Israel has announced the construction of 3,000 settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the fourth such announcement in the less than two weeks since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
"Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have decided to authorise the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Judea-Samaria," the defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, using a term Israel uses for the West Bank, a Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967.
Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement areas of east Jerusalem and announced the building of 2,502 more in the West Bank.
On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem.
The plans had been frozen under pressure from the previous US administration of President Barack Obama, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.
Trump however has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage.
"We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week, referring to settlement approvals.
The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama on Iran and settlements.
The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The international community views them as a major obstacle to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
More than half-a-million Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
READ MORE: Palestinians decry Israel's settlement bill
In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned Israel's settlement expansion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army issued an eviction notice to residents of Amona as it prepared to demolish their homes.
The order posted at the site on Tuesday gave the residents - some 40 families, including more than 200 children - 48 hours to leave their homes, according to media reports.
Israel's top court had ruled in 2014 that Amona, built on land belonging to Palestinians from surrounding West Bank towns, must be vacated by February 8.
Although all settlements are considered illegal under international law, there are more than a hundred outposts that were built without authorisation and are considered illegal by even the Israeli government.
In practice, Israel has confiscated Palestinian land since its military occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip started as a result of the 1967 Middle East war.
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Israel authorises 3,000 more settler homes in West Bank
Israel has announced the construction of 3,000 settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the fourth such announcement in the less than two weeks since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
"Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have decided to authorise the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Judea-Samaria," the defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, using a term Israel uses for the West Bank, a Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967.
Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement areas of east Jerusalem and announced the building of 2,502 more in the West Bank.
On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem.
The plans had been frozen under pressure from the previous US administration of President Barack Obama, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.
Trump however has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage.
"We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week, referring to settlement approvals.
The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama on Iran and settlements.
The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The international community views them as a major obstacle to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
More than half-a-million Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
READ MORE: Palestinians decry Israel's settlement bill
In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned Israel's settlement expansion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army issued an eviction notice to residents of Amona as it prepared to demolish their homes.
The order posted at the site on Tuesday gave the residents - some 40 families, including more than 200 children - 48 hours to leave their homes, according to media reports.
Israel's top court had ruled in 2014 that Amona, built on land belonging to Palestinians from surrounding West Bank towns, must be vacated by February 8.
Although all settlements are considered illegal under international law, there are more than a hundred outposts that were built without authorisation and are considered illegal by even the Israeli government.
In practice, Israel has confiscated Palestinian land since its military occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip started as a result of the 1967 Middle East war.
"Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have decided to authorise the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Judea-Samaria," the defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, using a term Israel uses for the West Bank, a Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967.
Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement areas of east Jerusalem and announced the building of 2,502 more in the West Bank.
On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem.
The plans had been frozen under pressure from the previous US administration of President Barack Obama, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.
Trump however has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage.
"We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week, referring to settlement approvals.
The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama on Iran and settlements.
The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The international community views them as a major obstacle to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
More than half-a-million Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
READ MORE: Palestinians decry Israel's settlement bill
In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned Israel's settlement expansion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army issued an eviction notice to residents of Amona as it prepared to demolish their homes.
The order posted at the site on Tuesday gave the residents - some 40 families, including more than 200 children - 48 hours to leave their homes, according to media reports.
Israel's top court had ruled in 2014 that Amona, built on land belonging to Palestinians from surrounding West Bank towns, must be vacated by February 8.
Although all settlements are considered illegal under international law, there are more than a hundred outposts that were built without authorisation and are considered illegal by even the Israeli government.
In practice, Israel has confiscated Palestinian land since its military occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip started as a result of the 1967 Middle East war.
Israel authorises 3,000 more settler homes in West Bank
Israel has announced the construction of 3,000 settlement homes in the occupied West Bank, the fourth such announcement in the less than two weeks since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump.
"Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have decided to authorise the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Judea-Samaria," the defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, using a term Israel uses for the West Bank, a Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967.
Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement areas of east Jerusalem and announced the building of 2,502 more in the West Bank.
On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem.
The plans had been frozen under pressure from the previous US administration of President Barack Obama, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.
Trump however has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage.
"We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week, referring to settlement approvals.
The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama on Iran and settlements.
The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The international community views them as a major obstacle to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
More than half-a-million Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
READ MORE: Palestinians decry Israel's settlement bill
In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned Israel's settlement expansion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army issued an eviction notice to residents of Amona as it prepared to demolish their homes.
The order posted at the site on Tuesday gave the residents - some 40 families, including more than 200 children - 48 hours to leave their homes, according to media reports.
Israel's top court had ruled in 2014 that Amona, built on land belonging to Palestinians from surrounding West Bank towns, must be vacated by February 8.
Although all settlements are considered illegal under international law, there are more than a hundred outposts that were built without authorisation and are considered illegal by even the Israeli government.
In practice, Israel has confiscated Palestinian land since its military occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip started as a result of the 1967 Middle East war.
"Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have decided to authorise the construction of 3,000 new housing units in Judea-Samaria," the defence ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, using a term Israel uses for the West Bank, a Palestinian territory it has occupied since 1967.
Since the January 20 inauguration of Trump, Israel has approved the construction of 566 housing units in three settlement areas of east Jerusalem and announced the building of 2,502 more in the West Bank.
On Thursday last week, Israeli officials gave final approval for 153 settler homes in east Jerusalem.
The plans had been frozen under pressure from the previous US administration of President Barack Obama, which had warned that settlements could derail hopes of a negotiated two-state solution.
Trump however has pledged strong support for Israel, and Netanyahu's government has moved quickly to take advantage.
"We are building and we will continue building," Netanyahu said last week, referring to settlement approvals.
The prime minister has said he sees the Trump presidency as offering "significant opportunities" after facing "huge pressures" from Obama on Iran and settlements.
The announcements have deeply concerned those seeking to salvage a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. The international community views them as a major obstacle to peace as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.
More than half-a-million Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem.
READ MORE: Palestinians decry Israel's settlement bill
In a telling break with the Obama administration, Trump's White House has not condemned Israel's settlement expansion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Israeli army issued an eviction notice to residents of Amona as it prepared to demolish their homes.
The order posted at the site on Tuesday gave the residents - some 40 families, including more than 200 children - 48 hours to leave their homes, according to media reports.
Israel's top court had ruled in 2014 that Amona, built on land belonging to Palestinians from surrounding West Bank towns, must be vacated by February 8.
Although all settlements are considered illegal under international law, there are more than a hundred outposts that were built without authorisation and are considered illegal by even the Israeli government.
In practice, Israel has confiscated Palestinian land since its military occupation of the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip started as a result of the 1967 Middle East war.
Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter Audition Is Just as Cute as You Remember
Daniel Radcliffe's original audition for Harry Potter has recently been making the Internet rounds again since the 26-year-old actor spoke about how difficult it was for him to watch the recording in a November interview for The Times. It shows him “at a stage when you hate your face anyway, and anything it does is repellent to you," he said.
But while it may be difficult for DanRad himself to watch, the adorable casting tape shows exactly why he landed the role of the boy wizard. Young Radcliffe is seen chatting with an off-screen Hagrid about the dragon egg that comes into play in The Sorcerer's Stone before performing a darker Prisoner of Azkaban scene during which he talks about Harry's deceased parents. To top it all off, the video ends with him trying on a pair of the iconic Potter glasses.
But while it may be difficult for DanRad himself to watch, the adorable casting tape shows exactly why he landed the role of the boy wizard. Young Radcliffe is seen chatting with an off-screen Hagrid about the dragon egg that comes into play in The Sorcerer's Stone before performing a darker Prisoner of Azkaban scene during which he talks about Harry's deceased parents. To top it all off, the video ends with him trying on a pair of the iconic Potter glasses.
Brexit divisions laid bare in heated Parliamentary debate
The first major Commons vote on the road towards the UK leaving the EU is to take place after MPs complete a marathon two-day debate on triggering Article 50.
At the end of the first day of the second reading debate on the bill, which went on until four minutes to midnight, almost 100 MPs had already spoken for and against.
The final speaker, Tory Eurosceptic David Nuttall, made the shortest speech of the day, declaring in a booming voice: "The people have spoken. This bill must be passed!"
Theresa May is assured of a large majority in favour of the Government's bill to approve triggering Article 50, with Tory MPs and most Labour MPs set to vote for it.
But the Labour Party is badly split, with up to 60 of its backbenchers and a handful of rebel frontbenchers declaring they will defy their leader's order to vote for the bill.
Towards the end of day one of the debate, one of its leading opponents, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, told MPs: "For my mind, the bottom line is this: that the Prime Minister has no mandate for the extreme Brexit she is pursuing.
"It was not on the ballot paper."
But one of the leading campaigners for Brexit, Tory MP Steve Baker, said: "If we were to go ahead and refuse this bill, I believe that even our own party on this side would suffer grave consequences.
"It's in all of our interests that this bill passes."
He also - rather surprisingly - defended David Cameron, who called the referendum, saying: "My experience was that everything he did was motivated by the highest concerns for this country."
Earlier during the debate, Labour's divisions were laid bare when shadow Foreign Office minister Catherine West risked the sack by announcing she would vote against triggering Article 50.
Claiming it was the only way to make the Government listen, she said: "It's not just about jobs and the economy.
"It's about our children, our grandchildren and about peace and prosperity."
A few minutes later, Labour's Jo Stevens, who quit as shadow Welsh secretary last week over Mr Corbyn's order to vote for Article 50, said: "The referendum result last year felt like a body blow.
"The Prime Minister's Lancaster House speech felt like the life-support machine being switched off and triggering Article 50 will for me feel like the funeral."
She was followed by Labour's former Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, who said he would go against a three-line whip on a bill for the first time in nearly 20 years as an MP.
"This could be our only chance to prevent the hardest of Brexits, or to soften its blow," he told MPs.
"I cannot and will not vote to destroy jobs and prosperity in my constituency."
At the end of the first day of the second reading debate on the bill, which went on until four minutes to midnight, almost 100 MPs had already spoken for and against.
The final speaker, Tory Eurosceptic David Nuttall, made the shortest speech of the day, declaring in a booming voice: "The people have spoken. This bill must be passed!"
Theresa May is assured of a large majority in favour of the Government's bill to approve triggering Article 50, with Tory MPs and most Labour MPs set to vote for it.
But the Labour Party is badly split, with up to 60 of its backbenchers and a handful of rebel frontbenchers declaring they will defy their leader's order to vote for the bill.
Towards the end of day one of the debate, one of its leading opponents, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, told MPs: "For my mind, the bottom line is this: that the Prime Minister has no mandate for the extreme Brexit she is pursuing.
"It was not on the ballot paper."
But one of the leading campaigners for Brexit, Tory MP Steve Baker, said: "If we were to go ahead and refuse this bill, I believe that even our own party on this side would suffer grave consequences.
"It's in all of our interests that this bill passes."
He also - rather surprisingly - defended David Cameron, who called the referendum, saying: "My experience was that everything he did was motivated by the highest concerns for this country."
Earlier during the debate, Labour's divisions were laid bare when shadow Foreign Office minister Catherine West risked the sack by announcing she would vote against triggering Article 50.
Claiming it was the only way to make the Government listen, she said: "It's not just about jobs and the economy.
"It's about our children, our grandchildren and about peace and prosperity."
A few minutes later, Labour's Jo Stevens, who quit as shadow Welsh secretary last week over Mr Corbyn's order to vote for Article 50, said: "The referendum result last year felt like a body blow.
"The Prime Minister's Lancaster House speech felt like the life-support machine being switched off and triggering Article 50 will for me feel like the funeral."
She was followed by Labour's former Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, who said he would go against a three-line whip on a bill for the first time in nearly 20 years as an MP.
"This could be our only chance to prevent the hardest of Brexits, or to soften its blow," he told MPs.
"I cannot and will not vote to destroy jobs and prosperity in my constituency."
Sudanese Stanford Ph.D. Student Speaks Out After Being Detained at JFK Under Trump Muslim Ban
Nisrin Elamin is a Ph.D. student in anthropology at Stanford University and a Sudanese citizen. Last week, she was attempting to make it back to the United States before Donald Trump signed an executive order barring immigrants from Sudan and six other nations. She missed a connecting flight. By the time her plane landed at JFK on Friday, the order was in effect, and she was detained. She describes what happened next.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: As we continue our coverage of Donald Trump’s executive order, we’re joined by Nisrin Elamin, a Ph.D. student in anthropology at Stanford University and a Sudanese citizen.
AMY GOODMAN: She was detained at JFK airport Friday evening, shortly after Donald Trump’s executive order banning visitors from seven countries, including Sudan, went into effect.
Welcome to Democracy Now! I’m very sorry for what you went through. Can you describe what happened to you at the airport, Nisrin?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Sure. I boarded a plane in Sudan shortly after finding out about the executive order. I was trying to get back before it came into effect, but I missed the connecting flight. When I got in, I was asked to—I was escorted into a separate holding area. I was questioned extensively, in part, among other things, about my views about the political situation in Sudan, about whether or not I knew of radical groups in Sudan, whether I knew people who had radical views. I was asked to share my social media handles—not my passwords, but my social media handles.
Then I was asked to kind of sit tight and wait as they were trying to figure out what was going on, because the order had literally just been signed, so—or they were just getting notice of it, so they really—the officers didn’t really know what they were doing. And they told me, eventually, that I needed to get transferred to Terminal 4, which is a 24-hour holding area. And before doing that, I had to be patted down. And so, I was led into a room. I was patted down. It was a very uncomfortable pat-down. I was touched in my chest and groin area. And then I was handcuffed briefly. That’s when I started to cry, because I felt like—at that moment, I felt like, "OK, I’m probably going to get deported." And they didn’t—they realized they hadn’t handcuffed the other person who was with me, who was an Iranian green card holder, and so they took off the handcuffs, transferred us to Terminal 4. There were other people at this point that were getting led in in handcuffs who were Iranian and Iraqi citizens with valid visas.
Eventually, I got out, after five hours. And I was told—I asked the officer if I would be able to go back to Sudan, because I haven’t finished my dissertation research. And he recommended that I not go back, unless I was willing to be subjected to that whole procedure again. And he said, "You know, I would stay put if I were you," because green card holders were being treated on a case-by-case basis.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And did you get any sense—because there’s been a lot of reports in terms of the lack of preparation for this order. Did you get any sense that the customs officials and the others that you dealt with, the immigration officials, were on the same wavelength or knew what they were doing, or was there a lot of confusion?
NISRIN ELAMIN: There was a lot of confusion. It was very chaotic. And they admitted it to me. It was interesting watching. I feel like when I first got into the holding area, which I was quite familiar with, because when I was an F1 and when I was on a student and work visa, I was often questioned in that room—I never expected to be in there as a green card holder. But, you know, there was a lot of confusion. They didn’t know what to do with us. And in the beginning, I felt like I was being treated quite well. And as the night progressed, I feel like I watched our kind of progressive criminalization, if you will. And that was as people were trying, scrambling to get direction from higher-ups in Washington.
AMY GOODMAN: They weren’t used to holding green card holders, right?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Exactly.
AMY GOODMAN: And so, do you feel you were treated differently as not only an immigrant, but as an African immigrant?
NISRIN ELAMIN: You know, it’s an interesting question. I think, on the one hand, I was probably treated much better than other people, partly because of my affiliation with Stanford.
