Worldwide / 56

Govt announces $688m HomeBuilder package

June 04, 2020

Member for Flynn Ken O'Dowd said the government expects around 27,000 grants to be issued with an investment of between $580 million and $688 million. "The tradies and all the others - the apprentices and others who work in that home building sector are going to feel a lot of pain unless we can keep a continuity in the business with house construction", said Mr Morrison.

Confederate Monument in Alabama Partially Removed Overnight

June 04, 2020

Mayor Randall Woodfin followed through Monday evening on a promise to remove the statue, as a crane methodically finished removing the three pieces shortly before midnight, according to local news reports. "The things that we were fighting for in the '60s aren't solved yet", said Rudolph, who testified against Ku Klux Klansmen convicted in the bombing.

Brazil sets another record for daily coronavirus deaths

June 04, 2020

The easing of the restrictions marks the beginning of six reopening phases planned by officials. Contradicting orders from municipal, state and federal leaders have sabotaged the country's ability to fight the virus, which has now migrated from wealthier regions to more vulnerable regions - such as the poor Northeast, favelas, and indigenous territories in the Amazon - where public health systems are precarious to begin with.

US Navy veteran detained in Iran has been released

June 04, 2020

USA officials had insisted that Asgari was not part of a swap, an assertion sure to come into question with White's release . Both countries have called for the release of prisoners because of the novel coronavirus outbreak . White's release comes after an Iranian scientist, Sirous Asgari , was flown back to Iran on Tuesday, setting the stage for White's release despite the increasingly bitter relations between Tehran and Washington .

Russia Declares State of Emergency After Oil Spill

June 04, 2020

Russia's Investigative Committee announced that it launched three criminal environmental probes and detained a worker at the power plant, AFP reported . The company says it is doing all it can to clear up the spill and it has brought in specialists from Moscow who have sectioned off the affected part of the river to stop the oil products spreading further.

North Korea threatens to halt military agreement over leaflets

June 04, 2020

Defectors from North Korea and many activists have in the last few weeks used balloons to fly leaflets that condemn Kim Jong Un over his nuclear ambitions and suppression of human rights. Unless the South stops such leaflets from flying across the border, the North could scrap a military tension-reduction agreement banning hostilities against each other, dismantle a shuttered joint industrial complex in the border city of Kaesong and shut down a joint liaison office, she said.

Hong Kong passes bill criminalising disrespect of Chinese national anthem

June 04, 2020

HSBC branches in Hong Kong were vandalised by pro-democracy campaigners previous year after it closed an account linked to the protest movement. Earlier today Standard Chartered, which like HSBC makes most of its profit from Asia, issued a similar statement: "We believe the national security law can help maintain the long-term economic and social stability of Hong Kong".

At least 39 injured in knife attack at China kindergarten

June 04, 2020

One student is among the three injured and in serious condition. The man has been detained by the police and the injured have been sent to a hospital, it said. The attack occurred at Central Primary School in the city of Wuzhou in the Guangxi autonomous region about 8.30am local time. "Fortunately, my son was just a bit shaken but not hurt", he said.

WHO and other experts say no evidence of COVID-19 losing potency

June 04, 2020

The comments caused a storm in Italy , a country that is slowly emerging from one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, with the president of the scientific body that advises the government saying he was "baffled" at the claim. "Without significantly stronger evidence, no one should unnecessarily downplay the danger this highly virulent virus poses, and risk the ongoing society-wide response".

Private Autopsy Shows George Floyd Asphyxiated: Lawyer

June 04, 2020

However the new report from the medical examiner did not include such language. The updated report came just hours after the Floyd family released their own independent autopsy report, which was at odds with Hennepin County's initial findings.

Officer shot, 2nd slashed in Brooklyn hours into NYC curfew

June 04, 2020

Police said a suspect shot at least one, possibly two people. Their condition was not immediately known. The NYPD says officers responding to a ShotSpotter activation fatally shot an armed person Tuesday night. Police tell News 12 this was not related to the unrest and protests seen across the city, and that the moments leading up to it were captured on both NYPD body cameras and cellphones.

Looters fatally shoot retired St

June 04, 2020

Louis in the early morning hours on Tuesday, when he went to check on the business as violent protests in the city and across the USA continue to rage following the death of George Floyd . St. Louis Police Chief John Hayden said Tuesday that Dorn was "exercising law enforcement training that he learned here" in the moments leading up to his death.

