February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

Your daily Top 12 stories from Frank News

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NORTH AMERICA UK AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND

Trump ‘may deserve’ Nobel prize Backstop at heart of talks Liberals, Labor hit by hack

South Korean President Moon Jae-in did Top-level negotiations between the The computer networks of Australia’s not personally nominate US counterpart UK and the will resume major political parties were also part by for the Nobel Peace this week as the Prime Minister prepares a sophisticated cyber attack by a “state Prize but believes he may deserve such to return to Brussels to gain concessions actor” that affected the networks of recognition, a Seoul office says. Trump on her withdrawal deal. will federal parliament, the prime minister earlier revealed that Japanese Prime meet European Commission president has confirmed. Scott Morrison said Minister Shinzo Abe had written to the Jean-Claude Juncker in the coming an investigation into a breach of the Nobel committee, nominating Trump for days, while Brexit Secretary Stephen Australian Parliament House network on the Nobel prize. Barclay will hold talks with the EU’s chief February 8 found the networks of the negotiator Michel Barnier. Liberal, Labor and Nationals were also affected.

Cougar removed from tree Warship order comes under fire NZ-China relationship is ‘robust’

Firefighters have rescued a very big cat A Spanish warship with its guns manned Amid growing murmurs its tourism and – a mountain lion – from a tree outside a has ordered commercial ships to leave exports to China are being squeezed home in the Southern California desert. British Gibraltar waters, the territory’s in a diplomatic stoush, New Zealand’s The homeowner called authorities after government says. In an audio recording government has been left beating spotting the animal near the edge of of a radio exchange, the warship’s crew back fears its relationship with Beijing the San Bernardino Mountains. San could be heard telling vessels anchored is sliding. “This is a robust and mature Bernardino County firefighters found the at the Rock to “leave Spanish territorial relationship,” Prime Minister Jacinda large mountain lion perched on a branch waters”. Royal Navy boats were deployed Ardern said in an unprompted and about 50 feet (15m) high. in response to the incident. strongly-worded statement at the start of her weekly press conference.

1 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

Your daily Top 12 stories from Frank News

Full stories start on page 6

REST OF THE WORLD UK AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND

Tech term trips up candidate Longtime Labour MP Flynn dies Hot-air balloon crash near house

Indonesia’s presidential candidates have The long-standing Labour MP Paul Two hot-air balloons have made debated some of the most pressing Flynn has died aged 84, the party has emergency landings in Melbourne, with issues facing the world’s third-largest announced. Flynn, who represented one crashing near a house, leaving democracy: dilapidated infrastructure, Newport West for 32 years, was residents shocked and scared. One struggling farmers, forest fires – and described as an “independent thinker” balloon landed near Eastlink at Wantirna unicorns. When President Joko Widodo, who would be “greatly missed”. He held South, while the other was at Terrara seeking a second term, asked challenger several shadow cabinet posts during his Road, Vermont South. Vermont South Prabowo Subianto about his policies for parliamentary career, including a brief woman Christine Taylor said she was in supporting Indonesian unicorns a look stint as shadow secretary of state for bed when she heard a large crack from of bafflement passed across the former Wales in 2016, but had not been active in her backyard. general’s face. the Commons in recent months.

Germany: IS demand difficult Labour MPs quit, form new group Mine door ‘likely stashed away’

Germany’s foreign minister says A group of seven Labour MPs have Minister for Pike River Re-entry Andrew President Donald Trump’s demand that resigned from the party to create a Little says he would be surprised if a European countries take back Islamic new Independent Group, in the most missing cabinet door from the explosion State group militants held in Syria would significant split in British politics since isn’t stored away safely somewhere. be “extraordinarily difficult” to fulfill. In a the breakaway of the Social Democratic Sonja Rockhouse, whose son Ben was tweet, Trump urged Britain, France and Party. , , among the 29 men killed in the mine Germany and others to take back and try , Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, blast, said a photograph of an electrical militants. German Foreign Minister Heiko and are among cabinet door that was blown 100m to Maas said that German nationals have a the MPs from the party’s centrist wing the mine surface has just come to light legally guaranteed right to return. who have been the loudest critics of but no one can say where the actual item ’s leadership. has gone.

