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Tech titans Google and Facebook employ “surveillance-based business models� that threaten human rights and erode privacy worldwide, Amnesty International said in a new report, calling for an end to the data-grabs. Read Full Article at RT.com

Ten Mexican citizens have sued Walmart over the shooting at a store in the U.S. border town of El Paso, Texas, that killed eight Mexicans and left eight more injured, saying that Walmart did not do enough to protect its customers, Mexico said on Wednesday.

The premier of Malaita province in the Solomon Islands says the United States and its regional allies have pledged to develop a deep-sea port and will be invited to patrol its territory, creating a beachhead against increased Chinese investment.

The United States on Wednesday defended itself at the United Nations against strong opposition from the European Union and other world powers to the Trump administration's declaration that it no longer considers Israeli settlements to be in violation of international law.

Some anti-government protesters trapped inside a Hong Kong university on Wednesday tried to flee through the sewers, where one student said she saw snakes, but firemen prevented further escape bids by blocking a manhole into the system.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed two bills to back protesters in Hong Kong and send a warning to China about human rights, with President Donald Trump expected to sign them into law, despite delicate trade talks with Beijing.

With the US establishment’s attention firmly fixed on the impeachment hearings in Washington, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo seems to have expanded NATO’s mission into the Far East, to oppose the Communist Party of China. Read Full Article at RT.com

Americans brace themselves for another clown show from the do-nothing Dems

The Trump administration has begun an effort to send some asylum seekers encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border to Guatemala, a move that promises to transform the U.S. asylum system, according to three officials briefed on the initiative and related training materials.

U.S President Donald Trump is expected to sign legislation passed by Congress intended to support protesters in Hong Kong, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, a move sure to anger China.

Who's lying, Prince Andrew or his accuser Virginia Roberts?

The ouster of Bolivian President Evo Morales was only possible with the support of the country’s military, and Venezuela’s opposition is unlikely to effect its own putsch plot while the army has Caracas’s back, an analyst told RT. Read Full Article at RT.com

Electricity firms cut off power to thousands of people, more than 100 schools were closed and residents in high risk regions sought shelter on Wednesday as Australia's devastating bushfires opened up a new front.

Britain's Prince Andrew stepped down from public duties on Wednesday, saying the controversy surrounding his "ill-judged" association with late U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein had caused major disruption to the royal family's work.

Biden denied he impregnated woman - test results prove that's not true!

The United States is considering withdrawing an armed forces brigade from South Korea if Seoul does not agree to a U.S. demand to contribute more to the cost of stationing troops in the country, a South Korean newspaper reported on Thursday.

The impeachment hearings descended into the twilight zone as US Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland first asserted there was "quid pro quo" with Ukraine – to the glee of Democrats and media – then denied any knowledge of it. Read Full Article at RT.com

A senior North Korean official said on Wednesday that the United States must drop its "hostile policy" towards Pyongyang in order to restart stalled denuclearisation talks, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun said on Wednesday a year-end deadline North Korea has set for Washington to show more flexibility in nuclear talks was an artificial one, but could mean a return to "provocative" steps that preceded the past two years of diplomacy.

President Donald Trump's nominee to be the next number two at the State Department said on Wednesday he was confident agreements could be reached with South Korea and Japan over the costs of hosting U.S. troops, but nobody would get "a free ride."

The Kremlin may have felt ‘some anxiety’ when the US started sanctioning Russia, but in the end that only made its economy stronger. Investors seem to agree, with Russian bonds now deemed more appealing than those of China and US. Read Full Article at RT.com

Bolivia's interim government presented a bill on Wednesday that aims to forge a path to new elections and defuse street violence that has killed 32 people since a disputed October vote.

Outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday was elected president of the center-right European People's Party, a pan-European umbrella group that has been riven by infighting in recent years.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday intended to support human rights in Hong Kong by requiring regular reviews of the city's special financial status, amid China's crackdown on a pro-democracy protest movement in the vital financial center.

US President Donald Trump said that his administration was considering whether to exempt Apple from tariffs imposed on China in an ongoing trade spat. Read Full Article at RT.com

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will unveil his opposition party's election manifesto on Thursday, setting out how in government he plans to transform Britain with "the most radical and ambitious plan" in decades.

ICE official slams "misguided sanctuary laws"

Migrants described as mostly Middle Eastern males

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservative Party extended its lead over the opposition Labour Party to 11 points this week, according to an opinion poll published by Savanta ComRes for the Telegraph newspaper on Wednesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will shuffle his cabinet on Wednesday and insiders say he may well move Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland into a new job and ask her to prevent a national unity crisis.

Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters has condemned Swedish prosecutors who yesterday dropped a rape investigation into WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, saying the whole thing was “a complete bogus set-up� from the beginning. Read Full Article at RT.com

Lebanon's caretaker information minister and two former telecoms ministers could face trial on charges of wasting public funds after their cases were referred to a special judicial panel set up to try top officials.

