Ten years in jail and 1,000 lashes: why we must defend Saudi blogger Raif Badawi

It was the fifth anniversary yesterday of the arrest of the Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, whose supposed crime was to argue for secularism, democracy and human rights. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes – a punishment that amounts to death by torture – although only 50 lashes were inflicted on him in the one session. Medical opinion was that he would not survive the remainder of that part of his sentence.

His cause has been taken up by humanist organisations, as well as by Amnesty International. He has been honoured with the EU’s Sakharov prize. Even Prince Charles raised his case on a visit to Saudi Arabia. We may be sure that neither Theresa May nor Donald Trump would do so. It is one thing to coat huge arms deals in the rhetoric of defending western freedoms, but quite another to risk any of the profits for the sake of a Saudi man who wished to enjoy those same freedoms.

Jay Z plans to bail out dads for Father's day, blasts the US criminal justice system in explosive op-ed

Legendary American hip-pop artiste, Jay Z, who recently became the first rapper to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and just became a new dad of twins, has revealed that he would help out fathers who are in jail because they can't afford bail, in celebration of Father’s day which is today.

Jay Z made this known in a powerful op-ed which was first sighted by TIME. In the extensive and explosive piece, the rapper criticized the United State’s criminal justice for wrongful convictions. Read the full Op-ed after the cut...

Beyonce gives birth to twins

American pop star Beyonce has given birth to twins, according to media in the US.

Entertainment Weekly, Us Weekly and People magazines confirmed the news, but the date of birth and gender of the babies are not yet publicly known.

Beyonce, who is married to rapper Jay-Z, announced her pregnancy in an Instagram photo in February - the most-liked post in history on the network.

The couple already have a daughter, Blue Ivy, aged five.

There has been no official confirmation of the birth from Beyonce and Jay-Z themselves.

Other photos Beyonce posted after her pregnancy announcement showed her swimming under water, reclining on a bed of roses and sitting naked on a floral throne.

Turbulence on Paris-China flight injures 26

At least 26 people were injured, four seriously, when turbulence hit a China Eastern Airlines flight from Paris on Sunday, state media reports.

The turbulence struck as flight MU774 was on its way to Kunming, in the southern Yunnan province.

Passengers suffered broken bones, cuts to the scalp and soft tissue injuries, the Xinhua state news agency reported.

China Eastern Airlines later said it was crucial passengers wear seatbelts as flights descend.

"I was on the flight, and I felt like I would not survive," the Hong Kong- based South China Morning Post quoted one passenger as saying on the Weibo microblogging site.

Stuttgart Airport suspends ALL flights over 'imminent bomb threat' after two passengers arrested and 'suspect package' found on plane

Stuttgart Airport has suspended ALL flights over an 'imminent bomb threat' - after two passengers were arrested and a 'suspect package' found on a plane, according to German media.

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Huge forest fires in Portugal kill at least 57 peopl

At least 62 people have been killed in huge forest fires in central Portugal, many dying in their cars as they tried to flee the flames.

Portugal’s prime minister, António Costa, described the blazes – which have injured dozens more people – as “the greatest tragedy we have seen in recent years in terms of forest fires”, and warned the death toll could rise. Three days of national mouring were declared.

US Vice President, Pence, hires lawyer for Russia inquiries

Vice-President Mike Pence has hired an outside lawyer to handle his response to inquiries into possible ties between President Trump’s campaign and Russia.

Richard Cullen is known for representing high profile clients.

Earlier, US media reported that Donald Trump was being investigated by special counsel Robert Mueller for possible obstruction of justice.

Mueller is leading an FBI inquiry into Russia’s alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Reports in US media said senior intelligence officials would be interviewed on whether Trump tried to end an inquiry into his sacked National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, and about the firing of FBI chief James Comey.

Trump – who has repeatedly denied any collusion with Russia – said the move was the latest action in a “phony story”.