AMY GOODMAN: Had Stanford helped you come back as fast as you could—
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yes.
AMY GOODMAN: —once they realized what was happening?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yes. They paid for my ticket. I also, during the interview, told them that I was a Stanford Ph.D. student.
AMY GOODMAN: And you were a Harvard undergrad?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yes. So I think that, you know, led to me being detained for five hours, as opposed to another Sudanese person who was detained for 30 hours and is in his seventies. So, I think that that’s one aspect of it. On the flip side, when I went to Terminal 4, they didn’t know my background, and I did feel—you know, I guess the point that I actually want to make is, you know, I think this order is a reflection of a larger trend in this country to criminalize black people, to criminalize immigrants, to criminalize Muslims. And as a black Muslim immigrant, I’m really concerned about that. And I do think that the Somalis and Sudanese, people of African descent who are going to be affected by this, you know, I think they’re going to be treated differently, frankly.
AMY GOODMAN: You’ve made the point that other terrorists, people like Dylann Storm Roof, who murdered a bunch of innocent civilians, terrorizing a whole population—you’ve made a comparison to how communities are treated.
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yeah. You know, I think—I guess I want people to realize that—you know, to imagine a ban on white Christian males from schools and churches, where these kinds of terrorist acts have happened, like the one Dylann Roof committed. You know, that would be nonsensical. And I think this is very similar.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: As we continue our coverage of Donald Trump’s executive order, we’re joined by Nisrin Elamin, a Ph.D. student in anthropology at Stanford University and a Sudanese citizen.
AMY GOODMAN: She was detained at JFK airport Friday evening, shortly after Donald Trump’s executive order banning visitors from seven countries, including Sudan, went into effect.
Welcome to Democracy Now! I’m very sorry for what you went through. Can you describe what happened to you at the airport, Nisrin?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Sure. I boarded a plane in Sudan shortly after finding out about the executive order. I was trying to get back before it came into effect, but I missed the connecting flight. When I got in, I was asked to—I was escorted into a separate holding area. I was questioned extensively, in part, among other things, about my views about the political situation in Sudan, about whether or not I knew of radical groups in Sudan, whether I knew people who had radical views. I was asked to share my social media handles—not my passwords, but my social media handles.
Then I was asked to kind of sit tight and wait as they were trying to figure out what was going on, because the order had literally just been signed, so—or they were just getting notice of it, so they really—the officers didn’t really know what they were doing. And they told me, eventually, that I needed to get transferred to Terminal 4, which is a 24-hour holding area. And before doing that, I had to be patted down. And so, I was led into a room. I was patted down. It was a very uncomfortable pat-down. I was touched in my chest and groin area. And then I was handcuffed briefly. That’s when I started to cry, because I felt like—at that moment, I felt like, "OK, I’m probably going to get deported." And they didn’t—they realized they hadn’t handcuffed the other person who was with me, who was an Iranian green card holder, and so they took off the handcuffs, transferred us to Terminal 4. There were other people at this point that were getting led in in handcuffs who were Iranian and Iraqi citizens with valid visas.
Eventually, I got out, after five hours. And I was told—I asked the officer if I would be able to go back to Sudan, because I haven’t finished my dissertation research. And he recommended that I not go back, unless I was willing to be subjected to that whole procedure again. And he said, "You know, I would stay put if I were you," because green card holders were being treated on a case-by-case basis.
JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And did you get any sense—because there’s been a lot of reports in terms of the lack of preparation for this order. Did you get any sense that the customs officials and the others that you dealt with, the immigration officials, were on the same wavelength or knew what they were doing, or was there a lot of confusion?
NISRIN ELAMIN: There was a lot of confusion. It was very chaotic. And they admitted it to me. It was interesting watching. I feel like when I first got into the holding area, which I was quite familiar with, because when I was an F1 and when I was on a student and work visa, I was often questioned in that room—I never expected to be in there as a green card holder. But, you know, there was a lot of confusion. They didn’t know what to do with us. And in the beginning, I felt like I was being treated quite well. And as the night progressed, I feel like I watched our kind of progressive criminalization, if you will. And that was as people were trying, scrambling to get direction from higher-ups in Washington.
AMY GOODMAN: They weren’t used to holding green card holders, right?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Exactly.
AMY GOODMAN: And so, do you feel you were treated differently as not only an immigrant, but as an African immigrant?
NISRIN ELAMIN: You know, it’s an interesting question. I think, on the one hand, I was probably treated much better than other people, partly because of my affiliation with Stanford.
AMY GOODMAN: Had Stanford helped you come back as fast as you could—
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yes.
AMY GOODMAN: —once they realized what was happening?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yes. They paid for my ticket. I also, during the interview, told them that I was a Stanford Ph.D. student.
AMY GOODMAN: And you were a Harvard undergrad?
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yes. So I think that, you know, led to me being detained for five hours, as opposed to another Sudanese person who was detained for 30 hours and is in his seventies. So, I think that that’s one aspect of it. On the flip side, when I went to Terminal 4, they didn’t know my background, and I did feel—you know, I guess the point that I actually want to make is, you know, I think this order is a reflection of a larger trend in this country to criminalize black people, to criminalize immigrants, to criminalize Muslims. And as a black Muslim immigrant, I’m really concerned about that. And I do think that the Somalis and Sudanese, people of African descent who are going to be affected by this, you know, I think they’re going to be treated differently, frankly.
AMY GOODMAN: You’ve made the point that other terrorists, people like Dylann Storm Roof, who murdered a bunch of innocent civilians, terrorizing a whole population—you’ve made a comparison to how communities are treated.
NISRIN ELAMIN: Yeah. You know, I think—I guess I want people to realize that—you know, to imagine a ban on white Christian males from schools and churches, where these kinds of terrorist acts have happened, like the one Dylann Roof committed. You know, that would be nonsensical. And I think this is very similar.
Iran launched another ballistic missile in secret last month, US officials say
On the same day the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss Iran's recent test launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Fox News has learned of another secret missile launch, this one conducted in early December, two U.S. military officials tell Fox News.
EXCLUSIVE: PENTAGON BELIEVES ATTACK ON SAUDI FRIGATE MEANT FOR AMERICAN WARSHIP
On December 6, nearly a month after the presidential election, Tehran fired a Shahab-3, an intermediate-range ballistic missile based on a North Korean design, capable of flying 800 miles.
Iran previously conducted two Shahab-3 missile tests last March, coinciding with a visit by Vice President Biden to Israel.
The December launch appeared to mark another breach of U.N. Resolution 2231, which forbids the Islamic Republic from conducting such tests.
NAVY SEAL KILLED IN YEMEN ANTI-TERROR RAID IS IDENTIFIED
The Shahab-3 was launched as part of a military exercise, according to one official. It is not immediately clear where the missile traveled, but the launch was deemed successful.
News of another Iranian ballistic missile test came one day after Fox News first reported a new test of a medium-range ballistic missile Sunday from the Semnan launch site 140 miles east of Tehran, the first confirmed missile test after President Donald Trump assumed office.
The December test launch also occurred at Semnan, according to officials.
U.N. resolution 2231 bars Iran from conducting ballistic missile tests for eight years and went into effect on July 20, 2015, days after the U.S. and other parties agreed to the landmark nuclear deal in Vienna.
Iran is "called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology," according to the text of the resolution meant to coincide with the nuclear agreement.
Iran has conducted at least six ballistic missile tests since the nuclear agreement and the U.N. resolution went into effect in 2015.
EXCLUSIVE: PENTAGON BELIEVES ATTACK ON SAUDI FRIGATE MEANT FOR AMERICAN WARSHIP
On December 6, nearly a month after the presidential election, Tehran fired a Shahab-3, an intermediate-range ballistic missile based on a North Korean design, capable of flying 800 miles.
Iran previously conducted two Shahab-3 missile tests last March, coinciding with a visit by Vice President Biden to Israel.
The December launch appeared to mark another breach of U.N. Resolution 2231, which forbids the Islamic Republic from conducting such tests.
NAVY SEAL KILLED IN YEMEN ANTI-TERROR RAID IS IDENTIFIED
The Shahab-3 was launched as part of a military exercise, according to one official. It is not immediately clear where the missile traveled, but the launch was deemed successful.
News of another Iranian ballistic missile test came one day after Fox News first reported a new test of a medium-range ballistic missile Sunday from the Semnan launch site 140 miles east of Tehran, the first confirmed missile test after President Donald Trump assumed office.
The December test launch also occurred at Semnan, according to officials.
U.N. resolution 2231 bars Iran from conducting ballistic missile tests for eight years and went into effect on July 20, 2015, days after the U.S. and other parties agreed to the landmark nuclear deal in Vienna.
Iran is "called upon not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology," according to the text of the resolution meant to coincide with the nuclear agreement.
Iran has conducted at least six ballistic missile tests since the nuclear agreement and the U.N. resolution went into effect in 2015.
Drivers waste four days a year looking for parking spaces, new research shows
Do you often spend what seems like an eternity driving round and round the block or in a car park looking for a space?
Well, you are not alone.
Every year, motorists in the UK spend nearly four days on average searching for those elusive vacant spots, according to a study.
The issue seems to be worst in London, where it typically takes a driver almost eight minutes searching for somewhere to leave their vehicle after a journey.
This compares with five minutes in the East of England and East Midlands, said research by trade body the British Parking Association (BPA).
A survey of 2,000 adults found 59% of people are frustrated by drivers who park badly and take up two spaces.
Meanwhile, 48% are annoyed by a lack of spaces and 27% by car parks that are difficult to navigate.
BPA chief executive Patrick Troy said: "Ease of access and convenience as well as safety and lighting are key issues for motorists when looking to park.
"The BPA is committed to assisting motorists in having the best possible parking experience by building public confidence in using newer technologies which can make finding and paying for parking so much easier."
Well, you are not alone.
Every year, motorists in the UK spend nearly four days on average searching for those elusive vacant spots, according to a study.
The issue seems to be worst in London, where it typically takes a driver almost eight minutes searching for somewhere to leave their vehicle after a journey.
This compares with five minutes in the East of England and East Midlands, said research by trade body the British Parking Association (BPA).
A survey of 2,000 adults found 59% of people are frustrated by drivers who park badly and take up two spaces.
Meanwhile, 48% are annoyed by a lack of spaces and 27% by car parks that are difficult to navigate.
BPA chief executive Patrick Troy said: "Ease of access and convenience as well as safety and lighting are key issues for motorists when looking to park.
"The BPA is committed to assisting motorists in having the best possible parking experience by building public confidence in using newer technologies which can make finding and paying for parking so much easier."
Donald Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch for US Supreme Court
Donald Trump has nominated a conservative Colorado judge as his choice to take the vacant seat on America's highest court.
In a primetime announcement from the East Room at the White House, the President named Neil Gorsuch as his pick to fill the gap on the US Supreme Court.
All of the major US television networks broke into their regular programming to carry the announcement live - a return to prime time for the President who used to host The Apprentice. The event was streamed by the White House on Facebook Live.
Mr Gorsuch would take the place of fellow conservative Antonin Scalia, who died a year ago, but he faces a contentious battle for confirmation from the US Senate.
Democrats remain angry that Republicans blocked President Barack Obama's nominee for the position.
Many refused even to meet Merrick Garland, arguing that it was too late in Mr Obama's presidency for him to make an appointment.
:: Greg Milam - Tough road ahead for President Trump's Supreme Court choice
It raises the prospect of further bad-tempered clashes and procedural manoeuvres on Capitol Hill even as President Trump struggles to have cabinet appointments confirmed.
Mr Trump said: "This has been the most transparent and most important Supreme Court selection process in the history of our country and I wanted the American people to have a voice in this nomination.
"Judge Gorsuch has a superb intellect, an unparalleled legal education, and a commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its text.
"He will make an incredible Justice as soon as the Senate confirms him."
At 49, Judge Gorsuch would be the youngest Supreme Court appointee for three decades.
The Supreme Court pick is one of the consequential decisions of any presidency because it is, in effect, a job for life. The justice and his or her decisions live on long past the President's term.
He said he was "honoured and humbled" to be selected.
Polls have shown that concern over who would succeed Mr Scalia was a major factor for many voters who opted for Trump. Like Mr Scalia, Judge Gorsuch believes in the original interpretation of the US Constitution.
The Supreme Court is currently split evenly between justices appointed by Republican and Democrat presidents.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed by Ronald Reagan, is a moderate conservative who has often been the swing vote.
It means Mr Trump's choice will effectively restore the balance of power that existed before Mr Scalia's death.
The court is the ultimate voice on a range of contentious issues and the Trump presidency could thrust abortion, climate change, the death penalty and LGBT rights into the justices' hands.
This might not be the only Supreme Court appointment of Trump's term in office - three existing justices are 78 or older - and the next would probably shift the balance of power.
The selection has been criticised by activists.
Adam Hodge, spokesman for the Constitutional Responsibility Project, said: "President Trump's nomination of Neil Gorsuch is deeply disappointing.
"Gorsuch has a history of putting corporations and special interests ahead of the rest of us.
"The shocking start to Donald Trump's presidency has underscored why we need a justice who will serve as a check on the politicians in the other branches of government, including the President himself, when they break the law or violate the Constitution."
In a primetime announcement from the East Room at the White House, the President named Neil Gorsuch as his pick to fill the gap on the US Supreme Court.
All of the major US television networks broke into their regular programming to carry the announcement live - a return to prime time for the President who used to host The Apprentice. The event was streamed by the White House on Facebook Live.
Mr Gorsuch would take the place of fellow conservative Antonin Scalia, who died a year ago, but he faces a contentious battle for confirmation from the US Senate.
Democrats remain angry that Republicans blocked President Barack Obama's nominee for the position.
Many refused even to meet Merrick Garland, arguing that it was too late in Mr Obama's presidency for him to make an appointment.
:: Greg Milam - Tough road ahead for President Trump's Supreme Court choice
It raises the prospect of further bad-tempered clashes and procedural manoeuvres on Capitol Hill even as President Trump struggles to have cabinet appointments confirmed.
Mr Trump said: "This has been the most transparent and most important Supreme Court selection process in the history of our country and I wanted the American people to have a voice in this nomination.
"Judge Gorsuch has a superb intellect, an unparalleled legal education, and a commitment to interpreting the Constitution according to its text.
"He will make an incredible Justice as soon as the Senate confirms him."
At 49, Judge Gorsuch would be the youngest Supreme Court appointee for three decades.
The Supreme Court pick is one of the consequential decisions of any presidency because it is, in effect, a job for life. The justice and his or her decisions live on long past the President's term.
He said he was "honoured and humbled" to be selected.
Polls have shown that concern over who would succeed Mr Scalia was a major factor for many voters who opted for Trump. Like Mr Scalia, Judge Gorsuch believes in the original interpretation of the US Constitution.
The Supreme Court is currently split evenly between justices appointed by Republican and Democrat presidents.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, appointed by Ronald Reagan, is a moderate conservative who has often been the swing vote.
It means Mr Trump's choice will effectively restore the balance of power that existed before Mr Scalia's death.
The court is the ultimate voice on a range of contentious issues and the Trump presidency could thrust abortion, climate change, the death penalty and LGBT rights into the justices' hands.
This might not be the only Supreme Court appointment of Trump's term in office - three existing justices are 78 or older - and the next would probably shift the balance of power.
