Singapore's controversial law against online misinformation was challenged in court for the first time on Thursday as concerns mount it is being used to stifle criticism ahead of elections.
The legislation gives authorities the power to order corrections placed next to posts they deem false.
Since the law came into force in October, several opposition figures and activists have been ordered to place a banner next to online posts stating that they contain false information.
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), one of a handful of small opposition groups in the city-state, lodged an appeal last week after it was ordered under the law to "correct" three online articles.
The posts, on Facebook and the party's website, said many Singaporeans had been displaced from white-collar jobs by foreigners -- claims the government said were "false and misleading".
The SDP is seeking with its challenge, which got under way behind closed doors at the High Court on Thursday, to get the government ...

Singapore misinformation law challenged in court for first time

PTI Automatic

Ex-pope Benedict XVI seems to have broken his silence recently over key Catholic issues and his comments have raised serious questions within the Church about the extent to which there are, in fact, two "men in white" at the Vatican.
In 2013, Benedict became the first pontiff to resign in almost 600 years. He chose to be known thereafter as "pope emeritus" and said he would live "hidden from the world" in a former convent inside the Vatican grounds.
While he initially stuck to his promise to carry out a life of quiet contemplation and academic research, he has since weighed in on the explosive issues of clerical sex abuse and whether the priesthood could be opened to married men.
This week, Benedict's contribution to a book on celibacy was seen as a strategic attempt to undermine his successor Pope Francis and boost the cause of a combative ultra-conservative wing of the Church.
Experts say the problem is that no rules were drawn up to define what role Benedict should play after he ...

Ex-pope's shadow Vatican role in the spotlight

Disaster response teams were on standby in Fiji on Thursday as the Pacific island nation faced a second cyclone threat in less than three weeks.
Gale and heavy rain warnings were in place on northern Rotuma island and the Fiji Meteorological Service said the storm was expected to be fully fledged Tropical Cyclone Tino by the evening.
It is forecast to pass over the second largest island, Vanua Levu, on Friday.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and ready to help every affected Fijian," the government said in a statement after being briefed by the National Disaster Management Office.
"There is a cyclone alert in place. Please be prepared and take every precaution to keep yourselves and your families safe."
There were concerns for an inter-island ferry with more than 100 passengers and crew on board which was drifting in the path of the storm after developing mechanical problems.
But the rescue co-ordination centre said repairs had been made and the vessel had safely reached ...

Fiji braces for second cyclone in three weeks

A secret operation by specialist firefighters has saved the world's last stand of Wollemi Pines, a pre-historic species known as "dinosaur trees", from Australia's unprecedented bushfires, officials said.
Fewer than 200 of the trees exist in the wild, hidden in a gorge in the World Heritage Blue Mountains northwest of Sydney, which have been hit by one of the biggest bushfires that have been ravaging much of Australia for months.
With flames approaching the area late last year, firefighters deployed air tankers to drop fire retardant in a protective ring around the trees while specialist firefighters were winched down into the gorge to set up an irrigation system to provide moisture for the grove, officials said.
Matt Kean, environment minister for New South Wales state which encompasses the Blue Mountains, described the operation as "an unprecedented environmental protection mission."
While some of the trees were charred by the flames, the grove was saved from the fires, he said in a 

Secret mission saves Australia's 'dinosaur trees' from bushfires

A case of the mystery respiratory infection related to the potentially deadly SARS virus, which first emerged in China, has been confirmed in Japan, authorities said on Thursday.
It appears to be only the second time the novel coronavirus has been detected outside China, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed a case in Thailand.
Japan's health ministry said a man who had visited Wuhan, the apparent epicentre of the outbreak, was hospitalised on January 10, four days after his return to Japan. He reported having a persistent fever.
Tests on the patient, who was released from hospital on Wednesday, confirmed he was suffering from the new virus.
"This is the first domestic discovery of a pneumonia case related to the new coronavirus," the ministry said in a statement.
"We will continue active epidemiological research while also coordinating efforts with the World Health Organization and related agencies to conduct a risk assessment," it added.
The outbreak has caused alarm ..

