Tens of thousands of pro-EU protesters rally in Georgia
Police in Georgia use tear gas and water cannon on demonstrators as pro-EU protests continue for a fourth day.
More than three-quarters of UK universities join fossil fuel pledge, say activists
Move to exclude fossil fuel firms from investment portfolios follows years of campaigning by staff and students
More than three-quarters of UK universities have pledged to exclude fossil fuel companies from their investment portfolios, according to campaigners.
The move, which is part of a wider drive to limit investment in fossil fuels, follows years of campaigning by staff and students across the higher education sector.
Continue reading...Norway suspends controversial deep-sea mining plan
Oslo's plan to open up its Arctic seabed for mining prompted stark environmental opposition.
Israel “failed” to force Hezbollah to succumb through war
Hassan Barari on why Israel came out ahead in the war in Lebanon, even though neither side actually “won”.
Philippines: Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew – BBC.com
- Philippines: Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew BBC.com
- 3 dead, dozens hospitalized after eating sea turtle stew in the Philippines CBS News
- Health warning issued as sea turtle meat kills 3, downs 35 in Maguindanao del Norte Rappler
- 3 die, 31 hospitalized after feasting on cooked sea turtle Inquirer.net
- 3 dead, 30 hospitalized due to food poisoning in Maguindanao del Norte GMA News Online
Lidia Thorpe apologises to Pauline Hanson after mistakenly describing her as ‘convicted’ racist
Independent senator clarifies she was mistaken about civil finding of racial discrimination against One Nation leader
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Senator Lidia Thorpe has apologised to Pauline Hanson for describing her as a “convicted” racist, clarifying she was mistaken about a civil finding of racial discrimination.
Last week Hanson threatened to sue Thorpe for defamation after Thorpe described the One Nation leader as a “convicted racist” in an interview with Channel Nine’s Today.
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Continue reading...Iran in crisis: Battling Israel left Tehran too weak to deal with Syria, researcher says – The Jerusalem Post
Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew
At least 32 people in the Philippines were admitted to hospital after consuming the endangered species.
Dozens feared dead after stampede breaks out at Guinea football match
Dozens are reportedly killed after rival fans stormed the pitch following a controversial referee decision.
UK house prices rise at fastest rate in nearly two years
Nationwide reports surprise growth despite near-record prices straining affordability
House prices in the UK grew at the fastest rate in nearly two years in November, in a surprise acceleration despite near-record highs straining affordability, according to figures from Nationwide.
The annual growth rate rebounded to 3.7% in November, up from 2.4% in October, according to the UK’s biggest building society. That was the fastest rate since November 2022.
Continue reading...‘I’ve awakened their spirit’: can man behind the mask make a dent in Ghana elections?
Nana Kwame Bediako is challenging the status quo with an unorthodox run for presidency appealing to younger voters
It was a bombastic statement from the man who wants to disrupt Ghana’s two-party political scene. “I’m here to represent Africa’s greatest hope,” Nana Kwame Bediako told an audience in a Palace of Westminster committee room in central London in October, referring to younger people on the continent.
After the event, a social media post by Bediako suggested the trip had involved a presentation in parliament itself, rather than an address to a committee room.
Continue reading...The International Criminal Court is facing doubts as its member states meet – NPR
- The International Criminal Court is facing doubts as its member states meet NPR
- ‘Appalling’: ICC president says threats, sanctions put court in jeopardy Al Jazeera English
- ICC president says war crimes tribunal is in jeopardy Reuters
- ICC top judge pans ‘appalling’ US threat to penalize court over Israel arrest warrants The Times of Israel
- ICC president criticises US and Russia over threats and accusations Euronews
Israel likely to maintain “low-level conflict” in Lebanon
Randa Slim on why the recently negotiated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah may prove to be short-lived.
Israel committing Gaza war crimes and ethnic cleansing, says Moshe Yaalon
Former Israeli army chief and defence minister says northern Gaza is being 'cleared of Arabs', echoing ICC allegations.