The selection has been criticised by activists.
Adam Hodge, spokesman for the Constitutional Responsibility Project, said: "President Trump's nomination of Neil Gorsuch is deeply disappointing.
"Gorsuch has a history of putting corporations and special interests ahead of the rest of us.
"The shocking start to Donald Trump's presidency has underscored why we need a justice who will serve as a check on the politicians in the other branches of government, including the President himself, when they break the law or violate the Constitution."
Trump travel ban softens as US allows in 800 refugees
President Trump appears to have softened his controversial travel ban in the face of global outrage and also some dissent in his own government.
Some 872 refugees will be able to enter the US this week as stopping them would cause "undue hardship", say officials.
The decision comes despite the President's executive order signed last Friday barring entry for 120 days of any refugees awaiting resettlement.
Officials said discretion was allowed in certain cases.
Under the strict controls, citizens from seven mainly-Muslim nations - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - are also banned from the US for 90 days.
:: As it happened: Homeland Security briefing
The Trump administration has now clarified that dual nationals will be able to use their second passports to gain entry.
The executive order has been heavily criticised by human rights campaigners who say the ban is against Muslims - but officials deny this.
Some 872 refugees will be able to enter the US this week as stopping them would cause "undue hardship", say officials.
The decision comes despite the President's executive order signed last Friday barring entry for 120 days of any refugees awaiting resettlement.
Officials said discretion was allowed in certain cases.
Under the strict controls, citizens from seven mainly-Muslim nations - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - are also banned from the US for 90 days.
:: As it happened: Homeland Security briefing
The Trump administration has now clarified that dual nationals will be able to use their second passports to gain entry.
The executive order has been heavily criticised by human rights campaigners who say the ban is against Muslims - but officials deny this.
Anti-Trump petition to be debated by MPs
A petition that calls for Donald Trump's state visit to Britain to be downgraded is to be debated by MPs next month.
More than 1.7 million people have now added their signatures to the petition, which says that such a visit would "cause embarrassment" to the Queen.
It also says that Mr Trump's "well documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales".
:: Donald Trump's travel ban fact-checked: How the claims measure up
Signatures soared in number over the weekend after Mr Trump announced a travel ban against seven mainly-Muslim countries.
The debate at Westminster Hall, to be opened by Labour's Paul Flynn, will also take in a rival petition containing more than 130,000 signatures which backs the new US leader's state visit.
It says it should go ahead because Mr Trump is "the leader of a free world and U.K. is a country that supports free speech and does not believe that people that appose (sic) our point of view should be gagged".
Parliament must consider debating an issue once a petition has been signed 100,000 times.
More than 1.7 million people have now added their signatures to the petition, which says that such a visit would "cause embarrassment" to the Queen.
It also says that Mr Trump's "well documented misogyny and vulgarity disqualifies him from being received by Her Majesty the Queen or the Prince of Wales".
:: Donald Trump's travel ban fact-checked: How the claims measure up
Signatures soared in number over the weekend after Mr Trump announced a travel ban against seven mainly-Muslim countries.
The debate at Westminster Hall, to be opened by Labour's Paul Flynn, will also take in a rival petition containing more than 130,000 signatures which backs the new US leader's state visit.
It says it should go ahead because Mr Trump is "the leader of a free world and U.K. is a country that supports free speech and does not believe that people that appose (sic) our point of view should be gagged".
Parliament must consider debating an issue once a petition has been signed 100,000 times.
Deadly 'suicide boat' attack on Saudi warship near Yemen claimed by Houthi fighters
Fighters from Yemen's Houthi movement have reportedly crashed suicide boats into a Saudi warship, killing two people.
The Saudi state news agency, SPA, said the vessels hit the ship off the western coast of Yemen on Monday, causing an explosion that killed two crew members and injured three others.
A statement from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, reported by the agency, said the Saudi frigate "came under attack from three suicide boats belonging to the Houthi militias".
The Houthi movement's official news channel, al-Masira, contradicted this, quoting a military source as saying the explosion was caused by a guided missile they fired.
Separately, the Houthis said they launched a ballistic missile at the coalition's base island of Zuqar, between Yemen and Eritrea, on Tuesday morning, also according to al-Masira.
It is not yet known if there were any casualties.
The Houthi movement - which champions Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority - is engaged in conflict with coalition troops and pro-government fighters, who are trying to advance northward to stop them taking control of Red Sea ports.
The conflict in Yemen began when the Shia Houthis, supported by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and allies, seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, overthrowing Saudi-backed President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government.
The Saudi state news agency, SPA, said the vessels hit the ship off the western coast of Yemen on Monday, causing an explosion that killed two crew members and injured three others.
A statement from the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, reported by the agency, said the Saudi frigate "came under attack from three suicide boats belonging to the Houthi militias".
The Houthi movement's official news channel, al-Masira, contradicted this, quoting a military source as saying the explosion was caused by a guided missile they fired.
Separately, the Houthis said they launched a ballistic missile at the coalition's base island of Zuqar, between Yemen and Eritrea, on Tuesday morning, also according to al-Masira.
It is not yet known if there were any casualties.
The Houthi movement - which champions Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority - is engaged in conflict with coalition troops and pro-government fighters, who are trying to advance northward to stop them taking control of Red Sea ports.
The conflict in Yemen began when the Shia Houthis, supported by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and allies, seized the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014, overthrowing Saudi-backed President Abed-Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government.
Judy Garland's remains moved nearer to her family in Hollywood
Judy Garland's remains have been removed from her resting place in New York and taken to Hollywood.
The Wizard Of Oz star's body was exhumed - 48 years after her death - at the request of her family, including children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.
They wanted their mother to be closer to their homes in California.
The transfer from a crypt in New York's Ferncliff Cemetery to Hollywood Forever Cemetery was completed on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Victoria Varela explained: "When Judy Garland died, her affairs were controlled by her husband, Mickey Deans.
"Her children had no say in the matter of her burial, so this is at last their opportunity to do what they feel their mother would have wanted in the first place - to be united with her family in Hollywood."
Hollywood Forever Cemetery spokeswoman Noelle Berman said: "The move to Hollywood was made after many years of family consultations and deliberations.
"Ms Garland's three children now reside in Southern California and wished to have their mother resting near them."
The Wizard Of Oz star's body was exhumed - 48 years after her death - at the request of her family, including children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.
They wanted their mother to be closer to their homes in California.
The transfer from a crypt in New York's Ferncliff Cemetery to Hollywood Forever Cemetery was completed on Friday.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Victoria Varela explained: "When Judy Garland died, her affairs were controlled by her husband, Mickey Deans.
"Her children had no say in the matter of her burial, so this is at last their opportunity to do what they feel their mother would have wanted in the first place - to be united with her family in Hollywood."
Hollywood Forever Cemetery spokeswoman Noelle Berman said: "The move to Hollywood was made after many years of family consultations and deliberations.
"Ms Garland's three children now reside in Southern California and wished to have their mother resting near them."
Will the Queen welcome Donald Trump despite protests?
On dozens of occasions the Queen has opened up her home and extended the hand of hospitality to foreign heads of state.
It is always her name on the invitation of a state visit. After all how could any world leader turn down an opportunity to meet Her Majesty?
But she doesn't get to choose her latest guest - these visits always come at the request of the Government and Foreign Office.
They decide who is worthy of a full state visit and the latest invitation to President Trump is no different.
It will not be the first time that a guest of the Queen has raised a few eyebrows. There were protests during the visits of the Chinese and Saudi heads of state to London.
Names such Romania's President Nicolae Ceausescu, Russia's Vladimir Putin and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe are possibly all signatures the Queen would rather not have in her guest book.
:: Eight controversial state visits
The momentum behind the petition asking to scrap President Trump's state visit has still come as a surprise, with more than a million signatures claiming "it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen".
Does she see it that way? I doubt it. While the palace has so far stayed quiet about the visit, the Queen realises it is her duty to be friendly and welcoming to all of her guests, and that her hospitality is an important way in which she can serve our country.
She knows the quiet power the Royal Family has on the international stage; they are a secret weapon for the Government. An audience with the Queen is enough to make any world leader feel special.
Not every American president has received a full state visit but that's exactly what Mr Trump will experience.
British pageantry at its finest: the dust sheets are pulled off the gold carriages, the state banquet cutlery is polished.
The ultimate in keeping up appearances, even if hundreds of thousands of your subjects would rather this latest guest had stayed at home.
It is always her name on the invitation of a state visit. After all how could any world leader turn down an opportunity to meet Her Majesty?
But she doesn't get to choose her latest guest - these visits always come at the request of the Government and Foreign Office.
They decide who is worthy of a full state visit and the latest invitation to President Trump is no different.
It will not be the first time that a guest of the Queen has raised a few eyebrows. There were protests during the visits of the Chinese and Saudi heads of state to London.
Names such Romania's President Nicolae Ceausescu, Russia's Vladimir Putin and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe are possibly all signatures the Queen would rather not have in her guest book.
:: Eight controversial state visits
The momentum behind the petition asking to scrap President Trump's state visit has still come as a surprise, with more than a million signatures claiming "it would cause embarrassment to Her Majesty the Queen".
Does she see it that way? I doubt it. While the palace has so far stayed quiet about the visit, the Queen realises it is her duty to be friendly and welcoming to all of her guests, and that her hospitality is an important way in which she can serve our country.
She knows the quiet power the Royal Family has on the international stage; they are a secret weapon for the Government. An audience with the Queen is enough to make any world leader feel special.
Not every American president has received a full state visit but that's exactly what Mr Trump will experience.
British pageantry at its finest: the dust sheets are pulled off the gold carriages, the state banquet cutlery is polished.
The ultimate in keeping up appearances, even if hundreds of thousands of your subjects would rather this latest guest had stayed at home.
Monday, January 30, 2017
Six teenagers found dead after garden party in Germany
Police are investigating if six teenagers found dead after a garden party in Germany were poisoned by carbon monoxide.
The five young men and one young woman were found on Sunday morning by the owner of a garden shed, who wondered why his son and daughter - both among the victims - had not returned from the party.
Police in Arnstein, Bavaria, said the victims were all aged 18 or 19.
They said in a statement: "It remains unclear what led to the death of the six people, but there were no indications of any violent crime."
There was a wood-burning stove in the shed, prompting detectives to investigate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Local police spokesman Bjorn Schmitt told the Bild newspaper the group had turned on the stove "so it is a possibility, but there are others".
He said post-mortem examinations should provide more information on the cause of the deaths.
The five young men and one young woman were found on Sunday morning by the owner of a garden shed, who wondered why his son and daughter - both among the victims - had not returned from the party.
Police in Arnstein, Bavaria, said the victims were all aged 18 or 19.
They said in a statement: "It remains unclear what led to the death of the six people, but there were no indications of any violent crime."
There was a wood-burning stove in the shed, prompting detectives to investigate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Local police spokesman Bjorn Schmitt told the Bild newspaper the group had turned on the stove "so it is a possibility, but there are others".
He said post-mortem examinations should provide more information on the cause of the deaths.
Protests planned in UK as opposition mounts over Trump travel ban
Protests are planned across the UK today in response to US President Donald Trump's travel ban on people from certain countries.
Protests are planned to start from 6pm in London, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Swansea.
There have also been calls for Theresa May to cancel an upcoming state visit to the UK by Mr Trump, with a UK online petition gaining more than 900,000 signatures.
There has been outrage around the world over the President's executive order to temporarily ban refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries from coming to the US.
The "extreme vetting" measure means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
:: Trump team says travel ban 'a massive success'
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Breath test could be cancer lifesaver
A simple breath test could be the key to achieving earlier diagnosis of two deadly cancers.
A trial of more than 300 patients demonstrated the test can identify stomach and oesophageal cancers with 85% accuracy by picking up on levels of acids and chemicals.
Both types of cancer are often diagnosed late and have poor survival rates.
Scientists hope detecting the cancers earlier will lead to more effective treatment and help save lives.
The test is also expected to reduce the need for unpleasant endoscopy examinations that require a flexible telescope to be inserted into the stomach via the throat.
Around 6,682 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer in the UK every year, with 4,576 dying from the disease.
:: Drugs cocktail 'creates all-out assault' on cancer
:: Doctors hail 'spectacular' cancer breakthrough
For oesophageal cancer, around 8,919 people are diagnosed and 7,790 die.
For the new study breath samples were collected from 335 patients at three London hospitals.
Of these, 163 had been diagnosed with oesophageal or stomach cancer while 172 were shown to be cancer-free after undergoing endoscopy tests.
In each breath sample, levels of butyric, pentanoic and hexanoic acids, and the chemicals butanal, and decanal were measured.
Professor George Hanna, head of the research trial, told Sky News he hoped the simple breath test would be used in the future to detect "the likelihood of multiple cancers".
Dr Sheraz Markar, one of the researchers from Imperial College London, said: "At present the only way to diagnose oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer is with endoscopy.
"This method is expensive, invasive and has some risk of complications.
"A breath test could be used as a non-invasive, first-line test to reduce the number of unnecessary endoscopies. In the longer term this could also mean earlier diagnosis and treatment, and better survival."
The results of the study, presented at the European Cancer Congress meeting in Amsterdam, showed that the test was both good at identifying those patients who had cancer, and unlikely to produce a false diagnosis.
Over the next three years, the researchers plan to run a larger trial including patients not yet diagnosed with cancer.
The team is also working on breath tests for other types of cancer, such as those affecting the bowel and pancreas.
A trial of more than 300 patients demonstrated the test can identify stomach and oesophageal cancers with 85% accuracy by picking up on levels of acids and chemicals.
Both types of cancer are often diagnosed late and have poor survival rates.
Scientists hope detecting the cancers earlier will lead to more effective treatment and help save lives.
The test is also expected to reduce the need for unpleasant endoscopy examinations that require a flexible telescope to be inserted into the stomach via the throat.
Around 6,682 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer in the UK every year, with 4,576 dying from the disease.
:: Drugs cocktail 'creates all-out assault' on cancer
:: Doctors hail 'spectacular' cancer breakthrough
For oesophageal cancer, around 8,919 people are diagnosed and 7,790 die.
For the new study breath samples were collected from 335 patients at three London hospitals.
Of these, 163 had been diagnosed with oesophageal or stomach cancer while 172 were shown to be cancer-free after undergoing endoscopy tests.
In each breath sample, levels of butyric, pentanoic and hexanoic acids, and the chemicals butanal, and decanal were measured.
Professor George Hanna, head of the research trial, told Sky News he hoped the simple breath test would be used in the future to detect "the likelihood of multiple cancers".
Dr Sheraz Markar, one of the researchers from Imperial College London, said: "At present the only way to diagnose oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer is with endoscopy.
"This method is expensive, invasive and has some risk of complications.
"A breath test could be used as a non-invasive, first-line test to reduce the number of unnecessary endoscopies. In the longer term this could also mean earlier diagnosis and treatment, and better survival."
The results of the study, presented at the European Cancer Congress meeting in Amsterdam, showed that the test was both good at identifying those patients who had cancer, and unlikely to produce a false diagnosis.
Over the next three years, the researchers plan to run a larger trial including patients not yet diagnosed with cancer.
The team is also working on breath tests for other types of cancer, such as those affecting the bowel and pancreas.
Six dead in 'barbaric' mosque shooting in Canada
Six people have been killed after gunmen opened fire in a mosque in Quebec City, Canada, during evening prayers.