2 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. - AAP A mountain lion in a tree outside a Californian home. - AP

NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA Moon: Trump ‘may Cougar removed from deserve’ Nobel prize tree outside home

South Korean President Moon Jae-in did not personally Firefighters have rescued a very big cat – a mountain nominate US counterpart Donald Trump for the lion – from a tree outside a home in the Southern Nobel Peace Prize but believes he may deserve such California desert. recognition, a Seoul office says. The homeowner called authorities after spotting the animal Trump earlier revealed that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo near the edge of the San Bernardino Mountains. Abe had written to the Nobel committee, nominating Trump San Bernardino County firefighters found the large mountain for the Nobel prize. lion perched on a branch about 50 feet (15m) high. The official from Seoul’s presidential office, Cheong WaDae, State wildlife personnel tranquilized the animal. Firefighters noted Moon may be unable to nominate Trump for the annual lowered it to the ground using a rescue harness. award as the deadline for nominations has already expired. A biologist evaluated the cougar before it was released back “However, it is President Moon’s belief that (the US into the wild. president) is more than eligible for the Nobel Peace Prize as State Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden Rick Fischer (Moon) has repeatedly stressed that President Trump has said it was not uncommon for mountain lions to wander made great contributions to establishing peace on the Korean outside their habitat in the nearby mountains. Peninsula by continuing North Korea-US talks,” Cheong Wa Dae Attacks on humans are rare but the big cats will prey on spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said. pets and livestock. ■ The US president is set to hold his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un later this month. The two first met in Singapore in June. Many believe Moon may be a strong, if not stronger, candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize after ongoing efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula. Moon and Kim held their third bilateral summit in Pyongyang in September. ■

3 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

Prime Minister Theresa May, European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and A Spanish warship with its guns manned that ordered commercial ships to leave British European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. - AP Gibraltar waters. - PA

UK UK Backstop at heart Warship order of top-level talks comes under fire

Top-level Brexit negotiations between the UK and A Spanish warship with its guns manned has ordered the European Union will resume this week as the commercial ships to leave British Gibraltar waters, the Prime Minister prepares to return to Brussels to gain territory’s government says. concessions on her withdrawal deal. In an audio recording of a radio exchange, the warship’s crew Theresa May will meet European Commission president could be heard telling vessels anchored at the Rock to “leave Jean-Claude Juncker in the coming days, while Brexit Secretary Spanish territorial waters”. Stephen Barclay will hold talks with the EU’s chief negotiator Royal Navy boats were deployed in response to the incident. Michel Barnier. Boats which were ordered to leave remained at the The pair are expected to discuss the proposals of the port during the incident, which was branded “foolish” by a Alternative Arrangements Working Group of Tories, who have spokesman for Her Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar. been seeking a compromise solution to avoid the need for the “There is only nuisance value to these foolish games being controversial Irish backstop. played by those who don’t accept unimpeachable British Attorney General Geoffrey Cox will set out what changes sovereignty over the waters around Gibraltar as recognised by would be required to eliminate the legal risk of being the whole world in the United Nations Convention on the Law indefinitely trapped in the insurance policy to avoid a of the Sea,” the spokesman said. hard border. “It seems there are still some in the Spanish navy who think It comes after Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright suggested they can flout international law.” May might not seek to reopen the Brexit Withdrawal The ship was accused by the government of trying to take Agreement to make changes to the backstop – prompting “executive action” against the commercial boats, which were anger from Eurosceptic Tories. anchored on the eastern side of the Rock. Wright implied the agreement could be amended Commercial boats which were told to move were ordered to via a codicil, saying the “objective” mattered more than remain by the Gibraltar Port Authority. the “mechanism”. A crew member could be heard in the recording asking the “I think what’s obvious is that Parliament, and I think Spanish ship “to verify you are referring to our ship” because probably people well beyond Parliament, are concerned about they were anchored in Gibraltar. the potential indefinite nature of the backstop – that’s what “We are not adrift, we are at anchor now,” he said, before we’ve got to do something about,” he said. being told again to leave Spanish waters. “If this is the only way of doing it then that’s the way we A statement released by the Gibraltar government said: “The will pursue. If there are other ways of doing it that are just Royal Navy deployed a launch and a rigid-hulled inflatable boat as effective that perhaps we haven’t yet explored then we to the scene. After being challenged by the Royal Navy, the will do that too.” Spanish warship sailed slowly along the Gibraltar coast with its But Tory Brexiteer Sir John Redwood said it was not possible weapons uncovered and manned.” to “gloss” the Withdrawal Agreement. The Gibraltar government was “verifying every aspect of the “It needs significant changes, I’m not saying a little change incident in order to ensure that appropriate action is taking as would be sufficient, it requires a renegotiation,” he said. ■ soon as possible”, it said. ■

