News 86 - 86% News from around the Globe

UN envoy says Houthi call for a halt to strikes from warring sides could bring an end to years of bloody conflict. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/353ay88

Community-based media collectives are pushing an alternative, re-humanising narrative about Rio de Janeiro's favelas. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2Qnyv6T

Don’t compromise on such a vital element of a committed relationship, says Mariella Frostrup The dilemma I’ve been with my boyfriend for a year and it’s been near perfect, if not for the fact we don’t have sex. It dwindled after three months and I attempted to initiate it – even though it’s not really my character – to no avail. Now it’s not only barely existent but unenjoyable for me as he feels obliged to do it. I’ve always had a high sex drive and at the moment it’s all I think about. I really care about him and feel this is the man I could marry and have children with – he’s voiced several times that this is what he wants, too. I’ve brought the issue up no less than five times now and each time he either changes the subject or blames stress at work. The problem is, he wants me to move in with him, so this has well and truly come to a head. I need to make him see that this is a huge issue for me. I would have considered moving in and seeing how it went, but we don’t live close ...

Protesters aim to pressure world leaders who are gathering at the UN next week for the annual General Assembly. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2MbqYTm

Protests planned as more than 50,000 people are expected to gather in Houston to see Modi and Trump take the stage. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/30L6gPK

An unexpected post-Mugabe boom has caught the attention of international art collectors In a makeshift studio, in an empty house on a ridge with a spectacular view of trees and blue sky, two artists are setting out brushes and paint. Half-finished canvases lean against walls. The bustle and noise of the city is far away. Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude and Helen Teede are among a new wave of young artists in Zimbabwe who are attracting attention from collectors and curators worldwide. Both now work in a converted house surrounded by forest, a 40-minute drive from the capital, Harare. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/32X8QmW

Amber Guyger, 26, claims she entered Botham Jean’s apartment by mistake and acted in self-defense, in case that has inflamed racial tensions Testimony is to begin on Monday in the trial of a former Dallas police officer who claims she killed an unarmed black man after entering his apartment by mistake. Related: Video shows Dallas police mocking man killed as they pinned him down Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30b04nO

Widespread mistreatment reported at Romanian and Bulgarian garment factories, including unpaid overtime and bullying. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/30d6Hqp

Framing of verdict on prorogation of parliament may set off ‘constitutional eruption of volcanic proportions’ Boris Johnson would have no option but to recall MPs to Westminster if the supreme court rules he misled the Queen, senior legal sources told the Observer yesterday. There is a growing belief in the legal community that the court will find against the government when it hands down its momentous verdict on Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2V9STau

Proposal by Iran-backed rebels ‘could send message of the will to end the war,’ says Martin Griffiths The United Nations envoy for Yemen has welcomed an offer from the country’s Houthi rebels to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict. Implementation of the initiative by the Houthis “in good faith could send a powerful message of the will to end the war,” special envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2NqG0Ys

Underwater proposal gone tragically wrong was recorded and posted to Facebook A woman has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her boyfriend, who drowned while proposing marriage to her in Tanzania. Kenesha Antoine posted a video on Facebook of her boyfriend, Steven Weber, swimming up to the window of their underwater room at the Manta Resort on Pemba Island, off Tanzania. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30gGiI9

Firefighters say ‘you’ve got to accept” the climate is changing and be ready to endure more early-season emergencies What was once considered an “extreme” Queensland bushfire season should now be expected every year, firefighters say. Queensland has endured an early-season bushfire emergency this month after hot and dry conditions and strong winds fuelled dozens of blazes, which destroyed 17 homes mostly in the state’s south. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34V1F0B

Police and government fail to make arrests or provide explanation for abductions of protest organisers. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2V8e6RY

Hillary Clinton won a majority but lost the presidency in the electoral college. A close election could bring a repeat Some defeats never lose their sting. In Washington this week, Hillary Clinton summed up her bid for the White House in 2016. “You can run the best campaign. You can have the best plans. You can get the nomination. You can win the popular vote. And you can lose the electoral college and therefore the election.” Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30B7Rr3

On the same street corner in Seoul where 10,000 South Korean women rallied last October to demand an end to spy cameras and sexual violence, the leader of a new activist group addressed a small group of angry young men. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/34ZwQb4

At least 37 people were injured on Saturday when a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Albania. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/350wocv

The whistleblower offers part-confession, part-J’accuse, an ambiguous tale for a nation which doesn’t know what to think Eighteen years after the towers fell and the Pentagon burned, nearly three in four Americans call terror a national priority. Almost half prioritize security over civil liberties. Related: Crossfire Hurricane review: tale of Trump and the FBI is a gas gas gas Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2QmlCKt

More than 12 years after joining the bloc, the country’s leaders say it has made progress against corruption and deserves expanded rights for travel and trade. from World News https://ift.tt/2M8yGOg

Human rights advocates warn of ‘dangerous precedent’ as sold-out event featuring Tecber Ahmed Saleh cancelled after Moroccan embassy expresses concern The cancellation of a speech by a Western Saharan human rights advocate at the University of Sydney has reanimated concerns over foreign interference on Australian campuses. The university has insisted the sold-out event featuring Sahrawi advocate Tecber Ahmed Saleh , scheduled for Wednesday, was cancelled only because it was too similar to a previous address she made on campus earlier this month. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30EtYgn

