- ‘Mr. Every Man’: The 50 Others Accused in France’s Mass Rape Trial The New York Times
- Dominique Pelicot has split personality caused by trauma, defence argues The Guardian
- 51 men were charged with raping her: Gisele Pelicot gives closing statement in shocking French trial USA TODAY
- France unveils new measures to protect women in wake of Pelicot affair FRANCE 24 English
- Channel 5 to Air Documentary on Gisèle Pelicot and France’s Mass Rape Trial That Shocked the World Hollywood Reporter
UK sales of seasonal pet treats, toys and food rocketing
Sales of Christmas pet lines up 964% year-on-year at Waitrose online as people spend more on pet care
Unlike buying a present for a fussy father-in-law or an awkward aunt, a dog won’t complain if their treats aren’t the latest, and a cat is not likely to turn its nose up at a Christmas tree-shaped scratch tree.
Perhaps that’s why Britons are so happy to spend on their pets this Christmas, with sales of seasonal pet treats, toys and food booming.
Continue reading...Trump’s return raises questions over future of CIA’s Russian recruitment drive
Intelligence agency has been trying to entice Russians disaffected by invasion of Ukraine but president-elect is likely to want to make an ally of Kremlin
For the past three years, the CIA has run an unusually bold outreach programme. It targeted Russians within the country’s government and security services, attempting to turn them into double agents.
Slickly produced recruitment videos portrayed cooperation with the US secret agency as the patriotic choice for officials disaffected with Vladimir Putin’s regime and the war in Ukraine. The videos ended with instructions on how to contact the CIA in a secure manner.
Continue reading...Plan to cut Berlin arts budget will ‘destroy’ city’s culture, directors warn
Leading theatre figures warn ‘drastic’ reduction in funding will cause bankruptcy and harm city’s tourism appeal
Plans to slash Berlin’s culture budget by tens of millions of Euros have led to a huge backlash, with leading venues saying they have been forced to cut performances and others warning they will be pushed into bankruptcy.
About 450 institutes that are reliant at least in part on state subsidies, from theatres and opera houses to nightclubs and galleries, have formed an alliance in an attempt to force a rethink over the €130m (£108.6m) cuts. At around 12 to 13% of the current annual budget, they have been described even by those proposing them as “brutal”.
Continue reading...Rabbi Krinsky’s Message Following the Murder of Shliach in UAE – COLlive
- Rabbi Krinsky’s Message Following the Murder of Shliach in UAE COLlive
- NYT changes headline about murdered Dubai rabbi following public outcry: 'Call it for what it is' Fox News
- Turkey reportedly arrested suspects in Israeli-Moldovan rabbi's killing in UAE as they left airport The Associated Press
- Though broken from Rabbi Zvi Kogan's death, Chabad will march forward - opinion The Jerusalem Post
- U.A.E. Arrests 3 Uzbeks Linked to Murder of Israeli Rabbi The New York Times
Hanson alleging Fatima Payman in breach of section 44 ends with Thorpe giving Senate the finger
Hanson alleges Payman, who was born in Afghanistan, has not shown evidence she has revoked that citizenship
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An extraordinary row has erupted in the Senate as Pauline Hanson attempted to have Fatima Payman investigated for an alleged section 44 citizenship issue, with Lidia Thorpe throwing papers at the One Nation leader and flipping her middle finger as she stormed out of the chamber.
The Senate president, Sue Lines said, she had advised the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service of the incident between Hanson and Thorpe this morning, saying she was “incredibly disappointed” in the behaviour which she described as “physically threatening”.
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Continue reading...Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers file legal claim alleging substandard prison conditions
Lawyers for the disgraced movie mogul prepare lawsuit accusing Rikers Island jail of negligence and failing to provide adequate medical treatment
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers have filed a legal claim against New York City alleging he is receiving substandard medical treatment in unhygienic conditions while in custody at the Rikers Island jail complex.
The notice of claim – the first step in filing a lawsuit against the city – accuses the facility of failing to manage the former movie mogul’s medical conditions, which include chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes, and negligence ranging from “freezing” conditions to a lack of clean clothes.
Continue reading...Zachary Rolfe’s ego played a part in Kumanjayi Walker’s shooting death, NT coroner told
Coroner urged not to ‘sugarcoat’ police officer’s actions as inquest nears end
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Zachary Rolfe’s ego “had a lot to do with” the death of Kumanjayi Walker, and the former police officer “invented” evidence about the Warlpiri man attempting to take his gun before the fatal shooting, a court has heard.
The inquest into the death of Walker is holding its final hearings, almost two years after it was due to be completed.
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Continue reading...Trump pick for US health agency proposed ‘herd immunity’ during Covid
Picking Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH signals return to controversial and scientifically questionable health policies
Jay Bhattacharya, an unofficial Covid adviser in Trump’s first administration, has been selected as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one of the leading biomedical research institutions in the world.