Charges upgraded for ex-officer in Floyd arrest

June 04, 2020

The case has reignited deep-seated anger over police killings of black Americans and racism. Chauvin, 44, was the white officer seen in a widely circulated video kneeling on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes as Floyd gasped for air and repeatedly groaned, "Please, I can't breathe", before growing motionless while bystanders shouted at police to let him up.

British Government condemns murder of African-American by United States police — George Floyd

June 04, 2020

This tragedy - in a long series of similar tragedies - raises a long overdue question: How do we end systemic racism in our society? Bush's statement came amid ongoing, nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd . In his statement, Bush said that many have "good reason" to doubt the "justice of our country", as he simultaneously urged against rioting and violence.

Medicare to Increase Enforcement Against Nursing Homes

June 04, 2020

More than 60,000 USA nursing home residents have contracted COVID-19 and almost 26,000 have died, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) reported Monday. Over 34,400 staff have also been infected with the virus - with 449 dying. These numbers are not final either - the data is based on reports received from about 80% of the country's 15,400 nursing homes as of May 24.

Philippines suspends termination of key military deal with US

June 04, 2020

Duterte has defended his decision to abrogate the pact with the USA, saying the Philippines can survive and address a long-running communist insurgency and threats by Muslim extremists in the largely Roman Catholic nation's south without American military assistance.

Students return to part-time, in-class instruction

June 04, 2020

Monkshouse Primary School remains open only for the children of key workers who have booked in and is not as yet having Reception, Year One and Year Six back. "Some parents were concerned that we might be too hard on them and it might not feel nice, so it is about trying to get the balance", she said. Now the Government says the time is right for other children to join them back in the classroom.

David McAtee's family disputes Louisville PD claim he fired first

June 04, 2020

He also said new video from "external" and "internal" sources have been released by Louisville Metro Police for review by KSP. "That's what it appears at this point", he said. "This is the entire reason that we have those cameras", he said. The FBI Louisville and the Justice Department have signed on as well to investigate McAtee's shooting death.

MPs queue around Westminster to vote on in person voting

June 04, 2020

He has tabled a motion preventing the resumption of virtual voting that allowed MPs to have their say from afar during the pandemic. However, leading MPs, including the chair of the Procedure Committee Karen Bradley, have expressed concerns that people will be forced to divulge sensitive information about their own medical conditions and the existing rules on proxy voting - for MPs on parental leave - are due to expire next month.

Pope: Pull together, avoid pessimism in this coronavirus era

June 04, 2020

In a videotaped message for the Pentecost service led by the Anglican church leader, Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury, Francis spoke of how during the pandemic people are required to keep a safe distance from each other. These include a doctor and a nurse; someone who recovered from the illness and someone who lost a loved-one to it; a priest, a hospital chaplain, and a nun who is a nurse.

USA suspends flights by Chinese airlines starting June 16

June 04, 2020

The latest ban will severely restrict movements between residents of the two countries. US President Donald Trump meets with China's President Xi Jinping. The move was seen as an attempt by officials to insulate the country from further exposure to cases of covid-19 from those outside of China. A Southern China Airlines flight from Guangzhou, China, passes in front of the sun as it arrives at Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia in March.

Barack Obama applauds activists, condemns violence in protests in US

June 04, 2020

Strangely he goes on to criticise the criminal justice system but offers no reasoning to his failure in reforming the criminal justice system with regards to racial bias in America when he was President for two-terms. "Most of you are weak", President Trump said. 'We have seen in the last several weeks, and last few months, the kind of epic changes and events in our country that are as profound as I've seen in my lifetime'.

Ex-Defense Official Accuses Esper of Violating Oath

June 04, 2020

The president wanted to make the aggressive action in the nation's capital - where he wields disproportionate powers - an example for the rest of the country, a senior White House official said Tuesday. Yet the nationwide protests have joined the virus pandemic as critical issues confronting the president ahead of November's election. Additionally, an official close to Esper and familiar with the White House's thinking told CNN that the defense secretary is being "skewered" by other White ...

MADELEINE McCANN: Cops have prime suspect in toddler's disappearance

June 04, 2020

In what they described as a significant moment in their investigation, the Metropolitan police released details of the telephone number used by the man and a number he had been called from, along with photos of a camper van he was said to have been using to live "a transient lifestyle" in Portugal's Algarve.

Biden: Trump Is 'Sweeping Away' The 'Guardrails' Of Democracy

June 04, 2020

Biden also rallied against Trump after police used tear gas and flash bombs to disperse peaceful protestors outside the White House so he could have a photo-op with a Bible outside St. He went into greater detail yesterday about what that meant and the questions voters should ask themselves. "Because we also have to fundamentally change the way in which police are trained", he said.

