World

Donald Trump says he will close down the US government if necessary to build his wall along the Mexico border.The president told supporters at a "Make America Great Again" rally in Phoenix, Arizona, that the opposition Democrats were being "obstructionist".During the 80-minute speech, he also took aim at the media, blaming them for giving far right groups "a platform".But he selectively quoted hi...

Tunisia's parliament has adopted a new anti-terror law which seeks to counter the threat posed by Islamist militants.The move follows two deadly attacks on tourism sites - a beach and hotel at Sousse in June and the Bardo Museum in Tunis in March.Under the new law, those convicted of terrorism could face the death penalty and expressions of support for terrorism are a jailable offence.However, ri...

A champion surfer who escaped a shark attack in South Africa live on television has returned to the water six days later in his native Australia.Mick Fanning, 34, posted a picture of himself early on Saturday near his Tweed Heads home in northern New South Wales.He wrote: "First surf back. Feels so good."Mr Fanning was competing in Jeffreys Bay, on the eastern Cape, when he was knocked off his su...

Australia is playing a key role in the world's biggest search for extra-terrestrial intelligence.An Australian radio telescope in operation for more than 50 years will be one of the primary instruments used in a new $100m (A$137m; £64m) search for life elsewhere in space.The 10-year project - known as the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) - was announced this week by Prof Stephen H...

A nurse who says he was forced to work with Islamist State militants in Syria has appeared in court in Sydney.Adam Brookman, 39, was detained on Friday at Sydney International Airport relating to "his alleged involvement in the conflict in Syria", police said.He is the first Australian to return from Syria or Iraq since the country brought in new anti-terror laws.Justice Minister Michael Keenan h...

At the end of May, the Oxford Union held a debate on the motion "This house believes Britain owes reparations to her former colonies". Speakers included former Conservative MP Sir Richard Ottaway, Indian politician and writer Shashi Tharoor and British historian John Mackenzie. Shashi Tharoor's argument in support of the motion, went viral in India after he tweeted it out from his personal accoun...