Russia using choking agents in Ukraine, US says
The state department says Moscow has used a World War One-era weapon to "dislodge" Ukrainian troops.
Faruqi v Hanson: One Nation leader’s barrister says tweet ‘not nice’ but not racist as court hears closing arguments
Mehreen Faruqi’s lawyer tells court it is ‘unlikely’ Pauline Hanson did not know Greens senator is Muslim
Pauline Hanson’s controversial tweet to fellow senator Mehreen Faruqi telling her to “piss off back to Pakistan” was “not nice” or “polite” but was not racist, her lawyer has told the federal court.
Faruqi has brought a racial discrimination case against Hanson in the federal court, alleging she was subjected to racial vilification, abuse and discrimination after Hanson tweeted in response to Faruqi critiquing colonisation on the day Queen Elizabeth II died.
Continue reading...Sex work decriminalised in Queensland after decades of campaigning
Advocates fear the hard-won reform could be overturned if the LNP, which voted against the bill, wins government in October
Queensland parliament has passed historic legislation decriminalising sex work in the state, after decades of campaigning.
But advocates are concerned the hard-won reform could be overturned if the Liberal National opposition wins government in October. The party voted against the bill on Thursday evening.
Continue reading...Police arrest Sydney man for blackmail over major data breach affecting up to 1 million NSW and ACT residents
IT provider Outabox, used by dozens of hospitality venues, blamed an ‘unauthorised third party’ for the breach
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Police have arrested a Sydney man they expect to charge with blackmail as they investigate a major data breach that saw personal details for up to 1 million New South Wales and ACT residents shared online.
NSW police officers have been working with state, federal and international agencies as they investigate the major breach that is believed to be either blackmail or corporate sabotage after data was published this week.
Continue reading...Bonza fleet’s grounding extended – as it happened
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- Police identify persons of interest in major data breach affecting up to 1 million NSW and ACT residents
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Prime minister says trial ongoing into funding for women escaping violence
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is speaking to ABC RN about yesterday’s announcements after national cabinet.
Well, there is already a trial going ahead. We want to make sure that the processes are in place [so] that they will begin within the next financial year as a permanent program, not just offering financial support, but as well as offering support for referral services, risk assessments, safety planning, and other support …
This isn’t something that you solve with a meeting on one day. This is something that governments are determined to take action on. For some of us this is deeply personal, for others, it is incredibly important.
Continue reading...Police rip down barricades as they move in on Gaza protest in LA
Officers move in overnight on the long-standing pro-Palestinian protests at the UCLA campus.
Surfer dies after alleged stabbing at Coffs Harbour beach
Man, 22, believed to have been stabbed at Park Beach Reserve moments after leaving the water with police launching a murder investigation
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A surfer has died after being found with stab wounds near a beach in Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.
The 22-year-old is believed to have been allegedly stabbed moments after leaving the water and was found in Park Beach Reserve at about 6.40am on Thursday.
Continue reading...Israel accused of possible war crime over killing of West Bank boy
UN expert says death of 8-year-old appears to violate law after reviewing evidence gathered by BBC.
Pro-China candidate wins Solomon Islands PM vote
Jeremiah Manele has already indicated he will continue the Pacific nation's close ties with Beijing.
Slovakia’s opposition hopes European vote will put brakes on populist PM
Progressives counting on a strong performance to rein in Robert Fico’s drift away from rule of law
As fears grow that Slovakia is following Hungary down a path away from the rule of law, the country’s opposition says it is determined to prove that citizens want a democratic future.
Since coming back to power last year, Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, has taken aim at the media, NGOs and prosecutors.
Continue reading...Bob Carr accuses Winston Peters of defamation after NZ deputy PM calls him a ‘Chinese puppet’
Former NSW premier’s threat to sue comes amid debate about whether New Zealand should join pillar two of Aukus pact
Australia’s former foreign minister and New South Wales premier, Bob Carr, says he intends to sue New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, Winston Peters, for allegations made about Carr’s closeness to China as debate about Aukus ramps up.
Peters called Carr “nothing more than a Chinese puppet” on the national broadcaster RNZ on Thursday morning.
Continue reading...Solomon Islands chooses China-friendly ex-diplomat Jeremiah Manele as new prime minister
Move seen as continuation of Pacific country’s policy of growing closer to Beijing
Solomon Islands lawmakers have elected as their new prime minister Jeremiah Manele, a former foreign minister who has pledged to continue the Pacific country’s policy of embracing China.
Manele said outside parliament on Thursday “the people have spoken” and called for calm.
Continue reading...‘King of Twang’ guitarist Duane Eddy dies at 86
The Grammy-winning US guitarist is hailed by many as one of the founding fathers of rock and roll.
Manhattan prosecutors announce retrial for film producer Harvey Weinstein
Announcement follows a decision last week to toss Weinstein's New York conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault.
US House passes controversial bill that expands definition of anti-Semitism
Rights groups warn that the definition could further chill freedom of speech as protests continue on college campuses.
Watch: Inside Lebanon’s ghost towns after Israeli strikes
Israel has pounded southern Lebanon almost daily since Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on 8 October.
Face of 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman revealed
Scientists build a 3D model of one of our evolutionary cousins from the pieces of a shattered skull.
The insect farmers turning to AI to help lower costs
Makers of insect-based animal feed hope to be able to compete with soybeans on price.
Columbia campus community ‘shattered’ by police raid
Students say they have lost trust and are in limbo after New York officers arrested Gaza protesters.
‘Qatar targeted my brother on Grindr – I want him home’
The British-Mexican man has HIV and has run out of his usual medication, says his family.