Stevenage clock tower lit purple in support of Black Lives Matter movement

June 04, 2020

A Black Lives Matter protest will take place this weekend. The campaign was sparked by the global unrest in response to 46-year-old Black, George Floyd , killed by Derek Chauvin , a White police officer. "Black lives matter." Below the statement included social media handles to the following organizations, @blklivesmatter, @whenweallvote, @colorofchange, and @naacp she added.

Libya's GNA retakes Tripoli airport from Haftar's forces

June 03, 2020

On Sunday, Hifter's froces said they recaptured the strategic town of al-Asabaa, about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the capital, after launching airstrikes on militias in the area. Strikes have targeted civilian infrastructure and Tripoli's only working airport, a former military base used for civilian flights since the closure of the global airport.

Trump administration to ban Chinese passenger airlines from US

June 03, 2020

Transportation Department. In the latest of a seemingly neverending series of escalations between the two countries, the Trump administration has announced its intentions to block Chinese airlines from flying to the United States in retaliation for China continuing to place restrictions on USA airlines.

Officer Charged in George Floyd’s Death Transferred to Maximum Security Prison

June 03, 2020

Derek Chauvin , who is white, is facing charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after video surfaced showing the former police officer with his knee on neck of Floyd , who is black, for more than eight minutes despite the 46-year-old's repeated pleas that he could not breathe.

Kremlin Has 'More Questions Than Answers' on Trump's G-7 Invite

June 03, 2020

Also, at about $35 a barrel, prices are below what most OPEC+ countries need to cover planned government spending. The tension between the United States and China is escalating over the coronavirus pandemic, with Trump accusing Beijing of not divulging timely information about the disease and demanding a probe into the origins of the virus.

USA streets calmest in days, protests largely peaceful

June 03, 2020

President Donald Trump faced blowback from religious leaders, some Republican politicians and ex-military leaders for his controversial threat to deploy the military in USA cities and his decision to stage a photo opportunity at a church near the White House after protesters were forcibly cleared from the area.

Kerala: Pregnant Elephant Allegedly Fed Pineapple Stuffed with Crackers Dies in Malappuram

June 03, 2020

When the pineapple that she ate burst, she must have been in shock not thinking about herself, but the child she was about to give birth to". After the cracker exploded in her mouth, it suffered serious injuries on its tongue and mouth and couldn't eat properly and only took water.

Nine-Term White Supremacist GOP Congressman Goes Down in Defeat

June 03, 2020

He was defeated by Republican rival Randy Feenstra for the party's nomination to the ballot in November. Feenstra will advance as the Republican nominee for Iowa's 4th Congressional District, which consists of the largely rural northwestern part of the state .

Severe cyclone approaches India's financial capital Mumbai

June 03, 2020

One of the reasons behind the phenomenon, he said, could be that the sea is getting warmer. The cyclone, designated Nisarga, is expected make landfall later today on the coastal border region of Maharashtra and Gujarat states, with winds gusting up to 120km/h (75m/h), the equivalent of a category 1 hurricane, the IMD said.

Trudeau doesn't say Trump's name as he addresses "horror" in the US

June 03, 2020

Trudeau said he is aware of the situation cities are facing and more support is coming, but his government has to work with provincial governments to handle these changes. The protests occurring in the U.S. and elsewhere follow the killing of an unarmed African American man, George Floyd, by a police officer in Minnesota on May 25.

Yemen donor summit raises about half of required $2.4 bn, says UN

June 03, 2020

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis killed or wounded 729 children during 2018, accounting for almost half the total child casualties, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a report to the UN Security Council (UNSC) in July 2019 that blacklisted the alliance for a third year.

Russia reserves right to retaliate for nuclear attacks #98421

June 03, 2020

Despite a drop in the number of virus cases, the country continues to grapple with the epidemic, although Russian President Putin last week had announced Russia would be hosting a parade on June 24 at Moscow's Red Square to celebrate the country's victory over Nazi Germany in World War-II.

Russian Federation announces new anti-influenza drug Aviifavir to treat COVID-19

June 03, 2020

Russian Federation has approved an anti-influenza drug to treat Covid-19 and will start delivering courses of the drug, Avifavir, to hospitals in June, according to Russia's sovereign wealth fund ( RDIF ). While an worldwide researcher of the drug has sounded a note of caution - joining scientists around the world who have tried to manage expectations of new treatments until they've been thoroughly tested - the head of the wealth fund said it was a potential breakthrough.

