Hello Australia!! - Hong Kong's pro-Beijing leader backs down to widespread protests - Billionaires aren't keeping their Notre Dame promises - Do we really need a war with Iran right now? - And more in your CareerSpot Global News Briefs:

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam is suspending efforts to pass a controversial extradition law that critics say would allow the city to send pro-democracy activists to Beijing for trial.  The bill had inspired massive, raucous protests in Hong Kong, with thousands of people surrounding government buildings and bringing highways to a standstill - which made the government to "pause and think", Ms. Lam said:  "I feel deep sorrow and regret that deficiencies in our work – and various other factors - have stirred up substantial controversies."  She has not completely withdrawn the bill, nor said what would replace it.

Saudi Arabia is calling for a "rapid and decisive" response against its regional rival in reaction to the explosions in two oil tankers in the Gulf Of Oman last week.  The US blames Iran for attacking the tankers, which Iran denies.  Around Europe, America's traditional allies are taking a cautious approach to what appears to many to be a headlong rush towards a war, especially noting the US political situation and record of wrong intelligence used to justifies Middle East wars.  Oil prices have climbed 3.4 percent since the attacks, while ship insurance costs for sailing through the area have jumped by at least 10 percent.

A roadside bomb killed eight Kenyan police officers on a mission near the Somali border, and injured at least three more.  No group has claimed responsibility for planting the explosives, but some reporters indicate the police were in pursuit of a group of al Shabaab terrorists.  

Sudan's military rulers are acknowledging that troops committed "violations" against people involved in the sit-in protests in the capital Khartoum that put pressure on long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir to step down in April; those protests continued as the military stepped in to take power, delaying the country's transition towards democratic elections.  "We feel sorry for what happened," said General Shams Eddin Kabashi, "We will show no leniency and we will hold accountable anyone, regardless of their rank, if proven to have committed violations."  Opposition groups say at least 100 people have been killed by troops during the crackdown.

A judge in Brazil has ruled that the man who stabbed the future president cannot be tried because he was mentally ill and not in control of his actions at the time.  However, the judge said Adelio Bispo de Oliveira is a high risk individual for plunging a knife into the belly of Jair Bolsonaro at a campaign rally in Minas Gerais last September.  Bolsonaro was knocked out of commission for a few weeks and required surgery.  Now president, he's not happy with the decision and is pursuing legal action to reverse it.

Remember the billionaires who promised millions and millions to rebuild Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral after the devastating fire earlier this year?  Yes, they haven't ponied up any money yet.  So far, it's small donors putting up the money to pay the 150 workers who are repairing the damage to the 800-year old icon.  "The big donors haven't paid.  Not a cent," said spokesman Andre Finot, "They want to know what exactly their money is being spent on and if they agree to it before they hand it over, and not just to pay employees' salaries."  CEOs of France's famous luxury brands such as Louis Vutton and Yves Saint Laurent, the oil company Total, and others promised nearly 1 Billion Euros in the days following the fire on 15 April.