The choice of Bhattacharya, a Stanford economist whose proposal for widespread Covid-19 infection was backed by the White House, signals a return to controversial and scientifically questionable health policies in the second Trump administration, experts say.
Continue reading...Insurance companies should be forced to disclose calculations, inquiry says as Australians face rising premiums
Policy costs surging for many households, committee report finds, especially those facing ‘the brunt of climate-driven disasters’
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A parliamentary select committee has recommended insurance companies be forced to disclose insurance premium calculations amid a surge in the cost of household policies, especially for those living in and around areas prone to natural disasters.
The recommendation, one of eight flowing out of an inquiry into the impact of climate change on insurance premiums, comes during a period of rising stress for many homeowners who have received huge price increases in their renewal notices with little explanation.
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Continue reading...Molly the magpie’s owners have licence for Instagram star revoked by Queensland supreme court
Wildlife group claims win as environment department says granting licence for bird was ‘an error’
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A magpie made famous on social media may again be separated from his canine friends after a special carers’ licence was revoked.
The supreme court overturned the licence just months after it was granted to Molly the magpie’s Gold Coast rescue family that includes his best mates, dogs Peggy and Ruby.
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Continue reading...Namibia goes to polls amid anger at high unemployment rate
Swapo party could lose its majority for the first time since independence in 1990, if youth voter turnout is high
Namibians are going to the polls with the longtime ruling party’s parliamentary majority under threat if dissatisfied young people turn out in big numbers amid a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment globally.
The Swapo party could also be forced to contest a second round in the presidential election for the first time since the sparsely populated southern African country became independent from South Africa in 1990.
Continue reading...Catholic priest accused of sexual assault fathered children of victims, court hears
Revelation emerges at hearing for Anthony Odiong, 55, charged with several counts and held in Texas on $5.5m bail
A Roman Catholic priest with links to Texas and Louisiana who is facing criminal charges for allegedly abusing his position of authority within the church to pursue sex with vulnerable women fathered at least two children with victims of his behavior, authorities have alleged.
The stunning information about Anthony Odiong surfaced at a bail hearing on Tuesday in Waco, Texas, where prosecutors have charged him with several counts of sexually assaulting women to whom he ministered.
Continue reading...Trump announces more picks including US trade chief and health deputy
Attorney Jamieson Greer to play key role in trade team and investor Jim O’Neill picked to be RFK Jr’s health deputy
Donald Trump announced his selections for a series of positions in his administration Tuesday evening. The posts include the president-elect’s picks for deputy secretary of health and human services, US trade representative and head of the national economic council, among others.
Jamieson Greer, an attorney who served under Trump’s previous trade representative Robert Lighthizer, will serve as US trade representative. In his announcement, Trump said: “Jamieson played a key role during my First Term in imposing Tariffs on China and others to combat unfair Trade practices, and replacing the failed NAFTA deal with USMCA, therefore making it much better for American Workers.”
Continue reading...Lebanese army deploys forces in south Lebanon – Haaretz
- Lebanese army deploys forces in south Lebanon Haaretz
- Israel-Gaza-Lebanon live updates: IDF issues south Lebanon warning after ceasefire ABC News
- BBC sees destruction in southern Beirut suburb BBC.com
- LIVE: Israel intensifies Gaza strikes, imposes curfew on southern Lebanon Al Jazeera English
- Israeli Ministers Plan to Vote on Israel-Hezbollah Cease-Fire Deal The New York Times
People in Israel and Lebanon react to ceasefire deal
People in Tel Aviv and Beirut shared feelings of relief and doubt as they reacted to the news.
Families of Australians killed in Laos call for answers
Eight people have been detained after a suspected methanol poisoning left six foreign tourists dead.
District judge sides with Nebraska medical cannabis ballot sponsors in legal challenge – Nebraska Examiner
- District judge sides with Nebraska medical cannabis ballot sponsors in legal challenge Nebraska Examiner
- Prosecutors to appeal case against Nebraska notary, whose attorney asks ‘to stop playing games’ Nebraska Examiner
- Nebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana The Associated Press
- Judge rules in favor of Nebraska medical marijuana petitioners WOWT
- Lancaster County District Court rules decision by Nebraska voters to legalize medical marijuana should stand KETV Omaha
Live updates: Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah set to take hold in a matter of hours – The Associated Press
- Live updates: Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah set to take hold in a matter of hours The Associated Press
- The latest on the war in the Middle East CNN
- LIVE: Countdown to Lebanon ceasefire as Israel reaches deal with Hezbollah Al Jazeera English
- Israeli cabinet approves ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah ABC News
- Scenes around Middle East ahead of ceasefire announcement Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Breaking norms, Trump signs transition memorandum with Biden White House
US President-elect Trump sidestepped agreements that would require donor disclosures and vetting for government picks.