International

By SJA Jafri MELBOURNE/ NEW DELHI: Massive protests, sit-ins and rallies plans have been finalized against the world worst inexpiable crime of Aal-e-Saud (Saudi Rulers) over the destruction of Jannat-al-Baqi in-front of Saudi embassies, high commissions and consulates across the globe, Press Media of India (PMI) reported. According to the …

By SJA Jafri + Agencies MELBOURNE/ BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Security Forces mistreated and manhandled Pakistani Zaireen (pilgrims) when they protested against the Iraq Airways staff for not turning on a plane’s air-conditioning system, reported victims and sources on Monday morning. More than 120 Pakistani pilgrims were on board the Iraqi airline’s …

By SJA Jafri + ABC/Reuters SYDNEY/PEKING: Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to Hong Kong’s streets in a final bid to block a proposed extradition law that would allow suspects to be sent to China to face trial, with police bracing for the biggest march in the city in 15 years. …

By SJA Jafri (Courtesy Messenger) SYDNEY: Protesters brandished signs reading, “Abortion is healthcare”, “Keep your filthy paws off my silky drawers” and “Ovary-acting? I think not” as they congregated at Hyde Park on Sunday. Bella Ziade, a 17-year-old high school student, conceived the idea for the Our Bodies Our Choice March after …

By SJA Jafri MELBOURNE/ SYDNEY: ABC Managing Director David Anderson said it was “highly unusual for the national broadcaster to be raided in this way”. “This is a serious development and raises legitimate concerns over freedom of the press and proper public scrutiny of national security and Defence matters,” he …

By SJA Jafri (Bureau Chief Australia) CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison insists his Government is committed to press freedom but “no one is above the law”, speaking in response to Australian Federal Police raids this week on the ABC and News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst. “My government is absolutely committed …

By SJA Jafri + PR MELBOURNE: Australian authorities have seized the country’s largest ever onshore methyl-amphetamine (ice) consignment, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in Melbourne detected almost 1.6 tones of the illicit drugs – equal to almost 16 million drug deals – in stereo speakers originating from Bangkok, Thailand. …

By SJA Jafri MELBOURNE/ SAINT PAUL: Former US police officer Mohamed Noor has been sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in jail for fatally shooting Australian woman Justine Damond Ruszczyk through the side of his police car. Noor was convicted of third degree murder and second degree manslaughter for killing Ms Damond Ruszczyk …

By SJA Jafri (Bureau Chief Australia) CANBERRA: Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison has dismissed concerns about a police raid on a News Corp journalist’s home more than a year after a story she reported. Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers spent hours raiding Annika Smethurst’s Canberra home yesterday, alleging there had …

By SJA Jafri + Agencies SYDNEY/ KABUL: Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers are raiding the ABC’s Sydney Headquarters over a series of 2017 stories known as The Afghan Files. The stories, by ABC investigative journalists Dan Oakes and Sam Clark, revealed allegations of unlawful killings and misconducts by Australian Special Forces …