7 Monday news bites (August 8)

Morning team MM and welcome to Monday and the start of another week! As always, it’s been a bit full-on in the world of news. To catch-up, we’ve slung together the most pressing and the most interesting:

1. Anti-Nazi spy Nancy Wake dies, aged 98

She was a feisty Australian credited with saving thousands of Allied soldiers and civilian lives during World War Two. Nicknamed ‘The White Mouse’, Nancy led the allied French Resistance against Nazi soldiers and forces and once killed an enemy soldier with her bare hands.

2. More asylum seekers arrive by boat as protests begin, judge orders injunction to halt deportation

A small boy who arrived last week has joined a hunger strike, protesting his and others’ impending removal to Malaysia from Christmas Island. The protest was taking place as another boatload of mostly Afghan asylum seekers arrived. There are now 105 awaiting departure at Christmas Island. Late last night, the High Court ordered a temporary injunction on their deportation after human rights lawyer David Manne (from the Immigration Legal Centre in Melbourne) initiated proceedings. A further time to discuss the matter is set down for 2.15pm today to hear the details in full, before any further decisions are made. The case was brought on the premise that the asylum seekers should have had access to proper legal counsel before the deportation. Among other legal issues. The Government’s legal team put forward no points except to note that delay of transport would cost a lot of money.

Up to 300 rioters set fire to police cars, a double deck bus and buildings in Tottenham after an initial peaceful march to protest the shooting death of a local father of four. Reports say the man was a member of a gang and armed when police shot him after a confrontation. Violence broke out after darkness fell and riot police struggled to gain control of the crowd. Eight police were in hospital with injuries, one with serious head injuries, and several homes were burned down. The violence included thrown petrol bombs and youths armed with iron bars attacking windows and parked cars. About 19 civilians were believed to have been injured.

4. Global Financial Crisis sequel may be on the way

The global credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (which rates major economies including those in Australia) dropped the United States’ AAA credit rating to AA+ which is bad news, especially with the attached negative outlook as politicians over there continue hamfisted attempts at making amends. With debt woes in Europe growing, the global outlook is dismal and share markets will struggle this week. That said, Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australia (with its solid AAA credit rating) will be fine. The Opposition says we may struggle if a future crisis hits as the country no longer has big reserves of cash in the bank.

5. 38 killed after Taliban rocket takes down helicopter in Afghanistan

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the single deadliest incident involving US armed forces in Afghanistan after a rocket struck a Chinook helicopter carrying 31 US special forces and seven Afghan soldiers. The helicopter was taking part in an anti-Taliban operation late on Friday evening local time.

6. Victoria Beckham tweets new pictures of bub Harper Seven cuddling daddy

It was bound to happen … more Harper Seven pictures! Celebrity parents or not, the latest picture Victoria Beckham tweeted is gorgeous. She said: “I took this beautiful picture and wanted to share it with you, baby Harper cuddling Daddy!” Nawwww.

7. And in television happenings … Masterchef finalist Kate Bracks was crowned the winner.

In a tense and reeeeeealllly drawn out cook-off with opponent Michael Weldon (where they had to make a carrot sorbet snowman with carrot nose) it was the country mum from Orange who took out the $100,000 grand prize. You can read more about it on Lana’s post (just follow the link!)