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- Melbourne crash: police call Flinders Street car incident 'a deliberate act' – live updates
- Catalonia poised for hung parliament in bitterly contested election, polls say
- Trump threatens to cut aid to countries over UN Jerusalem vote
- Poland cries foul as EU triggers 'nuclear option' over judicial independence
- Breakthrough for genetic hearing loss as gene editing prevents deafness in mice
- Six men found hanged from bridges near Mexico tourist spot Los Cabos
- Justin Trudeau broke conflict of interest rules with stay at Aga Khan's island
- Working among rats and needles for 70p a day: life on Madagascar’s mega dump – in pictures
- Theresa May will 'raise concerns' with Polish PM over judicial reforms
- Canadian couple forced to spend first Christmas apart after 69 years
- Swedish rape law would require explicit consent before sexual contact
- India unveils anti-smog cannon in fight against Delhi pollution
- European court rules champagne sorbet can keep the sparkling name
- Breaking down the new Berlin wall: refugee guides show their side of city
- Alaska’s Arctic national wildlife refuge now has a $1bn price tag on it | Kim Heacox
- Bristol City boss's celebration with ballboy sparks outbreak of hugs
- Poland can thumb its nose at Brussels as long as the cash keeps rolling in | Remi Adekoya
- Fighting child sex crimes in South Africa: 'We've seen an increase in brutality' | Hannah Summers
- More than 100 human rights activists killed in Colombia in 2017, UN says
- 'Nut rage': court upholds suspended sentence for Korean Air executive
- Thursday briefing: May stable empties before Christmas
- Catalonia's regional election unlikely to heal bitter divisions
- Top Democrat says Trump firing of Mueller could provoke 'constitutional crisis' – video
- Republicans celebrate tax bill with Trump at the White House – video
- Justine Damond's father questions US police shooting investigation – video
- Trump on UN Jerusalem vote: 'we're watching your votes' – video
- Trump asks Ben Carson to say prayer before cabinet meeting – video
- Christmas jeer: Rome's 'Spelacchio' tree attracts ridicule – video
| Melbourne crash: police call Flinders Street car incident 'a deliberate act' – live updates Posted: 21 Dec 2017 02:30 AM PST
St Paul's Cathedral, which towers over Flinders Street about 250m from the crash site, has released a brief statement and photo that prominently features a sign saying "Let's fully welcome refugees." When our city hurts, we hurt. We continue to pray for all affected by the #FlindersStreet attack and for first responders, police and peace. pic.twitter.com/hVWOpYtQav A reminder of the loving nature of #Melbourne: meters away from the #FlindersStreet attack is St Paul's Cathedral which has a large 'Let's Fully Welcome Refugees' banner at the entrance. pic.twitter.com/FXIoYuhBF1 The one thing I can't stop thinking is all the people helping people, all the people that stop me and ask if I was ok. All the people that run to help. There was so much love in that hell. Don't forget that. Don't forget that love is our biggest weapon #FlindersStreet #melbourne
Melbourne bureau chief Melissa Davey has updated our main story on the incident, wrapping in what we know so far. You can read it here: Related: Flinders Street: two arrested after car crashes into pedestrians in Melbourne Continue reading... |
| Catalonia poised for hung parliament in bitterly contested election, polls say Posted: 20 Dec 2017 09:00 PM PST No clear winner is in sight and coalition talks are expected following the election results late on Thursday night Deposed leader Puigdemont rallies supporters from Belgium Catalans head to the polls on Thursday to vote in an extraordinary and bitterly contested election that will pit secessionists against unionists and determine the next phase of the long-running campaign for independence from Spain. The election was called by the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, at the end of October when the central government took control of Catalonia and sacked the regional government after it staged an illegal independence referendum and made a unilateral declaration of independence. Continue reading... |
| Trump threatens to cut aid to countries over UN Jerusalem vote Posted: 21 Dec 2017 01:26 AM PST
Donald Trump has threatened to withhold "billions" of dollars of US aid from countries which vote in favour of a United Nations resolution rejecting the US president's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. His comments came after the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, wrote to about 180 of 193 member states warning that she will be "taking names" of countries that vote for a general assembly resolution on Thursday critical of the announcement which overturned decades of US foreign policy. Continue reading... |
