At least 70 people are known to have died in a ferry accident in Bangladesh, after authorities managed to reach the vessel which capsized on Sunday. It collided with a cargo boat crossing the Padma river, about 40km (25 miles) north-west of the capital Dhaka. Most of those who drowned were on the ferry’s lower decks – 40 or 50 people were rescued or swam … Continue reading Bangladesh ferry collision kills dozens

French authorities have for the first time confiscated the passports of six nationals who were allegedly planning to travel to Syria to join jihadists. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the intelligence services believed the men wanted to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group. The measure is part of new counter-terrorism laws adopted last November. Meanwhile, France has deployed an aircraft carrier off Bahrain to … Continue reading France seizes passports of six ‘Syria-bound’ citizens

An Egyptian court has jailed prominent blogger and pro-democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah for five years at his retrial for violating a protest law. He was previously given a 15-year jail term in the case over his alleged role in a protest in 2013. Alaa Abdel Fattah gained fame during the 2011 uprising as a campaigner against military trials for civilians. Al-Jazeera journalists Mohamed Fahmy … Continue reading Alaa Abdel Fattah: Egypt jails activist-blogger for five years

A boy died from a severe head injury after authorities failed to act for years while he suffered abuse, a serious case review has found.  There had been “long-term concerns” about Blake Fowler’s safety, the Southampton Local Safeguarding Children Board concluded. Blake, 7, died at his home in Southampton in December 2011. His mother and stepfather were arrested, but prosecutors dropped the case through lack … Continue reading Blake Fowler, 7, died after ‘unacceptable errors in tackling abuse’