INDIA
Monkeys steal blood
Monkeys mobbed a health worker and made off with blood samples that were to be tested for COVID-19. After making off with the three samples this week in Meerut, near the capital, New Delhi, the monkeys scampered up nearby trees and one then tried to chew its plunder. The sample boxes were later recovered and had not been damaged, Meerut Medical college superintendent Dheeraj Raj told reporters on Friday, after footage of the encounter went viral on social media. “They were still intact and we don’t think there is any risk of contamination or spread,” Raj said. The three people whose samples were stolen were retested for the virus, he said.
AUSTRALIA
Broom intruder cleared
A knife-toting man hired to break into another man’s home, tie him up and stroke him with a broom has been cleared of intimidation after accidentally entering the wrong house. Sydney man Terrence Leroy and an associate turned up at a rural home on a Sunday morning in July last year armed and ready to carry out a sexual fantasy organized on Facebook. The unsuspecting resident initially mistook the intruders for a friend who had come over to make coffee and said: “Bugger off, it’s too early.” When the men said their intended role-player’s name, the startled resident turned on the light and found them holding large knives next to his bed. After realizing he was not the willing participant, one of the pair apologized and shook the man’s hand before leaving, according to court documents published earlier this month. During the trial Leroy’s lawyer argued that there was no intention to intimidate the stranger. “It was a commercial agreement to tie up and stroke a semi-naked man in his underpants with a broom,” the lawyer said. After excusing themselves, the pair — along with a driver — headed to the correct address. However, instead of a kinky encounter, the client reportedly prepared a breakfast and Leroy fell asleep on the couch. Shortly afterward, police arrived. Judge Sean Grant said that he was satisfied Leroy — who was to be paid A$5,000 (US$3,323) if it was “really good” — mixed-up the address. “They carried the machetes either as a prop or something to use in that fantasy,” Grant said. “The fantasy was unscripted and there was discretion as to how it would be carried out.” Leroy was found not guilty of all charges.
CHINA
Carrier doing sea trials
The Ministry of Defense on Friday said that the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s only entirely home-built aircraft carrier is carrying out sea trials to test weapons and equipment and enhance training of the crew. Ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang (任國強) said the exercises were being conducted as planned. The Shandong carrier was commissioned last year by President Xi Jinping (習近平).
UNITED NATIONS
S Sudan sanctions extended
The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution extending sanctions and an arms embargo in South Sudan through May next year. Drafted by the US, the resolution received 12 votes in favor, with Russia, China and South Africa abstaining. The council additionally scheduled a midterm review to take place by Dec. 15 and expressed its “readiness to consider adjusting measures ... including through modifying, suspending, lifting or strengthening.” The council was also asked to provide a report on the role of the arms embargo in implementing a 2018 peace agreement.
BACKLASH: The National Party quit its decades-long partnership with the Liberal Party after their election loss to center-left Labor, which won a historic third term Australia’s National Party has split from its conservative coalition partner of more than 60 years, the Liberal Party, citing policy differences over renewable energy and after a resounding loss at a national election this month. “Its time to have a break,” Nationals leader David Littleproud told reporters yesterday. The split shows the pressure on Australia’s conservative parties after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor party won a historic second term in the May 3 election, powered by a voter backlash against US President Donald Trump’s policies. Under the long-standing partnership in state and federal politics, the Liberal and National coalition had shared power
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
NO EXCUSES: Marcos said his administration was acting on voters’ demands, but an academic said the move was emotionally motivated after a poor midterm showing Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr yesterday sought the resignation of all his Cabinet secretaries, in a move seen as an attempt to reset the political agenda and assert his authority over the second half of his single six-year term. The order came after the president’s allies failed to win a majority of Senate seats contested in the 12 polls on Monday last week, leaving Marcos facing a divided political and legislative landscape that could thwart his attempts to have an ally succeed him in 2028. “He’s talking to the people, trying to salvage whatever political capital he has left. I think it’s
A documentary whose main subject, 25-year-old photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza weeks before it premiered at Cannes stunned viewers into silence at the festival on Thursday. As the cinema lights came back on, filmmaker Sepideh Farsi held up an image of the young Palestinian woman killed with younger siblings on April 16, and encouraged the audience to stand up and clap to pay tribute. “To kill a child, to kill a photographer is unacceptable,” Farsi said. “There are still children to save. It must be done fast,” the exiled Iranian filmmaker added. With Israel
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