Teargas and live rounds fired at demonstrators in Suez after crowds call for the removal of president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Egyptian security forces have clashed with hundreds of anti-government protesters in the port city of Suez in a second day of demonstrations against the Sisi regime, firing tear gas and live rounds. A heavy security presence was also maintained in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on Saturday, the epicentre of Egypt’s 2011 revolution, after protests in several cities on Friday called for the removal of general-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/330nvxZ

Prime minister dismisses reports he lobbied unsuccessfully to have Brian Houston attend state dinner Scott Morrison has sidestepped questions about whether he wanted the Hillsong Church pastor Brian Houston to be a guest at Friday night’s glittering black-tie state dinner hosted by Donald Trump, characterising the reports as “gossip”. Asked whether it was true that he had lobbied to have Houston attend the dinner and been knocked back by the White House, the Australian prime minister told travelling reporters: “I don’t comment on gossip. It’s all gossip.” Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34ZS3BJ

Prime minister says there is no discussion of Australian involvement after Donald Trump’s recent comments Scott Morrison insists Australia will not be drawn into any military conflict with Iran, declaring our commitment is limited to protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump, who flagged the prospect of a military strike against Iran, including, possibly, with nuclear weapons , during a meeting with Morrison in the Oval Office, before backtracking and saying his preference was for restraint – has sent additional troops and enhanced air and missile defence systems to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in response to a drone attack on Saudi oil facilities on 14 September. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30H64Rg

Iran’s foreign minister not confident war can be avoided, but promises any conflict will not be ‘limited’ Iran has threatened to pursue and destroy any aggressor, and says war may be unavoidable in the wake of drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oilfields and a US troop build-up in the Gulf . A day after the head of Iran’s elite Republican Guards said on state TV that “limited aggression will not remain limited,” the Iranian foreign minister told American network CBS that he was not confident that war could be avoided, while again denying Iranian involvement in the attacks on Saudi Arabia. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2AE0bde

Racing organisers have blamed ‘changes to her Asian promo schedule’ for singer’s withdrawal Taylor Swift has cancelled her scheduled performance at this year’s Melbourne Cup , with racing organisers blaming a scheduling issue. On Saturday, the chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club, Neil Wilson, released a statement that Swift was “now unable to make the trip to Australia”. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30xMw1T

The men who died in the northern NSW plane crash are believed to be a Gold Coast father and son Two men – believed to a Gold Coast father and son – have died after their small plane crashed into steep, forested terrain in northern New South Wales. Police confirmed the deaths after trekking to the crash site in the Dorrigo national park on Saturday afternoon. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2ACyjG9

The actor’s appearance in ‘That’ dress from 2000 had the crowd in Milan whooping One of the lesser-known aspects of Versace’s brand mythology is its role in the inception of Google Images. The story goes like this. In the year 2000 – as fashion scholars will recall – Jennifer Lopez wore a sheer, low-cut green Versace dress to the Grammys. “The whole world wanted to see that dress,” said Donatella Versace at a press conference in Milan on Friday. And so the world surfed the net – as we used to say – but couldn’t find the picture within the mainly text-based system. And lo, Google Images was born. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2IdFKHZ

Prominent anti-corruption journalist was killed by a powerful car bomb blast outside her home on October 16, 2017. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2QnGKjz

The man once called America’s Mayor has become the loosest of cannons, embroiling his boss in an election-meddling furore On Thursday night Rudy Giuliani, Donald Trump’s personal lawyer and troubleshooter-in-chief, went on CNN to defend his boss against the latest scandal swirling round him. Related: Rudy Giuliani's quest for dirt on Biden via Ukraine – a timeline Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Qj28q0

Last weekend's drone attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities sent shockwaves through global energy markets and the price of crude spiking. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/2Qhqy3a

Boris Johnson has been backed into a corner over Brexit. Partly through his own missteps, partly from the growing opposition to his "do-or-die" Brexit plan, Johnson is a man for whom the losses are piling up, while the UK is a country running out of time. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/30H7Kuk

The Rev. Tadeusz Rydzyk has delivered millions of votes for Poland’s governing right-wing Law and Justice party, which in turn has helped him build a business empire. from World News https://ift.tt/2M7QbOy

Josh Campbell worked for James Comey – his book is a must-read indictment of the ‘mob boss’ in the White House Few people had better seats than Josh Campbell for the drama that has shaped the Trump presidency. A supervisory special agent at the FBI, he was special assistant to James Comey and stayed on into Robert Mueller’s first year as special counsel. Related: Whistleblower's mysterious complaint over Trump sparks feverish speculation Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30zxnNm

The country once had the world’s fastest-growing economy, but it has been battered by global and domestic forces. India’s troubles are a warning sign for other developing countries. from World News https://ift.tt/34XbJ9f

Security forces fire tear gas on protesters in Cairo but many stayed on the streets Hundreds of Egyptians have protested in central Cairo and several other cities against president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, responding to an online call for a demonstration against government corruption, witnesses said. Protests have become very rare in Egypt following a broad crackdown on dissent under Sisi, who took power after the overthrow of the former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 following mass protests against his rule. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2AwGRyx

