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☆ Platypus returns to Australian national park for first time in half a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( James Redmayne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] A platypus is released by CEO of Taronga Zoo Cameron Kerr and Scientists back into Sydney's Royal National Park for the first time in over fifty years, in Sydney, Australia, May 12, 2023. ... Read moreSYDNEY, May 14 (Reuters) - The platypus, a species unique to Australia, was reintroduced into the country’s oldest national park just south of Sydney on Friday in a landmark conservation project after disappearing from the area more than half a century ago. Four females were released on Friday into the Royal National Park, which was established in 1879 and is the second oldest national park in the world. No confirmed platypus sightings have been reported in the park, located about 35 kilometres or one hour’s drive south of Sydney, since the 1970s. The platypuses, which live along Australia's east coast and in Tasmania, were collected from various locations across south-eastern New South Wales state and subjected to various tests before relocation.

"The Albanese Government is delivering a transformational package of support to the Pacific, to respond to Pacific priorities and ensure our shared interests in a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region," the government said in a statement. Canberra has looked to build its defence capabilities amid concerns about rising global geopolitical tensions and China's growing influence among Pacific island nations. Defence spending as a proportion of GDP will lift above its current trajectory to be 0.2% higher by 2032-33, the budget showed. Over the next four years, the government will invest more than A$19 billion to implement the priorities identified in a defence strategic review released last month, the budget statement said. "Ultimately, defence spending will grow over the medium term, which is in line with the strategic circumstances," defence minister Richard Marles said in a statement.

☆ Imran Khan, the cricket star who ditched playboy image to rule Pakistan
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Pakistan security forces guard a vehicle carrying former Prime Minister Imran Khan after his arrest at a court in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 9, 2023. REUTERS/StringerMay 9 (Reuters) - Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, a cricketing hero-turned-politician who was arrested on Tuesday, whipped up popular support amid decades-high inflation and a crippling economic slowdown before his ouster last year. Khan had for months averted arrest in a number of cases registered against him that include charges of instigating crowds to violence. His rise to power in 2018 came over two decades after he first launched his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), or Pakistan Movement for Justice party, in 1996. Once in power, Khan embarked on his plan of building a "welfare" state modelled on what he said was an ideal system dating back to the Islamic world some 14 centuries earlier.

[1/3] King Charles receives Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his New Zealand counterpart, Chris Hipkins, have travelled to London where they are due to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday. King Charles is head of state in Australia, New Zealand and 12 other Commonwealth realms outside the United Kingdom, although the role is largely ceremonial. I want to see an Australian as Australia's head of state," Albanese said in an interview with state broadcaster ABC on Friday. Albanese said would take the oath of allegiance to King Charles at the ceremony.

☆ The Star Wars timeline: All movies and shows in chronological order
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

These details are pulled from the official “Star Wars” resources “Ultimate Star Wars” and “Star Wars Character Encyclopedia,” as well as experts from outlets like USA Today and the AV Club. ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (animated series)Ahsoka is Anakin's padawan in "The Clone Wars," and he lovingly calls her "Snips." ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’"Solo" shows how Han and Chewie became best friends. ‘Star Wars Rebels’Kanan Jarrus, Zeb Orrelios and Sabine Wren take on the Empire in "Star Wars Rebels." ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’Heroes attempt to find the plans to blow up the Death Star in "Rogue One."

Michel Gaubert first crossed paths with Karl Lagerfeld when he worked at a record store on the Champs-Élysée. “All his life Karl was obsessed with music,” he recalled. All his life Karl was obsessed with music. Then one day Eric came and asked if I wanted to work with the Karl Lagerfeld brand. Karl said Diane de Beauvau-Craon [a French princess and a pal of Mr. Lagerfeld’s] would call me.

☆ Science has finally figured out how fast and loud you should talk on Zoom
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

The result is the largest-ever database of one-on-one Zoom conversations. It may shed new light on what we talk about when we talk about talking today — the conversation of the future. And while the average loudness of speakers didn't change across bad or good conversations, the "good" talkers varied their decibel levels more than the "bad" talkers did. The machine found that women rated as better Zoom conversationalists tended to be more intense. Good conversationalists are those who appear more engaged in what their partners are saying.

☆ Researchers just created the largest-ever database of how we interact on Zoom. Here are their tips for making everyone like you on video chats.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

The result is the largest-ever database of one-on-one Zoom conversations. And while the average loudness of speakers didn't change across bad or good conversations, the "good" talkers varied their decibel levels more than the "bad" talkers did. The machine found that women rated as better Zoom conversationalists tended to be more intense. Good conversationalists are those who appear more engaged in what their partners are saying. Studying Zoom calls may help us have better conversations on Zoom.

