Monday, January 13, 2020

Six In The Morning Monday 13 January 2020

Revealed: US listed climate activist group as ‘extremists’ alongside mass killers

DHS listed activists engaged in non-violent civil disobedience targeting oil industry alongside white supremacists in documents



A group of  US environmental activists engaged in non-violent civil disobedience targeting the oil industry have been listed in internal Department of Homeland Security documents as “extremists” and some of its members listed alongside white nationalists and mass killers, documents obtained by the Guardian reveal.
The group have been dubbed the Valve Turners, after closing the valves on pipelines in four states carrying crude oil from Canada’s tar sands on 11 October, 2016, which accounted for about 15% of US daily consumption. It was described as the largest coordinated action of its kind and for a few hours the oil stopped flowing.

Pope Francis repeats support for celibacy after Benedict outburst

Pope Francis on Monday repeated his support for celibacy after his predecessor pope Benedict XVI urged him not to open the Catholic priesthood up to married men, in a plea that stunned Vatican experts.
"The pope's position on celibacy is well known," the head of the Vatican's press centre, Matteo Bruni, told journalists at the Vatican on Monday, citing Francis on his return from a trip to Panama in January 2019.
"I remember something that Pope Paul VI said: 'I'd rather give my life than change the law on celibacy'," Bruni quoted the pope as having said.

Iran denies cover-up of downing of Ukrainian jet

Meanwhile, videos allegedly show police firing tear gas and bullets at demonstrators in Tehran. Police denied shooting in the direction of protesters.
Iran's government on Monday denied a "cover-up" after its armed forces took three days to admit that a passenger plane was downed by mistake last week.
 "In these sorrowful days, many criticisms were directed at relevant officials and authorities... some officials were even accused of lying and a cover-up but, in all honesty, that was not the case," spokesman Ali Rabiei said in remarks aired on state television.
Police shooting protesters?
Meanwhile, Tehran's police chief has denied that Iranian police officers shot at demonstrators protesting the downing of the Ukrainian International Airlines jet, that left all 176 passengers dead. Hassan Roheimi said that officers had been ordered to "show restraint," in a statement carried by Iran's state broadcaster.

Philippines warns of 'explosive eruption' after Taal Volcano spews ash near Manila


Updated 1214 GMT (2014 HKT) January 13, 2020

Philippine authorities have urged a "total evacuation" of nearly half a million people near the capital Manila, after a volcano spewed ash up to nine miles (14 kilometers) into the air Sunday prompting warnings of a possible "explosive eruption."
The Taal Volcano, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) south of the capital Manila on the island of Luzon, is one of the country's most active. Images from the scene on Monday showed streams of lava beginning to gush out the volcanic vent, the sky above still thick and dark with ash and steam.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the alert level to four, meaning an "explosive eruption" could happen in the coming hours or days. Its highest alert level is five, indicating an eruption is taking place.

Heads of Libya's warring sides in Russia for talks

Meetings attended by al-Sarraj and Haftar after ceasefire comes into force raise hopes of revival of political process.
The leaders of Libya's two warring sides have arrived in Moscow for talks, a day after a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey came into force.
The development on Monday came amid suggestions that Fayez al-Sarraj, the chief of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), and his rival, renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, may sign the ceasefire agreement in the Russian capital.

Harry and William deny 'offensive' bullying claims

The Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Cambridge have denied "false" claims in the Times that their relationship was damaged by bullying.
A statement on behalf of Princes Harry and William described the story's "inflammatory language" as "offensive".
The Times quoted a source saying the Sussexes felt they had been pushed out and "constantly bullied" by William.
A meeting of the brothers, the Queen and the Prince of Wales to discuss Harry and Meghan's future has begun.


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