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Donald Trump cancels London visit amid protest fears
Hard-won victories of Arab spring appear more fragile than ever
IOC accused of 'backroom deals' with Russia over doping scandal
German coalition talks 'to move on to next stage' after marathon session
Protests in Pakistan over inaction on rape and murder of girl, seven
Julian Assange is made an Ecuadorian citizen in effort to resolve impasse
Ritz Paris robbery: jewels recovered but two gang members still on run
Czech voters to give verdict on president's anti-immigrant populism
Polish MPs back even tougher restrictions on abortion
Head of Angola's wealth fund fired after Paradise Papers revelations
California mudslide: hope fades for survivors after deadly disaster
Publication of French writer Céline's antisemitic texts called off after outcry
Firefighters still battling oil tanker blaze off China coast after six days
UN chief urges world leaders to celebrate migration as a positive
The Queen on her coronation: heavy crown 'could break your neck' - video
Money for nothing: is Finland's universal basic income trial too good to be true?
Trump’s cut to funding for Palestinian refugees could lead to disaster | Mick Dumper
Cameroon’s heartbreaking struggles are a relic of British colonialism | Eliza Anyangwe
Armed raid on nuclear workers' housing raises fears over Brazil's two reactors
Marriott apologises to China over Tibet and Taiwan error
Perth winery owner jailed for rape of young Japanese worker
Food firm Princes linked to inquiry into worker abuses in Italy's tomato fields
'A great milestone': Somaliland adopts legislation outlawing rape
Donald Trump's health: how does he compare to the average American?
Dutch reporters tell US ambassador: 'This is the Netherlands, you have to answer questions' – video
'I have dad moves': Barack Obama discusses dancing on David Letterman's new Netflix show - video
Violent protests against austerity sweep Tunisia – video

Donald Trump cancels London visit amid protest fears

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:49 AM PST

President will not open new US embassy next month, with secretary of state Rex Tillerson likely to take his place

Donald Trump has cancelled a visit to Britain next month to open the new US embassy in London, amid fears of mass protests.

The president claimed on Twitter that the reason for calling off the trip was his displeasure at Barack Obama having sold the current embassy for "peanuts" and built a replacement for $1bn (£750m). "Bad deal," he wrote.

Hard-won victories of Arab spring appear more fragile than ever

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 09:00 PM PST

As the protests in Tunisia show, the underlying economic and social grievances that sparked the original regional uprisings remain

In the cradle of the Arab spring, it's reckoning time again, when the hopes for the Tunisian revolution of seven years ago are measured against its gains. In Tunisia, and in other Arab states rocked by the insurgencies it sparked, hard-won victories appear more fragile than ever.

In many cases the underlying issues that fired revolts first in Tunisia, then in Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria, remain unchanged. Sclerotic state structures that withered under sustained challenge from the street, and whose demise was seen as transformative, have clawed back losses by re-empowering the security forces that had shielded them for generations.

IOC accused of 'backroom deals' with Russia over doping scandal

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 10:00 PM PST

Film-makers behind Olympic doping exposé say athletes may be allowed to take part as neutral competitors

The film-makers behind the documentary which exposed Russia's state-sponsored doping programme have accused the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of doing "backroom deals" with Moscow ahead of next month's winter Games in south Korea.

In December, the IOC banned Russia's Olympic committee from taking part in the games in Pyeongchang, and disqualified 43 Russian athletes following a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency which revealed a massive doping operation at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, masterminded by Vladimir Putin's FSB spy agency.

German coalition talks 'to move on to next stage' after marathon session

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 12:43 AM PST

Angela Merkel's CDU and the centre-left Social Democrats have reportedly agreed compromises on wide-ranging issues

Leaders of Angela Merkel's conservative Christian Democratic Union bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats have reportedly cleared a first hurdle towards the formation of the next German government after marathon overnight talks.

The DPA news agency and other German media, citing talks participants, reported on Friday that party leaders were preparing to recommend formal coalition negotiations after agreeing compromises on a wide-range of issues.

