The Latest: German FM says risk of Gulf war isn’t ruled out
The Latest: Germany’s foreign minister says risk of war in Persian Gulf not ruled out amid rising US-Iran tensions
38 dead in latest intercommunal violence in central Mali
38 dead in latest intercommunal violence in central Mali, authorities say
Analyst says Australian teen was Islamic State propagandist
A security analyst says the eldest of three orphaned Australian siblings pleading for repatriation from a Syrian refugee camp has been an Islamic State group propagandist who could potentially face terrorism charges at home
The Latest: Ex-rebel leader denies blame for MH17 downing
A former rebel leader in eastern Ukraine is denying that the separatists are to blame for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight 17
Dutch prosecutors charge four in shooting down of flight MH17
Jetlinerimages/iStock(NEW YORK) — Dutch prosecutors said they are charging four pro-Russian separatist commanders for their role in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, the first criminal charges brought in relation to the disaster that killed 298 passengers.
Three of the men charged were Russian citizens, and Dutch police said they believed one of the commanders may have been an active member of Russia’s military intelligence service at the time of the shooting down in July 2014.
The head of the Dutch national police and prosecution service at a press conference Wednesday said they were charging the men as suspects responsible for acquiring the anti-aircraft missile from Russia which shot down the plane.
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
The Latest: 3 Russians, 1 Ukrainian charged over MH17 crash
Dutch National Police chief Wilbert Paulissen says three Russians and one Ukrainian have been charged with murder over the downing of flight MH17 in July 2014 with the loss of 298 lives
Namibia to auction off elephants, giraffes in response to crippling drought
Eivaisla/iStock(PRETORIA, South Africa) — Drought-stricken Namibia will auction off at least 1,000 animals from its national parks — including elephants and giraffes — to mitigate the lack of grazing land as the country faces its deadliest drought in years.
The auction is being advertised in local newspapers and the intended buyers are game farmers who have the facilities to maintain the animals which include 600 disease-free buffaloes, 150 Springbok, 65 oryx, 60 giraffes, 35 Eland, 28 elephants 20 Impala and 16 kudus — all from national parks.
The Namibian government declared a national disaster last month, while the country’s meteorological services estimate that some parts of the country faced the deadliest drought in as many as 90 years.
In April, an agriculture ministry report said 63,700 animals died in 2018 because of deteriorating grazing conditions brought on by dry weather.
“Given that this year is a drought year, the ministry would like to sell various type of game species from various protected areas to protect grazing and at the same time to also generate much-needed funding for parks and wildlife management,” environment ministry spokesman Romeo Muyunda told the French news service AFP.
“The grazing condition in most of our parks is extremely poor and if we do not reduce the number of animals, this will lead to loss of animals due to starvation,” Muyunda said.
The Namibia Professional Hunting Association (NAPHA) has welcomed the move, saying it is the most responsible and sustainable approach during very difficult times.
“Trying times call for appropriate management practices to assure that core breeding herds stand a chance of survival; sustainable management includes reducing herd size,” NAPHA CEO Tanja Dahl told ABC News. “Our Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism (MET) as custodian of parks and wildlife, intends selling selected animals to gather income and reduce the pressure on habitat for the remaining wildlife.”
It’s estimated that the sale of the animals would raise $1.1 million, that would go towards a state-owned Game Products Trust Fund for wildlife conservation and parks management.
“Our thinking needs to evolve around best practices based on drought conditions and this would also include looking at the viability of livestock as opposed to game management,” Dahl said. “Protection of habitat should be the main concern, as nothing can thrive without appropriate habitat.”
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Serbia-Montenegro church row fuels Balkan tensions
A Serb official has branded Montenegro a "criminal" state and threatened a "fierce" response over the neighboring country’s plans to introduce a church law.
What to watch for at Kim-Xi summit in North Korea?
What to watch for at Kim-Xi summit in North Korea?
LGBT refugees allege harassment in Kenya, a rare safe haven
Finding a safe place to live has become a challenge, some of the refugees say.
Mother of victim says at least 4 suspect to be tried in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Flight 17, trial opening March 2020
Mother of victim says at least 4 suspect to be tried in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Flight 17, trial opening March 2020
Rivals race to catch Boris Johnson as UK Tory race narrows
The former foreign has lead two votes of conservative lawmakers.
UN expert eyes probe of Saudi prince role in Khashoggi death
An independent U.N. human rights expert investigating the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is recommending an investigation into the possible role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, citing "credible evidence."
South Korea to send 50,000 tons of rice to North Korea
The rice is the second aid package announced over the past month.
