Five people have been sentenced to death over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, Saudi Arabia announced today. The five men 'directly took part in the killing' at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the kingdom's public prosecutor said. A further three people were jailed, but former royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani - a close aide of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman - was not charged. The trials were held in near-secrecy and today's sentences sparked immediate claims of a cover-up to protect the prince, who denies involvement in the killing. UN investigator Agnes Callamard, who wrote a report setting out 'credible evidence' of Prince Mohammed's involvement, today labelled the Saudi inquiry a 'travesty'.
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South Carolina Highway Patrol tweeted footage of the damaged Cobra attack. The military aircraft, named Annie, had been left in a parking lot in Columbia. Police say it was hit in the early hours of December 14 by Thomas Anderson, 37. He 'thought he was on the expressway by the airport not a parking lot', cops said. The helicopter is used by a non profit started by retired military leaders in 1999. 'I cried when I heard about it', Purple Heart recipient Stephen Seymour said.
Heavy rainfall may threaten millions this holiday season as flood warnings are issued along the West and East coasts. The dreadful weather began Thursday as record rainfall and darkness hit Seattle, Washington. One of the major storms hit the region that is still at risk for flooding, mudslides and avalanches. Friday became the wettest day in Seattle in the past 10 years, and the most rain recorded for December 20 since record-keeping at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport began in 1945. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the airport recorded 3.25 inches of rain Friday, making it also the fifth rainiest day in city history. Meanwhile on the East Coast, forecasters warned residents in Atlanta, Georgia, about a second storm that could cause possible flooding and high winds early Monday morning. 'Travel tomorrow could be difficult at times, so please plan accordingly.'💦🎄
Hong Kong riot police broke up a solidarity rally for China's Uighurs on Sunday - with one officer drawing a pistol - as the city's pro-democracy movement likened their plight to that of the oppressed Muslim minority. The initially peaceful rally descended into chaos when a small group of protesters removed a Chinese flag from a nearby government building and tried to burn it, an AFP reporter on the scene said. Organisers stopped the flag being burned but riot police then swooped in with pepper spray, sparking anger from the crowd who threw water bottles. #HK
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Woman Who Shot Man In The Head While On Facebook Live Gets Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison.
Venice is enduring yet more flooding today just weeks after high tides caused a billion euros of damage in the historic city. Tourists could be seen carrying their suitcases aloft and wading through water in the Italian city's famous St Mark's square after an 'exceptional' 4ft 9ins peak tide this morning.