Hundreds of people demonstrated Saturday outside Morocco's parliament demanding the release of a journalist detained for criticising a judge in a tweet.
Omar Radi, 33, was detained Thursday in Casablanca and immediately put on trial for the tweet about a judge prosecuting protest leaders, his lawyer said.
If found guilty of insulting a magistrate the journalist could be sentenced to up to one year in jail. The next hearing is set for January 2, according to Radi's lawyer Said Benhammani.
Outside parliament crowds of supporters chanted "Free Omar", accused the government of "corruption" and said judges were "at the order" of authorities.
Radi's case has sparked an uproar as well among local and international human rights group who have denounced increased attacks on human rights and individual freedoms in Morocco.
"Radi's unjustified detention and trial comes amidst an increasingly suffocating atmosphere for Moroccan journalists, dissidents, and artists who speak out on social media," .

Moroccans rally in support of journalist detained over tweet

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An Australian academic jailed in Iran for espionage must serve out her sentence, the foreign ministry in Tehran said Saturday, stressing it will not submit to "propaganda".
Kylie Moore-Gilbert reportedly began a hunger strike in Tehran's Evin prison on Tuesday after losing an appeal against a 10-year jail sentence.
Australia expressed "deep concern" over the matter, with Foreign Minister Marise Payne calling for her to be treated "fairly, humanely and in accordance with international norms".
In Tehran on Saturday, foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said "Iran will not submit to political games and propaganda" in response to "certain reports" in Australian media.
Moore-Gilbert, "like any other individual with a sentence, will serve her time while enjoying all legal rights," he added.
The academic's arrest was confirmed in September.
She was accused of "spying for another country", but her family said at the time that she had been detained for months before that.
Moore-Gilbert and 

Iran says jailed Australian academic must serve time

Tropical Cyclone Sarai was moving slowly away from Fiji Sunday, leaving one person dead and another missing along with more than 2,500 people in emergency shelters.
The cyclone damaged houses, crops and trees, cut power and forced the cancellation of several international flights, stranding holidaymakers visiting the island nation that's a major tourist draw.
National Disaster Management Office director Vasiti Soko said an 18-year-old student drowned off the island of Kadavu.
"The man is believed to have been swept away by strong currents when he was swimming with his friends," she said.
The search was also continuing for another man caught by floodwaters, while one person was in intensive care in hospital after being hit by a falling tree.  Soko said there were 2,538 people staying in 70 evacuation centres as of Sunday morning.
Electricity had been restored to 80 percent of the capital Suva but power company Energy Fiji Limited said it could take a week to restore supplies to all ...

One dead, one missing in cyclone-battered Fiji

Ukrainian authorities and pro-Russian separatists in the war-torn east of the country are expected Sunday to swap dozens of prisoners in a frontline operation that stirred controversy in Kiev.
As part of the swap, Kiev is expected to hand over to separatists several riot policemen suspected of killing protesters during a pro-Western uprising in 2014, in a move that sparked public anger.
The latest exchange comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky held their first face-to-face talks in Paris on December 9 and agreed some measures to de-escalate Europe's only active war.
The summit, mediated by the leaders of France and Germany, was the first of its kind in three years.
"There should be an exchange... We are waiting for this," said Zelensky.
A representative of the separatist stronghold of Donetsk, Daria Morozova, said Donetsk and another separatist statelet of Lugansk would get 87 prisoners, while 55 people would be handed over to Kiev.
The ..

Ukraine rivals to exchange prisoners in controversial swap

Multiple people were stabbed at a Jewish place of worship late Saturday night, a public affairs group said.
"At 9:50 this eve, a call came in about a mass stabbing... It's the house of a Hasidic Rabbi. 5 patients with stab wounds, all Hasidic, were transported to local hospitals," the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council tweeted.

'Mass stabbing' at synagogue in upstate New York: Jewish public affairs group

Tom Blundell dug in to frustrate Australia's push to win the second Test and the series in Melbourne Sunday, with New Zealand's makeshift opener grinding out a gutsy half-century to keep the match alive.
The Blacks Cap, chasing a massive 488 to win, were in serious trouble at lunch after a fiery James Pattinson ripped through the top order to leave New Zealand reeling at 38 for three.
Nathan Lyon claimed one more wicket but Blundell stood firm, steering his team to 131 for four at tea as they work to prevent a second successive four-day Test defeat.
Usually a wicketkeeper-batsman, Blundell was called up to replace the axed opener Jeet Raval and was not out 73 in only his third Test with BJ Watling unbeaten on six.
Henry Nicholls was the only wicket to fall in the session, cleverly stumped for 33 by wicketkeeper Tim Paine off Lyon just one ball after he smashed the spinner for six.
Despite Blundell's resistance, New Zealand are staring at a second defeat in the three-Test series after .