Action against symbol of democracy protests could lead to renewed trouble on city’s streets Groups of pro-China supporters have pulled down “Lennon Walls” of anti-government protest messages in Hong Kong, raising the possibility of clashes with democracy supporters and another weekend of trouble. By mid-morning on Saturday, dozens of demonstrators vowing support for Beijing had started to tear down the large mosaics of colourful posted notes calling for democracy and denouncing perceived Chinese meddling in the former British colony. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/351lqDs

Lachlan Murdoch and Gina Rinehart among state dinner guests but Brian Houston’s attendance reportedly declined by White House Scott Morrison capped-off a frenetic day in Washington, where he was feted and challenged in equal measure , by dining under the stars with Donald Trump in the Rose Garden at the White House, but without a special guest he had wanted at Friday night’s state dinner. The Wall Street Journal revealed Morrison had wanted the Hillsong Church pastor Brian Houston to be a guest at the glittering black-tie function, which included special guests Lachlan Murdoch – but not his father, Rupert – the billionaire box magnate Anthony Pratt, miners Twiggy Forrest and Gina Rinehart, and the golfer Greg Norman. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30H5hQA

The image was not taken after a climate strike and was not even taken in Australia A hoax photo that claims to show rubbish left behind by Australian climate strike protesters is circulating on Facebook, despite being revealed as fake months ago. Though it lacks any verification, and was debunked in April , the image and false caption have been shared 19,000 times in 12 hours, and thousands of times from copycats. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30gE37W

A bus carrying 30 tourists lost control about seven miles from Bryce Canyon National Park At least four people have been killed and up to 15 others critically injured when a bus transporting Chinese-speaking tourists crashed near Bryce Canyon National Park in the western US state of Utah, local authorities said. The Utah Highway Patrol said the crash took place Friday morning about seven miles from the park entrance, forcing the road to be shut as ambulances and rescue vehicles rushed to the site. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Oh8Ry3

Justin Trudeau experienced a dramatic campaign setback with the revelation of blackface photos from his past, he faces many re-election challenges Pierre Trudeau faced in 1972 from World News https://ift.tt/2ADCUYA

Mohamed Ali has urged Egyptians to protest against President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Friday. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2V1Zsf4

Millions of people across the globe took part in protests on Friday demanding urgent action on the climate crisis. The strike kicks off a week of environmental activism before the UN Climate Action Summit Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30eqq9o

Young and old alike took to the streets in an estimated 185 countries to demand action Millions of people demonstrated across the world yesterday demanding urgent action to tackle global heating, as they united across timezones and cultures to take part in the biggest climate protest in history. In an explosion of the youth movement started by the Swedish school striker Greta Thunberg just over 12 months ago, people protested from the Pacific islands, through Australia, across-south east Asia and Africa into Europe and onwards to the Americas. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31GgodD

Trump has for now decided not to authorize an immediate military strike on Iran in response to attack The Pentagon says the US will deploy additional troops and military equipment to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to beef up security, as Donald Trump has at least for now decided against any immediate military strike on Iran in response to the attack on the Saudi oil industry. Related: Iran threatens 'all-out war' if action taken over Saudi oil strike Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30x43ah

Documents reveal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was unaware of Bishop’s plans before aid contractor’s announcement The foreign affairs department had no idea Julie Bishop was taking a job with one of Australia’s biggest foreign aid contractors until it was publicly announced, internal documents show. Documents obtained by the Guardian through freedom-of-information laws suggest the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was blindsided by a July announcement from Palladium, a multinational aid contractor, that Bishop was joining its board. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31H32hc

Days after an activist was doxed, thugs brutally attacked him outside his home. The site with his and more than 100 others' information is being spread by Chinese state media. View Entire Post › from BuzzFeed News https://ift.tt/30eB3Ik

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un seemingly celebrates the firing of former Trump national security adviser John Bolton as new research has found hidden tunnels near the country's main nuclear complex. CNN's Brian Todd reports. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/30zlffw

Activists urged the Gates Foundation not to recognize India’s prime minister with a prestigious award. They accuse him of leading India into “deadly chaos.” from World News https://ift.tt/32Rx8yJ

Protesters across the region demand governments take urgent steps to prevent a climate change catastrophe. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2M1o8QV

Home affairs head says there is a ‘trusted dialogue’ with some reporters over stories involving classified information The home affairs department’s secretary, Mike Pezzullo, has defended his agency’s refusal to disclose how many warrants have been issued against journalists, while revealing he has a small group of trusted journalists he engages with when they are reporting on highly sensitive leaks. The joint standing committee on intelligence and security had asked the department how many search warrants, surveillance devices and computer access warrants had been sought by state and territory police in relation to journalists. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30mcfOR

Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene fears medical impact of failure to prepare for global heating over next 25 years The climate crisis represents the biggest threat to the future of global health over the next quarter of a century, according to a survey of top medical professionals. The vast majority of members of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, some of whom are responsible for significant discoveries in tropical diseases that plague poorer countries, believe governments and health bodies are failing to prepare adequately for the medical impacts of global heating. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34SqoT3

