The UN Security Council has finally adopted a resolution calling for aid deliveries to desperate Palestinian civilians in Gaza to be sped up, after the US delayed the vote for days and pushed members to strip from the text any direct calls for a ceasefire or suspension of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

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Japan has lodged a formal complaint with the Russian government after Moscow accused one of its diplomats of attempted espionage. Tokyo insists the charge has no merit and is demanding an apology for the consulate official’s treatment.