How does it feel to campaign against racism, come out, have an abortion or lose a parent to suicide? People who went through the same things, years apart, share their storiesSam, 26, and Diane Munday, 88, had abortions five decades apart Continue reading...
US lawmakers including Ted Cruz and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez write to Tim Cook urging him to restore HKMapp appA bipartisan group of prominent US lawmakers has urged Apple chief executive Tim Cook to restore the HKMap app used in Hong Kong, as protesters push ahead with plans for another unsanctioned mass rally on Sunday.Earlier this month, Apple removed the app that helped track police and protester movements, saying it was used to target officers. Continue reading...
Former party president Jim Savage threatens legal action to call Brisbane meeting null and voidA former president of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party says he has been refused entry to its national conference because he wanted to raise concerns about how the party is being managed.Former president Jim Savage – one of about six disgruntled members refused entry to the meeting in Brisbane on Saturday – said there was no democracy in the party and members were treated with “disgustâ€. Continue reading...
Louvre will host works of Italian artist after long-running political spats and legal battlesThe most important blockbuster art show in Paris for half a century took 10 years to prepare and was nearly thwarted by the worst diplomatic standoff between Italy and France since the second world war. With days to go before the opening, there is still no sign of whether one of the major works will appear.The Louvre’s vast Leonardo da Vinci exhibition to mark 500 years since the death of the Italian Renaissance master will finally open next week as the world’s most-visited museum prepares to handle a huge influx of visitors. Continue reading...
Dong Hwa Kim allegedly jumped in woman’s back seat, bound her hands and ordered her to drive to Ermington bankA kidnapped woman allegedly ordered at knifepoint to withdraw cash from a Sydney bank was able to alert staff to her situation, police say.Yun Fang, 36, was driving out of the car park of the Macquarie Centre in Macquarie Park, a suburb of northern Sydney, on Friday afternoon when Dong Hwa Kim allegedly jumped into the back seat and threatened her with a knife. Continue reading...
Melbourne synod’s vote comes days after Sydney archbishop said Anglicans who back same-sex marriage should leave churchMelbourne’s Anglican church has formally voted to record its “sorrow†over a regional Victorian diocese’s decision to bless same-sex marriages.The nod of approval given by the Wangaratta diocese in August has angered the Melbourne church’s governing body. Continue reading...
Dozens wounded or held as warnings over economy spark biggest protests in decadeSecurity forces fired teargas and chased down protesters in Beirut on Friday after tens of thousands of people across Lebanon marched to demand the demise of a political elite they accuse of looting the economy to the point of collapse.Riot police in vehicles and on foot rounded up protesters, according to Reuters. They fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters, dispersing demonstrators in Beirut’s commercial district. Dozens of people were wounded and detained. Continue reading...
OneSteel Manufacturing, the Gupta company which owns and operates the steel mill, lost $195m in the 2018 financial yearOn a sunny Sydney afternoon, things look good from Sanjeev Gupta’s office on the 28th floor. From one window you can see the $35m waterside mansion he bought last week as an Australian bolthole for his family; from the other, the south end of the Harbour Bridge looms large.But 1,500km west of Gupta’s blindingly white office suite, at the Whyalla steel mill in South Australia, things are decidedly grittier. Continue reading...
No reported injuries or wider threats to the community, says Greater Manchester policeOfficers from Greater Manchester police arrested a suspect on Friday after reports of a man with a knife at the Arndale shopping centre.Footage on social media appeared to show a large police and ambulance service presence outside the Manchester shopping centre, which closed at 8pm on Friday according to its website. Continue reading...
Intense fighting has erupted in the Mexican city of Culiacán, where masked gunmen threw up burning barricades and traded gunfire with security forces after authorities arrested one of the sons of the jailed former leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel JoaquÃn 'El Chapo' Guzmán. The chaotic scenes in Culiacán, a long-time stronghold for the Guzmáns' cartel, have increased pressure on President López Obrador, who took office in December promising to pacify a country weary after more than a decade of drug-war fighting.
Boeing failed to turn over documents about MCAS program, linked to two fatal crashes of 737 Max airliners, to the FAA for four monthsA senior Boeing executive has said he may have “unknowingly†misled US regulators about the software program linked to two fatal crashes of 737 Max airliners.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed on Friday that Boeing told it a day earlier about internal messages it had discovered “some months ago†that characterize “certain communications with the FAA during the original certification of the 737 Max in 2016â€. Continue reading...
