The World This Week

As 800,000 federal workers go unpaid, Republicans and Democrats are digging in. So far at least, President Trump is getting most of the criticism. Also in this edition: Mike Pompeo lays out the new US Middle East policy; Guatemala's president feels the heat from corruption investigators; more Brexit misery for Prime Minister Theresa May as a crunch vote approaches; Pakistan's cricketing diplomacy after India pull off a big win over Australia; and a winner is declared in the DR Congo election - but is it the right one? (Picture: a protester against the partial government shutdown outside a trades union headquarters in Washington. Credit: Getty Images)

Two women in India ended a long-standing ban at a high-profile temple by entering the complex to pray. Their action led to protests, violence and much passionate debate

The protests pose the biggest threat yet to the president in his three-decade rule. And for the first time, army support for him has appeared lukewarm. Also in this edition: as another Tunisian burns himself to death, we assess the legacy of the Arab Spring; Japan says it will take up commercial whaling; and why some people want to make more use of mercenaries. (Picture: Protesters against President Bashir chant in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. Credit: Reuters)

President Trump's decision surprised Washington and the world. Now his defence secretary is leaving too. Also in this edition: the ceasefire in Yemen's most important port; Hungarians protest about 'slave labour' law; the Brexit pantomine; and what the Nativity story tells us about reputation management. (Picture: US Marine Corps tactical vehicles in Syria. Credit: AFP/Getty)