Object belonged to York abbey, went to Germany in 1920s, and will now be seen in Yorkshire An 800-year-old figure of Christ that hung in one of England’s most important abbeys and survived the dissolution of the monasteries is returning to its spiritual home. The Yorkshire Museum in York will on Friday put on display its new acquisition of an internationally significant example of medieval religious art, one which has been in Germany for more than a century. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31COvmO

Climate strike, YouTube, Saudi Arabia: Here’s what you need to know. from World News https://ift.tt/31CIXbY

Amnesty says evidence of arbitrary arrests, retaliatory violence against protesters. Police say acting with restraint. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2M2gMN4

Regulator had accused executives of failing to act in best interests of members A federal court judge has thrown out a bid by the prudential regulator to ban from the superannuation industry the former chief executive of IOOF Chris Kelaher and other executives of the embattled financial group. In a move that will alarm regulators, Jayne Jagot also said she did not accept that reserves set aside by super funds to deal with operational risks were “member’s money”. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2V3Zd3n

Civil Aviation Safety Authority says it will make its own call on the 737 Max, which was grounded after two crashes left 346 dead Australia’s air safety regulator may refuse permission for Boeing 737 Max planes to fly even if its US counterpart revokes an order grounding the aircraft, which has crashed twice, leaving 346 people dead. A Civil Aviation Safety Authority spokesman said that the decision of the US Federal Aviation Administration would be an important factor in deciding whether to allow the Max to fly, but Casa would also take into account other information before making its decision. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2AwbnbF

As the Rugby World Cup kicks off today, one correspondent traveling abroad reflects on how the sport made her feel closer to home and friends. from World News https://ift.tt/2NpaUjX

Jefferson county hit with estimated 40in of rain in 72 hours as story evokes memories of Hurricane Harvey The slow-churning remnants of Tropical Storm Imelda flooded parts of Texas on Thursday, leaving at least two people dead and rescue crews with boats scrambling to reach stranded drivers and families trapped in their homes during a relentless downpour that drew comparisons to Hurricane Harvey two years ago. Officials in Harris county, which includes Houston, said there had been a combination of at least 1,000 high-water rescues and evacuations to get people to shelter. The storm also flooded parts of south-western Louisiana. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2LF5Tlq

Huawei is about to find out just how important Google is to its global smartphone business. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/2V3yDXX

The stakes are high for the first Asian host of the Rugby World Cup, both on and off the pitch The Rugby World Cup megastore in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district is doing a brisk business in official merchandise. Wallabies and All Blacks T-shirts have sold out, a shop assistant says, glancing down at two sets of empty shelves. Spotting the flag emblazoned on a miniature rugby ball in the Guardian’s basket, she quickly adds: “The England shirts are selling really well, too.” The warm and sustained blast of omotenashi hospitality directed at visiting teams and their supporters this week in Japan has almost made it possible to forget that much of the tournament’s success will depend on the hosts, who begin their campaign in the opening fixture against Russia on Friday in front of a TV audience organisers say could reach 40 million – just under a third of the country’s population. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2AzjbJS

Disappearance of meadows and prairies, expansion of farmlands, use of pesticide blamed for 29 percent drop since 1970. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/32RQh3x

NT’s Labor government says the territory’s vast solar resources can help it transition to zero net carbon emissions The Northern Territory government has set a target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in a plan that says responding to climate change is “responsible economic strategy”. The NT’s Labor government’s draft climate change response says the territory will use its natural advantage in solar resources – “now the cheapest form of new electricity generation” – to transition away from fossil fuels. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30hai5U

Staffers tell Washington Post the housing secretary raised fears about men infiltrating women’s homeless shelters during meeting Ben Carson, Donald Trump’s secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Hud), made a transphobic comment this week during a meeting with federal employees in San Francisco, the Washington Post reported . At least one person at the meeting walked out in protest, staffers told the Washington Post. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30c3IO6

The newly classified species Psylla Frodobaggins is found on the South Island, where the Tolkein movies were filmed New Zealand researchers have named an insect after JRR Tolkein’s famous hobbit character Frodo Baggins. Like the famous literary character, the insect is smaller than its relations and is found in New Zealand’s South Island, the location where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed . The Psylla frodobagginsi was identified by Francesco Martoni and Karen Armstrong, who examined the psyllid insects during research for Martoni’s PhD, with the New Zealand’s Bio-Protection Research Centre. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2LYwGbe

DNA technology links man to Hwaseong murders that inspired a film, but the statute of limitations has expired South Korean police have identified a suspect more than 30 years after one of the country’s most notorious serial murder cases, but are unable to launch proceedings because it’s too long ago. Between 1986 and 1991 a record number of police officers were mobilised to try to find the person who raped and murdered women in rural parts of Hwaseong, south of the capital, Seoul. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30CX6EU

