Jerusalem / AFP A Palestinian was shot dead at a West Bank checkpoint on Tuesday after walking towards guards with a knife in his hand, Israeli police said. “A Palestinian attempted to cross the checkpoint using the vehicle lane and approached security guards brandishing a knife,” police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement. “The terrorist was neutralised,” she …

  Ankara / AFP The Turkish government on Tuesday withdrew a controversial bill from parliament that could overturn men’s convictions for child-sex assault, after an angry public backlash that saw thousands take to the streets. Critics had said the bill—which would allow the release from jail of sex assault convicts if they marry their victims—would legitimise rape of minors. Its …

  Arbil / AFP More than 68,000 people have fled their homes since Iraqi forces launched a huge offensive against the IS group in and around Mosul last month, the UN said on Tuesday. The figure increased significantly over the past week as forces battled deep into the densely populated city, but it falls short of pre-offensive predictions. “68,550 people …