Protests in Pakistan over inaction on rape and murder of girl, seven

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 07:59 AM PST

Roads have been blocked and cars burned in Kasur as outcry grows over death of child found in a rubbish dump on Tuesday

Roads have been blocked and vehicles burned in the Pakistani city of Kasur as hundreds of people protested against police inaction in the case of a seven-year-old girl who was raped and murdered last week.

The body of the girl, Zainab, was found in a rubbish dump on Tuesday. She was the 12th child to have been murdered in the past year within a 1.2-mile (2km) radius of Kasur, a city in the province of Punjab scarred by years of paedophilia scandals.

Julian Assange is made an Ecuadorian citizen in effort to resolve impasse

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 10:34 AM PST

Ecuador's foreign minister reveals to reporters in Quito that Wikileaks founder was granted citizenship a month ago

The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was made an Ecuadorian citizen last month, the nation's foreign ministry has revealed, in an attempt to resolve the political impasse over his continued presence in the UK.

The 46-year-old has been naturalised after living for five and a half years in the cramped, Latin American country's embassy in Knightsbridge, central London.

Ritz Paris robbery: jewels recovered but two gang members still on run

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 03:16 PM PST

Part of loot recovered during arrest of three suspects, with rest found in wreckage and in bag dropped by two men still at large

Paris authorities have recovered all the jewels stolen from the Ritz hotel in a dramatic robbery on Wednesday, but were still searching for two thieves who got away, officials said on Thursday.

The gems, taken by a gang of at least five men, were worth an estimated €4.5m (£4m).

Czech voters to give verdict on president's anti-immigrant populism

Posted: 10 Jan 2018 09:00 PM PST

Jiří Drahoš, main challenger to incumbent Miloš Zeman, pledges to ensure that country will face the west if he wins poll on Friday

The Czech president, Miloš Zeman, has been accused of promoting a climate of "vulgarity, incompetence and corruption" as the Czech Republic heads into a presidential election widely seen as a referendum on his controversial brand of anti-immigrant populism and the country's place in the western alliance.

The scathing critique has been issued by a rival candidate, Jiří Drahoš, a former chairman of the Czech academy of sciences, who has emerged as the main challenger to Zeman in this week's poll, to be held on Friday and Saturday.

Polish MPs back even tougher restrictions on abortion

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 11:11 AM PST

If enacted, the 'stop abortion' bill would outlaw terminations carried out because of a congenital disorder of the foetus

The Polish parliament has rejected proposed legislation to liberalise abortion laws, voting instead to pass proposals for tough new restrictions to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.

Poland already has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, with terminations permitted only when the life of the foetus is under threat, when there is a grave threat to the health of the mother, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

Head of Angola's wealth fund fired after Paradise Papers revelations

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 09:49 AM PST

Leaked files showed José Filomeno Dos Santos appointed friend's firm to manage fund, who then invested in own ventures

Angola's president, João Lourenço, has sacked the head of the country's sovereign wealth fund, two months after he was named in connection with the Paradise Papers.

José Filomeno Dos Santos, the son of Lourenço's predecessor, was fired six years after he was made chairman of the board of the Fundo Soberano De Angola (FSDEA) by his father.

California mudslide: hope fades for survivors after deadly disaster

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 12:58 PM PST

Montecito is a scene of devastation after an avalanche of mud and debris swept through the wealthy enclave north of Los Angeles leaving 17 and eight missing

Rescue teams continued combing the ruins of Montecito on Thursday amid dwindling hope of finding more survivors from the debris and mud flows that engulfed the California town earlier this week.

Publication of French writer Céline's antisemitic texts called off after outcry

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 10:35 AM PST

French publishing house Gallimard cancels plan to reissue a collection of the controversial writer's essays from the late 1930s after sparking uproar

France's most famed publishing house has bowed to pressure and suspended plans to reissue a collection of violently antisemitic pamphlets by novelist Louis-Ferdinand Céline.

Gallimard sparked an outcry last week when it revealed it intended to publish a 1,000-page compendium of the controversial writer's essays from the late 1930s.

