ECOLOGY: For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas.

It is hoped the agreement will provide a turning point for vast stretches of the planet where conservation has been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws.

The treaty agreement concluded two weeks of talks in New York.

BURKINA FASO: Authorities have imposed further overnight curfews until the end of March in the country’s North region, which borders Mali, and the central-eastern Koulpelogo province to assist the fight against armed jihadist groups.

Militant Islamist attacks have increased this year with dozens of civilians and soldiers being killed every week.

PAKISTAN: A suicide bomber riding a motorcycle rammed into a police truck in the district of Sibi in Balochistan in Pakistan’s restive south-west yesterday, killing at least nine policemen and wounding seven, officials said.

No-one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing but Baloch separatists have been blamed for previous such attacks.

TUNISIA: Hundreds of protesters rallied in Tunis on Sunday, demanding the release of more than 20 opposition figures who were arrested in recent weeks. 

The demonstration came after the arrest of prominent activists over the last few weeks in a crackdown by the increasingly authoritarian President Kais Saied.

Protesters also condemned recent violent attacks against sub-Saharan Africans following an anti-immigration speech made by Mr Saied on February 21.