4 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

Parliament House in Canberra. - AAP Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. - AP

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND Liberals, Labor hit Ardern: NZ-China by parliament hack relationship is ‘robust’

The computer networks of Australia’s major political Amid growing murmurs its tourism and exports to parties were also part by a sophisticated cyber attack China are being squeezed in a diplomatic stoush, New by a “state actor” that affected the networks of federal Zealand’s government has been left beating back fears parliament, the prime minister has confirmed. its relationship with Beijing is sliding.

Scott Morrison said an investigation into a breach of the “This is a robust and mature relationship,” Prime Minister Australian Parliament House network on February 8 Jacinda Ardern said in an unprompted and strongly-worded found the networks of the Liberal, Labor and Nationals statement at the start of her weekly press conference. were also affected. Questions about whether New Zealand’s once-strong links A “state actor” is believed responsible for the attack, with the world’s second-largest economy had weaken after Morrison said. technology from Chinese tech giant Huawei was rejected from Security sources indicated last week China could be a 5G internet rollout by New Zealand’s cyber security have the source. caused headaches for Kiwi lawmakers in recent weeks. “I do not propose to go into the detail of these operational Since the launch of a major China-New Zealand tourism matters, but our cyber experts believe that a sophisticated scheme was delayed this month and an Air New Zealand state actor is responsible for this malicious activity,” plane turned around halfway to Shanghai, opposition Morrison said. politicians have been keen to play up what they say is a rift The prime minister said there is no evidence of any caused by sloppy diplomacy. electoral interference. Adding to the woes, an article in the English version of But the government has put in place a number of measures China’s People’s Daily, often described as a government to ensure the integrity of the electoral system regardless. mouthpiece, described Chinese tourists cancelling their trips to The Australian Cyber Security Centre is also available to help the Shaky Islands after “New Zealand stabbed us in the back”. any electoral body or political party seeking support. Some exporters, including seafood company Sanford, say “We have acted decisively to protect our national interests,” they’ve seen hold-ups at Chinese ports. Morrison said. Politicians and government agencies have been “The methods used by malicious actors are constantly calling for calm. evolving and this incident just reinforces yet again the New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries refuted importance of cybersecurity as a fundamental part of claims products were facing delays while promotion group everyone’s business.” New Zealand Trade and Enterprise told politicians it could not A Liberal party spokesman said the party was “working confirm if there was a pattern or anything had changed. closely with security agencies” on the matter. Ardern took the unusual step of making a statement to In March 2011, it was reported China was suspected of “correct some of the inaccuracies that I have heard”. accessing the email system used by federal MPs, advisers, “Our officials in China have confirmed that New Zealand electorate staff and parliamentary employees. primary products continue to clear the border as usual. There Morrison’s comments come after Senate President Scott is no indication anything out of the ordinary,” she said. Ryan confirmed there had been no more breaches of the Ardern also pointed to increasing tourism numbers federal parliamentary computer system since February 8. ■ over 2018. ■