Firefighters still battling oil tanker blaze off China coast after six days

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 01:14 PM PST

The Sanchi, which was carrying 136,000 tonnes of light crude oil has been in flames since colliding with a bulk freighter, and 31 sailors remain missing

Six days after a fire broke out on an Iranian oil tanker off the coast of China, firefighters are still struggling to extinguish the blaze, as criticism mounted in Tehran over whether enough was being done to locate dozens of its missing crew members.

UN chief urges world leaders to celebrate migration as a positive

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 10:36 AM PST

António Guterres calls on UN member states to adopt humane approach to migrants by making more travel routes available and protecting foreign workers

Antón io Guterres: Migration can benefit the world

The UN secretary general is urging the governments of member states to open up more routes for migration and take steps to promote and safeguard foreign labour.

António Guterres is calling for a collective shift to celebrate the international benefits of migration as part of an ambitious plan to create a more humane global strategy on the issue.

The Queen on her coronation: heavy crown 'could break your neck' - video

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:21 AM PST

In a rare insight into royal life, the Queen describes how 'unwieldy' the crown is as part of a new BBC documentary.

The monarch reveals the trials and tribulations of being head of state in a BBC documentary that airs on Sunday

The Queen gives rare personal account of her coronation in BBC documentary

Money for nothing: is Finland's universal basic income trial too good to be true?

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 02:00 AM PST

Europe's first national experiment in giving citizens free cash has attracted huge media attention. But one year in, what does this project really hope to prove?

One year on from its launch, the world remains fascinated by Finland's groundbreaking universal basic income trial: Europe's first national, government-backed experiment in giving citizens free cash.

In January 2017, the Nordic nation began paying a random but mandatory sample of 2,000 unemployed people aged 25 to 58 a monthly €560 (£475). There is no obligation either to seek or accept employment during the two years the trial lasts, and any who do take a job will continue to receive the same amount.

Trump’s cut to funding for Palestinian refugees could lead to disaster | Mick Dumper

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 01:39 AM PST

Although a final decision is still pending, the loss of UN money would have a catastrophic affect on Middle East security in both the short and long term

Having survived the recent cabinet reshuffle the international development secretary, Penny Mordaunt, is confronted with the biggest headache of her short ministerial career: the fallout of the US intention to cut funding to UNRWA, which constitutes one of the most serious challenges to UK policies in the Middle East.

Donald Trump's threat to cut financial assistance to the UN agency specifically responsible for Palestinian refugees will be a disaster not only for the refugees but also for Israel and neighbouring countries. It does not advance US interests either. Provoked by the Palestinian rejection of Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel, it takes the notion cutting off one's nose to spite one's face to a completely new diplomatic level. Although a final decision by the US is still pending, the loss of the regular subvention of $350m for UNRWA would be catastrophic for the region, with immense military and strategic implications for the US and its allies, including the UK.

Cameroon’s heartbreaking struggles are a relic of British colonialism | Eliza Anyangwe

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 02:25 AM PST

The southern Cameroonians's right to self-determination was thwarted by British imperial arrogance. The violent, anti-democratic fallout continues today

Last Friday, a man named Julius Ayuk Tabe was arrested along with nine others in a hotel in Nigeria's capital, Abuja. Tabe and his companions were reportedly committing no crime, at least not one that has yet been disclosed.

There are inconsistencies in the reporting. Some accounts say 10 people were arrested, while others speak of seven. The BBC's coverage eschews these details altogether. What remains consistent is that it is alleged that those detained were taken by Nigeria's intelligence agency, though the Department of State Services denies having them in custody. And so there the story ends. No public outrage – in Nigeria or anywhere else. No international condemnation.

Armed raid on nuclear workers' housing raises fears over Brazil's two reactors

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 11:15 PM PST

Brazil is one of three Latin American countries with nuclear power. It also suffers from violent crime. Now a heavily armed gang has brought the two together

Fears over the security of Brazil's two nuclear power plants have been raised after a heavily armed gang raided a secure workers' condominium just a kilometre away and blew up two cash machines.

