Russian woman charged with US election-meddling
A Russian woman has been charged with interfering in American elections, including next month’s mid-terms, through a vast social media effort aimed at trying to sway American public opinion.
World
Dozens killed as speeding train hits crowd watching fireworks in India
A speeding train has hit a crowd watching fireworks during a religious festival in northern India, killing at least 58 people and injuring dozens more, police said.
US worried by voter-influence efforts from Russia and China
Russian, China, Iran and other countries are engaged in continuous efforts to influence American policy and voters in the upcoming elections and beyond, national security officials say.
US lottery punters cross their fingers for one billion dollar draw
The Mega Millions jackpot has soared to one billion US dollars (£770 million), as the second-largest lottery prize in US lottery history gets even bigger.
Kandahar poll postponed as Afghanistan prepares to vote
Afghanistan’s election commission has postponed elections in Kandahar for a week, following a brazen attack on a high-profile security meeting there with a US delegation that killed at least two senior provincial officials, including the province’s police chief.
Scores die in Indian railway tragedy while watching festival fireworks
A speeding train ran over a crowd watching fireworks during a religious festival in northern India, killing at least 50 people.
Pope’s leading Vatican critic blames homosexuality for abuse crisis
The Vatican ambassador who accused Pope Francis of rehabilitating a disgraced ex-American cardinal is repeating his criticisms, saying the “scourge of homosexuality” in the priesthood is responsible for sex abuse and that the Vatican is being hypocritical in refusing to acknowledge it.
Saudi consulate staff quizzed in Turkey’s missing journalist inquiry
Turkish investigators were trying to pinpoint where missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s remains may be as members of staff at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul were interrogated.
Hindu priests and protesters block women from pilgrimage site
Dozens of Hindu priests have joined conservative protesters to block women of menstruating age from one of the world’s largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, defying a ruling from India’s top court to let them enter.
Pope’s leading Vatican detractor continues criticism over abuse cases
The Vatican ambassador who accused Pope Francis of rehabilitating a disgraced ex-American cardinal has blamed “the scourge of homosexuality” for sex abuse by members of the clergy.
British tourist faces 10-year jail term for ‘spray-painting’ ancient Thai wall
A British tourist could be jailed for up to 10 years after allegedly spraying paint on an ancient wall in northern Thailand.
Vehicle movements tracked in Turkey’s hunt for missing journalist’s remains
Investigators in Turkey are looking into the possibility that the remains of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have been taken to a forest in the outskirts of Istanbul or to another city.
Suspect says he killed Bulgarian journalist but did not mean to
A Bulgarian court has ordered a suspect in the rape and killing of a television journalist to remain in custody until his trial.
Afghan province postpones voting for a week after attack
Afghanistan’s election commission has postponed Saturday’s elections in Kandahar province for a week.
Surge in numbers of Britons seeking to restore German citizenship
The number of people in Britain seeking to restore their German citizenship has jumped following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
Kenya’s running great Kip Keino rejects ’embezzlement’ claims
Kenyan running great Kip Keino has denied wrongdoing in his country’s Olympic corruption scandal and did not appear in court as expected on Friday.
Trump praises congressman for body-slamming Guardian reporter
A Republican congressman has been praised by Donald Trump for body-slamming a Guardian reporter last year.
Trump praises Republican for body-slamming reporter
Donald Trump has praised a Republican congressman for body-slamming a reporter last year.
Trump says Saudi writer Khashoggi is likely dead as he threatens consequences
US president Donald Trump acknowledged that it “certainly looks” as though missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead, and he threatened “very severe” consequences if the Saudis are found to have murdered him.
Certainly looks like Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi is dead, Trump says
President Donald Trump has said it “certainly looks” as though Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead, and he threatened “very severe” consequences if the Saudis are found to have murdered him.
Two Russian football internationals charged after brawls
Two Russian football internationals have been charged with battery and hooliganism after both were involved in two brawls in Moscow earlier this month.
Pope Francis discusses possible North Korea trip and urges push for peace
Pope Francis indicated a willingness to visit North Korea during a private audience with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, according to Vatican and South Korean officials.
Emmanuel Macron under fire for remarks about women with large families
France’s President Emmanuel Macron is facing criticism from mothers with big families both at home and abroad for recent comments he made about women and fertility in Africa.
US treasury secretary joins those skipping Saudi Arabia’s ‘Davos in the desert’
There have been further withdrawals from Saudi Arabia’s “Davos in the desert” investment conference following concerns over the disappearance in Turkey of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Nato commander unhurt as guards mow down Afghan security chiefs
The three top officials in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province were killed when their own guards opened fire on them at a security conference, the deputy provincial governor said.
Mike Pompeo says US will wait for inquiry before acting on missing journalist
US secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said he told Saudi Arabia’s rulers that the US takes “very seriously” the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
US downgrades its Jerusalem mission to Palestinians
The United States has downgraded the status of its main diplomatic mission to the Palestinians by placing it under the authority of the US Embassy to Israel.
Reality TV surgeon and girlfriend charged with further sex offences
A surgeon and his girlfriend have been charged in the US state of California with crimes against five additional victims in addition to two women they were previously charged with drugging and sexually assaulting.
Pope Francis ready to respond to invitation to visit North Korea
South Korea’s president has met with Pope Francis in a private audience, and his office says that the pontiff indicated his willingness to visit North Korea.
Donald Trump threatens to close US border with Mexico
President Donald Trump has threatened to close the US’s southern border with Mexico.
France’s finance minister to stay away from ‘Davos in the desert’
France’s finance minister is the latest high-level official or executive to pull out of an investment conference in Saudi Arabia amid questions over the kingdom’s involvement in the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Indian minister quits after accusations of sexual harassment
M.J. Akbar, India’s junior external affairs minister, has resigned amid accusations by 20 women of sexual harassment during his previous career as one of the country’s most prominent news editors.