’s former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been elected president after a final vote that was only open to the country’s MPs. He defeated the current president, Mohamed Abudallahi Farmajo, who has been in office since 2017. The result marks a comeback for Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who served as Somalia’s president between 2012 and 2017 before he was defeated by Mr Farmajo.

On Tuesday, Tehran said Turkiye’s construction of dams on shared waterways was “unacceptable”, calling on its neighbour to stop such… — On Tuesday, Tehran said Turkiye’s construction of dams on shared waterways was “unacceptable”, calling on its neighbour to stop such activity. Iran has in recent years faced frequent droughts, caused in part by climate change as well as dam construction in neighbouring countries.

Cyprus on Thursday night failed to qualify for the final of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, which will be broadcast on Saturday… — Cyprus on Thursday night failed to qualify for the final of the 66th Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, which will be broadcast on Saturday night. Ireland, Israel and Malta also failed to qualify on Thursday night. Saturday’s contest is taking place in Turin after Italy won last year.

At least six migrants, reportedly from Nigeria, have been taken to hospital with burns and injuries as a result of the fire. The fire… — At least six migrants, reportedly from Nigeria, have been taken to hospital with burns and injuries as a result of the fire. The fire services are still looking for the cause of the fire, said the Cypriot state broadcaster according to dpa. The conditions at the Pournara reception center have…

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz will remain in the hospital after undergoing tests, including a colonoscopy, state media reported… — Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz will remain in the hospital after undergoing tests, including a colonoscopy, state media reported on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon doctors performed a colonoscopy “and the result was sound,” the official Saudi Press Agency later said.