Police said a further eight people were wounded in the attack which the mosque's president, Mohamed Yangui, described as "barbaric"
A witness said up to three gunmen started shooting inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre, where around 50 people had gathered.
Another witness said a heavily armed police tactical squad was seen entering the mosque.
Those killed were said to be aged between 35 and 70 years old.
Some of the wounded suffered serious injuries and have been taken to different hospitals across the city.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge. It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence.
""Diversity is our strength and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear."
He added: "We will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance."
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume said: "No person should have to pay with their life for their race, their colour, their sexual orientation or their religious beliefs."
Mr Yangui, who was not inside the mosque when the shooting happened, said he got frantic calls from people at evening prayers.
"We are sad for the families," he said.
Police said two people had been arrested - one at the scene, and another in nearby d'Orleans, Quebec.
Zebida Bendjeddou, who left the mosque earlier on Sunday evening, said the centre had received threats.
"In June, they'd put a pig's head in front of the mosque. But we thought: 'Oh, they're isolated events'. We didn't take it seriously. But tonight, those isolated events, they take on a different scope," she said.
The shooting comes amid protests worldwide over President Donald Trump's travel ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries from entering the US.
Police in New York are increasing patrols at mosques in the city following the Quebex shooting.
"Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together," tweeted New York City Mayor Bill Blasio.
"To my fellow New Yorkers who are Muslim: New York City will protect you. The NYPD will protect you. We will fight all hatred and bias."
He has attacked Mr Trump's ban as a move which "runs contrary to the values of our city, and the values of the United States".
Incidents of Islamophobia have increased in Quebec in recent years amid a political debate over banning the niqab, or Muslim face covering.
In 2013 police launched an investigation after a mosque in the Saguenay region of Quebec was splattered with what was believed to be pig blood.
In the neighbouring province of Ontario, a mosque was set on fire in 2015, a day after an attack by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris.
Police said a further eight people were wounded in the attack which the mosque's president, Mohamed Yangui, described as "barbaric"
A witness said up to three gunmen started shooting inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre, where around 50 people had gathered.
Another witness said a heavily armed police tactical squad was seen entering the mosque.
Those killed were said to be aged between 35 and 70 years old.
Some of the wounded suffered serious injuries and have been taken to different hospitals across the city.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge. It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence.
""Diversity is our strength and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear."
He added: "We will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance."
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume said: "No person should have to pay with their life for their race, their colour, their sexual orientation or their religious beliefs."
Mr Yangui, who was not inside the mosque when the shooting happened, said he got frantic calls from people at evening prayers.
"We are sad for the families," he said.
Police said two people had been arrested - one at the scene, and another in nearby d'Orleans, Quebec.
Zebida Bendjeddou, who left the mosque earlier on Sunday evening, said the centre had received threats.
"In June, they'd put a pig's head in front of the mosque. But we thought: 'Oh, they're isolated events'. We didn't take it seriously. But tonight, those isolated events, they take on a different scope," she said.
The shooting comes amid protests worldwide over President Donald Trump's travel ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly Muslim countries from entering the US.
Police in New York are increasing patrols at mosques in the city following the Quebex shooting.
"Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together," tweeted New York City Mayor Bill Blasio.
"To my fellow New Yorkers who are Muslim: New York City will protect you. The NYPD will protect you. We will fight all hatred and bias."
He has attacked Mr Trump's ban as a move which "runs contrary to the values of our city, and the values of the United States".
Incidents of Islamophobia have increased in Quebec in recent years amid a political debate over banning the niqab, or Muslim face covering.
In 2013 police launched an investigation after a mosque in the Saguenay region of Quebec was splattered with what was believed to be pig blood.
In the neighbouring province of Ontario, a mosque was set on fire in 2015, a day after an attack by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris.
Hassan Rouhani: Now is not the time to build walls
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday it was no time to build walls between nations and criticised steps towards cancelling world trade agreements, without naming new US President Donald Trump.
His remarks on Saturday came after Trump ordered the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and imposed tough new controls on travellers from seven Muslim countries, among them Iran.
"They have forgotten that the Berlin Wall collapsed many years ago. Even if there are walls between nations, they must be removed," Rouhani said at a tourism convention in Tehran.
Rouhani did not comment directly on the visa ban, but said Iran had "opened its doors" to foreign tourists since the signing of a nuclear agreement with world powers in 2015.
With more than a million Iranians living in the US, many families are deeply concerned about the implications of Trump's visa ban, which also affects citizens from Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
"To annul world trade accords does not help their economy and does not serve the development and blooming of the world economy," Rouhani said at the Tehran conference. "This is the day for the world to get closer through trade."
The protectionist-minded Trump formally withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on Monday, fulfilling a campaign pledge to end American involvement in the 2015 pact.
'Not logical'
On Thursday, one of Iran's most popular actresses said she would boycott next month's Academy Awards in protest at the ban
His remarks on Saturday came after Trump ordered the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border and imposed tough new controls on travellers from seven Muslim countries, among them Iran.
"They have forgotten that the Berlin Wall collapsed many years ago. Even if there are walls between nations, they must be removed," Rouhani said at a tourism convention in Tehran.
Rouhani did not comment directly on the visa ban, but said Iran had "opened its doors" to foreign tourists since the signing of a nuclear agreement with world powers in 2015.
With more than a million Iranians living in the US, many families are deeply concerned about the implications of Trump's visa ban, which also affects citizens from Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
"To annul world trade accords does not help their economy and does not serve the development and blooming of the world economy," Rouhani said at the Tehran conference. "This is the day for the world to get closer through trade."
The protectionist-minded Trump formally withdrew the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on Monday, fulfilling a campaign pledge to end American involvement in the 2015 pact.
'Not logical'
On Thursday, one of Iran's most popular actresses said she would boycott next month's Academy Awards in protest at the ban
Six other times the US has banned immigrants
On Friday, Donald Trump barred citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries - Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen - from entering the United States for at least the next 90 days.
He also suspended the US refugee programme for 120 days, specifically banning Syrian refugees until further notice, reduced the number of refugees who would be admitted this year to 50,000 and specified that refugees who were from a religious minority and fleeing religious persecution should be prioritised.
A federal judge has blocked part of Trump's executive order, ruling that travellers who have already landed in the US with valid visas should not be sent back to their home countries, and protests in response to passport holders from some Arab countries, including US green card holders, being blocked from passing through customs or prevented from boarding US-bound planes, have taken place at airports across the country.
But this is not the first time that the US has banned immigrants from its shores. Over the past 200 years, successive American presidents have placed restrictions on the immigration of certain groups.
Here are six occasions when laws have been passed to restrict some people from entering the country.
READ MORE: Donald Trump's #MuslimBan sparks outrage and fear
Exclusion of the Chinese
President Chester A. Arthur.
Signed on May 6, 1882.
The Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned "skilled and unskilled labourers and Chinese employed in mining" from entering the US for 10 years, was the first significant law restricting immigration to the country. It came at a time when the US was struggling with high unemployment and, although Chinese made up a very small segment of the country's workforce, they were nevertheless scapegoated for its social and economic woes.
The law also placed restrictions on Chinese who were already in the US, forcing them to obtain certificates in order to re-enter if they left the country and banning them from securing citizenship.
The act expired in 1892 but was extended for a further 10 years in the form of another - the Geary Act. This placed additional restrictions on Chinese residents of the country, forcing them to register and to obtain a certificate of residence, without which they could be deported.
This changed in 1943 with the Magnuson Act - which allowed some Chinese immigration and for some Chinese already residing in the country to become naturalised citizens, but which maintained the ban on property and business ownership. This came at a time when China was a US ally during World War II.
Jewish refugees during World War II
President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
As millions of people became refugees during World War II, US President Franklin D Roosevelt argued that refugees posed a serious threat to the country's national security. Drawing on fears that Nazi spies could be hiding among them, the country limited the number of German Jews who could be admitted to 26,000 annually. And it is estimated that for most of the Hitler era, less than 25 percent of that quota was actually filled.
In one of the most notorious cases, the US turned away the St Louis ocean liner, which was carrying 937 passengers, almost all of whom are thought to have been Jewish, in June 1939. The ship was forced to return to Europe, where more than a quarter of its passengers are thought to have been killed in the Holocaust.
Anarchists banned
President Theodore Roosevelt.
Signed on March 3, 1903.
In 1903, the Anarchist Exclusion Act banned anarchists and others deemed to be political extremists from entering the US.
In 1901, President William McKinley had been fatally shot by Leon Czolgosz, an American anarchist who was the son of Polish immigrants.
The act - which was also known as the Immigration Act of 1903 - codified previous immigration law and, in addition to anarchists, added three other new classes of people who would be banned from entry: those with epilepsy, beggars and importers of prostitutes.
The act marked the first time that individuals were banned for their political beliefs.
READ MORE: EU looks to fund camps in Africa to cut immigration
Communists banned
Passed by Congress on August 23, 1950, despite being vetoed by President Harry Truman.
The Internal Security Act of 1950 - also known as the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 or the McCarran Act - made it possible to deport any immigrants believed to be members of the Communist Party. Members of communist organisations, which were required to register, were also not allowed to become citizens.
Truman opposed the law, stating that it "would make a mockery of our Bill of Rights".
Sections of the act were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1993. But some parts of the act still stand.
Iranians
President Jimmy Carter, April 7, 1980.
Following the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, during which the US embassy in Tehran was stormed and 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days, American President Jimmy Carter cut diplomatic relations with and imposed sanctions on Iran. He also banned Iranians from entering the country.
Today, Iranians have again been banned - one of seven Muslim majority countries included in Trump's executive order.
Ban on HIV positive persons
Under President Ronald Reagan, the US Public Health Service added Aids to its list of "dangerous and contagious" diseases. Senator Jesse Helms' "Helms Amendment" added HIV to the exclusion list.
In 1987, the US banned HIV positive persons from arriving in the US. The laws were influenced by homophobic and xenophobic sentiment towards Africans and minorities at the time, as well as a false belief that the HIV virus could be spread by physical or respiratory contact. Former US President Barack Obama lifted it in 2009, completing a process begun by President George W Bush.
He also suspended the US refugee programme for 120 days, specifically banning Syrian refugees until further notice, reduced the number of refugees who would be admitted this year to 50,000 and specified that refugees who were from a religious minority and fleeing religious persecution should be prioritised.
A federal judge has blocked part of Trump's executive order, ruling that travellers who have already landed in the US with valid visas should not be sent back to their home countries, and protests in response to passport holders from some Arab countries, including US green card holders, being blocked from passing through customs or prevented from boarding US-bound planes, have taken place at airports across the country.
But this is not the first time that the US has banned immigrants from its shores. Over the past 200 years, successive American presidents have placed restrictions on the immigration of certain groups.
Here are six occasions when laws have been passed to restrict some people from entering the country.
READ MORE: Donald Trump's #MuslimBan sparks outrage and fear
Exclusion of the Chinese
President Chester A. Arthur.
Signed on May 6, 1882.
The Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned "skilled and unskilled labourers and Chinese employed in mining" from entering the US for 10 years, was the first significant law restricting immigration to the country. It came at a time when the US was struggling with high unemployment and, although Chinese made up a very small segment of the country's workforce, they were nevertheless scapegoated for its social and economic woes.
The law also placed restrictions on Chinese who were already in the US, forcing them to obtain certificates in order to re-enter if they left the country and banning them from securing citizenship.
The act expired in 1892 but was extended for a further 10 years in the form of another - the Geary Act. This placed additional restrictions on Chinese residents of the country, forcing them to register and to obtain a certificate of residence, without which they could be deported.
This changed in 1943 with the Magnuson Act - which allowed some Chinese immigration and for some Chinese already residing in the country to become naturalised citizens, but which maintained the ban on property and business ownership. This came at a time when China was a US ally during World War II.
Jewish refugees during World War II
President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
As millions of people became refugees during World War II, US President Franklin D Roosevelt argued that refugees posed a serious threat to the country's national security. Drawing on fears that Nazi spies could be hiding among them, the country limited the number of German Jews who could be admitted to 26,000 annually. And it is estimated that for most of the Hitler era, less than 25 percent of that quota was actually filled.
In one of the most notorious cases, the US turned away the St Louis ocean liner, which was carrying 937 passengers, almost all of whom are thought to have been Jewish, in June 1939. The ship was forced to return to Europe, where more than a quarter of its passengers are thought to have been killed in the Holocaust.
Anarchists banned
President Theodore Roosevelt.
Signed on March 3, 1903.
In 1903, the Anarchist Exclusion Act banned anarchists and others deemed to be political extremists from entering the US.
In 1901, President William McKinley had been fatally shot by Leon Czolgosz, an American anarchist who was the son of Polish immigrants.
The act - which was also known as the Immigration Act of 1903 - codified previous immigration law and, in addition to anarchists, added three other new classes of people who would be banned from entry: those with epilepsy, beggars and importers of prostitutes.
The act marked the first time that individuals were banned for their political beliefs.
READ MORE: EU looks to fund camps in Africa to cut immigration
Communists banned
Passed by Congress on August 23, 1950, despite being vetoed by President Harry Truman.
The Internal Security Act of 1950 - also known as the Subversive Activities Control Act of 1950 or the McCarran Act - made it possible to deport any immigrants believed to be members of the Communist Party. Members of communist organisations, which were required to register, were also not allowed to become citizens.
Truman opposed the law, stating that it "would make a mockery of our Bill of Rights".
Sections of the act were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1993. But some parts of the act still stand.
Iranians
President Jimmy Carter, April 7, 1980.
Following the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis, during which the US embassy in Tehran was stormed and 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days, American President Jimmy Carter cut diplomatic relations with and imposed sanctions on Iran. He also banned Iranians from entering the country.
Today, Iranians have again been banned - one of seven Muslim majority countries included in Trump's executive order.
Ban on HIV positive persons
Under President Ronald Reagan, the US Public Health Service added Aids to its list of "dangerous and contagious" diseases. Senator Jesse Helms' "Helms Amendment" added HIV to the exclusion list.
In 1987, the US banned HIV positive persons from arriving in the US. The laws were influenced by homophobic and xenophobic sentiment towards Africans and minorities at the time, as well as a false belief that the HIV virus could be spread by physical or respiratory contact. Former US President Barack Obama lifted it in 2009, completing a process begun by President George W Bush.
Britons with dual citizenship exempt from Donald Trump's travel ban
Britons with dual citizenship will be exempt from Donald Trump's controversial travel ban, the Foreign Office has said.
The President's team has told Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that Britons who have shared nationality with one of the seven mainly Muslim countries will not be stopped from entering the US.
However, UK dual citizens travelling to America directly from one of the banned countries - Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - will still face extra checks.
:: Trump defiant amid outcry over travel ban
Mr Johnson spent the day speaking to President Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner and chief strategist Stephen Bannon about the implications of the immigration curbs.
His officials have now issued guidance about what the clampdown means for the UK.
The clarification comes after Sir Mo Farah expressed fears he could be affected by the policy.
A spokeswoman for the athlete said he was "relieved" he would be able to return to his family in the US, but added the Somalia-born Olympic champion still "fundamentally disagrees with this incredibly divisive and discriminatory policy".
A Conservative MP who was told he would be affected said many Britons would "feel better tonight" as a result of the FCO's guidance.