☆ Mystery Gas Leak in India Leaves at Least 11 Dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( Sameer Yasir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At least 11 people were killed and almost as many injured after a gas leaked in the northern Indian state of Punjab on Sunday. Officials had sealed off a section of in the city of Ludhiana and were evacuating residents as they tried to identify the gas and determine the source of the leak. All the victims were found near three businesses in the Giaspura industrial district — a dairy store, a grocery store and a clinic. Among the dead were two children, local news media reported. She said she saw about half a dozen people lying unconscious on the street near the dairy store.

☆ Gas leak in India's Punjab kills 11 people, state lawmaker says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 30 (Reuters) - Eleven people died and nine were hospitalised after a gas leak in Ludhiana in the northern Indian state of Punjab, a state lawmaker said on Sunday. Police officials were seen patrolling wearing masks and asking locals to keep out of a cordoned area, according to ANI news agency's video feed on Twitter. "The incident happened near a milk shop and a doctor's clinic although we cannot say for sure where the leak began," Chhina told Reuters by phone. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann tweeted the leak was from a factory, without providing further details. Three bodies had "turned blue," local resident Anjan Kumar said in ANI's video feed on Twitter.

☆ Bayern Munich situation difficult but not hopeless-coach Tuchel
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, April 28 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich are playing catch-up to leaders Borussia Dortmund for the league title with five games remaining but coach Thomas Tuchel said the situation was not yet hopeless for his team and their shot at an 11th straight league crown. The Bavarians dropped to second place on 59, a point behind Dortmund, after last week's 3-1 loss to Mainz 05. "The situation has become more difficult for us now but it is not hopeless," Tuchel told a news conference. Hertha are in last place but have brought back former coach Pal Dardai in a last-ditch effort to avoid relegation. "I don't know if I will watch it," Tuchel said of the Dortmund game.

☆ Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen delight Barcelona restaurant staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The trio were in Barcelona to attend a concert by pal Bruce Springsteen at Barcelona's Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Friday night. Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen dined at the Amar restaurant in the Palace Hotel on Thursday. Staff member Pol Perello uploaded a photo of them posing with wait staff and chefs to Instagram with the comment "the pleasure this job brings you!." Spanish news outlets showed the former president and first lady walking hand in hand through central Barcelona surrounded by a large group of security guards. Obama and Springsteen first met on the presidential campaign trail in 2008.

☆ New Zealand committed to cutting spending, PM Hipkins says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WELLINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The New Zealand government is committed to reducing spending even though severe weather events earlier this year caused asset damage of roughly NZ$9 billion ($5.51 billion) to NZ$14.5 billion, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Thursday. “For our part, the government is committed to reducing our proportion of spending to dampen demand in the economy,” Hipkins said in a speech to the Employers and Manufacturers Association. New Zealand is already dealing with historically high inflation and the central bank has previously raised concerns that any boost in government spending could add to the inflation problem. Hipkins said his aim is to get government spending down to around the low thirties as a percentage of GDP. ($1 = 1.6343 New Zealand dollars)Reporting by Lucy Craymer Editing by Alasdair PalOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden to make historic visit to Papua New Guinea next month - PNG officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, April 27 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will briefly visit Papua New Guinea (PNG) on May 22, officials from the Pacific island nation said on Thursday, as Washington seeks to counter growing Chinese influence in the strategically important region. A Pacific islands source told Reuters that Biden was also expected to meet with more than a dozen Pacific islands leaders during his May visit. Modi arrives in PNG on May 21 for a two-day visit en-route to Australia, the island nation's government has previously announced. The U.S. embassy in Canberra referred questions to the White House. The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

☆ Australia PM says Sydney to host Quad leaders' summit on May 24
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, April 26 (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that Sydney will host the 2023 Quad Leaders' summit on May 24, the third in-person meeting of the leaders of Australia, the United States, India and Japan. "I am honoured to host the first ever Quad Leaders' Summit in Australia in Sydney," Albanese said. China sees the Quad as an attempt to push back against its growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Albanese said he also plans to visit the US when Biden hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the second half of the year. Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair PalOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ India home minister challenges account of 2019 deadly attack on military convoy
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEW DELHI, April 23 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has nothing to hide concerning a deadly attack on a military convoy in Kashmir in 2019, India's home minister said. Malik informed Modi that the attack was a failure on the government's part but was asked to stay silent, he told local news outlet the Wire. Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in a roundtable discussion on the India Today TV programme, said the credibility of the comments needed to be questioned. Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region at the heart of decades of hostility between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Reporting by Shivangi Acharya and Manoj Kumar; Editing by Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

The report made 51 recommendations, including moving to a clearer monetary policy framework and greater accountability. LEGISLATE FINANCIAL STABILITY ROLE"The Review seeks a firmer foundation for the RBA’s financial stability role and clarification of the scope of its responsibilities. IMPROVE PROCESSES"The RBA and Monetary Policy Board should make changes to deepen the Board’s deliberation on monetary policy and ensure it is open to a wide range of inputs. STRENGTHEN TRANSPARENCY"Monetary Policy Board members should be more accountable for their role in setting monetary policy. There must be a clear division of responsibilities within the RBA between the Governance Board, Monetary Policy Board and Payments System Board."

