https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-45971834

A British academic accused of spying by the United Arab Emirates has appeared in court.

Matthew Hedges, a 31-year-old PhD student at Durham University, was arrested on 5 May in Dubai and has reportedly been held in solitary confinement for five months.

In a short hearing in the UAE, Mr Hedges' lawyer requested an adjournment and the next hearing was scheduled for 21 November.

He denies spying for the UK government.

Mr Hedges was detained at Dubai Airport as he was leaving the country following a research trip.

His family said he had been researching the impact of the Arab Spring on the UAE's foreign policy and security strategy when he was arrested.

From yesterday!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/China_hidden_camps

China is accused of locking up hundreds of thousands of Muslims without trial in its western region of Xinjiang.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45971366

Mullah Baradar: Taliban say founder 'freed by Pakistan'

The Afghan Taliban spokesman has said one of its founding members has been released from detention in Pakistan.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar served as second-in-command under Mullah Omar and co-ordinated the group's military operations in southern Afghanistan.

He was arrested eight years ago in the Pakistani city of Karachi.

Correspondents say his release could be linked to US efforts to revive peace talks between the militants and the Afghan government.

"He wasn't released because he was ill," a Taliban source told the BBC.

"In fact Pakistan also wants him to play a role in peace talks. He is in good shape and is expected to play a role in the peace process."

Taliban officials secretly met a senior US diplomat in Qatar, it emerged in July. The Islamist group's power and reach have surged since foreign combat troops left Afghanistan in 2014.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45959886

Seven children killed in virus outbreak at US health centre

The death toll from a viral outbreak at a medical care centre in the US state of New Jersey has risen to seven children, with 11 more infected.

The strain of adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation was "associated with communal living" and "known to cause severe illness", officials said in a statement.

The children affected were "medically fragile", the statement added.

The state investigation is ongoing. The centre is now closed to new patients.

The health facility in Haskell is privately owned. The centre did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC.

What is an adenovirus?

Adenoviruses are a type of virus usually spread through close contact (like touching an infected surface or shaking hands), coughing, and sneezing, according to the CDC.

Different strains of adenoviruses can cause a range of illnesses, including common cold symptoms, bronchitis, pneumonia and diarrhoea.

Serious complications are uncommon, but the CDC notes those with "weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease" are at a higher risk of severe sickness from adenovirus infections.

Officials say the strain affecting children at the clinic, number seven, is associated with communal living and "can be more severe".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-45954637

A Japanese freelance journalist held hostage by militants in northern Syria for three years has been freed and has confirmed he is safe and well.

In a video sent from the Turkish border, Jumpei Yasuda spoke in English and gave his name, confirming he had been held hostage for 40 months.

His wife Myu, who campaigned for his release, was appearing live on Japanese TV when the news was announced.

Mr Yasuda was also held hostage during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2004.

He was released then after several days.

The reporter went missing in June 2015 after travelling from Turkey to Syria to report on the country's civil war.

He was reportedly held by the al-Qaeda-linked group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which was once known as al-Nusra Front.