2019-01-07

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Artists carve icy masterpieces for contest at Harbin ice festival

Frosty castles spiral up into the sunlight as sculptors create magical images from blocks of ice.

07/01/2019

USA

Kevin Spacey’s lawyers enter not guilty plea in sex assault case

Lawyers for Kevin Spacey entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in Massachusetts court Monday on charges he groped an 18-year-old busboy in 2016.

07/01/2019

Italy

Italian populist leader di Maio shows support for Yellow Vest movement

"Yellow vests, don't give up!", wrote Five Star Movement leader and Italian vice-PM Di Maio in an open letter to the French grassroots movement.

07/01/2019

France

Crowdfunding campaigns set up for French police and detained ex-boxer

The crowdfunding campaign for Christophe Dettinger, a 37-year-old former pro boxer detained after clashes with police during a "gilets jaunes" protest, has been shut down.

07/01/2019

USA

Self-driving taxi service takes to Las Vegas streets

Visitors to Las Vegas' CES gadget show are taking self-driving taxi rides around "Sin City."

07/01/2019

USA

Kevin Spacey appears at courthouse to face sex assault charges

The Oscar-winner, facing felony indecent assault and battery, was accused by Heather Unruh of groping her then 18-year-old son in July 2016 in Nantucket.

07/01/2019

USA

Pope Francis calls for 'solidarity' with migrants stranded at sea

"It's easy to be the Christmas saint but then come January, February and the summer period we would be told to do the same," Malta's prime minister said.

07/01/2019

USA

Kelsey Berreth's parents file wrongful death lawsuit against fiancé

The suit seeks damages tied to emotional distress.

07/01/2019

USA

Euroviews. Trump's 'I can't hear you' strategy no longer works. Pelosi knows it

The end of majority government means that the GOP will have to abandon a strategy that flouts public opinion.

07/01/2019

USA

Justice Ginsburg misses Supreme Court oral argument for first time

A court spokeswoman said Ginsburg, who is 85, was working from home while recuperating from surgery.

07/01/2019

United Kingdom

Labour will 'be punished' if it allows Brexit to happen, poll shows

The UK's Labour Party stands to suffer huge supporter losses should it allow Brexit to go ahead, the biggest voters' poll since the 2016 referendum has found

07/01/2019

United Kingdom

UK creates fake traffic jam of 89 lorries to test no-deal readiness

Dozens of lorries took part in a traffic congestion test near the channel tunnel on Monday morning, in a rehearsal of what could be in store for a potential no-deal Brexit scenario.

07/01/2019

Portugal

Watch: Children in Portuguese village smoke to celebrate Epiphany

Villagers have defended the tradition. "It is a normal tradition for us because it has existed for many years," resident Rui Sergio said.

07/01/2019

Spain

Euroviews. The trial of Catalan leaders casts a long shadow over the EU | View

Leaders of the 2017 Catalan independence referendum are facing a combined total of 217 years in prison for inciting rebellion. Defending their rights is in the self-interest of Europe if it wants to remain a leading force for democracy.

07/01/2019

Turkey

Six killed as cargo ship sinks off Turkey's coast

Six people were killed after a Panama-flagged cargo ship reportedly carrying coal sent a distress signal while en route to Turkey, according to AP quoting government officials.

07/01/2019

United Kingdom

Watch: Theresa May launches National Health Service plan

British Prime Minister Theresa May is launching a new 10-year plan to help the NHS meet key targets.

07/01/2019

Markets

Asian shares enjoy relief rally, Sino-U.S. trade talks loom

Asian shares enjoy relief rally, Sino-U.S. trade talks loom

07/01/2019

World

Ireland braces itself amid uncertainty over Britain’s next steps

As the UK prepares for a week of debate ahead of the vote on the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement next week, Dublin is bracing itself amid the uncertainty over Britain’s next steps.

07/01/2019

France

France marks four years since Charlie Hebdo attack

France marks four years since Charlie Hebdo attack.

07/01/2019

World News

Saudi teen seeking asylum barricades herself in Thai hotel room

"They won't let me drive or travel. I am oppressed. I love life and work and I am very ambitious but my family is preventing me from living."

07/01/2019

Thailand

UN gives refugee status to Saudi woman in Thailand

The UN refugee agency has determined that a Saudi woman who fled her family and refused to leave a Bangkok hotel room is a legitimate refugee, and has asked Australia to consider resettling her.

07/01/2019

World News

Soldiers announce coup 'to restore democracy' to Gabon

President Ali Bongo's family has ruled the oil-producing West African country for nearly half a century. He is receiving medical treatment in Morocco.

07/01/2019

World

Yellow vest protests continue into eighth week

France's Yellow Vest protestors were back on the streets for the eighth consecutive weekend in cities across the country. Up to 4,000 people joined the protest at its height in Paris on Saturday as French security forces deployed tear gas and protestors lit fires.

07/01/2019

World

Catholic abuse scandal: Archbishop of Lyon goes on trial

The Archbishop of Lyon, Philippe Barbarin, Monday stands trial on charges of failing to report abuse by a priest in his diocese. He's accused of knowing about the sexual abuse by Father Bernard Preynat long before it became public knowledge.

07/01/2019

Russia

Putin celebrates Christmas with orthodox Christians in St Petersburg

Orthodox Christians have begun celebrations to mark Christmas with special midnight masses across the country. President Vladimir Putin joined them for mass in St Petersburg.

07/01/2019

Living

The truth behind propylene glycol

Or the most popular ingredient found in lifestyle products from beauty cosmetics to processed food.

07/01/2019

World

Pope intervenes in latest migrant vessel row

Pope Francis has used his Epiphany address to urge European leaders to welcome 49 migrants stranded aboard two humanitarian rescue ships in the Mediterranean.

07/01/2019

Egypt

Egypt's El-Sisi inaugurates new cathedral ahead of Coptic Christmas

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi inaugurated Egypt's largest church on Sunday on the eve of Coptic Christmas, sending a message of tolerance and unity in the predominantly Muslim country.

07/01/2019

Gabon

Gabon: Two suspects killed and seven captured in failed coup attempt

Two suspects were killed and seven captured were captured after military officers in Gabon staged an apparent coup attempt early on Monday, seizing the state radio station and declaring their dissatisfaction with President Ali Bongo.

07/01/2019

World News

Hard to digest: Inmates eat holiday steak during shutdown while prison workers go unpaid

Some Florida prisoners mocked the guards while feasting on a New Year's Day lunch of grilled steak, garlic macaroni biscuits and holiday pies, worker says.

07/01/2019