President Trump must address Big Tech censorship!

Infowars host demands Trump confront Tim Cook on Chinese censorship.

Government agencies took almost no defensive measures against major recruitment operation

Ousted Bolivian President Evo Morales has called for the UN to denounce and “stop this massacre� of indigenous Bolivians by the “dictatorship� currently in charge, saying that 30 people have already been killed. Read Full Article at RT.com

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'I feel it's against my rights as a student,' says female student athlete.

Disturbing report breaks down the unthinkable

Several people have been killed after an explosion rocked a fireworks depot in a small town on the Italian island of Sicily. Read Full Article at RT.com

The Duke of York has been granted permission by the Queen to “step back from public duties� to deal with the media fallout over his past relationship with the late sex predator Jeffrey Epstein. Read Full Article at RT.com

Democrat-Ukraine money laundering operation exposed.

Jose Mourinho has vowed to reverse Tottenham’s fortunes as the Portuguese gave his first interview since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino at the Premier League club. Read Full Article at RT.com

Israelis may be headed to the polls for the third time in a year, after Blue & White leader Benny Gantz said he was unable to form a coalition government with either Arab parties or its main rival, PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud. Read Full Article at RT.com

Two leading meteor scientists are forecasting that a rare outburst from the alpha Monocertoid meteor will treat stargazers to a flurry of shooting stars this week. Here’s what you need to know about the looming light show. Read Full Article at RT.com

At a Palm Springs fundraiser, Buttigieg said former Vice President Joe Biden is polling ahead among black voters in South Carolina because of “familiarity.� The post At Private California Fundraiser, Pete Buttigieg Explains Limited Black Support appeared first on The Intercept.

Serbian tennis ace and 16-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic has criticized the Canadian men’s tennis team for handing the USA a doubles walkover in the Davis Cup group stage. Read Full Article at RT.com

An epic rescue operation was caught on video in the Moscow Region, as witty traffic cops stopped a truck so that the people who were cut off by a house fire could escape the blaze using its roof. Read Full Article at RT.com

Mother of girl used dating website to find men willing to sexually abuse daughter while she watched.

House Democrats tried repeatedly to goad their diplomatic witness into “admitting� the elusive quid pro quo of aid withheld pending a probe, but the best they could get was confirmation he told Trump “Zelensky loves your ass.� Read Full Article at RT.com

Last month Nikki Haley purchased a $2.4 million home in Kiawah Island, Charlestown county, South Carolina (link).   Nikki Haley released her book “With All Due Respect” on November 12th (link).  Mrs. Haley also took a position on the board of … Continue reading →

Al-Monitor | Jack Detsch: Iran is likely to seek out Russia and China to purchase advanced weapons systems such as tanks and fighter jets when a United Nations arms embargo...

A Federal Court finds the global giant negligent and awards compensation — expected to be in the multi-millions — to those women who suffered devastating side effects from a pelvic mesh implant used to treat issues from childbirth.

The human rights group argues that offering people free online services and then using information about them to target money-making ads imperils freedom of opinion and expression.

U.S. think thank releases a report on the future of investigating illicit transactions on the dark web, including tracing crypto use

CEO of payment processor PayPal revealed during an interview that the only cryptocurrency he owns is Bitcoin

He has helped build the Kimberley's largest privately-owned cattle empire, now Jack Burton has set his sights on a new frontier.

Failing to get a good ATAR, or not finishing high school, doesn't have to spell disaster as these high school dropouts prove.

AUSTRAC says Westpac's senior management were "indifferent" to the risk of money laundering — including by child sex offenders. Can those same leaders fix the problems they allowed to fester?

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says he is shocked after the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission directed him to cease contact with his chief of staff, Wayne Moran

Israel says its aircraft have struck dozens of Iranian and Syrian military targets in Syria in retaliation for rockets fired towards the country earlier in the week.

Six states are facing fire weather warnings as hot and windy conditions scorch Australia, putting authorities on alert for bushfires across the country.

Gizmodo – The government of Iran shut off the internet for virtually everyone in the country on Saturday as protests over fuel prices turned violent. The internet in Iran has...

Established stars including Ed Sheeran and Madonna have been relegated to minor categories this year as a new guard, including Lizzo and Billie Eilish, sweeps the Grammys nominations.

Sydneysiders will be able to water their gardens and wash their cars using only a bucket from next month, after the NSW Government announced tough new restrictions.

Most Australian councils have a sister city — but what exactly does that mean? Are they worth the cost? And should your local council be dabbling in international affairs?

Queensland all-rounder Jess Jonassen travelled to the World Cup in 2018, but did not get a game due to injury. This time around, she is hell-bent on making her mark.

SHANA – The CEO of Arvand Petrochemical Plant said the company supplied 70% of its need for catalysts from domestic producers. According to the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), Hassan Neshanzadeh...

