“Our policy is that we believe that a full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts surrounding those terrible massacres and tragedies in 1915 is in the interest of the citizens of Turkey, it is in the interest of the citizens of Armenia and it is in the interest of the descendants of people who suffered in that period.”

The European Union (EU) has raised the threat of sanctions against those who obstruct peace efforts in Libya, reports Reuters, after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels.

"Those responsible for violence and those who obstruct or undermine Libya's democratic transition must face consequences for their actions," they said in a joint statement.

US President Barack Obama said sending weapons to Ukraine may still be an option however added that a decision was yet to be made on the matter.

"It is true that if, in fact, diplomacy fails, what I've asked my team to do is to look at all options," said Mr Obama. "But I have not made a decision about that yet."

His remarks came at a joint press conference with German chancellor Angela Merkel, after talks at the White House on Monday. “I’ve consulted with not just Angela [Merkel] but will be consulting with other allies about this issue,” said Mr Obama. He further added,

"Can we be certain that any lethal aid that we provide Ukraine is used properly, doesn't fall into the wrong hands, does not lead to over-aggressive actions that can't be sustained by the Ukrainians? What kinds of reactions does it prompt, not simply from the separatists but from the Russians? Those are all issues that have to be considered."

At least 29 migrants have died of hypothermia, after initially being rescued alive by the Italian coastguard off the coast of Libya, according to latest reports.

Two coastguard ships were dispatched after a ship carrying over 200 migrants let off a distress call as it was battered by waves as high as 25 feet, reports the New York Times. The victims, all men, died as the coastguard attempted to take them to the nearest Italian port on the island on Lampedusa.

Italian coastguard spokesperson Cmdr. Filippo Marini, said the migrants were “devastated by the weather and sea conditions, and by the trip they had undertaken just to reach their boat.”
The deaths come following the suspension of an Italian navy-run rescue program known as Mare Nostrum, with a more limited operation by Frontex, the European border patrol agency, taking its place.

Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration said it could be argued “that this is the first consequence of the absence of Mare Nostrum.”

A former Taliban militant, who recently joined Islamic State, was killed in a Nato drone strike on a car he was travelling in.

Former Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rauf was crossing a desert in northern Helmand, along with his brother-in-law and four Pakistani nationals, when their vehicle was hit.

Mr Rauf, who was detained in Guantanamo Bay for 6 years, pledged allegiance to Islamic State after falling out with Taliban leader Mullah Omar.