Japan reports case of mystery virus behind China outbreak

South Korea's Hyundai and its Kia affiliate announced plans Thursday for a major investment in London-based startup Arrival to produce next-generation electric vehicles that cost less than standard-engine models.
The 100-million-euro ($110 million) bet on the five-year-old technology firm comes as some manufacturers abandon Britain because of uncertainties about how it will trade with EU nations once it leaves the bloc this month.
Arrival is focused on designing and producing so-called Generation 2 electric vehicles, which are environmentally friendly cars made from scratch rather than being retrofitted, standard-engine production models.
"Generation 2 vehicles are assembled using small footprint micro-factories, located in areas of demand and profitable at thousands of units," the three companies said in a joint statement.
Hyundai and Kia have a shared ownership structure but target slightly different markets and demographics.
"The eco-friendly vehicle market in Europe is expected to 

Hyundai and Kia bet on London startup for electric cars

Britain's Liam Broady Thursday lashed out at Australian Open officials for insisting qualifying take place this week despite toxic smoke from bushfires, telling fellow players: "We can't let this go."
Air quality in Melbourne was among the worst on the planet on Tuesday and described as "hazardous" by city authorities following months of blazes that have devastated huge swathes of the country.
It was recommended that people and their pets stay indoors, but qualifying for the opening Grand Slam of the year went ahead regardless.
Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire while leading in her match after a distressing coughing fit, saying she was "really scared that I would collapse".
Other qualifiers also suffered, with world number 234 Broady taking to Twitter to claim "multiple" players needed asthma medication, despite never having suffered from the ailment before.
"The more I think about the conditions we played in a few days ago the more it boils my blood," Broady wrote.
He ..

'Can't let this slide': Anger grows over smoke haze play at Open

Multiple Hong Kong opposition lawmakers were ejected from the legislature on Thursday as they heckled the financial hub's pro-Beijing leader in angry scenes highlighting the stark political divides in the city after months of protests.
Security officials had to be called in multiple times to force out pro-democracy lawmakers who shouted slogans and held placards, including one that portrayed the city's chief executive Carrie Lam as a vampire with bat wings.
Lam was at the Legislative Council for a question and answer session.
The last time she appeared in the legislature in October, the heckling was so sustained that she abandoned a state of the union style address and delivered it by video instead.
On Thursday, she was able to make both her opening speech and answer questions but was frequently interrupted.
Among the slogans shouted by lawmakers was "Five demands, not one less" -- a chant used during the huge and often violent pro-democracy street protests that have battered Hong ...

Hong Kong opposition lawmakers ejected for heckling leader

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his decision to risk Marcus Rashford as a second half substitute "backfired" despite seeing his side progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Wolves on Wednesday.
Rashford lasted less than 15 minutes on the field due to a back injury and is now a doubt for the trip to runaway leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
The brief cameo from United's top goalscorer coincided with the only goal of the game as Juan Mata's clinical finish ensured United will travel to either Watford or Tranmere on January 26th.
"That backfired, but you've got to go for them," Solskjaer told BT Sport.
"He's got a knock and couldn't run. Let's test him for Sunday and see how he goes.
"He's had a few knocks with his back lately and he got another one." Wolves put United out of the FA Cup last season and were unbeaten in five previous meetings between the sides since returning to the top flight in 2018.
"We are delighted to ...

Rashford injury overshadows Man Utd win over Wolves

Zhang Fangyong glances at a photograph of fellow boxer Floyd "Money" Mayweather.
The retired American superstar could earn hundreds of millions of dollars from a bout, but China's Zhang sometimes fights for nothing and supports himself by making deliveries on his motorbike.
The 26-year-old bantamweight has recovered from losing three of his first four fights to improve his win-loss-draw record to 14-3-1, with three wins by knockout.
But it is Zhang's determination to pursue his career despite numerous obstacles that has won him the hearts of Chinese sports fans and the admiration of the wider public.
His story was part of a recent Chinese government-backed documentary film, "Changing China", which charts the progress of the world's most populous country through the stoic battles of ordinary young people trying to get by.
The good-natured Zhang, who grew up in rural poverty, earns so little from the sport that he has taken on an array of menial jobs to keep his boxing dream alive.
He ..

China's deliveryman boxer takes long road to recognition

The Ghana Football Association on Wednesday appointed former Black Stars captain Charles Kwabla Akonnor as their new coach.
Akonnor, a central midfielder for German sides Fortuna Koln and Wolfsburg, replaces Kwesi Appiah whose contract was not renewed in December.
The former Black Stars skipper will be assisted by David Duncan - a former Ghana under-23 and under-17 coach, a statement from the Federation announced.
Akonnor, 45, has had managerial stints with Ghana premier league giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak.
His first international assignment will be the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in March.
The GFA dissolved the technical departments for its national sides this month, saying the move was "in line with the vision" of its new administration to improve on performance.
African football writer Sammie Frimpong said the decision of the Ghana FA to appoint new coaches for the various national teams affords the country a chance to start afresh.
"Whatever the motive, a clean start ...