Nadhim Zahawi, who was born in Iraq, praised the Government from "working through the day" to secure assurances from the US, but said the policy was "mistaken".
In a statement, the Foreign Office said:
:: The ban only applies to individuals travelling from one of the seven countries - Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen
:: Travellers to the US from anywhere other than one of those countries will experience no extra checks regardless of nationality or place of birth
:: UK nationals travelling from one of the seven countries are not included in the ban, even if they were born in one of the countries
:: Dual citizens from one of the seven countries travelling to the US from outside those countries are not affected
:: Dual nationals might experience extra checks if they travel directly from one of the seven nations
The President's team has told Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that Britons who have shared nationality with one of the seven mainly Muslim countries will not be stopped from entering the US.
However, UK dual citizens travelling to America directly from one of the banned countries - Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - will still face extra checks.
:: Trump defiant amid outcry over travel ban
Mr Johnson spent the day speaking to President Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner and chief strategist Stephen Bannon about the implications of the immigration curbs.
His officials have now issued guidance about what the clampdown means for the UK.
The clarification comes after Sir Mo Farah expressed fears he could be affected by the policy.
A spokeswoman for the athlete said he was "relieved" he would be able to return to his family in the US, but added the Somalia-born Olympic champion still "fundamentally disagrees with this incredibly divisive and discriminatory policy".
A Conservative MP who was told he would be affected said many Britons would "feel better tonight" as a result of the FCO's guidance.
Nadhim Zahawi, who was born in Iraq, praised the Government from "working through the day" to secure assurances from the US, but said the policy was "mistaken".
In a statement, the Foreign Office said:
:: The ban only applies to individuals travelling from one of the seven countries - Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen
:: Travellers to the US from anywhere other than one of those countries will experience no extra checks regardless of nationality or place of birth
:: UK nationals travelling from one of the seven countries are not included in the ban, even if they were born in one of the countries
:: Dual citizens from one of the seven countries travelling to the US from outside those countries are not affected
:: Dual nationals might experience extra checks if they travel directly from one of the seven nations
Johnson seeks UK exemptions over President Trump's travel ban
The Foreign Secretary is trying to ensure Britons with dual citizenship are exempt from Donald Trump's controversial travel ban.
Boris Johnson is talking to the US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner and chief strategist Stephen Bannon to find a way to stop Britons being affected.
There has been global outrage over Mr Trump's executive order to temporarily ban refugees and citizens from seven mainly-Muslim countries coming to the US.
The "extreme vetting" measure means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Britons with dual nationality will also be affected, and there are concerns that UK passport holders born in those countries may also be barred.
Downing Street has said the Prime Minister does "not agree" with the controversial measures.
And Theresa May ordered Mr Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd to call their US counterparts to raise concerns over the block.
No 10 is particularly concerned about the impact the ban could have on UK nationals, including Iraqi-born Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi and Somali-born Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.
The move showed how seriously the PM was taking the issue and she was "absolutely determined" to respond to the fears of Britons over the ban, No 10 sources said.
Boris Johnson is talking to the US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner and chief strategist Stephen Bannon to find a way to stop Britons being affected.
There has been global outrage over Mr Trump's executive order to temporarily ban refugees and citizens from seven mainly-Muslim countries coming to the US.
The "extreme vetting" measure means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Britons with dual nationality will also be affected, and there are concerns that UK passport holders born in those countries may also be barred.
Downing Street has said the Prime Minister does "not agree" with the controversial measures.
And Theresa May ordered Mr Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd to call their US counterparts to raise concerns over the block.
No 10 is particularly concerned about the impact the ban could have on UK nationals, including Iraqi-born Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi and Somali-born Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.
The move showed how seriously the PM was taking the issue and she was "absolutely determined" to respond to the fears of Britons over the ban, No 10 sources said.
North Korea 'restarts' nuclear reactor used to make weapons-grade plutonium
New satellite images indicate North Korea has restarted a reactor at a site used to produce plutonium for its nuclear weapons programme, a think tank has said.
US-based 38 North, which monitors the secretive communist state, said images taken on 22 January suggested operations at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Centre had resumed and could be running at a "considerable" level.
Last week, 38 North said satellite images taken on 18 January showed signs that Pyongyang was preparing to restart the reactor with the unloading of spent fuel rods.
It added the implications of activity at the site "remain unclear except to reaffirm that the Yongbyon facility remains the centre of North Korea's nuclear programme".
:: North Korea developing nuclear capabilities at 'unprecedented' pace - South
The think tank's latest report comes days after China banned the export of plutonium to North Korea.
In a statement, the Chinese commerce ministry said other prohibited exports included technologies which could aid Pyongyang's programmes to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as the missiles to deliver them.
Just hours after his inauguration, Donald Trump announced plans to develop a "state-of-the-art" missile defence system to protect the US against attacks from Iran and North Korea.
The President did not provide details on whether the system would differ from those already under development, its cost or how it would be paid for.
:: Dissent towards North Korea is rising, says former London deputy ambassador
The policy announcement followed reports Pyongyang was preparing to test an upgraded intercontinental ballistic missile prototype.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, news of the test appeared to have been intentionally leaked by North Korea to send a "strategic message" to Mr Trump.
US-based 38 North, which monitors the secretive communist state, said images taken on 22 January suggested operations at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Centre had resumed and could be running at a "considerable" level.
Last week, 38 North said satellite images taken on 18 January showed signs that Pyongyang was preparing to restart the reactor with the unloading of spent fuel rods.
It added the implications of activity at the site "remain unclear except to reaffirm that the Yongbyon facility remains the centre of North Korea's nuclear programme".
:: North Korea developing nuclear capabilities at 'unprecedented' pace - South
The think tank's latest report comes days after China banned the export of plutonium to North Korea.
In a statement, the Chinese commerce ministry said other prohibited exports included technologies which could aid Pyongyang's programmes to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as the missiles to deliver them.
Just hours after his inauguration, Donald Trump announced plans to develop a "state-of-the-art" missile defence system to protect the US against attacks from Iran and North Korea.
The President did not provide details on whether the system would differ from those already under development, its cost or how it would be paid for.
:: Dissent towards North Korea is rising, says former London deputy ambassador
The policy announcement followed reports Pyongyang was preparing to test an upgraded intercontinental ballistic missile prototype.
According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, news of the test appeared to have been intentionally leaked by North Korea to send a "strategic message" to Mr Trump.
Iraqis say US President Donald Trump 'has gone to war with Islam'
The sickening sound of mortars and rockets whine over our heads before exploding streets away from our position with Iraqi forces on the eastern banks of the Tigris in Mosul.
The elite Counter Terrorism Service soldiers, Iraq's SAS, don't blink an eye as they gather around us as we ask them about President Donald Trump's travel ban to the United States.
They are trained by the Americans; they fight alongside their special forces colleagues and in the battle against Islamic State they are expected to live and maybe die with the Americans.
But now, likely virtually everyone else in Iraq, they are not welcome in the USA.
They were not exactly clamouring to leave their country.
In fact as professional soldiers they would probably be the last to leave. But it is the principle; that principle feels like betrayal.
"Trump is a guy we consider to be like the leader of North Korea, he is obsessed with himself" a Lieutenant told me.
"The Iraqi people are intelligent but every time they deal with the Americans, the British or any other country they think that we are naive. But it is they who were weak," he said.
After two years of oppressive IS rule and a horrendous battle to free eastern Mosul, the west still is not.
A lot of the residents drinking coffee and eating in small cafes would probably like to just get out of town, which is not that easy.
Again, they see the President's travel ban as mean and unnecessary.
"Of course I'm upset. Why would he say these things? There's no need for it. We're simple people who want to live a decent life," a man told me shaking his head.
"I swear to God because of IS Islam and religion have got a bad reputation. There are now lots of problems between Muslims and Christians. It is all because of Islamic State," said another.
A third added, "I think Trump has gone to war with Islam. He's not good with the Islam. Islamic people. And he has an aim to destroy the Islamic people."
The complex relationship between Iraq and the USA is exacerbated by the travel ban, especially in Mosul, where the streets are filled with rubble and enormous craters mark out virtually every major interchange.
They point out that the biggest offensive against IS is being carried out by Iraqi soldiers and even more they say that the majority of terrorists attacking in the US and in Europe come from countries that are not included in the travel ban.
Haider Kata is the Sky News producer in Baghdad.
We depend on him for everything including our safety; he is also our trusted friend.
Haider has worked for news organisations and household name journalists from all over the world and in doing so has put himself and his family in danger.
His brother was killed in a car bomb attack and that coupled with years of threats convinced him he needed to take his young family to safety and a new life in the United States.
He has filled out the forms and been interviewed, he was waiting for an answer. Now his dreams are shattered.
"I haven't even told my wife," he told me on a pavement surrounded by rubble and shrapnel in eastern Mosul.
"She said we need to go, you want to stay, but I do not. I am in danger and now I am stuck. We thought we could change our lives but our dreams are gone. I don't know what to do," he said.
It seems unlikely that Iraq will follow the path of others and reciprocate the travel ban.
But politics is complicated here and pressure could mount on the government.
Such a move would weaken the Iraqi military for sure and, ironically, would produce a major winner. It is called Islamic State.
The elite Counter Terrorism Service soldiers, Iraq's SAS, don't blink an eye as they gather around us as we ask them about President Donald Trump's travel ban to the United States.
They are trained by the Americans; they fight alongside their special forces colleagues and in the battle against Islamic State they are expected to live and maybe die with the Americans.
But now, likely virtually everyone else in Iraq, they are not welcome in the USA.
They were not exactly clamouring to leave their country.
In fact as professional soldiers they would probably be the last to leave. But it is the principle; that principle feels like betrayal.
"Trump is a guy we consider to be like the leader of North Korea, he is obsessed with himself" a Lieutenant told me.
"The Iraqi people are intelligent but every time they deal with the Americans, the British or any other country they think that we are naive. But it is they who were weak," he said.
After two years of oppressive IS rule and a horrendous battle to free eastern Mosul, the west still is not.
A lot of the residents drinking coffee and eating in small cafes would probably like to just get out of town, which is not that easy.
Again, they see the President's travel ban as mean and unnecessary.
"Of course I'm upset. Why would he say these things? There's no need for it. We're simple people who want to live a decent life," a man told me shaking his head.
"I swear to God because of IS Islam and religion have got a bad reputation. There are now lots of problems between Muslims and Christians. It is all because of Islamic State," said another.
A third added, "I think Trump has gone to war with Islam. He's not good with the Islam. Islamic people. And he has an aim to destroy the Islamic people."
The complex relationship between Iraq and the USA is exacerbated by the travel ban, especially in Mosul, where the streets are filled with rubble and enormous craters mark out virtually every major interchange.
They point out that the biggest offensive against IS is being carried out by Iraqi soldiers and even more they say that the majority of terrorists attacking in the US and in Europe come from countries that are not included in the travel ban.
Haider Kata is the Sky News producer in Baghdad.
We depend on him for everything including our safety; he is also our trusted friend.
Haider has worked for news organisations and household name journalists from all over the world and in doing so has put himself and his family in danger.
His brother was killed in a car bomb attack and that coupled with years of threats convinced him he needed to take his young family to safety and a new life in the United States.
He has filled out the forms and been interviewed, he was waiting for an answer. Now his dreams are shattered.
"I haven't even told my wife," he told me on a pavement surrounded by rubble and shrapnel in eastern Mosul.
"She said we need to go, you want to stay, but I do not. I am in danger and now I am stuck. We thought we could change our lives but our dreams are gone. I don't know what to do," he said.
It seems unlikely that Iraq will follow the path of others and reciprocate the travel ban.
But politics is complicated here and pressure could mount on the government.
Such a move would weaken the Iraqi military for sure and, ironically, would produce a major winner. It is called Islamic State.
Trump's immigration ban: Stranded travellers speak of fear and dismay
Travellers left stranded by Donald Trump’s immigration executive order have spoken of their fear and dismay.
The US President has imposed a travel ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly-Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The order has also had implications for US citizens born in those countries, who were not in America at the time and now face significant difficulties returning home.
Nisrin Elamin, a Sudanese student with US legal residency, said she was handcuffed and detained for five hours at JFK Airport in New York after returning from Sudan.
Ms Elamin said she presented her US green card and permanent residence documents before being given an "uncomfortable pat down".
She added: "They touched my breast area and my groin area. Then I got handcuffed and I just started crying."
The 39-year-old was later released, but said the experience left her scared she would not be able to visit her family in Sudan.
Also detained at JFK Airport was Iranian Parisa Fasihianifard, who travelled from Tehran to visit her husband Mohamad before being told she had to turn back and go home.
The US President has imposed a travel ban on refugees and citizens from seven mainly-Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The order has also had implications for US citizens born in those countries, who were not in America at the time and now face significant difficulties returning home.
Nisrin Elamin, a Sudanese student with US legal residency, said she was handcuffed and detained for five hours at JFK Airport in New York after returning from Sudan.
Ms Elamin said she presented her US green card and permanent residence documents before being given an "uncomfortable pat down".
She added: "They touched my breast area and my groin area. Then I got handcuffed and I just started crying."
The 39-year-old was later released, but said the experience left her scared she would not be able to visit her family in Sudan.
Also detained at JFK Airport was Iranian Parisa Fasihianifard, who travelled from Tehran to visit her husband Mohamad before being told she had to turn back and go home.
Donald Trump: Travel ban will prevent 'horrible mess'
Donald Trump has defended strict travel restrictions placed on people from seven Muslim-majority nations, saying they will prevent a "horrible mess" in the US.
President Trump's controversial executive order for "extreme vetting" means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The ban, which is also affecting legal US citizens who were born in these countries, has been denounced as "divisive" and "shameful".
But Mr Trump has defended the measure in an apparent reference to recent terror attacks across Europe.
He tweeted: "Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world - a horrible mess!"
America's immigration system was plunged into disarray in the wake of the executive order.
Some green card holders flying home to the US were taken into custody at airports upon arrival - with dozens of immigration lawyers attempting to help the stranded.
A judge ruled that those who had already landed in the US with valid visas could be temporarily allowed to stay in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which won the federal district court judgment, said the ruling proved "we are a democratic republic where the powers of government are not dictatorial".
As of Saturday night, customs and border protection officials had denied entry to more than 170 people.
Others who were about to board flights back to the US were told they could not travel - and the Department of Homeland Security contacted airlines recommending them to deny boarding to certain passengers.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said the implementation of the order "wasn't chaos", adding that 109 travellers were detained across the US on Saturday.
He told NBC the "couple dozen" that are still being held would likely be released later on Sunday.
Enforcement of the executive order for those landing in the States was described as patchy and disorganised, and some American airports were more lenient than others.
The ban sparked protests at airports in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
It has also created uncertainty for refugees who were about to begin a new life in the States, as all resettlements have been suspended for at least 120 days while tougher vetting rules are established. Syrian refugees have been specifically barred from the US indefinitely.
One aid organisation said it knew of 2,000 refugees who had been scheduled to relocate to the US next week.
Washington governor Jay Inslee, speaking at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, condemned the "chaos and cruelty" of Mr Trump's policy.
Signing the order into force on Friday, the President said it was a necessary step to stop "radical Islamic terrorists" from coming to the US and stressed the decree was "not a Muslim ban".
Mr Trump has faced condemnation from leaders around the world, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying the fight against terrorism "doesn't justify putting people of a particular origin or particular faith under general suspicion".