Court records reveal disturbing details about how Buck allegedly targeted and assaulted homeless men struggling with addiction Ed Buck, the Los Angeles political activist accused of preying on gay black men and forcibly injecting them with fatal doses of drugs, had at least 10 victims, would drug them while they were unconscious and was known locally as “Doctor Kevorkian”, according to new court records. The wealthy Democratic donor , 65, was arrested this week and charged with running a drug den more than two years after 26-year-old Gemmel Moore fatally overdosed in Buck’s West Hollywood home. On Thursday, federal prosecutors charged him with administering methamphetamine to a victim who died and released new details about how he targeted men struggling with homelessness and addiction. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30xUR5m

The former Triple J presenter’s mother died when he was 12. He doesn’t talk much about it publicly, but his new novel ‘is a way to remember her’ Matt Okine’s mother died on a Good Friday. On the way home from the hospital in the car with family friends he cracked a joke. It’s all good, because in two days she’s going to come back, like Jesus. No one laughed. Twelve-year-old Okine realised: “People are going to start treating you differently now.” And they did. That same scene appears in the comedian’s new novel, Being Black ’N Chicken & Chips, about 12-year-old Mike whose mother dies just weeks after a cancer diagnosis. It’s not a memoir, quite, and it’s not all sad. There are one-liners and awkward comedic pubescent scenes that one might expect of Okine the comedian and sitcom writer. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31CefQg

Department says redaction of public servants’ names from documents released under freedom of information protects them from harm The home affairs department has argued the identities of its staff should be kept secret because they may be targeted by “keyboard commentators” and says they “have a right to use social media … without feeling the impact of their working arrangements”. The department’s defence of its employees’ right to use social media sits uncomfortably with its long-running court battle with a former employee , Michaela Banerji, who was sacked for anonymous, tweeted criticism of Australia’s immigration policies. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2M6DGmf

Australia has had to rethink firefighting strategies to protect people and property as another baking summer looms. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/308ckpU

Australia and the US will discuss trade, the middle east and collaboration on space exploration during prime minister’s visit Scott Morrison has declared his week-long visit to the United States – his first as prime minister – will lay the foundations for another hundred years of mateship between Australia and America. Arriving at the Joint Base Andrews on Thursday night Washington time, the Australian prime minister said the visit would improve the defence, security and economic partnership between the two countries, and joint activities in the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2LEFvbq

Pictures and video of a huge snake-like object in the Yangtze river viewed tens of millions of times online A mysterious long, black object that was captured on video in the Yangtze river, and ended up captivating China with theories of its own Loch Ness monster, has been revealed as 20 metre-long industrial airbag. Grainy footage showing what appeared to be a long black sea creature slithering among the waves near the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province circulated widely on Chinese social media. On Weibo, the video and a discussion thread about it has been viewed more than 32m times since it emerged on Friday. The video was covered by most major media, including the party paper Beijing Youth Daily and state broadcaster CCTV and China Daily. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2V4v1oP

Three executives at Tepco acquitted, marking the end of the only criminal action over the disaster Three former executives at the company that runs the ruined Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have been acquitted of failing to take action in anticipation of the March 2011 nuclear meltdown, in the only criminal action resulting from the disaster. Tsunehisa Katsumata, a former chairman of Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) and former vice presidents Sakae Muto and Ichiro Takekuro, had apologised for the triple meltdown at the plant, but said they could not have foreseen the disaster. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Oajd2U

Pacific island nation's 16 legislators pick Kausea Natano as new leader instead of pro-Taiwan former prime minister. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2AsJYHC

Iran, Brexit, Justin Trudeau: Here’s what you need to know. from World News https://ift.tt/2IdkIt3

New draft bill, decades in the making, could also criminalise insulting the president and tightens abortion laws Indonesia is set to pass a new criminal code that could outlaw living together outside marriage and insulting the president, among a raft of controversial new measures that rights groups have decried as disastrous. The Indonesian parliament has spent decades revising its colonial-era criminal code, creating a 628-article draft bill that could be passed in coming days. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31J8JeR

Embattled prime minister scrambles to get on top of a new controversy as he faces a tight contest against Conservatives. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/306WIlI

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Twenty-six children have died after a fire broke out in a boarding school in a suburb outside the Liberian capital Monrovia, a government spokesman told CNN. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/32MfCfp

In meeting with Mohammed bin Salman, Secretary of State again condemned oil attacks and pointed finger at Iran. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/31AI7fY

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says he deeply regrets appearing in brownface for a 2001 party, after an image of the incident emerged ahead of next month's general election. He also revealed another incident in which he wore 'makeup' in a high school talent show whilst singing the Harry Belafonte song 'Day-O'.  Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34Yd5Rl

Details are unclear, but Washington Post reports intelligence official considers complaint ‘urgent concern’ Donald Trump’s promise to a foreign leader so troubled an official in the US intelligence community that it prompted the person to file a whistleblower complaint, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday. The Post, which cited two former officials familiar with the matter, said it was not immediately clear which foreign leader Trump was speaking with or what he pledged to deliver. The communication was a phone call, one former official said, according to the Post. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30avHyo

Strong civil society movements are needed to ramp up pace of change, says study Greenhouse gas emissions could be halved in the next decade if a small number of current technologies and behavioural trends are ramped up and adopted more widely, researchers have found , saying strong civil society movements are needed to drive such change. Solar and wind power, now cheaper than fossil fuels in many regions, must be scaled up rapidly to replace coal-fired generation, and this alone could halve emissions from electricity generation by 2030, according to the Exponential Roadmap report from an international group of experts. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34V3Gtu