Ghana appoint ex captain Akonnor as coach

Lurking deep inside some tumours are "factories" full of immune cells that help the body fight a rearguard action against cancer and are key to helping some patients recover, new research has shown.
In recent years, doctors have turned to a new treatment for cancer, immunotherapy, which works by leveraging the body's immune system to fight tumours.
The technique has largely focused on white blood cells called T-cells, which are "trained" to recognise and attack cancer cells.
But the innovative treatment only works well for around 20 per cent of patients, and researchers have been trying to understand why some people respond better than others.
Three papers published on Thursday in the journal Nature point the way, identifying a key formation inside some tumours: tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS).
These structures function like "factories or schools" for immune cells that help the body fight cancer, said Wolf H. Fridman, a professor emeritus of immunology at the Cordeliers Research ...

Scientists find powerhouses that fight tumours from within

The United States on Wednesday resumed joint military operations with Iraq that had been put on pause after the US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general in Baghdad, the New York Times reported.
Two US military officials quoted by the paper said the Pentagon wanted to resume these operations in order to pick up the fight against the Islamic State group.
Washington began the pause on January 5 two days after the strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani at the Baghdad airport.
The same day of the suspension furious Iraqi lawmakers voted to expel the more than 5,000 US troops that are in Iraq.
It was not immediately clear if anyone in the Iraqi government had approved the resumption of the joint military operations, the Times reported.
The Pentagon said it had no information to provide concerning a resumption when contacted by AFP.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that Iraqi leaders have told him privately they support the US troop presence, despite public ...

US resumes joint military operations in Iraq: NYT

Phil Mickelson says despite his fast-approaching 50th birthday he's determined to stay on the US PGA Tour while he can "bomb" golf balls and yearns for a Ryder Cup berth.
"When I stop hitting bombs I'll play the (50-and-over) Champions Tour," Mickelson said Wednesday.
"But I'm hitting some crazy bombs right now. No, I still have speed. There's no reason I couldn't play out here. I hit the ball every bit as far."
Mickelson, who turns 50 on June 16, spoke on the eve of the American Express tournament, where he serves as host.
The three-course event in the California desert will be contested at the PGA West Nicklaus and Stadium layouts and at LaQuinta Country Club.
The US left-hander won the 2013 British Open then went nearly five years without a victory before taking the 2018 WGC Mexico Championship and last year added his fifth Pebble Beach Pro-Am title for his 44th career US PGA crown.
But he failed to qualify for last month's Presidents Cup in Australia, the first US team event ...

Mickelson aims for Ryder Cup, more 'bombs' as 50 nears

Kylian Mbappe scored twice to take his season tally to 20 as the French World Cup winner shone in Paris Saint-Germain's 4-1 rout of his former club Monaco on Wednesday.
The victory kept PSG eight points clear at the top.
They also registered their 50th goal of the league campaign from 20 matches.  Monaco came away from PSG with a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw in the capital last weekend but they posed no similar threat just three days later.
Mbappe was on target in the 24th and 90th minutes with Neymar tucking away a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Pablo Sarabia added another in the 73rd minute, just seconds after coming on as a substitute.
Ibrahima Bakayoko grabbed a late consolation for Monaco, beating the impressive Kaylor Navas in goal.
"In every area, we were better than Sunday," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.
"It's a deserved victory, we had lots of possession." Tuchel fielded his 'Fab Four' attacking stars in Mbappe, Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria.
It was a ...

Mbappe returns to haunt Monaco, hits 20th goal of season

Asian markets rose early Thursday as details were released of the China-US trade deal signed in Washington, with analysts saying it would allow investors to turn their focus to the global outlook and earnings season.
After years of painstaking on-off talks between the economic superpowers, Donald Trump finally put pen to paper on an agreement that lowers tensions between the two and provides a major boost to the global outlook.
Equities have been rallying since last month's announcement of a deal to de-escalate a long-running stand-off that has jolted growth around the world and fanned fears of recession in some countries.
The pact -- the first part of a wider agreement -- includes pledges from Beijing to boost purchases of US agricultural goods and other exports for two years, protects US technology and provides enforcement mechanisms allowing Washington to impose penalties that Beijing cannot respond to.
In return, the US has cut tariffs on some Chinese products and cancelled others 

