UN threatens action over Nigerian kidnappings
The UN Security Council has threatened action against Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram
In a statement released on Friday, the Security Council said: “The members of the Security Council expressed their intention to actively follow the situation of the abducted girls and to consider appropriate measures against Boko Haram.”
The council also called for “the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted girls still in captivity” and expressed “deep concern” at statements made by the the insurgent group, who aim to create an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria, threatening to sell these girls as slaves.
For more on the situation in Nigeria, click here.
Rolf Harris trial begins in the UK
The trial of Rolf Harris has begun in the UK, with the prosecution opening their case against him. Prosecutor Sasha Wass, QC, opened the case by telling the story of the first complainant, a friend of Harris’ daughter Bindi who alleges that Harris repeated assaulted her while on holiday in Hawaii and Australia. Wass said that Harris wrote a letter of apology to the girls’ father. Harris has admitted to having a sexual relationship with the complainant, although he alleges that it began when she was 18.
The Australian childrens’ entertainer faces 12 charges of indecent assault against four girls, alleged to have occurred between 1968 and 1986. He is pleading not guilty to all charges.
ABS employee extradited to Victoria to face insider trading charges
A junior public servant has been extradited to Victoria to face charges over his involvement in a $7 million insider trading scam. 24-year-old Christopher Russell Hill will travel from Canberra to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday morning. Police allege Hill, who was employed at the ABS at the time of the suspicious trades, sent unreleased data to his friend, NAB banker Lukas Kamay, in Melbourne.
Both men are accused of making $7 million by using the information to trade the Australian dollar online.
Putin speaks to troops in Crimea
Russia President Vladimir Putin has visited Crimea for the first time since its annexation. Speaking on Victory Day, the anniversary of the day on which Russian troops conquered Nazi Germany in WWII, Putin told Russian troops in the city of Sevastapol that “the example of Sevastopol shows the world that in places where people are ready to fight for their freedom, the enemy will never conquer.” Putin’s decision to visit Crimea on Russia’s military national holiday has been met with controversy across Europe, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel describing the event as “a shame”.
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Good to see Australia Post finally starting to get with the times.