Israel: Minister leads prayers for rain to end drought

The agriculture minister said he thought prayers could help resolve the crisis

Israel's Agriculture Minister, Uri Ariel, has joined with the country's religious leaders in an attempt to use the power of prayer to end a drought.

Mr Ariel is an Orthodox Jew and led prayers on Thursday at Jerusalem's Western Wall.

Severe drought for four years has left the country's water supplies at low levels.

National Archives: Thatcher refused to share flight with panda

Chia Chia (left) had to find another flight from London to Washington to make its date with Ching Ching

Margaret Thatcher once refused to share a flight to Washington with London Zoo's giant panda, newly-released National Archives' files have revealed.

Lord Zuckerman, president of the London Zoological Society, suggested that Chia Chia the panda could share the prime minister's Concorde flight in 1981.

Washington's Smithsonian Institution had asked to borrow Chia Chia, to mate it with US-based Ching Ching.

Italy dissolves parliament for March election

The Italian president's role is largely ceremonial

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella has dissolved parliament, to pave the way for a general election on 4 March.

The government met shortly after Mr Mattarella's decree was announced, and confirmed the election date.

The ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD) faces a strong challenge from anti-establishment Five Star (M5S) and right-wing Forza Italia, who want tough measures to curb immigration.

India elephant rescue: The forest guard who saved a calf

The calf weighed more than the forest guard who saved it

A forest guard in southern India has made headlines by saving a baby elephant that fell into a ditch and became separated from its mother.

Palanichamy Sarathkumar, 28, has been inundated with messages of support since news of the rescue in Tamil Nadu state emerged at the weekend.

Many wanted to know how he carried the animal, which weighs more than he does.

Uber: Softbank takes large stake in ride-hailing firm

Japanese giant Softbank is set to take a large stake in Uber, expanding its holdings in transportation companies around the world.

Softbank led a consortium that reportedly agreed to invest at least $8bn for a roughly 15% stake in the San Francisco-based ride-hailing company.

The group will buy most of the shares from early investors in a deal that values Uber at about $48bn (£35.7bn).