The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sparked a furious response from women's rights activists after comparing abortions to botched air strikes that last year killed of scores of Kurdish civilians.

The Poland coach, Franciszek Smuda, yesterday announced the European Championship co-hosts' 23-man squad, and declared it the worst moment of any coach's career. Smuda made the announcement, including telling the three players who were surplus to requirements, as Poland wrapped up their training camp less than two weeks before kicking off the tournament.

Former Chelsea manager says uncertainty at Madrid and family reasons could influence next move

An Israeli who rescued an unconscious climber on Mount Everest instead of pushing onward to the summit, says the man he helped, an American of Turkish origin, is like a brother to him.

The prospect of the United Kingdom hosting only its third major football tournament has improved after Istanbul was shortlisted to host the 2020 Olympics.

A possible bid by Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland for Euro 2020 has been given a boost after UEFA president Michel Platini made it clear he would not vote for Turkey to host the tournament if Istanbul wins the contest to stage the Olympics.

Turkey's state-run news agency says a prosecutor has asked a court to approve murder charges against members of Israel's military for the killing of nine people aboard a Turkish ship that tried to break an Israeli blockade to reach Gaza in 2010.

Turkish security forces have foiled a plot to kidnap Syrian rebel commander Riad al-Assad from his headquarters in a refugee camp along the Turkish-Syrian border.

As one of Israel’s staunchest opponents in the Middle East, Syria has long held a difficult position internationally. Following the government’s repressive response to 2011’s pro-democracy demonstrations, the nation has become increasingly isolated.

Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland are set to mount a joint bid to host Euro 2020. Turkey and Georgia are the other predicted bidders and as both countries have potentially serious flaws as prospective hosts, the Celtic nations will stand a good chance should they decide to translate a declaration of interest into a concrete bid.

Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have formally declared an interest in jointly hosting Euro 2020, as the Celtic nations scent a chance to challenge Turkey for one of sport's three mega events.

Among the many heartening aspects of last year’s Arab uprisings was the visible role of women in the protests. These women might easily have looked to the writings of Wadad Makdisi Cortas for inspiration.

A modern view in an ancient landscape

Each week, we invite three companies to offer us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: a summer beach break in Turkey. Prices are per person, based on two people travelling together. Each package includes a week's accommodation, transfers and flights from the UK in mid June.