Global News
Prime Minister Tony Abbott may be far apart from US President Barack Obama on the issues of the environment and global warming, but the two leaders are in complete agreement over expanding Australia’s defense cooperation with the United States.
Brazil v. Croatia, Cops v. Protesters, Fans v. Booze
The opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup has come and gone and it was pretty much disaster-free. Despite problems ranging from a barely-ready stadium to an extreme overreaction to street protests, Sao Paulo partied Thursday night into memory with a victory over Croatia.
Iraq Plummeting Towards Likely Civil War, Possible Partition
The White House is making it clear – whatever the US decided to do to help Iraq’s Shi’a government protect itself against the advance of Sunni Islamist militants who’ve taken control of several cities and towns, American ground troops will not be involved.
World News Briefs For Friday, 13 June 2014
Ukraine accuses Russia of sending in the tanks – Jamaica might finally do the obvious – Indiana Jones versus the Garage Door of Doom – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:
Great Barrier Reef UNESCO Status To Be Discussed
There are some environmentalists disputing the hopeful report card that Australia is giving itself for the health and future of the Great Barrier Reef. Officials will attend a UNESCO meeting in Doha next week to insist the reef is on the mend.
Thousands Rally In Melbourne To Fight Budget Cuts
As many as 40,000 protesters brought Melbourne to a standstill on Thursday to demand that the Abbott government abandon its scheme to slash the budget. The demonstrators say the cuts would see fewer people employed, and those with jobs would be forced to work harder, for longer, and for less money.
Australia Risks Isolation On Climate Change Opposition
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has failed to rally more “like minded” nations to his cause of opposing US President Barack Obama and other leaders pushing stronger international carbon regulation. Only Canada has signed on.
World News Briefs For Thursday, 12 June 2014
The UN is concerned by fast-moving loses in Iraq – Japan and China bicker of atrocities – Washington is rocked by Cooter? – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:
World Cup Starts Today
Ready or not, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is here. And there are indications that Brazil is kind of partially ready. For instance, the Sao Paulo subway strike appears to be off, just in time for thousands of fans to ride the Metro system to the stadium hosting the first game of the tournament, Brazil versus Croatia
Anti-Semitism Row Splits France's First Family Of Far-Right Fringe
France’s Marine Le Pen had spent a lot of time trying to put a happier face on the far-right anti-immigrant politics of the National Front (FN) party. The results were some major gains in the recent European Parliament elections. But a blatantly anti-Semitic remark by the party’s founder – Marine’s father, Jean-Marie le Pen – slapped the smile off that facade and replaced it with a toothbrush mustache.
Egyptian Activist Fought The Law And The Law Won
A prominent pro-democracy activists was forced to stand outside a courthouse in Cairo, while he was tried in absentia inside on charges of violating the government’s ban on unsanctioned protests. Alaa Abd El Fattah later learned he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Iraq Asks For Help With Jihadists
Iraq has secretly asked for US air assistance to deal with stunning advances by Sunni Islamist militants. But there’s no indication that the US wants to write a third chapter in Iraq, especially after President Obama withdrew the last of its forces in 2011.
World News Briefs For Wednesday, 11 June 2014
A political earthquake in America – Brazil says it really, really is ready for the World Cup – Cuddly Rhinoceros loves his humans – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs:
Prosecutors Play Emotions In South Korean Ferry Trial
There are concerns over whether the crew of the sunken South Korean passenger ferry Sewol can get a fair trial. The captain and 14 more crewmembers are on trial less than two months after the disaster that left more than 300 people dead or missing, and emotions are still running high.
Major Environmental Victory In Chile
Environmentalists are celebrating now that the government of Chile has rejected a mammoth hydro-electric development in pristine, barely developed area of Patagonia in the southernmost part of the country. HidroAysen would have been the biggest energy project in the country’s history, building five dams on two wild rivers.
Thousands On The Run As Militants Take Iraqi City
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is asking parliament to declare a state of emergency after Sunni militants from al Qaeda and the dreaded Islamic State In Iraq and Syria (ISIS) effectively took control of Mosul and much of the surrounding province.
Obama Frustrated Over Gun Violence
After yet another school shooting, US President Barack Obama says America has some soul-searching to do on the subject of guns, noting that no other developed nation would tolerate the “off the charts” level of gun violence plaguing the United States.
FIFA's Sepp Blatter Told To Step Down
European football associations are urging FIFA president Sepp Blatter to quit next year because of the damage corruption allegations have inflicted on football's governing body. Published reports have claimed that the process to give the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 was riddled with bribes and wrongful influence.
Macca Still Ill, Reschedules More Tour Dates
Paul McCartney is delaying the start of his US tour for “a few more weeks”, because of a lingering illness that caused him to scrap his Japan and South Korea tour dates and to spend several days in hospital. The US leg was to have started in Lubbock, Texas this weekend.
Glaring Holes In Mexico City Animal Law
Mexico City is now the latest municipality to ban the use of animals in circuses. The city council approved a law specifying fines of A$48,000 to A$64,000 for circuses that don’t comply. But what the law doesn’t cover has circuses accusing lawmakers of hypocrisy.
World News Briefs For Tuesday, 10 June 2014 - UPDATED
Pakistan strikes back after the terrorist siege at its busiest airport – Boko Haram kidnaps more women – The World Cup subway strike is on hold – Ergogan’s pettiness is on full display – And a lot more in your CareerSpot World News Briefs: