Thursday, December 21, 2023

Six In The Morning Thursday 21 December 2023

 

Czech Republic: Fatal shooting at Prague university

Czech police say the shooter has been "eliminated," and that there were several dead and wounded at the university in the capital, Prague.

Czech police reported on Thursday a shooting incident at a downtown educational facility in the capital, Prague , that killed and injured an unspecified number of people.

Around 11 people were killed in the shooting, including the gunman, Prague's emergency services said.

It was not immediately clear whether the gunman died of a self-inflicted wound or if he was neutralized by police.

What else do we know about the shooting?

Police initially told residents to avoid the area and stay indoors, saying their operations were ongoing. A few minutes later, they said the shooter had been "eliminated." 




Pakistan uses artificial rain in attempt to cut pollution levels

Cloud seeding improves air quality in city of Lahore but experts say practice is not a sustainable solution

Artificial rain has been used in an attempt to lower pollution levels in Lahore, Pakistan.

The capital city of the eastern province of Punjab, near the Indian border, has some of the worst air quality in the world and has become extremely polluted because of a growing population of more than 13 million people.

By early December, the air quality in the city had grown so bad that schools, markets and parks were closed for four days. By last weekend, the city’s air quality index (AQI) had reached levels considered extremely hazardous to health.


Turkey court again says jailed MP's rights violated

Turkey's top court on Thursday ordered the release of jailed lawmaker Can Atalay, ruling for the second time that his rights had been violated.

The case of Atalay, 47 -- who ran from jail in May's general election and was elected to parliament -- has created an unprecedented judicial crisis.

Atalay was elected to serve as a member of the leftist Workers' Party of Turkey (TIP).

Before that however, he was one of seven defendants who in April 2022 jailed on charges of attempting to overthrow the government for organising 2013 mass protests.

He got an 18-year sentence in a trial that also saw civil society leader Osman Kavala jailed for life.

Atalan's status sparked a judicial crisis in November when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the highest court of making a series of mistakes.


Scandal-hit biggest LDP faction execs asked for voluntary questioning

Japan's prosecutors have asked former top government spokesman Hirokazu Matsuno and other executives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's largest faction to submit to voluntary questioning over a political funds scandal, sources close to the matter said Thursday.

Matsuno stepped down as chief cabinet secretary last week amid allegations he failed to report more than 10 million yen ($70,000) in income from tickets he sold for fundraising events hosted by the intraparty group, the sources said.

Matsuno served as secretary general of the intraparty group, a position widely viewed as one that would have involved knowledge of the flow of money, for two years through 2021.


Palestinians support Hamas decision to go to war with Israel, survey suggests, with no political solution on horizon

If Ramallah has a center, it is Al-Manara Square. Six roads meet here, and pedestrians weave their way confidently across the tight roundabout, forcing cars to make way. It is always busy.

Demonstrators will rally here to protest, but when CNN visited on a Sunday morning, people were going about their business. All the same, photos from the war in Gaza posted in the square and hung on banners and fences remind anyone who needs reminding of the horrors unfolding not far away.

“This destruction resembles the conscience of the world,” reads one poster, under a picture of rescue workers clearing rubble.


European Super League: Revamped proposal launched for European competition


Revamped plans for a controversial European Super League have been announced after a top court ruled that banning clubs from joining a breakaway league was unlawful.

The proposal is for a league system which would include 64 men's clubs and 32 women's clubs.

The plans for a new ESL format would rival current Uefa tournaments.

Following the announcement, Manchester United said in a statement they remain "fully committed" to Uefa competitions.

United were one of the founding clubs of the original ESL but backed out following widespread condemnation of the plans.

The club said their position has "not changed" and they remain dedicated to "positive cooperation with Uefa, the Premier League, and fellow clubs through the ECA [European Clubs Association] on the continued development of the European game."





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