Blundell frustrates Australia after New Zealand top order fail

Fanuel Mapfumo has been unable to lift heavy objects since a Zimbabwe police officer fractured his left arm as he was covering a story last August.
The 28-year-old journalist was filming a banned protest in the capital Harare when it happened.
Opposition supporters were voicing their discontent with the country's ailing economy when police descended on the crowd with batons.
Mapfumo, who works for the Zim Morning Post, said they ordered him to stop filming. "I identified myself as a journalist," he told AFP.
"But the next thing I remember is being dragged into a group of police officers who beat me all over my body."
Rights groups have accused Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa of persistently violating human rights since he took office in 2018.
In August last year six people died after the army used force against civilians protesting a delay in the announcement of election results.
In January, the army attacked protesters marching against a hefty fuel price hike, leaving 17 ...

Zimbabwe journalists suffer as regime tightens grip

The badly decomposed remains of seven people have been found in a suspected North Korean fishing boat that washed up on a Japanese island, a coast guard official said Sunday.
The remains were found on Saturday in a broken vessel on the shore of Sado Island, which lies around 900 kilometres (560 miles) from North Korea across the Sea of Japan.
"Five of the bodies were identified as men but the remaining two could not be identified" as they were badly damaged, the official told AFP.
"There have been similar cases but this was the first discovery of bodies in such a wrecked boat on this island this year," the official added.
Korean alphabet and numbers were painted on the wooden hull, which was broken in half, he said, adding that there was nothing to show their nationality.
Local media said Japanese police and coast guard are investigating the case, suspecting the vessel departed from North Korea.
So far this year, at least 156 suspected North Korean fishing vessels washed up on Japan's 

Seven bodies found on suspected N. Korean boat in Japan

A much-changed Leicester inflicted the final blow of Manuel Pellegrini's time in charge of West Ham with a 2-1 win as Manchester United closed on the Premier League's top four with a 2-0 victory at Burnley.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford struck late in each half on Saturday to take United above Tottenham in fifth after Spurs were held 2-2 draw at Norwich.
Pellegrini was sacked soon after the Hammers succumbed to a Leicester side that made nine changes after a Boxing Day thrashing by Liverpool.
Jamie Vardy was among those missing due to the birth of his daughter, but Kelechi Iheanacho and Demarai Gray made the most of their chance for a rare Premier League start by scoring either side of half-time.
"Anytime you come in if you're not playing so much you have to try and stamp your mark and get yourself in the team," said Gray, who also saw an early penalty saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
The Foxes move 10 points behind Liverpool, having played two games more, and stretch their lead in ...

Leicester end Pellegrini's time at West Ham, Man Utd close on top four

New Zealand rugby fans reacted furiously Sunday after All Blacks star Jordie Barrett was reportedly kicked out of the Melbourne Cricket Ground by security staff during the Black Caps' second Test against Australia.
Victoria state police said two New Zealanders were removed from the stadium during day three of the second Test on Saturday and banned for 24 hours over their behaviour.
The New Zealand Herald named one of them as Barrett and claimed he was led away after members of the group he was with "skulled two beers".
Fans reacted on social media by creating the hashtag #justiceforjordie which was retweeted by Barrett's All Black brother Beauden.
One spectator told New Zealand's Alternative Commentary Collective Facebook group it was "an absolute stitch up".
"I was sitting approximately 10 seats from Jordie when he was spotted in the crowd by a fellow Kiwi, he had half a beer ... and the boys said/chanted 'skull'," he said.
"Jordie was seated down and finished his half vessel of ...

All Blacks' Barrett 'kicked out' of second Test at MCG

Andy Murray said he felt "gutted" to be missing next month's Australian Open due to injury after being ruled out of the first Grand Slam of the new year with a pelvic injury.
The 32-year-old Scot suffered the injury playing for Great Britain in the Davis Cup last month and Murray said Saturday: "I've worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I'm gutted I'm not going to be able to play in Australia in January."
"After the AO (Australian Open) this year, when I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to play again, I was excited about coming back to Australia and giving my best, and that makes this even more disappointing for me.
"Unfortunately I've had a setback recently and as a precaution, need to work through that before I get back on court competing."
Murray had hoped to make his return to Grand Slam action in Melbourne following a hip operation in January.
But concerns over the fitness of Murray, five times a losing Australian Open finalist, were .

