In South Africa, Russia’s ‘anti-colonial’ narrative sways public opinion
Sympathy towards wartime Russia has deep historical roots, back to the Cold War era and earlier.
Chinese state media revel in demise of Voice of America, Radio Free Asia
Shutdown of US-funded news outlets ends more than 80 years of uncensored news broadcasts in China.
Pocock says politicians using encrypted messaging apps damages ‘health of our democracy’
Kevin Rudd once lobbied the Turnbull government for a UN position using encrypted app Wickr – and the messages could not be found
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Independent senator David Pocock says the use of encrypted messaging platforms by politicians to avoid scrutiny is damaging to Australian democracy, urging the government to act on recommendations from the information commissioner and the National Archives that such messages should be retained.
In a report on Wednesday from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the National Archives, a survey of 22 government agencies found 16 allowed use of messaging apps, three did not allow their use, and three did not have a policy.
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Continue reading...Palestinian Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil decries arrest in the US
Khalil is the Columbia University graduate who the Trump administration is seeking to deport.
Lehrmann inquiry head Walter Sofronoff engaged in ‘serious corrupt conduct’ , review finds
Investigation by ACT integrity commission finds Sofronoff’s disclosure of confidential material to journalists amounted to corrupt conduct
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The former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff engaged in “serious corrupt conduct”, the ACT integrity commission has found, after reviewing his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann.
The report marks the latest development after Brittany Higgins went public with allegations that Lehrmann had raped her in Parliament House. The alleged incident has spawned a series of investigations and protracted legal battles.
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Continue reading...Istanbul mayor arrested days before likely presidential nomination
Ekrem İmamoğlu of CHP opposition party detained alongside 100 others accused of corruption and links to terror groups
Turkish police have arrested the mayor of Istanbul, detaining the primary challenger to the president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in dawn raids that also ensnared 100 politicians, businesspeople and municipal officials accused of corruption and links to terror groups.
Ekrem İmamoğlu, the mayor, released a video statement as police gathered outside his residence in Istanbul, speaking to the camera as he put on a shirt and tie before his arrest. In a caption accompanying the video posted to social media, he wrote: “This is a blow to the will of the people.”
Continue reading...Radio Free Europe sues Kari Lake and the Trump administration over funds termination – Axios
- Radio Free Europe sues Kari Lake and the Trump administration over funds termination Axios
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sue over grant termination POLITICO
- Radio Free Europe Sues Overseer USAGM To Block Termination Of Federal Grant Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty
- EU debates ways to keep Radio Free Europe afloat after Trump orders staff cuts at US-funded media The Associated Press
- Radio Free Europe sues Trump administration over grant termination Reuters
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,119
These are the key developments on day 1,119 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Exclusive-US suspends some efforts to counter Russian sabotage as Trump moves closer to Putin – Yahoo News Canada
- Exclusive-US suspends some efforts to counter Russian sabotage as Trump moves closer to Putin Yahoo News Canada
- Exclusive: US suspends some efforts to counter Russian sabotage as Trump moves closer to Putin Reuters
- US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage, Reuters reports Kyiv Independent
- U.S. Suspends Monitoring of Russia’s Hybrid Warfare – Reuters The Moscow Times
- US stepping away from efforts to counter Russian hybrid warfare as Trump continues to woo Putin Firstpost
Mexico City bans violent bullfighting, sparking fury and celebration – NPR
- Mexico City bans violent bullfighting, sparking fury and celebration NPR
- Mexico City Bans Traditional Bullfights for Violence-Free Option The New York Times
- Mexico City introduces ‘bloodless bullfighting’ in win for animal rights activists The Guardian
- Mexico City overhauls bullfights in win for animal activists Reuters Canada
- Mexico City Takes Bold Step Toward Ending Bullfighting PETA
Israeli strikes latest bloody chapter in war of extraordinary civilian casualties
International rules of combat to deter impact on noncombatants have been loosened or ignored – and other regimes may follow
It is a casualty rate that would have unimaginable before the start of the Israel-Hamas war. More than 400 Palestinians have been reported killed after 10 hours of resumed Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday, including, according to one early report, at least six members of one family in an attack on a car east of Khan Younis.
Though it is too soon to determine how many noncombatants died in attacks that Israel says were directed at Hamas military commanders and political officials (casualty totals from Gaza’s health ministry do not distinguish combatants from the uninvolved), the likelihood is that civilians will have been killed in large numbers.
Continue reading...Putin agrees in Trump call to pause Ukraine energy attacks but no full ceasefire
The Russian leader declines to sign up to a plan that Ukraine had accepted for a month-long ceasefire.
‘World’s ugliest animal’ is New Zealand’s fish of the year
Known as the world's ugliest animal for its lumpy appearance, the blobfish makes a stunning comeback.
‘World’s ugliest animal’ is New Zealand’s fish of the year
Known as the world's ugliest animal for its lumpy appearance, the blobfish makes a stunning comeback.
Blobfish: ‘World’s ugliest animal’ is NZ’s fish of the year – BBC.com
- Blobfish: 'World's ugliest animal' is NZ's fish of the year BBC.com
- The blobfish, 'bullied his whole life,' named fish of the year in public vote USA TODAY
- Blobfish once deemed ‘world’s ugliest animal’ wins New Zealand ‘fish of the year’ New York Post
- The world's ugliest animal is celebrated as New Zealand's fish of the year NBC News
- Blobfish, once dubbed 'world's ugliest animal,' named fish of the year in New Zealand ABC News
Trump administration releases thousands of files on JFK assassination
Scholars and historians are likely to spend months sifting through records for answers about US president's killing.
Danish PM: Europe must ‘be totally able to defend ourselves’ – POLITICO Europe
- Danish PM: Europe must ‘be totally able to defend ourselves’ POLITICO Europe
- Danish Prime Minister: Europe should be able to defend itself in 3-5 years НикВести
- Europe Needs to Arm Itself for Peace, Denmark Says PassBlue
- Russia’s threat persists beyond Ukrainian peace, Italy’s MoD warns Decode39
- Crosetto: "Being able to defend ourselves makes us free and guarantees security and peace" Agenzia Nova
After the North Sea tanker crash, a multi-million dollar battle over who’s to blame – POLITICO Europe
- After the North Sea tanker crash, a multi-million dollar battle over who’s to blame POLITICO Europe
- Ships crash in the North Sea The Economist
- Russian Captain Involved In US Tanker Crash Appears In UK Court gCaptain
- Small Plastic Pellets Wash Up on UK Shores After Ship Explosions Bloomberg
- A Tanker Collision Threatens One of the UK’s Most Important Coastlines WIRED
NASA astronauts return to Earth after 9 months: How space changes the body
Nine months in space can permanently alter the body, leaving astronauts with possible long-term health effects.