| Poland cries foul as EU triggers 'nuclear option' over judicial independence Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:11 AM PST European commission tells member states that Polish government has put fundamental democratic values at risk The Polish government has accused the European commission of a politically motivated attack after the EU's executive body triggered a process that could see the country stripped of voting rights in Brussels, over legal changes that the bloc claims threaten the independence of the judiciary. In a highly symbolic moment, Poland's fellow 27 EU member states were advised by the commission on Wednesday that the legislative programme of Poland's government was putting at risk fundamental values expected of a democratic state by allowing political interference in its courts. Continue reading... |
| Breakthrough for genetic hearing loss as gene editing prevents deafness in mice Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:00 AM PST Prospect of a new class of therapies that could transform future treatment of genetic hearing loss, at the root of nearly half of all cases of deafness Deafness has been prevented in mice using gene editing for the first time, in an advance that could transform future treatment of genetic hearing loss. The study found that a single injection of a gene editing cocktail prevented progressive deafness in baby animals that were destined to lose their hearing. Continue reading... |
| Six men found hanged from bridges near Mexico tourist spot Los Cabos Posted: 20 Dec 2017 12:34 PM PST Authorities did not give details on what happened to the men, but drug gangs often hang the bodies of their murdered victims in public to intimidate rivals The bodies of six men have been left hanging from three different bridges near the Mexican tourist resort of Los Cabos on the Baja California peninsula on Wednesday, local authorities said. The authorities did not give details on what happened to the men, but drug gangs often hang the bodies of their murdered victims in public to intimidate rivals. Drug gang violence is set to make 2017 Mexico's deadliest year in modern history. Continue reading... |
| Justin Trudeau broke conflict of interest rules with stay at Aga Khan's island Posted: 20 Dec 2017 11:27 AM PST
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, contravened some conflict of interest rules when he accepted a vacation last year on a private island belonging to the Aga Khan, the country's ethics watchdog said on Wednesday. The conflict of interest and ethics commissioner, Mary Dawson, said Trudeau contravened a rule on gifts when he accepted the use of the island in March and December 2016, while there were ongoing official dealings with the Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada was registered to lobby Trudeau's office. Continue reading... |
| Working among rats and needles for 70p a day: life on Madagascar’s mega dump – in pictures Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:11 AM PST About 3,000 people work gruelling 10-hour shifts at Ralalitra, one of Africa's largest rubbish sites. Doctors fear it could become a breeding ground for plague Photographs by Tom Maguire Fanja Randriamihavo, 15, is one of 3,000 people who live and work in Ralalitra, one of Africa's largest rubbish dumps. The site, in Madagascar's capital, Antananarivo, spans about 50 acres. Each day, it receives more than 600 tonnes of waste from the capital and from the three million residents of its sprawling suburbs. People who work on the dump site collect metals, coal and plastic from among the chaotic mess of needles, rats, faeces and aborted babies. They are paid just 3,000 Malagasy ariary ( 70p) a day. Continue reading... |
| Theresa May will 'raise concerns' with Polish PM over judicial reforms Posted: 20 Dec 2017 02:32 PM PST Delicate diplomatic challenge faces May as she heads to Warsaw while Brussels considers stripping Poland of voting rights over 'serious breach' of EU values Theresa May is prepared to challenge her Polish counterpart over his government's controversial interference in the country's judicial system, Downing Street said, as the prime minister prepared to fly to Warsaw on Thursday. Her visit will come in the aftermath of an unprecedented decision by the EU to censure Poland for a "serious breach" of its values, which could ultimately see Warsaw stripped of its voting rights in Brussels. Continue reading... |
| Canadian couple forced to spend first Christmas apart after 69 years Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:11 AM PST Herbert and Audrey Goodine will be separated during the festive season after authorities ruled that they must live in separate care homes For decades, Herbert and Audrey Goodine have celebrated Christmas together, setting out decorations and preparing gifts. This year the elderly Canadian couple will be forced to spend part of the season apart for the first time in 69 years, after provincial authorities determined that they required different levels of home care. Related: Calls for end to 'inhumane' separation of elderly couples being moved into care Continue reading... |
| Swedish rape law would require explicit consent before sexual contact Posted: 20 Dec 2017 09:14 AM PST Under legislation expected to be approved by parliament, burden of proof would shift from victim to alleged attacker Sweden is moving to change its rape law to shift the burden of proof from the claimant to the alleged attacker, in a proposal that would require people to obtain explicit consent before sexual contact. Isabella Lovin, the deputy prime minister, said the recent #metoo anti-harassment campaign had shown the need for the new legislation, which is expected to be approved by parliament on Thursday. Continue reading... |
