US police ambushed ‘in name of Islam’
A police officer in Philadelphia was ambushed by a man who pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State (IS), officials say. BBC News – US & Canada
Craig Taylor
IS claims Libya police bomb attack
The Islamic State group (IS) says it was behind a bomb attack which targeted a police training centre in Libya on Thursday, killing at least 65 people. BBC News – Africa
Guatemalan ex-military officials held
The Guatemalan authorities detain 14 former military officials on charges of human rights abuses during the country’s 36-year armed conflict. BBC News – Latin America & Caribbean
Oil price tumbles to below $33
Oil prices tumbled to below $ 33 a barrel on Thursday as a result of rising US energy stockpiles and China’s weakening currency. BBC News – Middle East
Marks and Spencer chief to step down
Marks and Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland is to step down in April, the company says, as it announces its Christmas results. BBC News – Business
UK faces ‘cocktail’ of economic risks
The UK faces a “cocktail” of serious threats from a slowing global economy as 2016 begins, Chancellor George Osborne will warn. BBC News – UK