Asian markets rise as China, US finally put pen to paper on deal

Cristiano Ronaldo was too ill to play, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic spent the evening resting on the bench, but even without their biggest stars, Juventus and AC Milan cruised into the last eight of the Italian Cup on Wednesday.
Juventus beat visiting Udinese 4-0 in the late game, after Milan had dispatched SPAL, 3-0.
In the first game of the evening, 10-man Fiorentina beat Atalanta 2-1.
Ronaldo was sidelined after suffering an attack of sinusitis in the afternoon, but he is not the only ace in the Juventus pack.
After 16 minutes, Paulo Dybala carved through Udinese with a series of quick one-twos, finishing with a couple of exchanges with centre forward Gonzalo Higuain.
When his Argentine compatriot played a pass one little behind him, Dybala spun and floated the ball onto Higuain's chest and he strode forward and scored.
"That was a goal of rare beauty, to see three or four exchanges like that at high speed. It was worth the price of the ticket," said Juve coach Maurizio Sarri.
"I love .

Juventus score 'goal of rare beauty' in Italian Cup cruise

Ireland rode a career-best 95 from opener Paul Stirling before keeping their nerve in a nail-biting final over to pull off a four-run win over world champions West Indies in the first of a three-match Twenty20 series on Wednesday.
The burly Stirling steered Ireland to 208-7 in their 20 overs.
However, the home side appeared comfortably on course for victory -- bringing up their hundred inside 10 overs with just two wickets down -- until the game was decided in the last over.
Needing 15 to win, all-rounder Josh Little (3-29) got rid of the dangerous Dwayne Bravo, one of two wickets to fall in the last over.
With five needed off the last ball and seven wickets down, Hayden Walsh could only wave his bat into thin air in a desperate attempt to win the game.
It was only Ireland's second victory in T20 cricket over the West Indies who went into the game having swept the ODI series 3-0.
"Everyone is ecstatic, we came so close in that second ODI (lost by one wicket) and it maybe affected us ..

Ireland stun world champions Windies by four runs in T20 opener

Rain fell across parts of bushfire-ravaged eastern Australia on Thursday and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change.
The fires, unprecedented for Australia in terms of duration and intensity, have claimed 28 lives and killed an estimated billion animals.
Sustained hot weather and only very rare periods of light rain in the affected areas have deepened the crisis.
So authorities had been looking forward to this week's rain hoping it would help contain or even extinguish some fires.
In the state of New South Wales, where many of the worst fires have burnt, there were "good falls" on some blazes early Thursday, the local meteorology bureau reported.
In the southern city of Melbourne, thunderstorms late on Wednesday helped to clear bushfire smoke that had choked the city since the start of the week and disrupted the build-up to next week's Australian Open tennis tournament.
"Storms have improved air quality in ...

Relief as rain falls over Autralian bushfires

Rain fell across parts of bushfire-ravaged eastern Australia on Thursday and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change.
The fires, unprecedented for Australia in terms of duration and intensity, have claimed 28 lives and killed an estimated billion animals.
Sustained hot weather and only very rare periods of light rain in the affected areas have deepened the crisis.
So authorities had been looking forward to this week's rain hoping it would help contain or even extinguish some fires.
In the state of New South Wales, where many of the worst fires have burnt, there were "good falls" on some blazes early Thursday, the local meteorology bureau reported.
"Relief is here for a number of firefighters working across NSW," the state's Rural Fire Service said in a social media post accompanying video footage of rain falling in a burning forest.
"Although this rain won't extinguish all fires, it will certainly go a long ...

Relief as rain falls over Australian bushfires

Russian lawmakers will begin reviewing President Vladimir Putin's nomination of a little-known tax chief as the new prime minister on Thursday after his announcement of a sweeping constitutional shake-up fuelled speculation about his future plans.
The overwhelmingly Kremlin-loyal State Duma lower parliament is likely to approve Mikhail Mishustin for the role, following the shock resignation of the government in the wake of Putin's call for reforms to reshape Russia's political system.
The series of bombshell announcements made during and after Putin's state of the nation speech triggered speculation about his role past 2024, when his current presidential term expires.
Some suggested 67-year-old Putin, who is currently two years into his fourth presidential term and has steered the country since 1999, could be laying the groundwork to assume a new post or remain in a powerful behind-the-scenes role.
It is also unclear whether Mishustin, a relatively obscure technocrat disengaged from ..

AFP

AFP

Page 208 - Afp/pti