Murray out of Australian Open

A fired-up James Pattinson snared three quick wickets to leave New Zealand reeling as they battled to save the second Test and the series in Melbourne Sunday after being set a massive 488 to win.
The Black Caps went to lunch at 38 for three with Tom Blundell, a makeshift opener called up for the axed Jeet Raval, on 22 and Henry Nicholls not out one.
New Zealand had reached 32-0 when Pattinson ripped out three key wickets for three runs with Tom Latham, batting linchpin Kane Williamson and the experienced Ross Taylor all out cheaply.
Latham, the only one to offer resistance with a dogged 50 in their first innings, fell for eight, edging a thunderous delivery to diving wicketkeeper Tim Paine.
Captain Williamson soon followed without scoring, out lbw after unsuccessfully reviewing umpire Marais Erasmus' original decision.
Taylor didn't fare much better, dragging onto his middle stump to leave Pattinson with figures of 3-5 at the interval off just two overs and New Zealand in serious ...

Pattinson takes three as New Zealand collapse chasing 488

Veteran Australian bowler Peter Siddle announced his international retirement Sunday after a 67-Test career, with national coach Justin Langer praising him as giving his "heart and soul" to the team.
The 35-year-old had been called up to the second Test squad in Melbourne but was not selected in the side to face New Zealand and decided to call it quits.
"Just being able to play, to walk out, wear the baggy green -- I'd watched guys like Punter (Ricky Ponting), Steve Waugh, guys like that wear it, represent Australia," he said.
"Every time I stepped out was amazing, I don't think I could pick one special one.  "At the end of the day, to play one is amazing, to end up playing what I did is truly special."
Siddle, who played a key role in helping Australia retain the Ashes in England earlier this year, went to the Australian dressing room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to tell his teammates personally.
"The year after I retired from playing, Matty Hayden and Ricky Ponting were raving ...

Australia's Siddle announces international retirement

Volunteer firefighters in Australia will be offered government compensation after spending extended periods fighting bushfires raging across the country, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Sunday.
Rural Fire Service volunteers who have spent at least 10 days battling blazes in worst-hit New South Wales (NSW) state are immediately eligible for the scheme, which offers payments of up to Aus$300 ($209) per day for a maximum of Aus$6,000 per person.
"While I know RFS volunteers don't seek payment for their service, I don't want to see volunteers or their families unable to pay bills, or struggle financially as a result of the selfless contribution they are making," Morrison said.
"This is not about paying volunteers. It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss." Morrison said the compensation scheme would be rolled out across other Australian states and territories if local authorities requested that assistance.
"They run their own shows; they .

Australia to compensate bushfire volunteers

Iran summoned Kuwait's envoy to Tehran on Saturday to protest its officials meeting a "terrorist group" and holding an "anti-Iran meeting," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
The head of the ministry's Gulf affairs, addressing Kuwait's charge d'affaires, condemned the meeting and emphasised the importance of "mutual respect".
"Such actions are a clear interference in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a violation of the principle of good neighbourly relations and friendly statements from Kuwaiti officials," the Kuwaiti envoy was told, according to the statement.
The statement did not name the "separatist group" whose representative the Kuwaiti officials were accused of having met.
Iran and Kuwait have had relatively good relations in recent years despite tensions between the Islamic republic and other Gulf Arab states.
Kuwait greatly reduced its diplomatic presence in Tehran in 2016 after Saudi Arabia completely severed relations with Iran, but it kept a ..

Tehran summons Kuwait envoy over 'anti-Iran' meeting

At least 28 people including textile workers and several Asian tourists were killed on Saturday in two separate road crashes in Egypt, official media and other sources said.
The deadliest accident occurred when a bus transporting textile workers collided with a car on the road between the cities of Port Said and Damietta in northern Egypt, state-run Al-Ahram newspaper said on its website.
At least 22 men and women who worked for a clothing factory were killed and eight others injured, the report said.
The accident came only hours after two buses carrying tourists collided with a truck east of Cairo on the road to the Ain Sokhna resort on the Red Sea, according to a security official.
A medical source said two Malaysian women and an Indian man were killed along with three Egyptians -- a bus driver, a tour guide and a security guard.
At least 24 others were injured, several of them tourists and some left in serious condition, the medical source said without giving further ...

