4 July 2014 Last updated at 08:01
Hamas 'ready for Gaza ceasefire' if Israeli raids stop
Hamas has offered to halt its rocket attacks if Israel stops its air raids on the Gaza Strip, the BBC understands.
A source with the Palestinian militant group said Egyptian intelligence officials had brokered a potential ceasefire. Israel has not commented.
The Israeli army says four rockets were fired from Gaza on Friday. No injuries were reported.
There is high tension in East Jerusalem ahead of the planned funeral of a murdered Palestinian teenager.
There have already been two days of clashes there between masked Palestinians and Israeli police over the kidnap and murder of 17-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdair.
WFP: African refugee camps 'no longer attract global awareness'
The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) and refugee agency UNHCR have appealed to governments for more money to help feed refugees in Africa. Cuts in daily food rations have already had to be made.
In Africa the World Food Programme (WFP) provides food aid for 2.4 million refugees. They live in 200 camps in 22 countries, victims of war and persecution. Due to a shortage of funding, the WFP says it has already had to cut food rations for 450,000 refugees in camps in Central African Republic, Chad and South Sudan. A further 338,000 refugees in Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Ghana, Mauritania and Uganda receive between five and 43 percent less food aid.
Deutsche Welle: Mr Ohlsen, you are the WFP Country Director for the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as being responsible for the whole of North Africa. Where are the most serious problems?
Martin Ohlsen: Most of the refugee camps set up by the WFP are located in inhospitable areas, not far from the borders with crisis states.
Crisis reopens debate on redrawing Iraq's map
July 4, 2014 - 2:14PM
Chris Zappone
News editor, foreign desk
The volatile situation in Iraq and Syria has raised questions about the future borders of the two nations. Figures from across the political spectrum are advocating for a changed geography – either within the countries or the region. While the idea of changing borders that were drawn up by France and Britain after World War I is not a new one for the Middle East, the combination of conflicting interests and sectarian conflict is increasing the possibility.
Deakin University Middle East expert professor Benjamin Isakhan said “For all intents and purposes, the modern borders of Iraq are likely to change dramatically and we could well be seeing its complete disintegration into several autonomous zones.”
With the non-Arab Kurdish people of the northern region of Iraq openly pursuing a referendum on independence, a newly formed Kurdistan could be the first piece to emerge.
Parents of Greste make 'horrendous' Egypt jail visit
The parents of Australian Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste have visited their son in jail for the first time since his arrest by Egyptian authorities, calling it an "horrendous experience".
Juris Greste and wife Lois made an emotional visit to Cairo after the 48-year-old was sentenced in late June to seven years for aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood and "spreading false news".
"It was a horrendous experience," Juris Greste told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation of the 45-minute meeting on Wednesday.
"Had we had a small bucket between us as we were sharing hugs, it might have even overflowed ... with tears and sobs."
Greste's colleague, Egyptian-Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, was sentenced to the same term while their producer Baher Mohamed was handed 10 years in a decision that sparked global outrage and fears about press freedoms.
9 things that make air pollution bearable
July 4, 2014 -- Updated 0312 GMT (1112 HKT)
Beijing may have to wait another 16 years before it will have safe, clean air, according to a report from the capital's environmental authority earlier this week.
But it's hardly alone in its air pollution woes. The World Health Organization has said that roughly half of the world's urban population is exposed to pollution at least 2.5 times higher than it recommends.
Air pollution is now the single largest environmental health risk, with an estimated 7 million deaths globally in 2012 caused by air pollution,according to a report from the health agency in March. Most of the worst polluted cities are in Asia.
While it may take years to fix this global problem, innovative minds in the Asia region have come up with creative solutions for living with air pollution.
Bolivia to allow 10-year-olds into workforce |
Politicians back new law on child labour, which co-sponsor says will help address nation's extreme poverty.
Last updated: 04 Jul 2014 05:39
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Bolivian politicians have approved child workers as young as 10 years old, under a new law that lays out specific conditions for their employment.
Congress passed the measure by consensus on Wednesday, requiring employers to ensure the physical and mental health of employees, and prevent exploitation.
"The age limit, as defined formally by the Code for Children and Adolescents, is 14 years old," senator Adolfo Mendoza said after the enactment of the bill, which he co-sponsored.
But the new code allows exceptions, when specific legal criteria have been met, so that children may begin "working for others from age 12, which is allowed by international conventions, and self-employment from age 10."
The senator stressed that required factors included a voluntary decision from the child to work, consent from the parent or guardian and permission from the public ombudsman.
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