Assault on Aleppo: who are the Syrian rebels HTS and why are they advancing?
The fast-moving offensive began on Wednesday, surprising forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad and his allies
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Eight years ago, indiscriminate Russian airstrikes helped the forces of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, drive rebels from Aleppo – a crucial turning point in the country’s civil war, which has largely been in a state of stalemate since 2020.
Over the weekend a stunning rebel offensive seized Aleppo again – and the Assad regime now faces its greatest threat in years. Here’s what you need to know.
Continue reading...Australian police arrest 13 in largest cocaine bust in country’s history
Australian Federal Police say the 2.3-tonne seizure has a street value of $494m.
Australia weather: after hottest spring on record, a very warm and humid start to summer forecast
BoM says rainfall to bring brief respite from temperatures in 30s for parts of Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and Queensland
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Australia recorded its hottest spring on record with mean temperatures more than 2C above the long-term average.
It comes as large parts of the country awaited maximum temperatures of between 4C and 8C above average on the second day of summer, with heat and humidity set to continue throughout the week.
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Continue reading...Monday briefing: How the civil war in Syria reignited
In today’s newsletter: President Bashar al-Assad’s forces were driven from Aleppo over the weekend by a rebel offensive, forcing global attention to turn back to the country
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Good morning. Eight years ago, indiscriminate Russian airstrikes helped Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad’s forces drive rebels from Aleppo, the country’s second-largest city. Assad’s victory in Aleppo, once a symbolic stronghold of the Syrian rebellion, relied on a brutal “surrender or starve” strategy that killed thousands of civilians and forced many more to flee. It was seen as a turning point in the country’s civil war, which has largely been in a state of stalemate since 2020.
But over the weekend, a stunning rebel offensive seized Aleppo again – leaving the Assad regime facing the greatest threat to its control in years. Yesterday, Syrian and Russian airstrikes pummeled opposition controlled areas in response. Whatever happens next, if the frozen conflict in Syria has become a “forgotten war” as attention has focused on Gaza and Ukraine, it will now be impossible to ignore.
US politics | Joe Biden has issued “a full and unconditional” pardon to his son Hunter Biden covering convictions on federal gun and tax charges. Joe Biden, who has repeatedly said that he would not pardon Hunter or commute his sentence, said that his son had been “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted”.
Assisted dying | A new commission on palliative care has been set up to deliver better care for 100,000 people a year in the final stages of their lives. The commission – instituted after the parliamentary vote last week to legalise assisted dying – has been launched amid warnings of a postcode lottery in standards across the country.
BBC | Outrage over Gregg Wallace’s alleged conduct has intensified after the MasterChef presenter dismissed his accusers as “middle-class women of a certain age”. The corporation and other broadcasters are facing growing questions about why Wallace remained on screen despite allegations of inappropriate behaviour dating back to at least 2012.
Immigration and asylum | The number of small boat arrivals since Keir Starmer took power has passed 20,000, with the Home Office claiming a record number of calm autumnal days in the Channel was responsible. 6,288 people crossed the Channel over 31 days in October and November, compared with 768 over the same period in 2023.
Georgia | Protesters rallied in Georgia’s capital for a fourth consecutive night on Sunday amid signs of widening opposition to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union. The crisis deepened after Thursday’s announcement that the government would freeze EU talks for four years.
Continue reading...Fireworks fired at police during Georgia protests
Demonstrations have been taking place for a fourth night in Tbilisi after Georgia's EU bid was suspended.
South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and NSW could experience blackouts from too much solar power, Aemo warns
Aemo says it does not want to ‘directly control people’s rooftop solar’ but it may be necessary to reduce or cut off power gleaned from the sun
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The power grid in eastern Australia could experience “outage conditions” as soon as next spring unless states speed up actions to cope with surplus generation from solar panels on sunny days, the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) has warned.
In a report released on Monday, Aemo called for an “emergency backstop” mechanism to ensure grid stability when households and other solar photovoltaic (PV) owners export excess electricity.
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