American technology giants have also responded furiously to the immigration clampdown.
In an apparent reference to Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the tech firm "would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do."
Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky has pledged free housing "to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US".
Meanwhile, Google has urged its employees from the seven countries affected to cancel any travel plans outside the US.
President Trump's controversial executive order for "extreme vetting" means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The ban, which is also affecting legal US citizens who were born in these countries, has been denounced as "divisive" and "shameful".
But Mr Trump has defended the measure in an apparent reference to recent terror attacks across Europe.
He tweeted: "Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world - a horrible mess!"
America's immigration system was plunged into disarray in the wake of the executive order.
Some green card holders flying home to the US were taken into custody at airports upon arrival - with dozens of immigration lawyers attempting to help the stranded.
A judge ruled that those who had already landed in the US with valid visas could be temporarily allowed to stay in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which won the federal district court judgment, said the ruling proved "we are a democratic republic where the powers of government are not dictatorial".
As of Saturday night, customs and border protection officials had denied entry to more than 170 people.
Others who were about to board flights back to the US were told they could not travel - and the Department of Homeland Security contacted airlines recommending them to deny boarding to certain passengers.
White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said the implementation of the order "wasn't chaos", adding that 109 travellers were detained across the US on Saturday.
He told NBC the "couple dozen" that are still being held would likely be released later on Sunday.
Enforcement of the executive order for those landing in the States was described as patchy and disorganised, and some American airports were more lenient than others.
The ban sparked protests at airports in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
It has also created uncertainty for refugees who were about to begin a new life in the States, as all resettlements have been suspended for at least 120 days while tougher vetting rules are established. Syrian refugees have been specifically barred from the US indefinitely.
One aid organisation said it knew of 2,000 refugees who had been scheduled to relocate to the US next week.
Washington governor Jay Inslee, speaking at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, condemned the "chaos and cruelty" of Mr Trump's policy.
Signing the order into force on Friday, the President said it was a necessary step to stop "radical Islamic terrorists" from coming to the US and stressed the decree was "not a Muslim ban".
Mr Trump has faced condemnation from leaders around the world, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying the fight against terrorism "doesn't justify putting people of a particular origin or particular faith under general suspicion".
American technology giants have also responded furiously to the immigration clampdown.
In an apparent reference to Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said the tech firm "would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do."
Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky has pledged free housing "to refugees and anyone not allowed in the US".
Meanwhile, Google has urged its employees from the seven countries affected to cancel any travel plans outside the US.
Trump's immigration ban sparks 'chaos and cruelty' worldwide
America's immigration system has been plunged into chaos and confusion in the wake of strict travel restrictions on people from seven Muslim-majority nations.
President Trump's sweeping executive order for "extreme vetting" means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
But the ban is also affecting permanent, legal US citizens who were born in these countries. Those who were not on American soil when the decree came into effect are not able to re-enter for three months - separating them from their families and putting their jobs at risk.
Some green card holders who were flying home to the US when the executive order was signed have been taken into custody at airports upon arrival - with dozens of immigration lawyers attempting to help the stranded.
A judge has ruled those who have already landed in the US with valid visas can be temporarily allowed to stay in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which won the federal district court judgment, said the ruling proved "we are a democratic republic where the powers of government are not dictatorial".
As of Saturday night, customs and border protection officials had denied entry to more than 170 people.
Others who were about to board flights back to America have been told they cannot travel - and the Homeland Security Department has been contacting airlines and recommending them to deny boarding to certain passengers.
Enforcement of the executive order for those landing in the States has been described as patchy and disorganised, and some American airports have been more lenient than others.
According to the executive order, exceptions can be made when it is in the "national interest", but one federal law enforcement official said: "It's unclear at this point what the threshold of the national interest is."
The International Air Transport Association has been told that the ban also applies to flight crew who are from one of the listed countries.
Protests are taking place across the US - including airports in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
The decree has also created uncertainty for refugees who were about to begin a new life in the States, as all resettlements have been suspended for at least 120 days while tougher vetting rules are established. Syrian refugees have been specifically barred from the US indefinitely.
One aid organisation said it knew of 2,000 refugees who had been scheduled to relocate to the US next week.
No refugees were on planes heading to America when the order came into force, but 350 people who had already begun their journeys are now stuck in Kenya.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee, speaking at Sea-Tac Airport, condemned the "chaos and cruelty" of Mr Trump's policy - and warned it was provocative, incompetent, ineffective and damaging to the economy.
British citizens who carry passports for one of the seven affected countries have also been caught up in the disruption.
Hamaseh Tayari, a Scottish vet who holds an Iranian passport, told the Guardian she has been left stranded in Costa Rica as her flight back to Glasgow was scheduled to go via New York.
She and her boyfriend now face the possibility of having to pay an extra £2,000 to fly to Madrid in order to get home.
President Trump has said the executive order is a necessary step to stop "radical Islamic terrorists" from coming to the US - but stressed the decree is "not a Muslim ban".
He has faced condemnation from leaders around the world, with Iran's Foreign Minister warning Tehran is going to stop issuing new visas to US citizens in retaliation to the ban.
American technology giants have also responded furiously to the immigration clampdown.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook said his company does not support the policy. In an apparent reference to its co-founder Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant, Mr Cook said: "Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do."
Google has urged its employees from the seven countries affected to cancel any travel plans outside the US.
The impact on foreign students is also unclear. Figures from the Homeland Security Department suggest that 17,000 students from the blacklisted countries were allowed into the US in 2015/16.
President Trump's sweeping executive order for "extreme vetting" means no visas are being issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
But the ban is also affecting permanent, legal US citizens who were born in these countries. Those who were not on American soil when the decree came into effect are not able to re-enter for three months - separating them from their families and putting their jobs at risk.
Some green card holders who were flying home to the US when the executive order was signed have been taken into custody at airports upon arrival - with dozens of immigration lawyers attempting to help the stranded.
A judge has ruled those who have already landed in the US with valid visas can be temporarily allowed to stay in the country.
The American Civil Liberties Union, which won the federal district court judgment, said the ruling proved "we are a democratic republic where the powers of government are not dictatorial".
As of Saturday night, customs and border protection officials had denied entry to more than 170 people.
Others who were about to board flights back to America have been told they cannot travel - and the Homeland Security Department has been contacting airlines and recommending them to deny boarding to certain passengers.
Enforcement of the executive order for those landing in the States has been described as patchy and disorganised, and some American airports have been more lenient than others.
According to the executive order, exceptions can be made when it is in the "national interest", but one federal law enforcement official said: "It's unclear at this point what the threshold of the national interest is."
The International Air Transport Association has been told that the ban also applies to flight crew who are from one of the listed countries.
Protests are taking place across the US - including airports in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
The decree has also created uncertainty for refugees who were about to begin a new life in the States, as all resettlements have been suspended for at least 120 days while tougher vetting rules are established. Syrian refugees have been specifically barred from the US indefinitely.
One aid organisation said it knew of 2,000 refugees who had been scheduled to relocate to the US next week.
No refugees were on planes heading to America when the order came into force, but 350 people who had already begun their journeys are now stuck in Kenya.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee, speaking at Sea-Tac Airport, condemned the "chaos and cruelty" of Mr Trump's policy - and warned it was provocative, incompetent, ineffective and damaging to the economy.
British citizens who carry passports for one of the seven affected countries have also been caught up in the disruption.
Hamaseh Tayari, a Scottish vet who holds an Iranian passport, told the Guardian she has been left stranded in Costa Rica as her flight back to Glasgow was scheduled to go via New York.
She and her boyfriend now face the possibility of having to pay an extra £2,000 to fly to Madrid in order to get home.
President Trump has said the executive order is a necessary step to stop "radical Islamic terrorists" from coming to the US - but stressed the decree is "not a Muslim ban".
He has faced condemnation from leaders around the world, with Iran's Foreign Minister warning Tehran is going to stop issuing new visas to US citizens in retaliation to the ban.
American technology giants have also responded furiously to the immigration clampdown.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook said his company does not support the policy. In an apparent reference to its co-founder Steve Jobs, the son of a Syrian immigrant, Mr Cook said: "Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do."
Google has urged its employees from the seven countries affected to cancel any travel plans outside the US.
The impact on foreign students is also unclear. Figures from the Homeland Security Department suggest that 17,000 students from the blacklisted countries were allowed into the US in 2015/16.
Theresa May 'does not agree' with Trump's refugee ban
Theresa May does "not agree" with Donald Trump's immigration restrictions and will make representations if it affects Britons, Number 10 says.
he Prime Minister clarified her position after earlier insisting it was up to the US government to devise its own policy.
A Downing Street official said: "Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States, just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government.
"But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking."
The crackdown means British citizens born in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen will not be able to travel to the States - even if they do not have dual nationality.
One of those affected is Iraqi-born Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon.
He tweeted: "I'm a British citizen & so proud to have been welcomed to this country. Sad to hear I'll be banned from the USA based on my country of birth.
"A sad, sad day to feel like a second-class citizen. Sad day for the USA."
Downing Street said Mrs May's team would be in touch with the White House if Britons were affected by the order.
"We are studying this new executive order to see what it means and what the legal effects are, and in particular what the consequences are for UK nationals," Number 10 said.
"If there is any impact on UK nationals then clearly we will make representations to the US government about that."
Labour and Conservative MPs had reacted with horror to Mr Trump's policy, and Mrs May's initial refusal to condemn it.
Outspoken Tory MP Heidi Allen tweeted the Prime Minister directly to say: "Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they're wrong. It's an ethos this country is proud of Theresa May."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticsed said: "Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.
"After Trump's hideous actions and May's weak failure to condemn them, it's more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain."
But Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke defended Mrs May.
"The Prime Minister is not a shoot-from-the-hip type of politician, she wants to see the evidence, she wants to understand precisely what the implications are," he said.
"She had been in a series of very lengthy meetings with President Erdogan and she is someone who wants to see the briefing and understand it and then will respond to that."
Other world leaders, including Canada's Justin Trudeau and French President Francois Hollande, were more forthright in speaking out against the ban.
he Prime Minister clarified her position after earlier insisting it was up to the US government to devise its own policy.
A Downing Street official said: "Immigration policy in the United States is a matter for the government of the United States, just the same as immigration policy for this country should be set by our government.
"But we do not agree with this kind of approach and it is not one we will be taking."
The crackdown means British citizens born in Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia or Yemen will not be able to travel to the States - even if they do not have dual nationality.
One of those affected is Iraqi-born Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative MP for Stratford-on-Avon.
He tweeted: "I'm a British citizen & so proud to have been welcomed to this country. Sad to hear I'll be banned from the USA based on my country of birth.
"A sad, sad day to feel like a second-class citizen. Sad day for the USA."
Downing Street said Mrs May's team would be in touch with the White House if Britons were affected by the order.
"We are studying this new executive order to see what it means and what the legal effects are, and in particular what the consequences are for UK nationals," Number 10 said.
"If there is any impact on UK nationals then clearly we will make representations to the US government about that."
Labour and Conservative MPs had reacted with horror to Mr Trump's policy, and Mrs May's initial refusal to condemn it.
Outspoken Tory MP Heidi Allen tweeted the Prime Minister directly to say: "Strong leadership means not being afraid to tell someone powerful when they're wrong. It's an ethos this country is proud of Theresa May."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn criticsed said: "Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.
"After Trump's hideous actions and May's weak failure to condemn them, it's more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain."
But Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke defended Mrs May.
"The Prime Minister is not a shoot-from-the-hip type of politician, she wants to see the evidence, she wants to understand precisely what the implications are," he said.
"She had been in a series of very lengthy meetings with President Erdogan and she is someone who wants to see the briefing and understand it and then will respond to that."
Other world leaders, including Canada's Justin Trudeau and French President Francois Hollande, were more forthright in speaking out against the ban.
Coins discovery 'will re-write' Anglo-Saxon history
Historians say an entire chapter of the Anglo-Saxon period will have to be re-written after a metal detectorist found a huge hoard of coins in a field.
James Mather made the discovery of 200 complete silver coins, seven items of jewellery and 15 silver ingots in a field near Watlington in Oxfordshire in October 2015. Its full significance has now become apparent.
The find contained a mixture of extremely rare Anglo-Saxon coins and Viking silver, which provides a clearer understanding of the relationship between Alfred the Great, who ruled Wessex and his less well-known contemporary Ceolwulf II of Mercia.
Some of the coins were minted with a 'Two Emperors' design, borrowed from the Romans, which shows that the currency was used in both ancient kingdoms.
"This is an extraordinary find, one which re-writes Anglo-Saxon history," Xa Sturgis, director of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which now houses the coins, told Sky News.
"The keeper of the coin room here came running up the stairs to tell me. The more they were excavated the more it became obvious how significant they are. These coins point to some sort of an alliance in the 870s between Alfred and Ceolwulf."
While Alfred is often described as the king who founded England, uniting Mercia and Wessex, very little is known of his rival Ceolwulf.
"These coins prove that there was a very real alliance between the two men at that time," added Julian Baker, coin curator at the Ashmolean.
"That alliance hasn't survived in the historical record until now. Alfred manipulated history to put himself in a better light. To date, history has overemphasised Alfred's record and almost completely neglected Ceolwulf.
"We can start re-writing that decade now, courtesy of the Watlington hoard."
The Ashmolean has until Monday, 31 January, to raise £1.35m to keep the coins and Viking silver in Oxfordshire and they are extremely close to that figure now.
More than 500 people in the local area have donated to the fund set up to raise the cash.
Mr Sturgis added: "Alfred is the only king in the history of England described as 'great'. But these coins show that in the 870s he needed Ceolwulf. It's incredible that we know so little about him and Alfred dominates everything. It's like he obliterated Ceolwulf."
The Watlington Hoard, as it is now known, is on public display at the Ashmolean as historians begin the process of re-assessing that period of Anglo-Saxon history.
James Mather made the discovery of 200 complete silver coins, seven items of jewellery and 15 silver ingots in a field near Watlington in Oxfordshire in October 2015. Its full significance has now become apparent.
The find contained a mixture of extremely rare Anglo-Saxon coins and Viking silver, which provides a clearer understanding of the relationship between Alfred the Great, who ruled Wessex and his less well-known contemporary Ceolwulf II of Mercia.
Some of the coins were minted with a 'Two Emperors' design, borrowed from the Romans, which shows that the currency was used in both ancient kingdoms.
"This is an extraordinary find, one which re-writes Anglo-Saxon history," Xa Sturgis, director of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which now houses the coins, told Sky News.
"The keeper of the coin room here came running up the stairs to tell me. The more they were excavated the more it became obvious how significant they are. These coins point to some sort of an alliance in the 870s between Alfred and Ceolwulf."
While Alfred is often described as the king who founded England, uniting Mercia and Wessex, very little is known of his rival Ceolwulf.
"These coins prove that there was a very real alliance between the two men at that time," added Julian Baker, coin curator at the Ashmolean.
"That alliance hasn't survived in the historical record until now. Alfred manipulated history to put himself in a better light. To date, history has overemphasised Alfred's record and almost completely neglected Ceolwulf.
"We can start re-writing that decade now, courtesy of the Watlington hoard."
The Ashmolean has until Monday, 31 January, to raise £1.35m to keep the coins and Viking silver in Oxfordshire and they are extremely close to that figure now.
