Hello Australia! - Japan is sending out its whaling fleet tomorrow - The US Republican party is blamed for rhetoric that led to bloodshed - New Zealand farewells its legendary son and Rugby superstar Jonah Lomu - And more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:

Japan's whaling fleet leaves on Tuesday for the Southern Ocean to try and kill as many as 333 Minke Whales, after skipping last year's hunt.  That number is about a third of what Japan used to try to harvest - but decreasing demand for whale meat from more enlightened Japanese consumers, plus intervention from the Sea Shepherd Society has slowed the fleet's ability to kill whales in recent years.  Japan skipped the last season after the International Court of Justice said the annual expedition was a commercial activity masquerading as research.

The Sea Shepherd Society is calling on Australia and New Zealand to do more than just condemn Tokyo's plans.  "We would like to remind the Japanese government that the whales of the Southern Ocean are protected by international law, by Australian law, and by Sea Shepherd," said Sea Shepherd chief executive Alex Cornelissen, "As such, any violation of the sanctity of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary or the Australian Whale Sanctuary will be regarded as a criminal act."  Foreign Minister Julie Bishop isn't yet committing to the idea of sending a vessel to monitor whaling in the Southern Ocean. 

Thousands attended the memorial for New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu at Auckland's Eden Park stadium.  Lomu died earlier this month of unknown causes; although he struggled with kidney disease, doctors say it's also possible that he died as a result of a blood clot that developed on the long flight from the UK back to NZ.  The memorial started with the traditional Haka, and included trbutes from his teammates and coaches, as well as PM John Key.

Myanmar President Thein Sein and the head of the country's defense forces will meet with Aung San Suu Kyi this week, after her National League for Democracy swept national elections earlier this month.  They'll discuss the transition to an NLD-led government.  Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from being appointed president to succeed Thein Sein, but promises the next president will adhere to her policies.

Planned Parenthood is blaming the US Republican Party for creating the "toxic environment" that provoked the attack on one of its Women's Health Clinics in Colorado Springs.  The terrorist who murdered three people including a police officer and injured nine more used the phrase "no more baby parts" when he was arrested - a direct reference to the propaganda videos released by an anti-abortion rights group that falsely claimed clinic sold body parts from fetuses for medical research.  "It is offensive and outrageous that some politicians are now claiming this tragedy has nothing to do with the toxic environment they helped create," said Planned Parenthood Executive Vice President Dawn Laguens, singling out presidential candidates Donald Trump and Carly Fiorina.  The fact is, the republicans glommed onto the right-wing outrage that occurred in between the video's release and debunking.