| India unveils anti-smog cannon in fight against Delhi pollution Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:38 PM PST The cannon blasts water droplets at high speed to flush out air pollutants, but environmentalists say it doesn't tackle the root cause of the problem India has unveiled a new weapon against air pollution – an "anti-smog gun" which authorities hope will clear the skies above New Delhi but which environmentalists say amounts to a band-aid solution. The cannon's Indian manufacturers say the fine droplets of water it ejects at high speed can flush out deadly airborne pollutants in one of the world's smoggiest capitals. Continue reading... |
| European court rules champagne sorbet can keep the sparkling name Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:06 AM PST ECJ says Aldi product, which is no longer for sale, did not take undue advantage of wine's EU protected designation of origin Crack open the bubbly: the European court of justice has ruled that if a sorbet really tastes like champagne, then that is what it can be called. In time for the festive season, the court issued its judgment in a case in which France's committee of champagne producers was seeking a ban on the German Aldi supermarket chain selling champagne sorbet. Continue reading... |
| Breaking down the new Berlin wall: refugee guides show their side of city Posted: 20 Dec 2017 11:30 PM PST Refugee-led walking tours of Berlin aim to put a personal face to the humanitarian crisis. But is it just 'misery tourism'? Shaam is an otherwise unremarkable-looking Middle Eastern restaurant. There's a menu on the wall showing pixelated images of falafel and kibbeh; a hunk of doner meat rotates slowly by the window. But the restaurant has become a place for new arrivals from Syria to congregate. "The name feels like home," says Mahmoud, a warm and chatty 28-year-old. "It introduces Berlin, away from your family and friends." Mahmoud is a Syrian of Palestinian heritage who fled the war in Aleppo in 2014 after being imprisoned and tortured by government forces. He is now a guide with Querstadtein, a group organising tours of Berlin, led by refugees. Continue reading... |
| Alaska’s Arctic national wildlife refuge now has a $1bn price tag on it | Kim Heacox Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:38 AM PST Alaska senator Lisa Murkowski believes this refuge could generate vast sums of money once it's opened to oil leasing. That would be a tragedy Years ago, camping in Alaska's Arctic national wildlife refuge, I watched a herd of caribou – 100,000 bulls, cows and their three-week-old calves – braid over the tundra, moving to a rhythm as old as the wind. "Not many places like this left today," said my friend Jeff, sitting next to me above an ice-fringed river. Continue reading... |
| Bristol City boss's celebration with ballboy sparks outbreak of hugs Posted: 21 Dec 2017 02:21 AM PST Bristolians inspired to imitate manager Lee Johnson's heartwarming reaction to a winning goal against Manchester United It will go down as one of the most joyful and heartwarming of football celebrations. A triumphant Bristol City manager sprinted down the touchline after his team scored the winning goal against Manchester United, neatly caught a ballboy who leapt into his arms – and swung him round and round. Continue reading... |
| Poland can thumb its nose at Brussels as long as the cash keeps rolling in | Remi Adekoya Posted: 21 Dec 2017 01:00 AM PST The EU is taking the first of many bureaucratic steps towards sanctions, but it won't deter Warsaw from its anti-democratic path The EU has triggered a process that could potentially strip Poland of its voting rights in Brussels. This is a response to the Polish government's efforts to assert party political control over the judiciary via "reforms" it claims are needed to purge the country's courts of ex-communist judges. The triggering of article 7, referred to in Brussels as the "atomic option", is an unprecedented act against a member state, signalling the EU's frustration with the intransigently anti-democratic course Warsaw has taken since the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power in 2015. The European council president, Donald Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, stated: "This decision results from the changes proposed by PiS, which will result in the government being above the law, rather than the law above the government." A few hours later, Polish president Andrzej Duda, of PiS, defiantly signed into law the very changes Tusk and the EU expressed concerns about, enabling the ruling party stack the judiciary with political appointees. Continue reading... |