More than 500 people in the local area have donated to the fund set up to raise the cash.
Mr Sturgis added: "Alfred is the only king in the history of England described as 'great'. But these coins show that in the 870s he needed Ceolwulf. It's incredible that we know so little about him and Alfred dominates everything. It's like he obliterated Ceolwulf."
The Watlington Hoard, as it is now known, is on public display at the Ashmolean as historians begin the process of re-assessing that period of Anglo-Saxon history.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Theresa May arrives in Turkey for trade and security talks
Theresa May has arrived in Turkey for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about security and a post-Brexit trade deal.
The UK and Turkey have agreed to set up a joint working group to pave the way for a free trade agreement, but formal negotiations cannot commence until Brexit is finalised.
The Prime Minister and Mr Erdogan are also expected to unveil a strategic security partnership which will see the UK and Turkey collaborate more closely on aviation security and counter-terrorism measures.
As she sat down with the Turkish leader, Mrs May saw her own image on TV screens which were showing footage of her meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.
The Prime Minister laughed after being told by an aide to Mr Erdogan that the visit had been "well covered in Turkey".
Before being taken the presidential palace, Mrs May laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of the Republic of Turkey.
She signed her name in the visitors' book and left a message which read: "It is a great honour to visit this special place of remembrance to the founding father of modern Turkey.
"Let us together renew our efforts to fulfil Ataturk's vision of peace at home and peace in the world."
Mrs May's visit to Ankara comes at an unstable time for Turkey, which has suffered several terror attacks in recent months.
The Prime Minister is also under pressure to confront Mr Erdogan over human rights, as his crackdown on dissent following last summer's failed coup has seen thousands of officials jailed and several media outlets closed.
Amnesty International said that the human rights situation across Turkey had "deteriorated markedly" during the state of emergency imposed by Mr Erdogan and urged Mrs May to ask "probing questions" about allegations that those in detention have suffered ill treatment.
Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said Mrs May should address alleged human rights violations "as a priority".
He said: "As Theresa May seeks trade deals with ever-more unsavoury leaders, she ignores the simple point that the most successful countries around the world respect human rights - economies flourish in free societies."
Downing Street did not confirm whether human rights would be raised during the discussions, but a spokesperson said the Government had "already expressed our strong support for Turkey's democracy and institutions following the coup".
The spokesperson added: "We have also been clear that we urge Turkey to ensure their response is proportionate, justified and in line with international human rights obligations."
Turkey is going to become the 13th country to set up a working group on trade with the UK.
On a visit to Ankara last year, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed hope of securing a "jumbo" free trade deal with Turkey after Brexit.
Figures from the International Monetary Fund show the UK was the second-largest destination for Turkish exports in 2015, buying more than £8bn in goods.
The UK and Turkey have agreed to set up a joint working group to pave the way for a free trade agreement, but formal negotiations cannot commence until Brexit is finalised.
The Prime Minister and Mr Erdogan are also expected to unveil a strategic security partnership which will see the UK and Turkey collaborate more closely on aviation security and counter-terrorism measures.
As she sat down with the Turkish leader, Mrs May saw her own image on TV screens which were showing footage of her meeting with Donald Trump on Friday.
The Prime Minister laughed after being told by an aide to Mr Erdogan that the visit had been "well covered in Turkey".
Before being taken the presidential palace, Mrs May laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of the Republic of Turkey.
She signed her name in the visitors' book and left a message which read: "It is a great honour to visit this special place of remembrance to the founding father of modern Turkey.
"Let us together renew our efforts to fulfil Ataturk's vision of peace at home and peace in the world."
Mrs May's visit to Ankara comes at an unstable time for Turkey, which has suffered several terror attacks in recent months.
The Prime Minister is also under pressure to confront Mr Erdogan over human rights, as his crackdown on dissent following last summer's failed coup has seen thousands of officials jailed and several media outlets closed.
Amnesty International said that the human rights situation across Turkey had "deteriorated markedly" during the state of emergency imposed by Mr Erdogan and urged Mrs May to ask "probing questions" about allegations that those in detention have suffered ill treatment.
Meanwhile, Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said Mrs May should address alleged human rights violations "as a priority".
He said: "As Theresa May seeks trade deals with ever-more unsavoury leaders, she ignores the simple point that the most successful countries around the world respect human rights - economies flourish in free societies."
Downing Street did not confirm whether human rights would be raised during the discussions, but a spokesperson said the Government had "already expressed our strong support for Turkey's democracy and institutions following the coup".
The spokesperson added: "We have also been clear that we urge Turkey to ensure their response is proportionate, justified and in line with international human rights obligations."
Turkey is going to become the 13th country to set up a working group on trade with the UK.
On a visit to Ankara last year, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson expressed hope of securing a "jumbo" free trade deal with Turkey after Brexit.
Figures from the International Monetary Fund show the UK was the second-largest destination for Turkish exports in 2015, buying more than £8bn in goods.
Trump halts all refugee arrivals to 'keep Islamic terrorists out'
Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new executive order to suspend refugee arrivals and impose tough new controls on travellers from seven Muslim countries.
The US President who had promised the measures - called "extreme vetting" - during last year's election campaign, said he was making America safe from "radical Islamic terrorists".
"This is big stuff," he declared at the Pentagon, after signing an order entitled 'Protection of the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States'.
"I'm establishing new vetting measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.
"We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people."
Mr Trump's decree suspends the entire US refugee resettlement programme for at least 120 days while tough new vetting rules of applicants' backgrounds are established.
The new protocols will "ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States".
In addition, it specifically bars Syrian refugees from the US indefinitely, or until the President himself decides that they no longer pose a threat.
Meanwhile, no visas will be issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from seven mainly-Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The US President who had promised the measures - called "extreme vetting" - during last year's election campaign, said he was making America safe from "radical Islamic terrorists".
"This is big stuff," he declared at the Pentagon, after signing an order entitled 'Protection of the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States'.
"I'm establishing new vetting measures to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of the United States of America.
"We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people."
Mr Trump's decree suspends the entire US refugee resettlement programme for at least 120 days while tough new vetting rules of applicants' backgrounds are established.
The new protocols will "ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States".
In addition, it specifically bars Syrian refugees from the US indefinitely, or until the President himself decides that they no longer pose a threat.
Meanwhile, no visas will be issued for 90 days to migrants or visitors from seven mainly-Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Theresa May refuses to condemn Donald Trump's immigration controls
Theresa May has refused to condemn Donald Trump when asked by Sky News about his new ban on refugees and controls on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
The Prime Minister tried to avoid commenting on the controversial policyduring a news conference with her Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim.
On Friday Mrs May became the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Mr Trump's inauguration - and talked stateside about their shared values.
The new controls were announced after the PM left Washington DC and she was asked by Sky News whether she still believed she shared the values of President Trump.
But while Mr Yildirim criticised the visa restrictions, Mrs May at first dodged the question.
She said: "I was very pleased to visit Washington and hold the discussions I did with President Trump yesterday.
"On the issue of refugees I've recognised the contribution Turkey has made in hosting and supporting three million refuges as a result of the Syrian conflict.
"The UK also has a good record in that we have developed a number of schemes for resettlement from the region.
"The UK is the second largest bilateral donor outside the region in terms of money we've put into this issue."
Mr Trump said he was making America safe from "radical Islamic terrorists" as he signed the executive order restricting travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Under pressure from British reporters, Mrs May eventually said: "The United States is responsible for the United States policy on refugees. The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom's policy on refugees."
Her Turkish counterpart Mr Yildirim told Sky News: "This refugee issue is a global issue. We have 55 million refuges worldwide and we know there are 200 UN member states. This number is higher than the population of 150 of the member states.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to this issue and you cannot settle this issue by constructing walls."
Reacting to Mrs May's comments, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "President Trump's executive order against refugees and Muslims should shock and appal us all.
"Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.
"After Trump's hideous actions and May's weak failure to condemn them, it's more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain."
Turkey has taken three million refugees as a result of the Syrian conflict.
Mr Yildirim added: "They came here to save their lives. Our doors were open and if the same thing were to happen again we would do the same. If there is someone in need you give them a helping hand.
"We will continue accommodating these people until there is peace there."
The news conference came after Mrs May announced a £100m deal for the development of fighter jets for Turkey, following trade talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Prime Minister tried to avoid commenting on the controversial policyduring a news conference with her Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim.
On Friday Mrs May became the first foreign leader to visit the White House since Mr Trump's inauguration - and talked stateside about their shared values.
The new controls were announced after the PM left Washington DC and she was asked by Sky News whether she still believed she shared the values of President Trump.
But while Mr Yildirim criticised the visa restrictions, Mrs May at first dodged the question.
She said: "I was very pleased to visit Washington and hold the discussions I did with President Trump yesterday.
"On the issue of refugees I've recognised the contribution Turkey has made in hosting and supporting three million refuges as a result of the Syrian conflict.
"The UK also has a good record in that we have developed a number of schemes for resettlement from the region.
"The UK is the second largest bilateral donor outside the region in terms of money we've put into this issue."
Mr Trump said he was making America safe from "radical Islamic terrorists" as he signed the executive order restricting travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Under pressure from British reporters, Mrs May eventually said: "The United States is responsible for the United States policy on refugees. The United Kingdom is responsible for the United Kingdom's policy on refugees."
Her Turkish counterpart Mr Yildirim told Sky News: "This refugee issue is a global issue. We have 55 million refuges worldwide and we know there are 200 UN member states. This number is higher than the population of 150 of the member states.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to this issue and you cannot settle this issue by constructing walls."
Reacting to Mrs May's comments, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "President Trump's executive order against refugees and Muslims should shock and appal us all.
"Theresa May should have stood up for Britain and our values by condemning his actions. It should sadden our country that she chose not to.
"After Trump's hideous actions and May's weak failure to condemn them, it's more important than ever for us to say to refugees seeking a place of safety, that they will always be welcome in Britain."
Turkey has taken three million refugees as a result of the Syrian conflict.
Mr Yildirim added: "They came here to save their lives. Our doors were open and if the same thing were to happen again we would do the same. If there is someone in need you give them a helping hand.
"We will continue accommodating these people until there is peace there."
The news conference came after Mrs May announced a £100m deal for the development of fighter jets for Turkey, following trade talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
UK and Turkey clinch £100m fighter jet deal during Theresa May's visit
Theresa May has announced a £100m deal for the development of fighter jets for Turkey, following trade talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking after discussions with Mr Erdogan in Ankara, Mrs May said Britain and Turkey will "prepare the ground" for a post-Brexit trade deal by setting up a joint working group.
It came as the UK-based BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries signed a Heads of Agreement document establishing a £100m partnership for the continued development of the Turkish Fighter Programme.
Mrs May said: "We both want to build on our existing links and I believe that doing so will be to the benefit of both our countries and for the prosperity of both our nations.
"What has underpinned our conversations has been the opportunity for Turkey and the UK to build on our existing relations, to our mutual benefit for the future."
Speaking alongside Mrs May at the presidential palace, Mr Erdogan said relations between Turkey and the UK would "enjoy a very different nature and position".
He added his hope that annual trade between the two countries could be increased from $15.6bn (£12.4bn) to $20bn (£15.9bn).
:: Donald Trump '100% behind NATO' after Theresa May talks
Talks between the pair came before a meeting between Mrs May and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
Ahead of her arrival in Ankara, Mrs May had been under pressure to confront Mr Erdogan over human rights, as his crackdown on dissent following last summer's failed coup has seen thousands of officials jailed and several media outlets closed.
The Turkish President said the pair discussed social issues, while Mrs May also made a brief reference to alleged human rights violations.
She said: "I'm proud that the UK stood with (Mr Erdogan) on July 15 last year in defence of your democracy.
"Now it is important Turkey sustains that democracy by maintaining the rule of law and upholding its international human rights obligations, as the government has undertaken to do."
Before being taken the presidential palace, Mrs May laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of the Republic of Turkey.
She signed her name in the visitors' book and left a message which read: "It is a great honour to visit this special place of remembrance to the founding father of modern Turkey.
"Let us together renew our efforts to fulfil Ataturk's vision of peace at home and peace in the world."
Speaking after discussions with Mr Erdogan in Ankara, Mrs May said Britain and Turkey will "prepare the ground" for a post-Brexit trade deal by setting up a joint working group.
It came as the UK-based BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries signed a Heads of Agreement document establishing a £100m partnership for the continued development of the Turkish Fighter Programme.
Mrs May said: "We both want to build on our existing links and I believe that doing so will be to the benefit of both our countries and for the prosperity of both our nations.
"What has underpinned our conversations has been the opportunity for Turkey and the UK to build on our existing relations, to our mutual benefit for the future."
Speaking alongside Mrs May at the presidential palace, Mr Erdogan said relations between Turkey and the UK would "enjoy a very different nature and position".
He added his hope that annual trade between the two countries could be increased from $15.6bn (£12.4bn) to $20bn (£15.9bn).
:: Donald Trump '100% behind NATO' after Theresa May talks
Talks between the pair came before a meeting between Mrs May and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.
Ahead of her arrival in Ankara, Mrs May had been under pressure to confront Mr Erdogan over human rights, as his crackdown on dissent following last summer's failed coup has seen thousands of officials jailed and several media outlets closed.
The Turkish President said the pair discussed social issues, while Mrs May also made a brief reference to alleged human rights violations.
She said: "I'm proud that the UK stood with (Mr Erdogan) on July 15 last year in defence of your democracy.
"Now it is important Turkey sustains that democracy by maintaining the rule of law and upholding its international human rights obligations, as the government has undertaken to do."
Before being taken the presidential palace, Mrs May laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and founder of the Republic of Turkey.
She signed her name in the visitors' book and left a message which read: "It is a great honour to visit this special place of remembrance to the founding father of modern Turkey.
"Let us together renew our efforts to fulfil Ataturk's vision of peace at home and peace in the world."
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Threat of losing iconic music venues 'a real tragedy'
Britain's "precious" music scene needs protecting at a grassroots level, according to singer Suggs.
His band Madness sells out arenas nowadays but back when they were starting out they cut their teeth playing gigs in the back room of Camden's Dublin Castle.
"Playing eyeball to eyeball with a crowd is where you really learn how to entertain," the singer says. He's back at the pub to speak about Independent Venue Week.
"There used to be 10 or 12 of these spaces around Camden and now there are two or three left.
"When you hear about all the venues we've lost, I think it's a real tragedy.
"If you think about the amount of pop music this country has produced - and we don't produce much else these days - I think it's something we need to be quite precious about."
:: January - Vinyl sales at 25-year high as David Bowie's Blackstar leads revival
Oasis, Blur, The Libertines - ask pretty much any older British rock group how they learnt to play and they'll tell you stories of sweaty rooms, sticky floors and music so loud your ears would be ringing for days.
In the last decade, however, many small music venues have struggled to stay open.
"We're dealing with a whole range of issues," said Mark Davyd, chief executive of the Music Venues Trust.
His organisation is currently trying to help more than 20 iconic music venues that are under threat.
"All the way across the UK there's problems with licensing, planning, development and local authorities who don't really understand how important a music venue is, both to the town and the community.
"Oasis played 25 of these shows around the UK, nearly all of them lost money when they were breaking through in that tour, they then became the biggest band in the world.
"Do you know what's happened to those venues?
"Only 12 of them are still open - only 12 out of 25. That's not good enough."