Egypt road accidents kill 28 including tourists

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Beirut home of Lebanon's new prime minister on Saturday, calling for Hassan Diab's resignation less than 10 days after he was appointed.
Lebanon is without a cabinet and in the grips of a deepening economic crisis after a two-month-old protest movement forced Saad Hariri to stand down as prime minister on October 29.
Anti-government protests continued after Hariri's resignation, while political parties negotiated for weeks before nominating Diab, a professor and former education minister, to replace him on December 19.
Echoing protester demands, Diab promised to form a government of independent experts within six weeks -- in a country where appointing a cabinet can take months.
But protesters on Saturday were unconvinced by his promise.
"We're here to bring down Hassan Diab. He doesn't represent us. He's one of them," said one young demonstrator, referring to the country's ruling elite, who protesters despise collectively.
Lina, another ...

Lebanese protest at new PM's home, demand he quits

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte set out what he called an "ambitious" three year plan for government reforms Saturday, despite cracks appearing in the ruling coalition after only four months in power.
The coalition between the centre-left Democratic Party and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) take different lines on key policy issues such as immigration, reforming the euro zone and the justice system.
But Conte on Saturday laid out plans to tackle a raft of issues in the coming years, such as cutting red tape, simplifying the justice system, tax reform and a crackdown on tax evasion.
"We have 23 ambitious points," he told journalists at an annual press conference.
The way to get Italy's finances in line with the limits set by the European Union, "is to fight tax evasion, which is theft and which hurts honest citizens", he said.
"Everyone has to pay so that everyone pays less."
Italy has the worst record for tax evasion in Europe at 190.9 billion euros -- twice its .

Italy's premier sets out fragile coalition's programme

Rory Burns and Dom Sibley raised English hopes with a solid opening partnership after England were set a challenging 376 to win on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Saturday.
England were 121 for one wicket at the close of play, needing another 255 runs to win.
The left-handed Burns and right-handed Sibley put on 92 for the first wicket before Sibley pushed back a return catch to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj after making a patient 29.
Burns made 77 not out and saw out the day with first innings top-scorer Joe Denly, who was on 10.
It was an impressive innings by Burns, who made his runs off 117 balls and hit 11 fours. He was particularly strong on the leg side.
Burns was given out leg before wicket to Kagiso Rabada with his score on six in the first over but survived on review. On 20, he was dropped by Rassie van der Dussen at first slip off Vernon Philander.
Both Van der Dussen and Philander played prominent roles with the bat earlier as ...

Burns, Sibley raise England hopes

A road crash in Egypt killed six people, including tourists from India and Malaysia, and injured at least 24 others Saturday, security and medical sources said.
The accident occurred when two buses carrying tourists crashed into a truck east of Cairo on the road to the Ain Sokhna resort on the Red Sea, a security official told AFP.
A medical source said two female Malaysian tourists and an Indian man were killed along with three Egyptians -- one bus driver, a tour guide and a security guard.
At least 24 others were injured, several of them tourists and some left in serious condition, a medical source said without giving further details.
Traffic accidents are common in Egypt where many roads are poorly maintained and regulations are laxly enforced.
But efforts by authorities to crack down on traffic violations, including speeding, appear to have borne fruit in recent years, with official figures showing a decline in road deaths.
In 2018 there were 8,480 road accidents compared to ...

Asian tourists among six killed in Egypt bus crash

At least one protester has died in the latest demonstrations in Chile, the National Institute of Human Rights (NHRI) confirmed Saturday, taking the overall death toll to 29 during months of unrest.
Friday's rally took place in Santiago's Plaza Italia, the epicenter of protests against President Sebastian Pinera's right-wing government since October.
The independent INDH, in a message on their official Twitter account, reported the fatality without giving further details.
The death brings the total number of those killed in the protests -- the most severe outbreak of social unrest since the end of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet nearly 30 years ago -- to 29.
Demonstrators had gathered to protest on the last Friday of the year despite a heavy police presence.
Authorities have been trying to restore calm in downtown Santiago over the crisis as Chileans have taken to the streets to register their anger over inequality and to vent at the elites that control much of the country's ...

AFP

AFP

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