David Thomas, anarchic Pere Ubu bandleader, dies aged 71

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The US musician was a major influence on post-punk and alt-rock scenes thanks to his spirited, chaotic style

David Thomas, who fronted the wild and free-thinking American rock band Pere Ubu, has died aged 71.

A statement on Pere Ubu’s Facebook page said that he died “in his home town of Brighton & Hove, with his wife and youngest step-daughter by his side. MC5 were playing on the radio.” The statement continues: “He will ultimately be returned to his [family] home, the farm in Pennsylvania, where he insisted he was to be ‘thrown in the barn’ … We’ll leave you with his own words, which sums up who he was better than we can: ‘My name is David Fucking Thomas… and I’m the lead singer of the best fucking rock and roll band in the world.’”

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China launches Shenzhou 20 astronauts to Tiangong space station (video) – Space

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  1. China launches Shenzhou 20 astronauts to Tiangong space station (video)  Space
  2. China launches 3 astronauts to replace crew on Tiangong space station  NBC News
  3. Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft arrives at Tiangong space station  SpaceNews
  4. Spaceship carrying 3 Chinese astronauts docks with Tiangong space station in latest crew rotation  AP News
  5. China launches three taikonauts to Tiangong, commercial sector continues to expand  NASASpaceFlight.com -
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Freed hostage says Hamas member phoned his wife, warned her not to discuss Gaza captivity – Haaretz

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  1. Freed hostage says Hamas member phoned his wife, warned her not to discuss Gaza captivity  Haaretz
  2. Tal Shoham Shares Story Of Gazan Captivity, Torment By Terrorists  i24NEWS
  3. ‘Now You’re Dead’: Freed Hostage Recounts Captivity in Gaza  The New York Times
  4. ‘I Tried to Accept Death’  IFCJ
  5. Freed Israeli hostage focused on his 'inner life' to help survive harsh conditions in Gaza  GazetteXtra
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Tanzania opposition officials arrested as Tundu Lissu refuses to appear in court

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Chadema spokesperson says party’s vice-chair John Heche and secretary general John Mnyika held on way to protest over treason charges

Tanzania’s main opposition party said on Thursday at least two of its officials had been arrested on their way to a rally to support the leading government opponent Tundu Lissu, who refused to appear at a virtual court hearing to face a charge of treason.

Authorities in the east African country have increasingly cracked down on the opposition Chadema party ahead of presidential and parliamentary polls in October.

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Tanzania opposition officials arrested as Tundu Lissu refuses to appear in court – The Guardian

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  1. Tanzania opposition officials arrested as Tundu Lissu refuses to appear in court  The Guardian
  2. Tundu Lissu - the fiery Tanzanian political survivor pushing for reforms  BBC
  3. Tanzania police detain opposition officials on way to court, party says  Reuters
  4. When does opposition become treason in east Africa?  The Economist
  5. Tanzania: Opposition members arrested as leader faces trial  DW
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Third-party groups targeting teals in key seats swarm pre-poll areas in NSW and Victoria

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Third-party group Better Australia has posters and representatives wearing yellow ‘community adviser vests’ at multiple locations in Sydney.

Third-party groups targeting the teal independents are flooding pre-poll locations in Victoria and New South Wales, and include campaigners with links to the Jewish community such as Repeal the Teal.

In Goldstein, where the independent Zoe Daniel is hoping to hold off Liberal candidate Tim Wilson, Repeal the Teal has made its presence known this week with posters, T-shirts and pamphlets. The group is also campaigning in Kooyong.

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Two US marines investigated over alleged rape at military base in Okinawa

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Allegations come days after Japanese authorities increased efforts to deter crimes by US servicemen on island

Two US marines based on the Japanese island of Okinawa are being investigated for alleged rape, days after local authorities stepped up efforts to deter sexual and other crimes by US service personnel.

A marine in his 20s is suspected of raping a Japanese woman in a bathroom at a US military base last month, while a second man, also a marine in his 20s, allegedly raped a woman at a base in January, according to media reports.

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EVs to cost more under a Coalition government, after Dutton’s apparent backflip on popular tax break

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Polestar says Dutton’s move shows ‘a complete lack of understanding of the significant cost-of-living, climate and health benefits of EVs’

Electric vehicles would cost more under a Coalition government, after Peter Dutton confirmed he would scrap a popular tax break for EV drivers in an apparent backflip that has caused confusion and anger among clean car advocates.

The initiative, which was introduced by the Albanese government in 2022, has meant if a person buys an EV priced under $91,387 through a novated lease program via their employer (when a lease is paid off through pre-taxed salary deductions) they do not have to pay fringe benefits tax (FBT) – even if the car is only for personal use.

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