Senate inquiry told Australia should also drop prosecution of Witness K and Bernard CollaeryAustralia’s negotiations with Timor-Leste should be the subject of a royal commission, and the government should return $5bn unfairly taken from the impoverished nation, a parliamentary inquiry has been told.It should also drop the prosecution of Witness K and Bernard Collaery, who revealed the now infamous bugging of Timorese delegates during negotiations on what became the CMATS treaty. Continue reading...
by Hosted by Katharine Murphy, produced by Hannah Izz on (#4STGN)
How does Australia rank on a global scale for its policies on education, employment, immigration and climate change? Katharine Murphy talks to Andrew Wear, a Victorian public servant and author who is looking to foreign countries for inspiration on policy. Wear discusses how Australia is a global leader in immigration, but risks falling behind in other areas. Continue reading...
The public recoils, although sheep and cows are killed in identical fashion. But the racing industry has a serious case to answer tooThe biggest trucks at any horse sale belong to the meat dealers. At the end of the day, once those awarded a second chance have been led away, the dealers open the remaining pens and run their unlucky purchases through the saleyard to the loading ramp.Young, well-fed, well-muscled horses – such as thoroughbreds or standardbreds that have recently left the racing industries – are sent to export abattoirs in Peterborough, South Australia, or the Meramist abattoir in Caboolture, Queensland. The latter is currently being investigated for animal cruelty offences after footage aired on the ABC’s 7.30 program showed horses being shocked with electric prods, hit and kicked before slaughter. Continue reading...
by Damien Gayle, Peter Walker and Jessica Murray on (#4SSW0)
Police move in after Ben Atkinson scaled scaffolding on Houses of ParliamentAn Extinction Rebellion activist who scaled Big Ben’s tower and unfurled banners calling for action on the climate emergency on Friday was brought to the ground by police three hours after his ascent.Ben Atkinson, a 43-year-old tree surgeon from Rydal in Cumbria, climbed scaffolding surrounding the clock tower without ropes in a protest that marked the culmination of the group’s fortnight-long “October rebellionâ€. Continue reading...
The Chilean capital, Santiago, has seen a significant roll-out of riot police after more than a week of mass fare evasion on the city's metro in protest over rising prices. Police and metro management said there had been more than 200 incidents of largely schoolchildren and students jumping barriers and forcing gates to access trains. Metro stations were closed or blocked and in some cases police responded with teargas and batons
Prosecutors said the president, Juan Orlando Hernández, enabled his brother’s traffickingThe Honduran politician Juan Antonio “Tony†Hernández has been found guilty in a vast drug conspiracy case in New York City after prosecutors said he relied on “state-sponsored drug trafficking†enabled by his brother – the country’s president.“Tony†Hernández was impassive as the verdict was announced by a jury that deliberated over parts of two days. He was convicted of drug conspiracy, weapons charges and lying to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Continue reading...
Birmingham school is focus of long campaign to halt LGBT equality messages being taughtA high court judge has been asked to extend an exclusion zone permanently banning activists against LGBT equality lessons from demonstrating outside a Birmingham primary school.Protesters went head to head with a local authority during the five-day trial to stop protests outside Anderton Park primary school. The school, in the Sparkhill area of the city, has become the focus of a long campaign to halt LGBT equality messages being taught in the classroom. Continue reading...
by Stephen Burgen in Barcelona and Sam Jones in Madri on (#4SSW2)
Isolated clashes break out during mass demonstrations that follow general strikeMore than half a million people have participated in a series of mass rallies in Barcelona called in protest at the jailing of nine pro-Catalan independence leaders over their roles in the failed push for secession two years ago.Earlier, workers in Catalonia downed tools, shops were closed and activists blocked roads in a general strike, while tens of thousands of people who marched from across the region began converging in Barcelona. Continue reading...
by Martin Chulov Middle East correspondent and Michae on (#4STDD)
Other European states also preparing to repatriate citizens accused of Isis links via safe zoneBelgium and other European states are preparing to evacuate citizens accused of having links to Islamic State from detention camps in north-eastern Syria through a newly declared safe zone being carved out by Turkish forces along the border.Belgian officials informed family members of detainees held in two camps on Friday that they would attempt to take advantage of a five-day ceasefire to retrieve nationals allegedly tied to the terror group. The Guardian has learned that other European states, including France and Germany, are also looking at ways to take advantage of the window declared by US vice-president Mike Pence on Thursday to repatriate women and children. Continue reading...
by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editor on (#4SSRZ)
Kurdish Red Crescent says six people, some civilians, in hospital with mysterious burnsUN chemical weapons inspectors have announced they are gathering information following accusations that burning white phosphorus was used by Turkish forces against children in Syria earlier this week.The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Friday morning that “it was aware of the situation and is collecting information with regard to possible use of chemical weaponsâ€. Continue reading...