New Zealand PM blames jet lag after hailing ‘relationship with China – excuse me sorry, with Japan’ New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has blamed jetlag for an embarrassing gaffe on her first official visit to Japan. Ardern had only just touched down in the country and was giving an interview when she said in her opening remarks it was an “incredibly exciting time for New Zealand in its relationship with China – excuse me sorry, with Japan”. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30wb62W

Former PM admits he wanted ‘raised eyebrow’ from monarch in referendum campaign David Cameron has revealed that he suggested to the Queen’s private secretary how the monarch could influence the outcome of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, before she went on to make an intervention that was widely seen as helping a faltering pro-union campaign. Cameron, as prime minister, was on a weekend break at the Balmoral estate in the Scottish Highlands in September 2014 when a YouGov survey put the campaign for Scottish independence in the lead for the first time. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30vatqt

A tweet bearing photo evidence of the predicament quickly went viral, inspiring many to suggest solutions How many co-workers does it take to open a door? More than a handful, members of the shared office space WeWork found out this week. Employees of an unnamed company renting space in a Washington DC WeWork building returned to work after the weekend to find they were unable to enter the office – an umbrella had fallen sideways, jamming the door. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/307Uum4

TEPCO executives facing criminal charges have pleaded not guilty in relation to worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/32Rn7BQ

Incident in 2013 led to deep rift between the two neighbours, then agreement to avoid use of force in fishing disputes. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2LB1orO

Canadian prime minister says he deeply regrets image from 2001 party, which emerges weeks out from election Justin Trudeau has apologised for wearing brownface makeup to a party when he was a teacher in 2001, saying “it was a racist thing to do”. A photograph of Trudeau dressed in a turban and robes with brown makeup on his face, neck and hands, was published by Time magazine on Wednesday. It was taken when he was 29, while working as a teacher at West Point Grey Academy. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2Nok14z

'I was just crying, 'mercy, mercy'' from The Independent - World https://ift.tt/34PphU9

Trump says he will name the lawyer and hostage negotiator as hawkish John Bolton's replacement. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2LYaEFG

The Swedish teen activist tells US politicians to 'listen to scientists' and enact strong measures on climate change. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/34Srs9r

Plan to cut interest rates and continue QE is an exchange-rate policy in all but name On 12 September, the European Central Bank decided to launch yet another asset-purchase programme, with plans to buy €20bn ($22bn) in new securities per month for an indefinite period of time, using the same structure as it has in the past. The decision was not made unanimously: the German , French , Dutch , Austrian , and Estonian members of the ECB council have all voiced fierce opposition to further quantitative easing (QE). ECB president Mario Draghi claims that the majority in favour of further loosening was so large that it was unnecessary even to count the votes. Never mind that the countries opposing the decision hold 56% of the ECB’s paid-in equity capital and account for 60% of eurozone output . Counting their compatriots on the ECB governing council, however, they have only seven out of 25 potential votes (subject to a rotating limitation). Draghi did have a majority, then, but it repr...

Objects found in Wroxeter provide rare glimpse into lives of women in Roman Britain For a century they were considered pretty 2,000-year-old pendants with no use other than for decoration. But English Heritage will reveal on Wednesday that they had a fascinating purpose: as makeup applicators that the more well-heeled woman in Roman Britain would have used to put on eye makeup. The fashion was for heavy and dark, often using soot or charcoal. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2V2WCXt

Neither of the two main contenders in the second Israeli election of 2019, incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz, have declared themselves victors, results remain too close to call. Speaking to his supporters, Netanyahu called for a 'strong Zionist government... not [one that] leans on Arab and anti-Zionist parties', as the crowd chanted  'no unity' Benny Gantz, the leader of the Blue and White party, said he would negotiate a unity government over the coming days. Israel's potential kingmaker calls for unity government Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2V0pCyZ

Claims have hurt efforts to help people around world in acute pain, say palliative care experts An attack on the World Health Organization (WHO) by US politicians accusing it of being corrupted by drug companies is making it even more difficult to get morphine to millions of people dying in acute pain in poor countries, say experts in the field. Representatives of the hospice and palliative care community said they were stunned by the Congress members’ report , which they said made false accusations and would affect people suffering in countries where almost no opioids were available. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30qPDIP

Intelligence officer Cameron Ortis had access to classified information from Five Eyes allies, including Australia Canada is seeking to reassure its Five Eyes intelligence allies in the wake of a massive alleged spying leak that may be linked to an Australian drug-smuggling criminal syndicate. Cameron Ortis, the director general of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s intelligence unit, has been charged over allegations he was trying to sell secrets to a foreign agent or terrorist group. He had access to classified information from Canada’s Five Eyes global allies, including Australia. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2LYiC1n

Global Witness report accuses food and beverage company of 'inappropriate' ties with a landlord accused of violence. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2LWWvZd

