Putin gifts lion and brown bears to North Korea zoo
The two countries have grown very close recently, with N Korea supporting Putin's war in Ukraine.
Percival Everett wins National Book Award for fiction with retelling of Huckleberry Finn
Everett’s novel, James, which focuses on Twain's enslaved character Jim, won the $10,000 prize
Percival Everett has won the $10,000 National Book Award for fiction, one of the US’s most prestigious literary prizes, for James, his acclaimed reimagining of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The 67-year-old author was also shortlisted for this year’s Booker prize for James, which focuses on Huckleberry Finn’s enslaved character Jim. The Guardian’s Anthony Cummins called the book “gripping, painful, funny, horrifying” in his review.
Continue reading...US ‘Secret War’ remembered as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visits Laos
Al Jazeera looks back at the most devastating period in Laos's history, when the US waged a years-long 'Secret War'.
Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Takes Stand in National Security Trial – The New York Times
- Hong Kong Media Mogul Jimmy Lai Takes Stand in National Security Trial The New York Times
- Jimmy Lai to answer Apple Daily staff’s allegations in Hong Kong security trial South China Morning Post
- Tycoon Jimmy Lai denies asking US to act against HK, China in landmark trial Reuters
- He Rose to Riches in Hong Kong. Now He’s a Symbol of China’s Crackdown. The Wall Street Journal
- Hong Kong ex-publisher Jimmy Lai testifies he didn't ask Pence, Pompeo to take action against city The Associated Press
Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,001
These were the key developments on the 1,001st day of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Musk, Ramaswamy outline plans for ‘drastic’ cuts as gov’t efficiency tsars
Trump allies say they will 'liberate individuals and businesses from illicit regulations never passed by Congress'.
Australia wants to ban kids from social media. Will it work?
The government has just tabled laws to block access to under-16s - but the proposal is divisive.
‘Resurgence’ in China aid to Pacific amid tussle with US for influence
Thinktank’s report says Beijing has emerged from Covid-induced lull with a ‘more competitive, politically targeted model’ of engagement in the region
China has renewed efforts to curry favour in Pacific island nations, a new report has found, after charting a “resurgence” in Beijing-backed aid and infrastructure funding.
Over the past decade, China has lavished billions of dollars on Pacific island nations, part of ongoing efforts to build influence in competition with the US and its allies.
Continue reading...Accident or sabotage? American and European officials disagree as key undersea cables are cut – CNN
- Accident or sabotage? American and European officials disagree as key undersea cables are cut CNN
- Chinese-Registered Ship Is Held in Baltic Sea Sabotage Investigation The Wall Street Journal
- Finnish authorities open probe into ruptured undersea cable between Finland and Germany The Associated Press
- US allies accuse Russia of 'escalating hybrid activities' against NATO, EU nations after data cables severed Fox News
- Danish military says it's staying close to Chinese ship after data cable breaches Reuters
Las Vegas man who called 911 for help killed by police in his home
Brandon Durham was tussling with a female intruder over a knife when an officer shot him multiple times.
Fallen trees cause widespread damage after bomb cyclone
Two people died in the storm that hit the West coast of the US and Canada overnight.
Uncertainty after Australia foreign students bill hits opposition
Universities had already begun making changes, as the controversial bill was expected to easily pass.
US Senate votes down effort to withhold weapons to Israel amid Gaza war
The push led by Senator Bernie Sanders falls short, but advocates say it shows progress for Palestinian rights movement.
Trans congresswoman Sarah McBride responds to Capitol Hill bathroom ban
Following statement from Mike Johnson, McBride says: ‘I’m not here to fight about bathrooms, I’m here to … bring down costs facing families’
Sarah McBride, the incoming congresswoman and first openly transgender person elected to the US House of Representatives, on Wednesday shared a statement on social media in response to the House banning trans people from using single-sex bathrooms on Capitol Hill that match their gender identity.
Earlier in the day, the House speaker, Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson, issued a statement “regarding facilities throughout the US Capitol complex”.
Continue reading...Attempt to prevent NSW climate protest overturned – as it happened
This blog is now closed
- Sydney train strike: chaotic shutdown averted after 11th-hour crisis talks with union
- Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
New South Wales MPs condemned for ‘part-time’ parliamentary year
Scores of NSW MPs will earn the equivalent of more than $10,000 per sitting week in 2025 after a bid to increase the year’s 16-week calendar was rejected, AAP reports.
To do this, government MPs have to turn up to parliament and discuss matters. Voters won’t be happy that government MPs would prefer to hide in their electorate offices rather than turning up to parliament, where they face scrutiny.
Continue reading...Outcry over stalemate on Gaetz report; Trump reportedly considering Martin Makary for FDA – US politics live
Democrat Susan Wild says committee chair Michael Guest mischaracterized meeting and committee will reconvene in December; Markary opposed Covid vaccine mandates
The Federal Reserve must not remove Wells Fargo’s $1.95tn asset cap until the bank has fixed its risk management and compliance issues, top Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren told the US central bank on Wednesday, reports Reuters.
In a letter to Fed chair, Jerome Powell, and the central bank’s regulatory chief, Michael Barr, Warren said the Fed must reject Wells Fargo reported appeal to have the punishment imposed in 2018 lifted until it “can show that it can properly manage the risks associated with running a large bank”.
Continue reading...Anti-Israel vandalism in Sydney’s eastern suburbs ‘disturbing’, Anthony Albanese says
Vehicle set on fire in Woollahra and 10 cars vandalised with slogans ‘fuck Israel’ and ‘PKK coming’
- Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
- Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
A vehicle has been set on fire and 10 cars have been vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, sparking outrage and condemnation from politicians including the prime minister.
New South Wales police said they had discovered the graffiti on the cars and the door of an apartment complex in Woollahra after they were alerted to the blaze about 12.30am on Thursday.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...71-year-old civilian killed alongside soldier after entering Lebanon without approval – The Times of Israel
- 71-year-old civilian killed alongside soldier after entering Lebanon without approval The Times of Israel
- 71-year-old Israeli civilian killed in Lebanon after joining IDF troops without approval The Times of Israel
- Israel at War Day 411 | Elderly Israeli Civilian Killed in South Lebanon With Soldier After Entering With Troops Haaretz
- Israeli attack kills 3 more Lebanese soldiers as death toll passes 40 Al Jazeera English
- IDF announces Sgt.-Maj. Eitan Ben Ami, killed in southern Lebanon The Jerusalem Post
Is nuclear power gaining new energy?
Countries around the world are building new nuclear power stations.
Mental health patients harmed by being sent to units far from home, report finds
Distant placements found to have led to anxiety, PTSD and suicide in some cases, as use of them increases in England
Mental health patients in England are being harmed by the increase in placements in psychiatric units far from their homes and families, a new report indicates.
Patients have had anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while some have died by suicide as a result of their distant placements, according to a Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) report, which drew on interviews with patients and their loved ones. The participants spoke of how their experiences had resulted in feelings of anger, frustration and a loss of trust in the mental health system.
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Continue reading...