Juncker says failure of EU to keep its promises was ‘major historic mistake’Leaders of the EU institutions have condemned the bloc’s refusal to open membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania as a “historic mistakeâ€.In a blow to pro-EU politicians in the small Balkan states, EU government leaders missed a deadline to approve the launch of talks. Continue reading...
Artillery fire and ground clashes reported in violation of US-brokered five-day truceFighting is continuing on the border between Syria and Turkey in defiance of a supposed five-day ceasefire negotiated between the US and Turkey.Intermittent artillery fire and ground clashes were heard in the border town of Ras al-Ayn on Friday morning, one of the two main targets of the nine-day-old Turkish offensive, as the Turkish military and Syrian rebel proxies struggled to wrest control of the town from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Continue reading...
Dutch government warns there will be 75 million people with condition worldwide by 2030Dementia poses a threat to global health on the same scale as HIV and Aids, the Dutch government has said, warning that the number of people with the condition will not be far off the population of Germany by 2030.In a speech to the World Dementia Council summit in Japan on Friday, Hugo de Jonge, the Dutch health minister, said dementia was underfunded, misunderstood and overlooked, as HIV and Aids were in their early days. Continue reading...
Residents near campus say university has failed to tackle students’ antisocial behaviourThe University of Bristol is paying for night-time police patrols in areas around its campus after years of complaints from residents about loud parties and disruption caused by its growing number of students living in rented houses.While a number of British universities already fund or subsidise police activities to safeguard students and staff, Bristol appears to be the first university to pay for police to protect residents from students. Continue reading...
Benjamin Field killed Peter Farquhar in village of Maids Moreton to inherit his house and moneyA church warden has been jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering a university lecturer following a sustained campaign of physical and mental abuse.Benjamin Field, 28, was convicted in August of killing Peter Farquhar, 69, a retired teacher and part-time university lecturer, to inherit his house and money, and trying to make his death look like an accident or suicide. Continue reading...
MPs have reacted to the prime minister’s new Brexit deal, which will be voted on by the House of Commons in a historic knife-edge vote on Saturday.Both Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, have said Johnson's deal is worse than Theresa May's, while Jeremy Corbyn and the DUP have said they cannot support the new agreement Continue reading...
Polling suggests climate crisis will be a key factor for more than a quarter of votersMore than 27% of Swiss voters say the climate crisis will be a determining factor in their vote, prompting predictions of a green surge and a fall in support for the nationalist Swiss People’s party (SVP) in parliamentary elections on Sunday.Most voters have already cast their ballots by post in the nationwide poll, which elects 245 members of Switzerland’s federal assembly - 200 to the lower house, known as national council, and 46 to the upper house, the council of states. Continue reading...
by Sam Jones in Madrid and Jennifer Rankin in Brussel on (#4SSH4)
Spain seeks to extradite Carles Puigdemont as Catalonia braces for general strikeCarles Puigdemont, the former Catalan president sought by Spanish courts over his role in the region’s failed independence bid, has been released on bail after testifying before judicial authorities in Belgium in response to the reactivation of an international arrest warrant against him this week.News of his court appearance came as Catalonia braced itself for a general strike and a huge demonstration in Barcelona after a fourth night of violent protests triggered by the jailing of nine pro-independence leaders by the Spanish supreme court on Monday. Continue reading...
by Harriet Sherwood Religion correspondent on (#4SSRY)
Archbishop of Canterbury says daughter’s honesty about illness helped remove stigmaThe archbishop of Canterbury has revealed he is taking medication for depression and has urged others who are “walking in darkness†to reach out for help.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day slot before a mental health conference at Lambeth Palace in London on Friday, Justin Welby said: “Last year I realised I was depressed. I have a daughter who has been very open about her experiences of depression, and she helped me see that it wasn’t something to be ashamed of. It’s just life – and I got help.†Continue reading...
Experts and commenters disagree on whether it helps or harms ducks and swansA sign urging people to feed “starving†ducks with bread has gone viral and sparked a heated debate about whether it is in the animals’ best interests.A neatly designed sign appeared in a park in Buxton, Derbyshire, but the managers of the park denied any responsibility. Continue reading...
