Rough Start for Syria Peace Talks

The Syrian government's lead negotiator has denounced what he called his rebel counterpart's "provocative" comments at the start of peace talks in Astana. Bashar Jaafari said Mohammed Alloush had acted in a way "removed from diplomacy" at the indirect negotiations convened by Russia, Iran and Turkey. Mr Alloush described the Syrian government as a "terrorist entity".

Female suicide bombers suspected to be members of Boko Haram have started carrying babies to avoid detection, according to Nigerian officials. It is said two women attacked the town of Madagali in the north-east of the country nearly two weeks ago, and went un-noticed because they were carrying babies on their backs.

As we hear news of circuses closing their doors, what happens to the animals? Well one novel approach is being tried out by Jenny Vidbel who is herself a former circus trainer from New York state, in the United States. She is offering the animals from her circus a retirement opportunity and hoping to use them as part of a therapy programme for disabled children.