Valerie Sanderson

Ratified by more than 160 countries, it's led to huge reductions in the use and stockpiling of landmines and to large numbers of minefields being cleared. But now a number of European countries have signalled their intention to withdraw. Imogen Fowkes reports from Geneva.

Ratified by more than 160 countries, it's led to huge reductions in the use and stockpiling of landmines and to large numbers of minefields being cleared. But now a number of European countries have signalled their intention to withdraw. Imogen Fowkes reports from Geneva.

A hawk that terrorised an English village is finally caught. Hind Kabawat was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs and Labour on March 29 and is the only woman among 22 men making up Syria's new caretaker government. She's only 51 years old and, as a secular Christian opponent of the Assad regime, she's lived in exile for 14 years.

A hawk that terrorised an English village is finally caught. Hind Kabawat was appointed as Minister of Social Affairs and Labour on March 29 and is the only woman among 22 men making up Syria's new caretaker government. She's only 51 years old and, as a secular Christian opponent of the Assad regime, she's lived in exile for 14 years.

Luquesa Burak spoke to Hind Kabawat in Damascus about her return to her homeland after such a long time in exile.

Luquesa Burak spoke to Hind Kabawat in Damascus about her return to her homeland after such a long time in exile.

Hind Kabawat Israeli troops have moved into an area of northern Gaza to expand what they call a security zone around the edge of the enclave. It comes just days after the government announced plans to seize large areas of the territory with an operation in the south.

Hind Kabawat Israeli troops have moved into an area of northern Gaza to expand what they call a security zone around the edge of the enclave. It comes just days after the government announced plans to seize large areas of the territory with an operation in the south.

On Thursday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said that nearly 100 people had been killed in Israeli attacks over the previous 24 hours. Salah Abdel Shafi is a permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations in Vienna.

On Thursday, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said that nearly 100 people had been killed in Israeli attacks over the previous 24 hours. Salah Abdel Shafi is a permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations in Vienna.

In a statement, Israel's military said that in the last few hours it had eliminated numerous Hamas members and dismantled Hamas infrastructure. I spoke to our Middle East correspondent, Ulan Nel, who's in Jerusalem, and she told me about the aims of Israel's land operation in Gaza.

In a statement, Israel's military said that in the last few hours it had eliminated numerous Hamas members and dismantled Hamas infrastructure. I spoke to our Middle East correspondent, Ulan Nel, who's in Jerusalem, and she told me about the aims of Israel's land operation in Gaza.

So what impact are these ground operations having on Palestinians themselves? What's happening there?

So what impact are these ground operations having on Palestinians themselves? What's happening there?

So, Yolande, where does this leave proposals for a new ceasefire?

So, Yolande, where does this leave proposals for a new ceasefire?

Meanwhile, the IDF said that it killed a senior Hamas commander in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon early on Friday. Hamas confirmed the death of Hassan Farahat along with his daughter and son after their apartment was hit in an Israeli strike. For many years, beauty pageants in Africa have been organised along the same lines of similar events in Europe.

Meanwhile, the IDF said that it killed a senior Hamas commander in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon early on Friday. Hamas confirmed the death of Hassan Farahat along with his daughter and son after their apartment was hit in an Israeli strike. For many years, beauty pageants in Africa have been organised along the same lines of similar events in Europe.

But this year, the national contest in Ivory Coast has decided to do things differently, banning hair extensions and weaves to focus instead of what they term natural beauty. Many have welcomed the change as empowering, but others say it will restrict personal choice. This report by David Wafulla.

But this year, the national contest in Ivory Coast has decided to do things differently, banning hair extensions and weaves to focus instead of what they term natural beauty. Many have welcomed the change as empowering, but others say it will restrict personal choice. This report by David Wafulla.