For decades The Square in Harlow has been a stomping ground for up-and-coming bands.
Blur played one of their very first gigs at the venue, back when they were calling themselves Seymour. It will shut for good after one final gig on Saturday.
Venue manager Dave Bennett says he has exhausted all options.
"It is very sad.
"For me a piece of Harlow has been given away to a developer and the return on that is minimal."
Houses are going to be built on the site where The Square currently stands. The music venue can't afford to re-open anywhere else.
"It has got to be a balance, you know," Mr Bennett said.
"It can't all be what the figures at the bottom of a balance sheet say, it has to be an investment in your community."
His band Madness sells out arenas nowadays but back when they were starting out they cut their teeth playing gigs in the back room of Camden's Dublin Castle.
"Playing eyeball to eyeball with a crowd is where you really learn how to entertain," the singer says. He's back at the pub to speak about Independent Venue Week.
"There used to be 10 or 12 of these spaces around Camden and now there are two or three left.
"When you hear about all the venues we've lost, I think it's a real tragedy.
"If you think about the amount of pop music this country has produced - and we don't produce much else these days - I think it's something we need to be quite precious about."
:: January - Vinyl sales at 25-year high as David Bowie's Blackstar leads revival
Oasis, Blur, The Libertines - ask pretty much any older British rock group how they learnt to play and they'll tell you stories of sweaty rooms, sticky floors and music so loud your ears would be ringing for days.
In the last decade, however, many small music venues have struggled to stay open.
"We're dealing with a whole range of issues," said Mark Davyd, chief executive of the Music Venues Trust.
His organisation is currently trying to help more than 20 iconic music venues that are under threat.
"All the way across the UK there's problems with licensing, planning, development and local authorities who don't really understand how important a music venue is, both to the town and the community.
"Oasis played 25 of these shows around the UK, nearly all of them lost money when they were breaking through in that tour, they then became the biggest band in the world.
"Do you know what's happened to those venues?
"Only 12 of them are still open - only 12 out of 25. That's not good enough."
For decades The Square in Harlow has been a stomping ground for up-and-coming bands.
Blur played one of their very first gigs at the venue, back when they were calling themselves Seymour. It will shut for good after one final gig on Saturday.
Venue manager Dave Bennett says he has exhausted all options.
"It is very sad.
"For me a piece of Harlow has been given away to a developer and the return on that is minimal."
Houses are going to be built on the site where The Square currently stands. The music venue can't afford to re-open anywhere else.
"It has got to be a balance, you know," Mr Bennett said.
"It can't all be what the figures at the bottom of a balance sheet say, it has to be an investment in your community."
Syrian opposition factions join Ahrar al-Sham
Six armed opposition factions in Syria have announced that they are joining the ranks of Ahrar al-Sham, one of the country's largest rebel groups.
Their decision came after Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, attacked their positions in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. The six factions include Alwiyat Suqour al-Sham, Kataib Thawar al-Sham, Jaish al-Mujahideen and Tajamo Fastaqim Kama Umirat, along with Jaish al-Islam's Idlib branch and al-Jabha al-Shamiya's west Aleppo branch.
Ahrar al-Sham issued a statement on Thursday welcoming the factions and warning that any attack on them would be considered "a declaration of war".
Tensions between Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and armed opposition groups, including the Free Syrian Army (FSA), escalated on Tuesday evening after Jabhat Fateh al-Sham attacked factional headquarters across the two provinces.
INTERACTIVE: What's left of Syria?
A commander of one FSA faction, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham continued to attack the six armed groups, even after the announcement. According to him, sporadic clashes occurred between Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham throughout the day.
He also said that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham had attacked FSA positions in Idlib province and captured a number of its fighters, but cited no casualties in the clashes.
He denied media reports that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham had wiped out a number of FSA factions, but confirmed that the group had captured the headquarters of Jaish al-Mujahideen, Jaish al-Islam and al-Jabha al-Shamiya.
The commander told Al Jazeera that the situation remained tense in Idlib province and that Ahrar al-Sham and a number of senior religious figures were involved in negotiations to restore calm.
Nusra is trying to present it as though the FSA factions want to surrender, to have the Assad regime stay in power and reach a settlement with Russia.
Hamza al-Mustafa, researcher at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies in Doha
In an earlier statement, Ahrar al-Sham had said that it was sending its forces to prevent Jabhat Fateh al-Sham attacking or committing injustices against other factions.
Ahrar al-Sham was among the seven armed groups that Russia declared as "moderate opposition", which were part of the ceasefire announced on December 30, 2016. However, Ahrar al-Sham opted not to participate in the recent Astana talks, while the FSA, Jaish al-Islam and other armed opposition groups sent a delegation.
"Nusra is trying to present it as though the FSA factions want to surrender, to have the Assad regime stay in power and reach a settlement with Russia. By attacking them, it supposedly is preventing such a settlement from taking place," Hamza al-Mustafa, a researcher at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies in Doha, told Al Jazeera.
Mustafa said that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham's attacks on the FSA and other armed opposition groups were prompted by the group's desire to prevent a military union between the FSA, Ahrar al-Sham and various other rebel factions. The current standoff has its roots in a long-term rivalry between the two groups, and in the refusal of Ahrar al-Sham to join Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in establishing an Islamic emirate, Mustafa said.
Their decision came after Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, attacked their positions in Idlib and Aleppo provinces. The six factions include Alwiyat Suqour al-Sham, Kataib Thawar al-Sham, Jaish al-Mujahideen and Tajamo Fastaqim Kama Umirat, along with Jaish al-Islam's Idlib branch and al-Jabha al-Shamiya's west Aleppo branch.
Ahrar al-Sham issued a statement on Thursday welcoming the factions and warning that any attack on them would be considered "a declaration of war".
Tensions between Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and armed opposition groups, including the Free Syrian Army (FSA), escalated on Tuesday evening after Jabhat Fateh al-Sham attacked factional headquarters across the two provinces.
INTERACTIVE: What's left of Syria?
A commander of one FSA faction, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham continued to attack the six armed groups, even after the announcement. According to him, sporadic clashes occurred between Ahrar al-Sham and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham throughout the day.
He also said that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham had attacked FSA positions in Idlib province and captured a number of its fighters, but cited no casualties in the clashes.
He denied media reports that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham had wiped out a number of FSA factions, but confirmed that the group had captured the headquarters of Jaish al-Mujahideen, Jaish al-Islam and al-Jabha al-Shamiya.
The commander told Al Jazeera that the situation remained tense in Idlib province and that Ahrar al-Sham and a number of senior religious figures were involved in negotiations to restore calm.
Nusra is trying to present it as though the FSA factions want to surrender, to have the Assad regime stay in power and reach a settlement with Russia.
Hamza al-Mustafa, researcher at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies in Doha
In an earlier statement, Ahrar al-Sham had said that it was sending its forces to prevent Jabhat Fateh al-Sham attacking or committing injustices against other factions.
Ahrar al-Sham was among the seven armed groups that Russia declared as "moderate opposition", which were part of the ceasefire announced on December 30, 2016. However, Ahrar al-Sham opted not to participate in the recent Astana talks, while the FSA, Jaish al-Islam and other armed opposition groups sent a delegation.
"Nusra is trying to present it as though the FSA factions want to surrender, to have the Assad regime stay in power and reach a settlement with Russia. By attacking them, it supposedly is preventing such a settlement from taking place," Hamza al-Mustafa, a researcher at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies in Doha, told Al Jazeera.
Mustafa said that Jabhat Fateh al-Sham's attacks on the FSA and other armed opposition groups were prompted by the group's desire to prevent a military union between the FSA, Ahrar al-Sham and various other rebel factions. The current standoff has its roots in a long-term rivalry between the two groups, and in the refusal of Ahrar al-Sham to join Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in establishing an Islamic emirate, Mustafa said.
High Court blocks Nigeria oil spill case against Shell
A British court has blocked pollution claims against Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell by many residents of Nigeria's Niger Delta region demanding action over decades of oil spills there.
Members of the Ogale and Bille communities, who say thousands of lives have been devastated by environmental disasters from the global company, had applied for the case to be heard in Britain, arguing that rampant corruption in their home country prevents them from achieving justice in courts there.
But the High Court in London on Thursday said that it did not have jurisdiction in the case, ruling that it should be settled in Nigeria.
"Our community is disappointed but not discouraged by this judgement," King Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, ruler of the Ogale Community, said in a statement.
"This decision has to be appealed, not just for Ogale but for many other people in the Niger Delta who will be shut out if this decision is allowed to stand.
"Shell is simply being asked to clean up its oil and to compensate the communities it has devastated," he said.
The company's lawyer, Peter Goldsmith, told judge Peter Fraser during a hearing in November that the cases concerned "fundamentally Nigerian issues", and should not be heard in London.
Members of the Ogale and Bille communities, who say thousands of lives have been devastated by environmental disasters from the global company, had applied for the case to be heard in Britain, arguing that rampant corruption in their home country prevents them from achieving justice in courts there.
But the High Court in London on Thursday said that it did not have jurisdiction in the case, ruling that it should be settled in Nigeria.
"Our community is disappointed but not discouraged by this judgement," King Emere Godwin Bebe Okpabi, ruler of the Ogale Community, said in a statement.
"This decision has to be appealed, not just for Ogale but for many other people in the Niger Delta who will be shut out if this decision is allowed to stand.
"Shell is simply being asked to clean up its oil and to compensate the communities it has devastated," he said.
The company's lawyer, Peter Goldsmith, told judge Peter Fraser during a hearing in November that the cases concerned "fundamentally Nigerian issues", and should not be heard in London.
President Adama Barrow arrives in The Gambia, at last
Jubilant Gambians have welcomed home President Adama Barrow, who was elected almost two months ago but forced to flee to Senegal when his predecessor refused to step aside.
Dressed in flowing white robes and a cap, Barrow stepped off the plane on Thursday, with heavily-armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria standing by as he flew in from neighbouring Senegal, where he had taken shelter on January 15.
Barrow, who was accompanied by his two wives and some of his children, was welcomed by military officials and senior members of his coalition government.
His return marks The Gambia's first democratic transfer of power and capped days of waiting in the tiny former British colony after longtime leader Yahya Jammeh had refused to leave after losing a December 1 vote.
PROFILE: Adama Barrow, The Gambia's new president
Dressed in flowing white robes and a cap, Barrow stepped off the plane on Thursday, with heavily-armed troops from Senegal and Nigeria standing by as he flew in from neighbouring Senegal, where he had taken shelter on January 15.
Barrow, who was accompanied by his two wives and some of his children, was welcomed by military officials and senior members of his coalition government.
His return marks The Gambia's first democratic transfer of power and capped days of waiting in the tiny former British colony after longtime leader Yahya Jammeh had refused to leave after losing a December 1 vote.
PROFILE: Adama Barrow, The Gambia's new president
Barrow took the oath of office at his country's embassy in Dakar a week ago and a multinational African force then entered The Gambia to ensure his safe return home and Jammeh's departure.
Hundreds gathered at the airport awaiting Barrow's arrival, with drummers and dancers firing up the crowds as Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers looked on.
Hundreds gathered at the airport awaiting Barrow's arrival, with drummers and dancers firing up the crowds as Nigerian and Senegalese soldiers looked on.
British-made films dominate UK box office in 2016
British-made films dominated the UK box office in 2016, taking the three top spots for highest-grossing movies.
Figures published by the British Film Institute show Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Bridget Jones' Baby were the three most successful films of last year.
The Star Wars spin-off topped the bill with £64m, while the Harry Potter prequel and Bridget Jones sequel took £54m and £48m respectively.
Together, the three blockbusters - all shot at Pinewood Studios in London - generated 27.5% of the overall market share in the UK.
In total, £1.2 billion was spent at the box office, making 2016 the second most profitable year on record for UK cinemas.
"These record-breaking production statistics demonstrate that the UK's world-leading film sector continues to thrive and that Britain remains open for business," said the Minister for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock.
"With inward investment levels for film and television at new highs, we will continue to build on this tremendous success."
It was also a good year for British-made independent films, with Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Eddie The Eagle and Dad's Army giving home-grown independent releases a 7.4% share of the box office.
Amanda Nevill of the BFI said the figures show Britain's position as "a global leader for film and TV production is stronger than ever".
She added: "Nevertheless, there is much to be done to ensure British independent films are able to better capitalise on opportunities in this economically and creatively buoyant environment."
Figures published by the British Film Institute show Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Bridget Jones' Baby were the three most successful films of last year.
The Star Wars spin-off topped the bill with £64m, while the Harry Potter prequel and Bridget Jones sequel took £54m and £48m respectively.
Together, the three blockbusters - all shot at Pinewood Studios in London - generated 27.5% of the overall market share in the UK.
In total, £1.2 billion was spent at the box office, making 2016 the second most profitable year on record for UK cinemas.
"These record-breaking production statistics demonstrate that the UK's world-leading film sector continues to thrive and that Britain remains open for business," said the Minister for Digital and Culture Matt Hancock.
"With inward investment levels for film and television at new highs, we will continue to build on this tremendous success."
It was also a good year for British-made independent films, with Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Eddie The Eagle and Dad's Army giving home-grown independent releases a 7.4% share of the box office.
Amanda Nevill of the BFI said the figures show Britain's position as "a global leader for film and TV production is stronger than ever".
She added: "Nevertheless, there is much to be done to ensure British independent films are able to better capitalise on opportunities in this economically and creatively buoyant environment."
Wall row: Trump says US and Mexico mutually agreed to scrap talks
Donald Trump has suggested he and Mexico's president both agreed to cancel next week's meeting amid a deepening row over US plans for a border wall.
The American leader suggested the scheduled talks in Washington DC on Tuesday would have been "fruitless" as Enrique Pena Nieto is still refusing to pay for the controversial barrier.
Mr Trump has said US taxpayers will initially fund the wall, while insisting its southern neighbour will eventually "100%" foot the bill as he accused Mexico of not treating America "fairly" and "with respect".
The Republican billionaire wants to pay for the barrier with a border tax that would be part of a tax reform package, according to the White House.
The war of words saw Mr Pena Nieto saying he would scrap the meeting after Mr Trump himself earlier threatened to cancel the talks.
:: Executive powers: What Trump can and can't do
The US President, who flew to Philadelphia to meet leading Republicans at a party retreat, tweeted: "The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers...
"... of jobs and companies lost. If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting."
The American leader suggested the scheduled talks in Washington DC on Tuesday would have been "fruitless" as Enrique Pena Nieto is still refusing to pay for the controversial barrier.
Mr Trump has said US taxpayers will initially fund the wall, while insisting its southern neighbour will eventually "100%" foot the bill as he accused Mexico of not treating America "fairly" and "with respect".
The Republican billionaire wants to pay for the barrier with a border tax that would be part of a tax reform package, according to the White House.
The war of words saw Mr Pena Nieto saying he would scrap the meeting after Mr Trump himself earlier threatened to cancel the talks.
:: Executive powers: What Trump can and can't do
The US President, who flew to Philadelphia to meet leading Republicans at a party retreat, tweeted: "The U.S. has a 60 billion dollar trade deficit with Mexico. It has been a one-sided deal from the beginning of NAFTA with massive numbers...
"... of jobs and companies lost. If Mexico is unwilling to pay for the badly needed wall, then it would be better to cancel the upcoming meeting."
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