Queensland government held 21-minute consultation on puberty blocker ban at same time it announced decision

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Exclusive: Legal challenge launched as expert says an alleged failure to conduct ‘genuine’ consultations could lead to ban being overturned

The legality of Queensland’s ban on puberty blockers has been questioned after it was revealed the state government undertook 21 minutes of internal consultation at the same time as a press conference announcing the decision.

According to one administrative law expert, an alleged failure to conduct “genuine” consultation could lead to it being overturned in a legal challenge launched this week.

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US Air Force and Navy hold massive show of force with ‘elephant walk’ at Japan’s Kadena – USA Today

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  1. US Air Force and Navy hold massive show of force with 'elephant walk' at Japan's Kadena  USA Today
  2. US Air Force and Navy parade dozens of warplanes in Pacific 'elephant walk'  USA Today
  3. Kadena Sends ‘Message You Can’t Ignore’ with Huge Elephant Walk  Air & Space Forces Magazine
  4. US Stages Massive Show of Force at Frontline Base in Pacific  Newsweek
  5. US Air Force and Navy ‘elephant walk’ in Japan could be ‘largest seen’  The Independent
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2 men convicted of cutting down beloved Sycamore Gap tree in ‘mindless’ destruction – NPR

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  1. 2 men convicted of cutting down beloved Sycamore Gap tree in 'mindless' destruction  NPR
  2. The park ranger who alerted world to Sycamore Gap tree's fate  BBC
  3. 2 Men Found Guilty of Felling UK’s Sycamore Gap Tree  The New York Times
  4. Two men found guilty of ‘mindless, moronic’ felling of Sycamore Gap tree  The Guardian
  5. Two men convicted of felling UK’s famous Sycamore Gap tree  CNN
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Bulgarian woman in Russian spy ring is no George Blake, Old Bailey told

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Katrin Ivanova’s barrister says her sentence should reflect her admin duties and not equate her with ‘classic spy cases’

A woman said to be “chief minion” in a ring of Bulgarians convicted of spying for Russia in Britain should not be treated like George Blake, the double agent sentenced to four decades in jail in the 1960s, the Old Bailey has heard.

Katrin Ivanova was said by her barrister, Rupert Bowers KC, to have been manipulated by her partner, Biser Dzhambazov, and to then have endured the discovery of his affair with a fellow member of the spy ring while in prison.

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Aid groups voice alarm as US pushes Israeli plan for Gaza assistance

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Groups say plan to resume limited humanitarian assistance under strict Israeli rules ‘risks enabling war crimes’

Aid groups have voiced alarm at US moves to pressure them into accepting an Israeli proposal to resume limited humanitarian assistance to the war-ravaged territory under strictly controlled conditions.

The Trump administration has attempted to strong-arm international agencies – including the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) – into accepting Israel’s stringent rules for resuming deliveries, according to sources familiar with the discussions and news reports.

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State Dept. cuts poised to be more severe than previously outlined with 3,400 employees on the chopping block – Government Executive

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  1. State Dept. cuts poised to be more severe than previously outlined with 3,400 employees on the chopping block  Government Executive
  2. State Department plans deeper-than-anticipated staff cuts  Defense One
  3. Marco Rubio’s rearranging of the deck chairs on the USS Trump — does it matter?  Daily Maverick
  4. Trump to shut embassies and consulates across Africa, NY Times reports  News24
  5. Marco Rubio’s proposed reshuffle at State offers a huge opportunity in Africa  The Hill
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Ukraine arrests 2 for allegedly spying for Hungary and Hungary expels 2 Ukrainian diplomats – AP News

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  1. Ukraine arrests 2 for allegedly spying for Hungary and Hungary expels 2 Ukrainian diplomats  AP News
  2. Ukraine, Hungary each expel two diplomats in espionage row  Reuters
  3. Ukraine says it has uncovered Hungarian spy network working in border region  CNN
  4. Ukraine says it has busted Hungarian spy ring collecting military data  The Guardian
  5. Ukraine accuses Hungary of spying on it; Budapest expels diplomats  The Washington Post
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Houthi missile fire triggers air raid sirens across central Israel – Ynetnews

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  1. Houthi missile fire triggers air raid sirens across central Israel  Ynetnews
  2. White House: Hostages' Release Is Trump's Top Priority for Gaza War  Haaretz
  3. Source: Houthi missile shot down by Arrow after US THAAD missed for 2nd time this week  The Times of Israel
  4. Yemen's main airport in Sanaa disabled in airstrikes, Israel's military says  CBS News
  5. Major airlines suspend Tel Aviv routes after missile lands near Ben Gurion Airport  USA Today
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2 Guilty of ‘Arboreal Equivalent of Mindless Thuggery’ – Newser

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  1. 2 Guilty of 'Arboreal Equivalent of Mindless Thuggery'  Newser
  2. How Sycamore Gap fellers went from friends to foes  BBC
  3. 2 men convicted of cutting down beloved Sycamore Gap tree in 'mindless' destruction  NPR
  4. 2 Men Found Guilty of Felling UK’s Sycamore Gap Tree  The New York Times
  5. If a Beloved Tree Falls in the U.K.... Everyone Is Outraged. Why 2 Men Were Convicted for 'Moronic Mission'  People.com
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