David Shadrach

Austrian far-right joins coalition led by PM Sebastian Kurz Austria's president has approved a coalition government between the conservative People's Party and the far-right Freedom Party. The deal will make Austria the only Western European state with a governing far-right party, which is opposed to migration and the European Union. The parties previously governed the country together between 2000 and 2005. But at just 31, the People's Party's Sebastian Kurz is set to become the world's youngest head of government. No details have been given about the government's programme, but several important ministerial roles are expected to be handed to the smaller Freedom Party as part of the deal. What propels young leaders to power? President Alexander Van der Bellen gave the green light to the deal on Saturday morning. He said the new government had assured him of both a pro-EU stance and a continued commitment to the European convention on human rights. The election ...

Billionaire Sabih al-Masri detained in Saudi Arabia NEWS / JORDAN  WATCH 25:00 The cost of Saudi Arabia's purge Saudi Arabia Jordan Middle East Sabih al-Masri, who reportedly holds Saudi and Jordanian citizenship, was held for questioning, reports said [Alaa Badarneh/EPA] Palestinian billionaire businessman Sabih al-Masri has been detained in Saudi Arabia on a business trip to Riyadh, his family confirmed to Reuters news agency. The 80-year-old founder of Zara Investment Holding and chairman of Arab Bank was held in the Saudi capital for questioning last week about "information related to corruption", according to Rai al-Youm. The Arab news website reported on Saturday that no formal charges were made against al-Masri, who reportedly also holds Saudi and Jordanian citizenship. Al-Masri, one of Jordan's most prominent businessman, is the cousin of the billionaire Munib al-Masri, the wealthiest person in Palestine. He also founded the Palestine Securities Exchange, an...

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ANC gathers to choose leader to replace Jacob Zuma South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) is preparing to choose a new party leader to succeed President Jacob Zuma. The main candidates are the current deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, and former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, President Zuma's ex-wife. Whoever wins is likely to succeed Mr Zuma as South African president. But their bitter leadership battle has raised fears that the ANC could split before national elections in 2019. President Zuma can remain head of state until those elections. He has been in office since 2009 and South Africa limits the presidency to two five-year terms. Who are the main candidates? Why ANC leadership vote matters Jacob Zuma - South Africa's controversial leader As delegates gathered for the four-day conference in Johannesburg, Mr Zuma, who faces multiple corruption allegations, has urged the party to unite behind the eventual winner. The leadership contest is exp...

Heinz Wolff, Great Egg Race presenter and scientist, dies Renowned scientist and TV presenter Heinz Wolff has died, aged 89. The German-born inventor, famed for hosting BBC Two's long-running science show The Great Egg Race, died of heart failure on 15 December, his family said in a statement. A former advisor to the European Space Agency, he later moved to London's Brunel University to work on projects linked to the ageing population. Brunel colleagues described him as an "inventive and inspirational leader". A Jewish refugee, Wolff moved to the UK from Berlin aged 11 on the day World War Two broke out in September 1939. He went on to graduate from University College London with a first-class honours degree in physiology and physics.

US: Jury deliberation begins for first J20 defendants NEWS / PROTESTS  READ MORE US targets anti-Trump activists' Facebook accounts READ MORE Trump's America: Where activists face felony charges Human Rights Protests United States US & Canada Donald Trump The trial of six people facing more than 50 years in prison over felony charges related to January 20 protests against the inauguration of US President Donald Trump neared its conclusion on Friday as the jury began its deliberations. Nearly 200 people were charged with various felonies and misdemeanours related to destruction of property - mostly windows of businesses - after being arrested during a protest in Washington, DC on inauguration day. The charges stem from the January 20 demonstration against the inauguration of Trump, organised by an umbrella group, named Disrupt J20, which included anti-capitalist, anti-fascist and other activists and individuals. The trial has been criticised as a criminalisation of free sp...

US tax bill: Republicans agree sweeping changes US Republicans from both houses of Congress have revealed their joint bill for the biggest overhaul of the country's tax system in 30 years. The plan brings the US corporate tax rate down to 21% from the current 35%. The top individual income tax drops to 37% from 39.6%. President Donald Trump campaigned on a pledge to cut taxes, and passing the legislation marks a significant victory. He has said he wants the bill signed into law before Christmas. Democrats have argued that the tax cuts will favour only the rich and offer little to the middle class. The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation said on Friday the measures would add as much as $1.4tn (£1tn) to the $20tn national debt over 10 years. The Senate and the House of Representatives - which both have Republican majorities - are due to vote on the measures next week. What is in the final version of the US tax plan? Reality Check: Will tax plan hurt Trump? Friday's agreement...