BBC UK

US top court strikes down law limiting abortions The US Supreme Court has ruled that a law restricting abortions in Louisiana is unconstitutional. In a landmark decision, the justices said a law requiring that doctors who provide abortions have the right to admit patients at a local hospital placed an undue burden on women. Chief Justice John Roberts joined liberal justices in the 5-4 decision in a blow to anti-abortion groups. The court struck down a similar policy in Texas in 2016, the opinion noted. This was the first major abortion case ruling from the Supreme Court during the Trump presidency. The 2014 Louisiana law said that doctors must hold so-called admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles (48km) of their practice. But critics said the controversial law would limit the number of providers in the state, violating a woman's right to an abortion. What was the case about? June Medical Services v Russo asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether to uphold a lower court...

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?" The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way. "I wrote: 'Today is a beautiful day; but I cannot see it.'"Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign reminded people how fortunate...

Singer 2baba appointed UN Goodwill ambassador - Nigerian music icon 2baba Idibia has been appointed as a UNHCR ambassador - This was made public in a post shared by his manager Efe Omorogbe - Shortly after Omorogbe's announcement, the singer also shared the news with his fans Popular Nigerian singer Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2baba has just been appointed as an ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The information was revealed by the music star’s manager, Efe Omorogbe, in a post shared on his official Instagram page. 2baba’s appointment comes in recognition of his efforts towards the welfare of those who have been displaced across Africa and beyond. Newly appointed UN Goodwill ambassador 2baba Idibia. Photo:Instagram/@official2baba Omorogbe while sharing the news congratulated the singer and prayed the Lord to grant him the ability to do more. He said: "Congrats @official2baba. Well deserved recognition for your unwavering commitment...

US President Donald Trump has extended a pause on some green cards and suspended visas for other foreign workers until the end of 2020. High-skilled tech workers, nonagricultural seasonal helpers, au pairs and top executives will be affected. The White House said the move will create jobs for Americans hurting economically due to the pandemic. But critics say the White House is exploiting the corona virus pandemic to tighten up immigration laws. Trump's bid to end immigration policy 'unlawful' Immigration to US to be halted due to virus - Trump Trump's 'wealth test' begins for US immigrants Who's affected? In a briefing for reporters, the administration said the freeze, in place through the end of the year, would impact about 525,000 people. That includes an estimated 170,000 people blocked by the decision to extend a ban on some new green cards - which grants permanent residence to foreigners. The White House first announced it was halting those visas in Ap...

The man held on suspicion of killing three people at a park in Reading is Khairi Saadallah. The 25-year-old from the town was arrested at the scene and police say they are not looking for anyone else over the terrorist incident. Security sources told the BBC he is originally from Libya. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "appalled and sickened" by the attack in Forbury Gardens on Saturday evening. He also promised action "if there are lessons that we need to learn". Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of counter-terrorism policing, described it as an "atrocity". He added investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack. Live: Reading attack declared 'terrorist incident' What we know so far A witness told the BBC he saw a man moving between groups of people in the park in Reading town centre, trying to stab them. Three other people were injured in the attack, which took place at about 19:00 BST...

French police clash with anti-racism activists in Paris French police have clashed with activists protesting in Paris against racism and alleged police brutality. Police used tear gas against stone-throwing protesters who tried to hold a march that was banned. The rally is part is a worldwide movement inspired by America's Black Lives Matter protests. It was organised under the banner "Justice for Adama", after Adama Traoré, a young black man who died in French police custody in 2016. Thousands of anti-racism activists gathered on the Place de la République in central Paris on Saturday. However they were blocked by police as they tried to stage a march to the Opera. Clashes erupted and tear gas was fired as officers moved against the protesters. The march had been banned because of the possible threat to local businesses. French anti-racism protests defy police ban Video of French officer beating protester probed French police officers suspended over racist slur As the pr...