US border security deal reached to avert new shutdown
Democrats and Republicans have reached an agreement in principle over border security to fund the US government and avert another partial shutdown.
The agreement contains only a fraction of the money President Donald Trump wants for his promised border wall and does not mention a concrete barrier.
The deal still needs to be approved by Congress and signed by the president.
Speaking later, Mr Trump did not say whether he would back it. "We're building the wall anyway."
The Democrats - who now control the House of Representatives - have refused to approve the $5.7bn (£4.4bn) for Mr Trump's border wall, one of his key campaign pledges.
Facebook under pressure to halt rise of anti-vaccination groups
Experts are calling on company to counter closed groups where members can post misinformation without challenge
Facebook is under pressure to stem the rise of anti-vaccination groups spreading false information about the dangers of life-saving vaccines while peddling unfounded alternative treatments such as high doses of vitamin C.
So-called “anti-vaxxers” are operating on Facebook in closed groups, where members have to be approved in advance. By barring access to others, they are able to serve undiluted misinformation without challenge.
The groups are large and sophisticated. Stop Mandatory Vaccination has more than 150,000 approved members. Vitamin C Against Vaccine Damage claims that large doses of the vitamin can “heal” people from vaccine damage, even though vaccines are safe.
Australia parliament votes to take in sick refugees in historic defeat for government
The Australian parliament has passed a bill giving doctors greater say over medical transfers for refugees, the first time a government has lost a vote on its own legislation in the country for more than 80 years.
It means that doctors at Australia‘s processing centres on the Pacific islands of Nauru and Manus Island will be able to force through medical evacuations against the government’s wishes, as long as the patient meets a set of criteria.
Previously, the decision of whether to allow a medical transfer to the mainland was entirely at immigration officials’ discretion. The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said the bill would “take control from the government”, and “unleash a world of woe”.
Trial of Catalan separatist leaders puts Spanish state on the defensive
As 12 Catalan separatist leaders prepare to go on trial in Madrid, Spain has been forced to defend the independence and impartiality of its courts.
Catalan separatists have dismissed the high-profile trial which begins Tuesday at Spain’s Supreme Court as a “farce” whose outcome is already pre-determined.
Not so, says the government, which has published a thick file to show Spain’s justice system is just as fair as its European counterparts, citing rankings by the European Commission, the European Court of Human Rights and Transparency International.
Supreme Court President Carlos Lesmes points out that if the justice system really was not independent, the king’s brother-in-law would not be in jail for corruption, nor would a court ruling have sparked a no-confidence motion that brought down the conservative government in June.
As one ISIS wife ponders her fate, Europe struggles to deal with group's followers
Updated 0550 GMT (1350 HKT) February 12, 2019
Lenora Lemke sits in a car packed with all her belongings, shielded from the desert sun by a large carpet that hangs over the roof. The 19-year-old tugs at the hijab that frames her pale face and tries to remember the last time she took a shower. She realizes it's been exactly 20 days since she wiped herself down after giving birth to her new baby, Maria.
"After my birth, I made warm water and I was cleaning down there," she says looking down in embarrassment. Squirming in her lap is her other daughter, Habiba, 16 months old with tufts of blonde hair.
When prompted, Lemke produces a burgundy passport with Germany's federal eagle emblazoned in gold on the cover, certain in her mind that she'll be able to bring her children home to Germany soon.
Indonesia artists slam bill banning 'negative' foreign influences
Concerned musicians say draft legislation can be used to curb freedom of speech, a claim the government denies.
Musicians in Indonesia have slammed a new draft law seeking to criminalise content deemed pornographic or blasphemous, saying it could potentially limit freedom of expression across the vast archipelago.
Under the Music Bill (RUU Permusikan), which is being considered by parliament, creators would be "prohibited from including negative influences from foreign cultures or those that demean human dignity".
Offenders could face fines or jail time.
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