Film-maker has spent three years showing how the colander-wearing religion is more than a joke Some time next year, the European court of human rights will decide on the case of a Dutch woman who feels unfairly treated because her country’s highest court has told her she cannot wear a plastic colander on her head for her ID photo. It may combine Mienke de Wilde’s plea with that of an Austrian former MP, Niko Alm , who proudly wears the offending kitchen utensil on his official documents but now insists his country recognise Pastafarianism – the faith both follow – as a religion. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34UIa8u

Israel, Iran, Spain elections: Here’s what you need to know. from World News https://ift.tt/2QeSHrz

Pressure is growing to tackle forest fires as noxious smoke haze envelopes Malaysia and Singapore. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2ZZz62r

America’s oldest dictionary claps back at grammar snobs as it embraces more inclusive definition Attention grammar snobs: ”they” can officially be used as a singular, nonbinary pronoun. Merriam-Webster, the oldest dictionary publisher in America, officially recognized the usage today, when it added 533 words to its online dictionary. The recognition of “ they” as a singular, non-gender-specific pronoun comes as its usage grows in popularity, especially among people who identify as neither male nor female. However, these adoptees frequently face critics who claim the usage is not “grammatically correct”. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2V2s4Vv

Auckland beats Scotland to NZ$1.3bn contract for what is expected to be the most expensive TV series ever made New Zealand will reprise its starring role as Middle Earth with confirmation Amazon Studios will and film its new Lord of the Rings television series on its shores. The country – where Sir Peter Jackson filmed the original Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies – beat rival Scotland to be named the production location for the series, set to be the most expensive TV show ever made. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2OdHB3H

Citing prominent grievance among men’s rights groups, One Nation leader says she has personal experience to back up claim Pauline Hanson has sparked furore among anti-domestic violence campaigners after claiming women are lying about abuse to gain advantage in family courts. The One Nation senator, who has claimed credit for the Coalition’s decision to establish an inquiry into the family law system and will co-chair the review, told ABC on Wednesday that some women were making up domestic violence claims in custody battles. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31C02Ty

The choking smog, blamed on forest fires in Indonesia, has become an annual occurrence in Southeast Asia, despite efforts to address the problem. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/307kGx9

Kiingi Tūheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII says land at heart of housing dispute should be given back to indigenous custodians The Māori king has ruled that the disputed land of Ihumātao should be returned, paving the way for an intervention by the government that could set a precedent in indigenous land disputes across the country. The Ihumātao site in south Auckland was seized by the Crown in 1863, and sold to private developer Fletcher Building in 2016, which planned to put housing on the land. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2M1qUFR

Former campaign manager accuses lawmakers of ‘petty and personal politics’ as judiciary committee considers impeachment Donald Trump’s former campaign manager accused lawmakers of “focusing on petty and personal politics” in a testy hearing, as he confirmed to members of Congress that the president asked him to intervene in the Russia investigation. As the hearing came to a close on Tuesday, the House judiciary chair, Jerrold Nadler, told Corey Lewandowski, a close Trump ally, that his behavior had been “completely unacceptable”. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/32SuMQ3

US vice president scraps meeting with Solomons' Manasseh Sogavare after he cut ties with Taiwan in favour of China. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/30phPf2

President of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says church can change policies but not God’s law The leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has reaffirmed the religion’s opposition to same-sex marriage, saying God’s law dictates that marriage is restricted to unions between a man and a woman. The church president, Russell M Nelson also said during a speech to students at the church-owned Brigham Young University that the religion’s love for everyone regardless of sexual orientation led to the repeal earlier this year of a 2015 policy that banned baptisms for children of parents in same-sex relationships and labeled gay couples as sinners eligible for expulsion. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2NkawTO

Israel's former defence chief Avigdor Lieberman has called for a national unity government after election exit polls suggest the result is too close to call. The possible kingmaker in the parliamentary election told a campaign rally: 'We have only one option – a national, liberal, broad government comprising Yisrael Beitenu, Likud and Blue and White.' Blue and White is led by centre-left Benny Gantz. Benjamin Netanyahu leads the right-wing Likud. Lieberman is head of far-right secular party Israel Beitenu. Israel election: live coverage   Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31r67C1

Indonesia's parliament has raised the minimum age at which women can marry to 19, in a ruling which is expected to curb child marriage in the country. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/34QvH5y

A Māori tribe has banned a replica of Captain James Cook's ship the Endeavour from docking at its village next month, during a national commemoration of the British explorer's first encounter with indigenous New Zealanders. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/32NbdZG

Zhao Jiaxin and Howey Ou are trying to convince Beijing to take radical carbon-cutting action One is a student engineer who became obsessed after watching an incendiary film about air pollution. The other is a 16-year-old who went on China’s first climate strike. Zhao Jiaxin and Howey Ou are part of a small but growing minority of young Chinese determined to press their country towards more radical carbon-cutting action. The pair are also China’s sole winners of carbon neutral “green tickets” the UN is providing to 100 young people around the world. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30nT0Qz

The winner of Israel’s do-over election was too close to call early Wednesday, but exit polls pointed to serious obstacles for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. from World News https://ift.tt/2LVGXFe

Neil Parker fractured his leg and wrist when he fell six metres down a waterfall at Mt Nebo, north-west of Brisbane Colleagues of a Queensland hiker who fell down a waterfall and crawled for two days to safety with a shattered leg say he survived because he is a “competent and capable bushwalker”. Neil Parker, 54, fractured his leg and wrist in the six-metre fall on Sunday while walking by himself in Cabbage Tree Creek on Mt Nebo, north-west of Brisbane. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2ArZAva

One man and two women were hospitalized after the rush-hour derailment. Such accidents are exceedingly rare in Hong Kong, and the cause was not immediately clear. from World News https://ift.tt/2V9y1jP

Analysts say Benjamin Netanyahu unlikely to be able to secure majority, raising prospect of unity government. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/31zE4AA

Diplomats say China wants reference to its Belt and Road project in mission renewal as Tuesday deadline looms. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/2V1pDTh

Oil, Trump taxes, Israel election: Here’s what you need to know. from World News https://ift.tt/2UYRXWi

Japan has been a quiet presence on rugby's international stage for decades, but now the Far East nation is set to soak up the limelight. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/2LzVN59

The United Kingdom, once a beacon of political and diplomatic stability, has descended into chaos since it voted to leave the European Union in 2016. from CNN.com - RSS Channel - World https://ift.tt/2LVPgAJ

Netanyahu campaign has demonised Israel’s Arab minority and vowed to annex much of Palestinian territories Israelis have begun voting in the country’s second election this year, following a campaign dominated by Benjamin Netanyahu and his vows to implement a far-right, ultranationalist agenda in exchange for a record fifth term as leader. Facing the prospect of criminal corruption indictments and hoping to extend his unmatched stint in the prime minister’s office, Netanyahu has promised to declare up to a third of the occupied Palestinian territories as part of Israel if he is re-elected. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2NlslC7

At least 24,000 people are trapped in vastly overcrowded Aegean island camps in squalid conditions Children being bitten by scorpions, rats and snakes; hundreds being forced to use a single shower; the stench of human excrement never far away; and food shortages becoming the norm. One by one, Sophie McCann lists the degradations of life for refugees detained on Lesbos, the Greek island on the frontline of a new surge of asylum seekers desperate to reach Europe. McCann, a British advocacy manager with Médecins Sans Frontières, like other aid workers, is now raising the alarm: at least 24,000 men, women and children trapped in vastly overcrowded Aegean island camps are being subjected to conditions so harrowing they bear all the hallmarks of humanitarian catastrophe. Four years after the greatest migration crisis in modern times, there are fears history is repeating itself. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2UYFFgJ

The climate crisis is so severe the actions of the denialists are now an immediate threat to our children In this age of rapidly melting glaciers , terrifying megafires and ever more puissant hurricanes , of acidifying and rising oceans, it is hard to believe that any further prod to climate action is needed. But the reality is that we continue to live in a business-as-usual world. Our media is filled with enthusiastic announcements about new fossil fuel projects , or the unveiling of the latest fossil-fuelled supercar , as if there’s no relationship between such things and climate change. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2ZX7JpJ

President asks CNN commentator Steve Cortes whether he loves US or Hispanics more at New Mexico rally At a rally in New Mexico, Donald Trump implied that one of his supporters was too light-skinned to be Hispanic. The US president said of Steve Cortes, a member of his Hispanic advisory council: “He happens to be Hispanic, but I’ve never quite figured it out, because he looks more like a Wasp than I do.” Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/31qCz7G

Dfat says Interpol red notice for arrest of Veronica Koman is a matter for Australian federal police The Australian government has refused to rule out handing over a Sydney-based lawyer who advocates for West Papuans to Indonesian authorities. Veronica Koman, an Indonesian human rights lawyer who currently lives in Australia, is being pursued by Indonesian police for disseminating evidence of police- and military-backed violence in West Papua. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2QgGrXN

Republicans last won state in 2004 from The Independent - World https://ift.tt/2NiKuQQ

Carrie Lam hopes community discussions will help ease tension in the city after months of sometimes violent protests. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/301ygmx

Criminals threaten and attack government officials, forest defenders and indigenous people, Human Rights Watch finds Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon is a lucrative business largely driven by criminal networks that threaten and attack government officials, forest defenders and indigenous people who try to stop them, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch. Rainforest Mafias concludes that Brazil’s failure to police these gangs threatens its abilities to meet its commitments under the Paris climate deal – such as eliminating illegal deforestation by 2030. It was published a week before the UN Climate Action Summit . Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34ShWU6

Corey Lewandowski told to limit his remarks as sole witness at what committee calls first impeachment hearing The White House has instructed two former aides to Donald Trump not to appear at a House judiciary committee hearing on Tuesday, saying Rick Dearborn and Rob Porter are “absolutely immune” from testifying at what the panel is calling its first impeachment hearing. In a letter sent to the panel and obtained by the Associated Press, the White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote that the justice department has advised – and Trump has directed – Dearborn and Porter to defy subpoenas because of “constitutional immunity”. Lawyers for both men said they would follow Trump’s orders. Continue reading... from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/30cSF7C

American president also says he is 'sure' North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would 'love' to visit the United States. from Al Jazeera English https://ift.tt/303opfi