Case for second Scottish independence referendum "unarguable," says country's First Minister

The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has once again outlined why there should be a second independence referendum for the country. 

In a document, the Scottish National Party leader lays out a "detailed case" for the vote, claiming that "consensus is growing by the day" and that there is a "clear mandate for the nation to choose its own future."

Benji Hyer reports from London. 

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President Putin holds marathon press conference

Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding his annual press conference on Thursday. The Russian leader will field dozens of questions on domestic and international issues. Julia Chapman reports.

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QUEEN'S SPEECH AFTER CONSERVATIVE ELECTION WIN

The UK government is setting out its legislative agenda for the year in a Queen's Speech at another State Opening of Parliament.

More than 20 bills are included, along with legislation to take the UK out of the European Union on January 31st.

It comes after Boris Johnson won a majority of 80 in last week's general election.

He's promising extra funding for health services, as one of his top priorities.

Conservative lawmaker Stephen McPartland says the party can now be decisive with a raft of policies.

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Labour MP Tracy Brabin says the NHS is in poor shape.

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Police detain hundreds protesting India's new citizenship law

Pan-India demonstrations slated to be held in at least twelve Indian cities have been blocked by police with prohibitory orders being imposed last minute. 

Hundreds of protesters have turned up defying the ban and are being detained. 

Neha Poonia has more from Delhi.

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Trump impeached, setting stage for January trial in US Senate

President Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives, setting the stage for his trial in the Senate next month on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

The White House says the vote is "one of the most shameful episodes in the history" of the United States.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Trump assails impeachment debate as "assault on America"

President Trump is calling the impeachment debate underway in the House of Representatives an "assault on America".

He's expected to be impeached by a large majority when two separate votes are taken later, setting the stage for his trial in the Senate on charges of abusing his powers and obstructing Congress.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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US House debate ahead of vote to impeach President Trump

The US House of Representatives is debating whether to impeach President Donald Trump.

A vote is likely to take place on Wednesday evening.

The president is accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine.

The Democratic-controlled House is likely to impeach him but he is then likely to be acquitted at a trial in the Republican-led Senate.

That's scheduled for January, as Kate Fisher reports

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Business morale rises in Germany

More signs that Germany's manufacturing crisis could be bottoming out. The latest IFO business sentiment survey showed German executives are cautiously optimistic about the state of business environment heading into the new year. Toni Waterman has the details from Frankfurt.

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Judge dismisses NY fraud case against Trump campaign chief

A New York judge has thrown out a fraud case against former Trump
campaign manager Paul Manafort.

Prosecutors were trying to convict him on state charges to make sure
he remains in prison even if President Trump pardons him.

US correspondent Nick Harper reports.

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EX LABOUR PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR BLAMES CORBYNISM FOR ELECTION DEFEAT

Ex Prime Minister and leader of the UK Labour Party, Tony Blair, says the reason for Labour's defeat at last week's general election was obvious.

He blamed Labour's "brand of quasi-revolutionary socialism" which he says never appealed to traditional Labour voters and never will.

Stuart Smith has more from London.

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French PM meets unions in attempt to end two week transport strike

The French prime minister, Edouard Philippe, is meeting representatives from all the major unions in an attempt to end a two-week transport strike - or at least get trains running over Christmas. 

On Tuesday, at least 615 thousand people took to the streets across France to protest against pension reforms, which the government still says it is determined to push through. 

Elena Casas reports from Paris.  

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Russian ship being detained by UK authorities

A Russian cargo ship that ran aground off Cornwall in South-East England a year ago is still being detained by authorities. 

The Kuzma Minin had to be towed to safety and has been tied to a buoy in a nearby estuary since December 2018.

Benji Hyer reports from London. 

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AUSTRALIA: Heat records fall as the drought and bushfires bite

Australia experienced its hottest day on record this week with the national average temperature reaching a high of 40.9 Celcius (105.6 Fahrenheit).
Arthur Stevens reports from a very hot Melbourne

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COURTESY AIR NEWS MEDIA - AUSTRALIA

Thai serial killer arrested...again

A paroled serial killer dubbed "Thailand's Jack the Ripper", after he was convicted of killing five women, was arrested by police on Wednesday.  

 

They allege he murdered a 51 year old woman just seven months after his released.

Daniel Quinlan reports.

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Japan and Russia in fishing row as foreign minister travels to Moscow

The Japanese Foreign Minister is on a visit to Russia, seeking to restart stalled negotiations over disputed islands.

The issue has prevented the countries from signing a formal peace treaty for the end of World War Two.

His visit comes just a day after Russia seized five Japanese fishing boats near the contested islands.

Ross Cullen has more.

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Supreme Court looks at petitions challenging the newly passed Citizenship Bill

The Supreme Court of India has refused to stop the government from enacting a newly-passed act that allows only non-muslims from three neighbouring countries to become citizens.

It comes after a week of continuous protests, with the government refusing to engage with the students and comply to their demand of scrapping the legislation.

Sreoshi Mukherjee reports from New Delhi.


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In furious letter to Democrats, Trump decries impeachment process

President Trump says his expected impeachment by members of Congress on Wednesday will be an "unprecedented and unconstitutional abuse of power" by Democrats.

In a furious letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President compares the impeachment process to the Salem witch trials of the 1600s.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Trump aide sentenced to 45 days in jail for lying to FBI

A former top aide to President Trump has been sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years of probation after being convicted of conspiracy and lying to the FBI.

Rick Gates received the relatively lenient sentence after co-operating with prosecutors investigating President Trump's 2016 election campaign.

Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.

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Crews Assess Damage after Tornadoes Swept U.S. Southeast, Killing at least 3

Survey teams are assessing the damage Tuesday,  after severe storms swept the country's southeast.  A series of tornadoes, which tore down Monday, have left at least three people dead, and several others injured.

Jillian Wolf reports.  

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Ethiopia to own its first satellite

Intro 

Ethiopia confirms that it will launch its first earth observatory satellite on December 20 .

 

The launch will be from a space station located 500 km from Beijing, China, but its command centre will be in Ethiopia.

 

 Coletta Wanjohi reports from Addis Ababa: 

 

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