Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Six In The Morning Wednesday 20 February 2019

Bramble Cay melomys: Climate change-ravaged rodent listed as extinct


It was described in 2016 as the first mammalian extinction caused by human-induced climate change.
Now the eradication of the Bramble Cay melomys has been officially recognised by Australia, its only known home.
The rodent lived solely on a tiny sand island in the Torres Strait, near the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The species has not been seen since 2009.
Scientists say there is a chance that an identical or similar species could yet be discovered in PNG.
But they're uncertain because PNG's nearby Key River region has been little documented by research.


South Korean government sparks outrage by saying K-pop stars 'look identical'

Guidelines issued over fears singers’ similar looks may promote unrealistic and narrow standards of beauty




 





New broadcasting guidelines produced by the South Korean government have prompted outrage for suggesting that television programs feature K-pop stars that look too similar.
The guidelines, which criticise the stars as “skinny” with “similar hairstyles and makeup, and with outfits that expose their bodies”, were issued earlier this month by the ministry of gender equality and family (Mogef).
The paragraphs that have caused offence advise restricting the number of K-pop singers who appear on a TV show, for fear that similar appearances may promote unrealistic and narrow standards of beauty.




Saudi women refugees in Germany: Still living in fear

Saudi women who have fled to Germany to request asylum continue to live under threat from their families. DW spoke with four such women and human rights experts who suspect the Saudi Embassy's involvement.
"Where are you hiding? We know you are not in your apartment." Ayasha* scrolls further. "We will get you. Even if you go to the end of the world, we have people who can track you down."
Ayasha sits barefoot in sweatpants and a T-shirt in her kitchen, in front of her a folder. In it, she has collected all the threatening messages she has received, printed and had translated into German by an official interpreter.

Prisoners of Their Own RebellionThe Cult-Like Group Fighting Iran

Members of the Trump administration have been providing support to a political sect that aims to topple the Iranian regime in Tehran. Around 2,000 of its members live in a camp in Albania. Former members say it subjected followers to torture and psychological terror.

By 

On a country road in northwestern Albania, a rather odd collection of men and women living together in a camp are busy preparing themselves to topple the Iranian regime. Three times per week, many of them apparently practice slitting throats, breaking hands, jabbing out eyeballs with fingers and performing the so-called Glasgow Smile, which involves cutting cheeks from the corner of the mouth up toward the ear. That, at least, is the story told by a former member of the group.

The camp, roughly the size of 50 football fields and surrounded by high fences, is located just a 35-minute drive from the lively bars of downtown Tirana, but the people inside live in something of a time capsule. Former members of the group report that most of the 2,000 camp residents aren't allowed to possess mobile phones, watches or calendars, though members of the organization that operates the camp deny those claims.

Liverpool held by Bayern as fans protest over ticket prices

By James Masters, CNN

Supporters of Liverpool and Bayern Munich cast rivalry aside during their high-octane Champions League clash Tuesday to protest against the rising cost of ticket prices.
Bayern's supporters unfurled a banner early in the second half of the goalless draw that read: "Away ticket LFC 48£ FCB 55€".
    "Th€ gr€€d knows no £imits! Twenty is plenty."
    The gesture was applauded around Anfield by Liverpool supporters.

    Court orders gov't, TEPCO to pay Fukushima evacuees over nuclear disaster


    By Behrouz Mehri

    A Japanese court on Wednesday awarded 419.6 million yen in fresh damages to scores of residents forced to flee their homes after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown.
    The Yokohama District Court ordered the government and Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) to pay the money to 152 local residents, a court spokeswoman told AFP.
    The verdict was the fifth time the government has been ruled liable for the disaster.
    Presiding judge Ken Nakadaira said the government and TEPCO "could have avoided the accident if they had taken measures" against the tsunami that sparked the disaster, according to public broadcaster NHK.







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