| Fighting child sex crimes in South Africa: 'We've seen an increase in brutality' | Hannah Summers Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:30 PM PST Nearly one in 10 reported rapes in the country are of children aged nine or younger, with figures rising, yet a specialised support clinic is facing closure It was with a loan taken out in her own name and a giant leap of faith that Christina Rollin set up her clinic to treat child rape victims in South Africa's Gauteng province. After three years training as a forensic nurse at a trauma centre, Rollin had seen the lack of expertise among those treating children, and too many youngsters were being failed by the judicial system. Continue reading... |
| More than 100 human rights activists killed in Colombia in 2017, UN says Posted: 20 Dec 2017 11:00 PM PST Following Farc peace deal, activists face special risk in areas where group's exit has left power vacuum, officials say More than 100 human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia this year, according to the United Nations, which urged more accountability and better protections. Activists have been particularly at risk in regions that were vacated by rebel fighters under a peace agreement signed last year, leaving a power vacuum, the UN's human rights office in Colombia said in a statement. Continue reading... |
| 'Nut rage': court upholds suspended sentence for Korean Air executive Posted: 21 Dec 2017 01:55 AM PST Cho Hyun-ah, who disrupted flight over bag of nuts, remains free after top court upheld her 10-month suspended jail term A former Korean Air executive whose "nut rage" tantrum disrupted a flight in 2014 has remained free after South Korea's highest court upheld her suspended prison term. Cho Hyun-ah, the former vice president of the carrier, became infuriated when a flight attendant served her nuts in a bag rather than in a bowl. Continue reading... |
| Thursday briefing: May stable empties before Christmas Posted: 20 Dec 2017 10:28 PM PST PM sacks ally Damian Green for lying … hung parliament fears in Catalonia … 103-year submarine search ends Good morning to you all, Graham Russell here with the penultimate briefing of 2017. Continue reading... |
| Catalonia's regional election unlikely to heal bitter divisions Posted: 20 Dec 2017 04:59 AM PST Spain's PM hopes anti-independence 'silent majority' outside Barcelona turns out to vote – but crisis could last for decades They are known as the silent majority, a multitude of depoliticised, working-class Catalans living in the industrial towns around Barcelona who, when asked, say they want nothing to do with independence. In simple terms, these are the people who will cheer Barcelona football stars such as Andrés Iniesta or Gerard Piqué when they wear the club's colours, and cheer them just as loudly when they don the red shirt of "la Roja", Spain's national team. They are far more likely to do that than enter a voting booth. Continue reading... |
| Top Democrat says Trump firing of Mueller could provoke 'constitutional crisis' – video Posted: 20 Dec 2017 09:47 PM PST Seantor Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the US senate intelligence committee, responds to escalating Republican attacks on special counsel Robert Mueller. Speaking on the Senate floor, said Mueller's investigation of ties between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia must be 'able to go on unimpeded'. Continue reading... |
| Republicans celebrate tax bill with Trump at the White House – video Posted: 20 Dec 2017 07:46 PM PST Flanked by Republican lawmakers, the president hails the House of Representatives' last-minute re-vote to pass the $1.5tn bill that provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans Continue reading... |
| Justine Damond's father questions US police shooting investigation – video Posted: 20 Dec 2017 07:27 PM PST John Ruszczyk, the father of Justine Damond Ruszczyk – supported by his wife Maryan Heffernan, Justine's brother Jason Ruszczyk and his wife Katarina – tells media in Sydney the family is 'deeply concerned' that the investigation into his daughter's death may have been mishandled. She was shot in July by a Minneapolis police officer Continue reading... |
| Trump on UN Jerusalem vote: 'we're watching your votes' – video Posted: 20 Dec 2017 01:48 PM PST Donald Trump threatens to cut financial aid to countries who vote against the US backed United Nations resolution, which would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel Continue reading... |
| Trump asks Ben Carson to say prayer before cabinet meeting – video Posted: 20 Dec 2017 11:34 AM PST Donald Trump asks Ben Carson, secretary of housing and urban development, to say a prayer ahead of his cabinet meeting, telling reporters to stay and listen adding, 'You need the prayer more than I do' as Mike Pence delivers flattering speech about his boss |
| Christmas jeer: Rome's 'Spelacchio' tree attracts ridicule – video Posted: 20 Dec 2017 02:23 AM PST Rome's new Christmas tree is being ridiculed by residents of the Italian capital after it began losing its pine needles. The sickly tree has been compared to a toilet brush and is nicknamed 'Spelacchio', meaning mangy or balding. The city hall has promised to investigate why the tree was brought over from Austria in such bad shape Continue reading... |
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