Today is crunch day for Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko as far as his reputation in the West is concerned. His country is electing a new parliament.

A fire has destroyed the main hall of Egypt’s National Theatre in the centre of the capital, Cairo. More than 20 engines responded to the blaze, which officials said was caused by an electrical fault.

At least 12 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in two car bombings in a western district of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, police have said.