Hey ladies, it’s our day today. Some might say that half the population need more than just 24 hours... and we’d agree. But with global events shedding light on women’s rights, and Michelle Obama recognising extraordinary heroines, it’s a small step in the right direction.

Ministers should be given annual performance appraisals to see how well they are doing their jobs, a former head of the civil service said today.

New US Secretary of State steps up efforts to persuade opposition to attend Rome meeting

Foreign Secretary William Hague will discuss the United States’ position on the Falkland Islands with John Kerry following reports that Washington will not recognise the result of next month’s referendum on sovereignty.

Islamist group Boko Haram has been linked to about 800 deaths in the north last year

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s firebrand former foreign minister, began the fight for his political life in a tiny Jerusalem courtroom earlier today, as he pleaded not guilty to fraud charges.

Israel has partially lifted a gagging order in the mysterious case of ‘Prisoner X’ and formally recognised that an Israeli with dual citizenship had committed suicide in one of the country’s most secure prisons in 2010.

The former President of the Maldives has taken refuge at the Indian Embassy in Male after a court ordered his arrest.

Australia today ordered an inquiry into reports earlier this week that Prisoner X – a man who committed suicide in a top security Israeli prison in 2010 - was an Australian citizen.

Iran's supreme leader has strongly rejected proposals for direct talks with United States on its nuclear programme and other issues.

The report highlights shocking failures in patient care at Stafford Hospital. The central question now is whether Robert Francis’s diagnosis of the causes of these failures and his recommendations will prevent anything like this happening again.

A US comedy skit that makes fun of Thailand’s booming sex industry has angered the government, which is trying to block videos of the sketch on the internet.

Chris Grayling's department signed a prisoner anonymity order – then he overturned it

David Cameron will meet the Afghan and Pakistani presidents tonight in the latest round of talks aimed at preventing a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan when British troops leave next year.