Australia and Steve Smith kick off the home Test summer against Pakistan and their 16-year-old tearaway Naseem Shah at the Gabba in Brisbane. Follow all the action in our live blog.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison flags an overhaul of the environmental approval process for major projects, saying the current system is too complicated, lengthy and duplicative.

After careful use of breaks to extend testimony; provide mid-morning and mid-day press statements by impeachment Chairman Adam Schiff; and maximize the manipulation of Ambassador Sondland’s testimony, the impeachment committee gavels back into session late in the day to continue … Continue reading →

Bloomberg panelists agree that BTC becomes more attractive during times of irresponsible monetary policies from central banks and governments globally

Pro-democracy protesters are arrested as they emerge from a manhole on a Hong Kong road outside a besieged university, in a thwarted escape bid from inside the campus.

IRNA — To speed up better rail links with Iran and for the revival of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) train service Pakistan railways has prepared a feasibility report of the...

Dangerous weather sweeps Victoria on the state's first 'code red' day in almost a decade, with an emergency-level grassfire raging north of Ballarat and a dust storm blanketing Mildura's CBD in orange.

They destroy wetlands and spread weeds, but they're also a sought-after export. As buffalo numbers rise in the NT, authorities and industry are trying to work together to combat the problem.

Nick Kyrgios hits back at criticism of multiple team tournaments with claims the Davis Cup, Laver Cup and the new ATP Cup are key to the survival of tennis.

Chinese firms submitted 7,600 blockchain patent applications between 2009 and 2018, about three times as many as U.S.-based companies

Representatives Jim Jordan and Elise Stefanik lead a press conference at the conclusion of Ambassador Sondlan’s testimony. The first session of todays House impeachment inquiry concluded with representatives saying the witnesses had served only to highlight fundamental problems in the … Continue reading →

Taking the Duke of York out of the public eye was the only way forward for the Royal family and the next interview the Prince gives should be with the FBI, writes Samantha Hawley.

European markets fall and Wall Street closes lower amid further uncertainty about a trade deal. The ASX is falling for a second day.

Representatives Michael Turner, Jim Jordan, John Ratcliffe and Elise Stefanik question the multitude of contradictions present in the testimony of Ambassador Gordon Sondland. Michael Turner called Sondland’s testimony “somewhat circular,” and questioned the ambassador’s assertion that “everyone was in the … Continue reading →

Shane Cregan, 47, who is accused of shooting a woman in the head near Townsville over a business dispute, is remanded in custody after being charged with a string of offences including attempted murder.

IRNA – Completing the process of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Action Plan and making decisions on the Palermo and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Conventions are the...

The attention of one of the world's best restaurants has been captured by a special fruit growing around the Indigenous community of Maningrida.

After trying to deny he had a relationship with a woman in Arkansas, and after a DNA test proves paternity, lawyers for Hunter Biden will no longer fight Arkansas lawsuit.  Hunter Biden is the father, and presidential candidate Joe Biden … Continue reading →

If Bitcoin fails to hold the 61.8% Fib retracement at $7,845, a full retrace and double bottom at $7.4k is possible

For the second time this week, smoke has blanketed the Harbour City and air quality has been rated "hazardous", but this time authorities say the haze will be long-lasting.

It all began in the Huon Valley for chef Joseph Lidgerwood who has since made his mark in Seoul and has been awarded a Michelin star.

Shockwaves in the impeachment hearings were palpable when it was clear US ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland was determined not to be a fall guy, James Glenday writes.

Bitcoin.com launches $200 million Bitcoin Cash investment fund, Roger Ver announced at a Blockchain.com-hosted BCH meetup

First Australians have shared their stories for a landmark resource designed to help teachers teach Indigenous content in the classroom.

After coming up with a business idea that earned her more than a career in science, Sarah Andrews "can't see why anybody would work these days".

TASS – Washington’s decision to stop viewing Israeli settlements on the West Bank as illegal and violating international law is obviously meant to demonstrate Iran and Turkey that it doesn’t...

Many of Australia's young people are anxious, lonely and sad, according to the ABC's National Survey. Here's what five young Australians think is driving the trend.

Amazon has paid little tax in Australia since setting up its local online retail business, with possibly hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue flowing offshore last year, according to its public accounts.

MORNING BRIEFING: Smoke cover returns to Sydney as temperatures soar and a pregnant woman is in hospital after being attacked by a stranger in a Parramatta cafe.

A Darwin vet took one for the team recently while helping to treat a backed-up lion as "the king of beasts is not immune to the most undignified of ailments".

With the latest witness still testifying at the impeachment hearings in Washington DC, the 2020 Democratic challengers are on the stage for the fifth debate of the campaign. Follow live.

Authorities say 11 properties have been damaged in a bushfire that is burning out of control in South Australia's Lower Yorke Peninsula and 33 people have been treated for minor fire-related injuries.