The widower of an Irishwoman who was raped and murdered in Australia almost a year ago is to return home to “clear his head”.

The Mayor of the Australian town where Irish journalist Jill Meagher was murdered says they would like to build a memorial to her.

A Syrian passenger plane intercepted by Turkey’s air force was carrying military communications equipment, Turkish media has reported as Damascus branded the incident piracy amid growing tensions between the two countries.

The death toll from the devastating earthquake in eastern Turkey has risen to 523, officials say.