Our experts answer readers' personal loan questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess personal loans). Typically, the best personal loans are:Unsecured, ANDFor loan amounts over $1,000, ANDFor repayment terms longer than two yearsHowever, depending on your circumstances and financial needs, you may want to consider a less common type of personal loan. For example, if your application for an unsecured loan is denied, you may still be able to get a secured personal loan. It's not just as simple as picking the loan with the best personal loan rate. If you do decide that a personal loan is your best option, it's important to be patient during the shopping process.

☆ US looking forward to Sweden becoming NATO member before July summit: Austin
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Swedish Minister for Defence Pal Jonson and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hold a news conference at Musko Naval Base, Sweden April 19, 2023. Sweden's accession has been held up by Turkey and Hungary, who have yet to ratify Sweden as a member. "We look forward to soon welcoming Sweden as the 32nd (member of NATO). To be clear, we look forward to that to happen before the summit in July," Austin told a news conference. Austin was in Sweden to hold talks with Defence Minister Pal Jonson about the war in Ukraine and Sweden's NATO application.

The extrajudicial killing has sparked widespread concern about the state of law and order in Uttar Pradesh as well as fears of retaliation. A decade later, he was elected as a member of Uttar Pradesh’s legislative assembly where he served five times, from 1989 to 2004. Police in Uttar Pradesh have killed more than 180 suspected criminals during encounters over past six years, according to Reuters. “The shoot out that happened is unacceptable.”CNN reached out to Uttar Pradesh police for comment on the situation but did not receive a response prior to publication. A political flashpointFollowing the incident, the Uttar Pradesh state government announced it will form two three-member Special Task Forces (SIT) to investigate the killing of Atiq and his brother.

☆ Rangers-Devils: A Simmering Rivalry Gets Some Playoff Heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( David Waldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mark Messier and Ken Daneyko were good friends while growing up in Edmonton, Alberta. He eventually wound up in Daneyko’s wedding party, and their close friendship continued after they made it to the N.H.L. That is, until 1991, when Messier was traded to the Rangers. We hated them, they hated us, and the fans don’t like each other, either.”The rivalry between the Rangers and the Devils has not always been white hot. “I know these teams haven’t faced each other for a while in the playoffs, but it’s still a big rivalry.”

Some 78.9% of proxy votes on behalf of Oz Minerals' investors were in favour of the takeover offer of A$26.50 cash from BHP and a A$1.75 special dividend paid to Oz Minerals investors, at a shareholder meeting in Adelaide on Thursday. It will bring in Oz Minerals' Carapateena copper mine, close to BHP's own Olympic Dam copper mine and smelting operations in South Australia. Strategically it will also boost BHP's nickel supply through Oz Minerals' West Musgrave nickel project in Western Australia, where BHP is already producing nickel sulphate at its Nickel West operations. If the deal is approved as expected, Oz Minerals shares will be suspended on April 18. Oz Minerals' board had unanimously supported the bid.

☆ Hippo attacks: How to avoid one of Africa's most dangerous animals
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

“Hippos attack not to eat people, but to get them the hell away from them,” Lewison said. Larger vessels can offer more protection from a sudden hippo attack. photocech/Adobe StockGet to know the signs of disturbed hippos, Muruthi advised, in case you wander too closely. … If you slap the water, the percussion 99.9 times out of 100 will turn the hippo,” Templer said. Remember to suck in air if on the surface.”Another hippo attack survivor in this National Geographic video also was able to conserve her breath.

SYDNEY, April 11 (Reuters) - Australia has reached an agreement with China to resolve their dispute over barley imports, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Tuesday, the latest sign of improving ties between the countries. Australia will suspend its case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) while China conducts a review into duties imposed on the grain, Wong told a news conference. "China has agreed to undertake an expedited review of the duties imposed on Australian barley over a three-month period, that may extend to a fourth, if required," she said. "In return, we have agreed to temporarily suspend the WTO dispute for the agreed review period." Australia lodged a formal complaint with the WTO in 2020 over anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed by China on Australian barley, one of several sources of friction between the two countries in recent years.

☆ Meet Harlan Crow, Clarence Thomas' vacation pal, GOP megadonor, and billionaire Texas real estate magnate
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Texas real estate magnate Harlan Crow provided lavish vacations to Justice Clarence Thomas. Born in 1949 in Dallas, Texas, Crow is a 74-year-old real estate developer and the chairman of Crow Holdings, a Dallas-based real estate development and investment firm that was started by his father, Trammell Crow. Before his death in 2009, Trammell Crow was once one of the nation's most prominent real estate developers and landlords. What's his relationship with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas? He also donated $105,000 to Thomas' alma mater, Yale Law School, for the "Justice Thomas Portrait Fund."

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