Family say six-year-old is making progress but faces a lengthy recovery periodA six-year-old boy who sustained severe injuries after allegedly being thrown from a viewing platform at Tate Modern in London has been moved out of intensive care.The boy, a French national who cannot be named, was visiting London with his family and fell 30 metres from the art gallery’s 10th floor on to a fifth-floor roof in August. Continue reading...
Police have had to intervene and separate groups at events in university citiesSupporters of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests say they are being intimidated and harassed by pro-Beijing Chinese students and others at their events around the UK, forcing police to step in to separate them from counter-demonstrations.Below-the-radar tensions have boiled over into incidents that include the arrest of a 19-year-old Chinese student after bottles were thrown at a Sheffield event, while police and university security have intervened in other town centres and campuses. Continue reading...
Anger grows at culture of exploitation and failure of agencies to protect performersThe death this week of the South Korean singer and actor Sulli has turned the spotlight on the darkest corners of the highly pressurised K-pop industry and sparked anger over the failure of management agencies to protect their stars from the menace of “toxic fandomâ€.Sulli, a former member of the group f(x), had spoken publicly about her mental health problems and shock at her death has led to calls for greater support for performers. Authorities said she was suffering from severe depression and are investigating suicide as a possible cause of death. Continue reading...
The Canadian prime minister’s progressive shine is looking tarnished and shop-worn as the country heads to the polls on 21 October – and Justin Trudeau is now in the fight of his political life.In 2015, Trudeau was a proudly progressive candidate who promised to fight the climate crisis, repair a broken relationship with indigenous people and resettle Syrian refugees, but fours years of scandals have left young voters uncertain of Trudeau’s promise to do politics differently, as the Guardian’s Canada correspondent, Leyland Cecco, explains
Dutch media report that 67-year-old was former member of movement known as MooniesThe father of a family that spent nearly a decade living in a secret room in a Dutch farmhouse once belonged to the Rev Sun Myung Moon’s controversial Unification church and was trying to found a cult of his own, Dutch media have reported.The 67-year-old man, who has not been identified by Dutch police but was named by the movement, often known as the Moonies, as Gerrit-Jan van Dorsten, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of “depriving people of their liberty, harming the health of others and money launderingâ€, police said in a statement. Continue reading...
The NSW coroner hears that Aboriginal prisoner Eric Whittaker was unconscious and would not have been able to moveThe NSW coroner has heard it was “horrific†that Aboriginal man Eric Whittaker, who died in hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage in prison custody, had been shackled to the bed in the last days of his life despite being unconscious and unresponsive.An emergency medicine researcher from the University of New South Wales, Anna Holdgate, went on to tell the court “we would only use restraint as a last resort†and “for the briefest time possibleâ€. Continue reading...
Sydney man Choi Han Chan allegedly used blackmarket contacts to broker deals in coal and iron, but also in weapons technologyA Sydney man charged over allegations he was a sanctions-busting “economic agent†of the North Korean regime attempting to sell ballistic missiles overseas has been refused bail.Choi Han Chan, 60, is the first person ever charged under Australia’s Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act. Continue reading...
£400,000-worth of drugs also confiscated in a week as part of coordinated campaignMore than 700 people have been arrested and more than £400,000-worth of drugs confiscated in a week of UK-wide crackdowns on county lines gangs, police have said.In coordinated law enforcement activity between 7 and 13 October, 49 “deal lines†across Britain were disrupted, 389 vulnerable adults and 292 children were safeguarded and 169 weapons were seized, including 12 guns, knives, swords and machetes. Continue reading...
Four years on, frustration and apathy could alienate young people in a campaign marked by sniping, absence of bold policy and the blackface scandalIn an election defined by mudslinging and racist dog-whistling, Justin Trudeau stood apart.In a country weary of nearly a decade of Conservative rule, Canada’s Liberal leader was a sunny optimist promising change. And his refusal to play dirty politics – in contrast to the veteran politicians he was facing off against – inspired young voters to come out in record numbers. Continue reading...
MPs point to lack of progress on promised safeguarding improvements for whistleblowers and survivorsMPs have accused aid organisations of “dragging their feet†over combating sexual exploitation and abuse in the sector, despite safeguarding pledges made in 2018 after the Oxfam abuse scandal.Work to improve protection and support for whistleblowers has “stalledâ€, and more needs to be done to protect survivors, a report by the UK international development committee (IDC) has said. Continue reading...
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