George Floyd: Trump thanks himself for curbing protests in USA cities

June 03, 2020

But the protest lacked the tension of the previous nights' demonstrations. Tens of thousands gathered earlier in Houston to pay a hometown tribute to Floyd, who grew up in the Texas city and is to be buried there next week. John's Church. Trump's visit "did not serve the spiritual aspirations or the needed moral leadership", she added. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the National Guard should patrol New York City's streets to put an end to fires, looting and property destruction.

Two centrally run committees to shape UK's COVID-19 approach in shake-up

June 03, 2020

Labour has criticised the Public Health England report into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on BAME communities for its failure to present any recommendations. When separately analysing comorbidities, the review found that people from BAME backgrounds are more likely to have comorbidities that lead to negative outcomes from coronavirus .

Two young brothers dead after taking grandparents' vehicle for drive

June 03, 2020

A Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman said the boys had taken their grandmother's 2007 Buick LaCrosse. According to the MSHP crash report , the vehicle travelled off the right side of the road, struck the ground and then became airborne.

Santa Monica Imposes Curfew

June 03, 2020

Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. "We know better than to let the looters obscure the message of the protesters, who have indeed been heard", Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown said in a statement. Across the coast, New York City has an 11 p.m. ET curfew that ends at 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday. On Friday night, during the third night of protests, 533 people were arrested in Downtown LA on charges such as suspicion of burglary, looting, attempted murder, battery on police officer and failure to ...

Chinese fighter jets airborne close to Ladakh border

June 03, 2020

Pompeo also accused the Communist Party of China of continuing to "hide and obfuscate" in order to delay the worldwide response to the coronavirus pandemic. India's External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the country is working with China to peacefully resolve the disputes through " established mechanisms, both at military and diplomatic levels ".

Mark Zuckerberg defends inaction on Donald Trump's Facebook posts

June 03, 2020

In an internal discussion with his employee, Mr Zuckerberg acknowledged that the decision on "how to handle" President Trump's post "has been very tough". While Facebook left Trump's post up without any disclaimers, Twitter placed a label warning users that the tweet violated the company's rules about glorifying violence, in a move that was followed by the United States president trying to clarify his remarks.

Russian Federation not welcome at G7, says Canada and UK

June 03, 2020

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump announced the postponement of the scheduled Group of Seven ( G7) summit , from the end of June until possibly September, revealing that he is intending to invite Russia , South Korea, Australia, and India.

Trump suggested taking control of Washington police, say reports

June 03, 2020

Domination. Likewise, Minneapolis was great (thank you President Trump! )", he tweeted . "Let me just say this to the President of the United States, on behalf of the police chiefs of this country,"Acevedo said, "please, if you don't have something constructive to say, keep your mouth shut".

Mumbai bracing for the 'first cyclone in years'

June 03, 2020

Central government and both state governments are working together, he added. The next few cyclones are expected to be named Gati suggested by India, Nivar by Iran, Burevi by Maldives, Tauktae by Myanmar and Yaas by Oman. If the depression develops into a cyclonic storm, it will be called "Nisarga". This year's fishing ban came as an economic blow to millions of fish workers across the coast, since the nationwide lockdown to contain Covid-19 had forced them to stop fishing earlier than ...

Matt Hancock confirms ethnicity is ‘major risk factor’ for Covid-19

June 03, 2020

Commenting on the findings , de Cordova said: "This review confirms what we already knew - that racial and health inequalities amplify the risks of Covid-19". Black women were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease compared to their white counterparts, while black men were nearly three times as likely than white men to suffer from COVID-19, according to the PHE report.

Rioters target police across U.S.; 4 shot in St — George Floyd protests

June 03, 2020

Officers were injured in clashes elsewhere, including one who was in critical condition after being hit by a auto in the Bronx, police said. He was visibly frustrated as he gave an update on the shootings shortly before 2 a.m. Paul. The City of St. Louis is under a curfew starting Tuesday at 9 p.m. While at the Arch grounds, organizers included a number of interactive activities to engage protesters.

Facebook now allows users to hide older posts

June 03, 2020

In a blog post about the new tools - created to protect users privacy - Facebook has stated: "We know that people's posts from years ago may not represent who they are now - e.g. The feature will be available to some users on the Facebook app today and will roll out more broadly in the next few weeks. The latest Facebook update lets users hide their older posts published on the social platform that are no longer relevant for their audience, but are worth keeping.

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