About 10 men held security guards hostage at around 3am on Monday, robbed guests at a party in a private club then escaped in a waiting speedboat from the Praia Brava condominium for workers at the Angra 1 and 2 nuclear reactors, run by state company Eletronuclear.

Marriott apologises to China over Tibet and Taiwan error

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 02:10 AM PST

Hotel chain is ordered to shut down its website for week after customer survey lists regions including Hong Kong and Macau as separate countries

The Marriott International hotel chain has apologised and condemned "separatists" in China after the Beijing government shut down its website over an online questionnaire that suggested some Chinese regions were separate countries.

China's Cyberspace Administration, the internet watchdog, said the hotelier had "seriously violated national laws and hurt the feelings of the Chinese people" after a customer survey listed Tibet, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau as separate countries. The regulator ordered Marriott's website and booking applications to close for a week.

Perth winery owner jailed for rape of young Japanese worker

Posted: 12 Jan 2018 12:12 AM PST

Peter Raymond Costa, owner of Chidlow's Well winery, jailed for six years after plying woman, 24, with alcohol and raping her

A Perth winery owner has been jailed for six years for raping a young Japanese employee after he had plied her with alcohol.

Chidlow's Well owner and building company operator Peter Raymond Costa, 58, raped the 24-year-old woman when she was drunk in his house while his wife was away in March 2015.

Food firm Princes linked to inquiry into worker abuses in Italy's tomato fields

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 10:00 PM PST

British company uses supplier currently under investigation for exploiting migrant workers who pick fruit sold in UK and European supermarkets

The British food company Princes has become the latest firm linked with an investigation into labour abuses involving migrant workers who pick tomatoes in southern Italy for the plates of British and European consumers.

Princes Industrie Alimentari, owned by Princes, buys tomatoes from De Rubertis, a supplier whose workers were described last October by Italian prosecutor Paola Guglielmi as labouring under "conditions of absolute exploitation".

'A great milestone': Somaliland adopts legislation outlawing rape

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 06:02 AM PST

Activists welcome initial approval of law designed to curb rising sexual violence, but warn scope and implementation could prove problematic

Somaliland has introduced a bill outlawing rape, the first piece of legislation to address gender-based violence in the self-declared state.

Under the Somaliland rape and other related offences bill, all forms of sexual offence would be criminalised, including rape, gang rape, sexual assault, trafficking and child marriage. Rapists who infect their victims with HIV would receive life sentences.

Donald Trump's health: how does he compare to the average American?

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 10:00 PM PST

As the president heads for his regular physical check-up on Friday, what clues are available to assess his fitness? An expert weighs in

Every so often, American presidents are expected to go to the doctor – for their checkup and just to reassure the American public that everything is alright. On Friday, it's Trump's turn.

A physician at Walter Reed medical center will run Trump through many of the same tests regular Americans receive, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. Details about the president's health are at his discretion to release, but with what clues are available so far, a natural question arises: how is Trump likely to compare to his fellow American?

Dutch reporters tell US ambassador: 'This is the Netherlands, you have to answer questions' – video

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 12:18 PM PST

Reporters in the Netherlands clash with the new US ambassador, Pete Hoekstra, over controversial comments he made in 2015, in which he said the 'Islamic movement' was creating chaos in Europe

'This is the Netherlands, you have to answer questions': Dutch reporters confront new US envoy

'I have dad moves': Barack Obama discusses dancing on David Letterman's new Netflix show - video

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 07:01 AM PST

Former US president talks dad dancing on Letterman's new chat show, explaining that the key is 'staying in the pocket'.

After almost three years away from television, Letterman's hour-long show will place the veteran host in competition with his long-time counterpart Jay Leno

David Letterman's comeback: can his Netflix show take him back to the top?

Violent protests against austerity sweep Tunisia – video

Posted: 11 Jan 2018 05:11 AM PST

More than 300 protesters were arrested and the army was deployed in several cities as violent demonstrations swept Tunisia for a third night, despite threats of a security crackdown. In Thala, near the Algerian border, troops were sent in after protesters burned down a national security building

• Hundreds arrested in Tunisia on third night of violent protests