The Latest: Israel holds army drill amid regional tensions
The Latest: Israel holding largest military drill in years, with troops simulating a future war with Hezbollah
Polar bear spotted in Russian city, far from normal habitat
Officials warned residents about a bear that has been spotted in one district.
Air New Zealand boss Luxon resigns, could pursue politics
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Christopher Luxon has announced he’s resigning after 7 years in the top job at the national carrier
Investigation team to announce progress in MH17 probe
International investigators building criminal case against those responsible in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 set to announce progress in the probe, nearly 5 years after the plane was blown out of the sky above conflict-torn eastern Ukraine
Iraqi official: Rocket hits oil site, wounds 3 Iraqi workers
Iraqi official: Rocket hits oil-drilling site in Basra province, striking camp housing Exxon Mobil; 3 Iraqi workers hurt
UN: Nearly 71 million now displaced by war, violence at home
The UN refugee agency says a record 71 million people have now been displaced worldwide from war, persecution and other violence
Hong Kong lawmakers raise complaints over police brutality
Hong Kong lawmakers grill security secretary over allegations of police brutality during protests over an extradition bill that eventually was suspended
Database says 91,600 killed in Yemen fighting since 2015
A database tracking violence says at least 91,600 people have been killed in fighting in Yemen since the start of the civil war in 2015
Hong Kong lawmakers meet with no-confidence vote set to fail
Hong Kong lawmakers meet with no-confidence vote against leader Carrie Lam expected to fail
As Hong Kong protests quiet down, what’s next?
All but a handful of protesters in Hong Kong have gone home, but there’s more to come in a crisis that brought hundreds of thousands into the streets to oppose an extradition bill
El Salvador’s new president vows reparations for massacre
El Salvador’s newly inaugurated president on Tuesday promised to comply with reparations ordered by an international court for relatives of the victims of the El Mozote massacre, one of the bloodiest chapters of the country’s 1980-1992 civil war
Xi supports North Korea’s direction on issues ahead of visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping says North Korea is taking the "right direction" on issues ahead of his visit to meet with Kim Jong Un on Thursday
China, North Korea look to strengthen ties amid US disputes
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this week looking to strengthen their sometimes shaky bond at a time when both are locked in dispute with the United States _ Xi over trade and Kim over nuclear weapons
Brazil model accusing Neymar of rape speaks to police again
A Brazilian model who accused soccer star Neymar of raping her in a Paris hotel in May has testified to police in Sao Paulo a second time.
US likely to impose more tariffs on China if new trade deal isn’t reached
ANNECORDON/iStock(WASHINGTON) — U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer said before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday that the U.S. is ready to place more tariffs on China if it can’t agree to a new trade deal.
“The economic trade relationship with China has been unbalanced and grossly unfair to American workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses for decades,” Lighthizer told the committee. “We put tariffs on certain Chinese products, and are preparing to do more if certain issues cannot be resolved satisfactorily.”
It’s the first time Lighthizer — the chief U.S. negotiator on China — spoke with lawmakers after trade talks between the U.S. and China broke down late last month.
Talks between the two nations are expected to resume when Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet at the G-20 Summit in Japan next week.
For months now, the world’s two largest economies have engaged in trade disputes that have put financial markets on edge.
“Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China,” Trump announced on Twitter. “We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting.”
Markets immediately surged at that news. Earlier this year, President Trump announced tariffs on $250 billion dollars of Chinese goods. The Chinese retaliated with a counter tariff on $110 billion worth of U.S. goods.
“We have an untenable situation with China one that should have been addressed, frankly, a couple of decades ago,” Lighthizer told senators. “It’s a long history of them violating the norms of intellectual property moving forward and making promises and not keeping their promises.
Lighthizer pressed senators to take action on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA) that’s meant to replace NAFTA. Congress has yet to ratify the new trade agreement.
But committee Democrats presented a united front arguing that the USMCA needs to have a more clear enforcement mechanism between all the signing countries.
“Commitment from other countries aren’t any good if there’s no way of holding countries to them,” said ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon). “The new NAFTA retains a weak enforcement system from the old NAFTA, which too often gave a free ride to the trade chief.”
The Trump administration is also hoping for Congress’ signoff on the USMCA in order to shore up its trade relations with Mexico. President Trump threatened a 5% tariff on Mexican goods — which he backed down from — if the nation did not control the influx of migrants illegally crossing into the U.S. from Mexico.
“I think if you get to the point where you think it’s a national crisis — a national security problem — you do what you have to do, absolutely,” said Lighthizer. “And I would suggest any member would do that.”
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Britain, Italy make joint bid to host 2020 UN climate talks
Britain and Italy are making a joint bid to host the U.N. global climate summit in 2020