Extradition bill delayed as thousands protest in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong legislature has been forced to postpone a second round of debate on a controversial extradition bill amid massive protests outside.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators surrounded the building and blocked roads as riot police warned them to retreat.
The legislation, which would allow criminal suspects to be extradited to China, has sparked the largest political demonstrations in Hong Kong since its handover from British to Chinese rule.
The government said the debate has been delayed until further notice.
- Reuters
Charges against Russian journo dropped
In a rare U-turn, Russian police have abruptly dropped drugs charges against an investigative journalist in the face of anger from his supporters.
Ivan Golunov was detained by the police last week, and accused of dealing in drugs.
His supporters alleged he was framed for his reporting and threatened to stage a mass protest in Moscow.
The Interior Minister said the case was being dropped due to a lack of evidence.
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Landmark gay rights decision in Botswana
In a landmark decision in Africa, Botswana's High Court has ruled in favour of decriminalising homosexuality.
The law, which had been in place since 1965, imposed jail sentences of seven years for people in same-sex relationships.
The court ruled that it was unconstitutional.
The decision has been carefully watched in other parts of Africa, where campaigners say laws outlawing same sex relations exist in 31 out of 54 African countries.
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Ebola case reported in Uganda
Uganda has confirmed its first case of Ebola during the current outbreak in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
A five-year old Congolese child is receiving care after arriving from the DRC.
His family is in isolation and two of them have already developed symptoms.
- Reuters
Return to negotiations in Sudan
Protest leaders in Sudan have agreed to suspend widespread strikes and return to the negotiating table following talks with an Ethiopian envoy.
In return, the army, which has been in control since long-time President Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April, has agreed to release political prisoners.
Talks had earlier broken down after dozens of protesters were killed in a violent crackdown last week and the opposition called for a campaign of civil disobedience.
- BBC
Biden and Trump exchange barbs
The US President Donald Trump and his Democratic Party rival, former Vice President Joe Biden, have exchanged personal insults as they both campaigned in Iowa, in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.
Mr Biden, who is the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, labelled Mr Trump an existential threat to the nation.
Mr Trump described Senator Biden as a loser and a dummy and said he hoped he would be the Democratic candidate because mentally, he was the weakest in the field.
- BBC
Flying taxi trial in Melbourne
Uber has announced it will use Melbourne as the first international test site for the group's planned flying taxi service.
It had previously chosen Dubai as the first test site outside the United States for its UberAIR service but reopened its request for proposals last month after launch delays in the Middle Eastern city.
It said Melbourne had been picked because it was a progressive city but also struggles with congestion.
- Reuters
Radiohead hits back at hackers
The British rock band Radiohead has turned the tables on a blackmail attempt by releasing 18 hours of unpublished music recorded during the making of their classic 1997 album OK Computer.
Tapes from the sessions were allegedly stolen last week, with hackers demanding 150-thousand dollars in return.
Instead of paying the ransom the band has released the tapes in full, and has given the profits to climate crisis activists Extinction Rebellion.
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