5 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

Indonesian presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto speaks during a debate in Jakarta. German Minister of Foreign Affairs Heiko Maas. - AP - AP rest of the world rest of the world Candidate tripped up Germany: Trump’s by ‘unicorn’ tech term IS demand difficult

Indonesia’s presidential candidates have debated some Germany’s foreign minister says President Donald of the most pressing issues facing the world’s third- Trump’s demand that European countries take back largest democracy: dilapidated infrastructure, struggling Islamic State group militants held in Syria would be farmers, forest fires – and unicorns. “extraordinarily difficult” to fulfill.

When President Joko Widodo, seeking a second term, asked In a tweet, Trump urged Britain, France and Germany and challenger Prabowo Subianto about his policies for supporting others to take back and try militants. Indonesian unicorns a look of bafflement passed across the German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that German former general’s face. nationals have a legally guaranteed right to return, but there’s Wondering aloud, he replied: “What are unicorns? You mean no way at present of checking that in Syria. those online things?” Widodo sagely nodded in the affirmative. Maas said that “humanitarian cases,” women and children, Subianto was probably not alone in his ignorance, but already have returned, but it would only be possible in other Indonesians gleefully seized on the exchange as proof of his cases if court proceedings can immediately be launched. lack of qualification to be president. He added: “We need information, we need investigations, In the tech world, a unicorn is a start-up company valued all that is not in place, and as long as it isn’t, I think this is at $1 billion. Indonesia has several of them, and they are extraordinarily difficult to implement.” ■ transforming areas of the national economy such as transport and shopping. The debate was the second of five televised face-offs between the opposing campaigns before April’s election. Opinion polls show Widodo about 20 percentage points ahead of Subianto. The former general, who is campaigning on an Indonesia First platform, narrowly lost to Widodo in the 2014 election. After the debate started, smoke and the sound of an explosion caused panic near the venue in central Jakarta. City police were investigating and said it was probably firecrackers. No one was injured. ■

6 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

Labour MP Paul Flynn. - PA Labour MP Luciana Berger announces her resignation during a press conference at County Hall in Westminster, London. - PA

UK UK Longtime Labour Labour MPs quit party, MP Paul Flynn dies form new group

The long-standing Labour MP Paul Flynn has died aged A group of seven Labour MPs have resigned from the 84, the party has announced. party to create a new Independent Group in the House of Commons, in the most significant split in British politics Flynn, who represented Newport West for 32 years, was since the breakaway of the Social Democratic Party in described as an “independent thinker” who would be the 1980s. “greatly missed”. He held several shadow cabinet posts during his Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, parliamentary career, including a brief stint as shadow Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey are among the MPs secretary of state for Wales in 2016, but had not been active in from the party’s centrist wing who have been the loudest critics the Commons in recent months. of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, his stance on Brexit and his His local association said: “It’s with great sadness that we let handling of allegations of anti-Semitism. you know that our MP, Paul Flynn, has died today. They issued an appeal to MPs from both Labour and other “Paul is a hero to many of us in the Newport Labour family parties to “leave the old tribal politics behind” and join their and we mourn for his family’s loss. We would ask that the new grouping. privacy of Paul’s family is respected at this difficult time.” In a Statement of Independence, setting out their values and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I’m very sad at the approach, they promised to “pursue policies that are evidence- passing of my good friend Paul Flynn. He had such love based, not led by ideology, taking a long-term perspective to for Newport, knowledge of radical South Wales history the challenges of the 21st century in the national interest, and a dry wit. rather than locked in the old politics of the 20th century in the “He was an independent thinker who was a credit to parties’ interests”. the Labour Party. He will be greatly missed.” None of the current political parties in Westminster “are fit to First Minister of Wales and Welsh Labour leader provide the leadership and direction needed by our country”, described Flynn as a “giant of the they said. Welsh Labour movement”. And they pledged: “As an Independent Group we aim to He added: “Today’s news will be a source of great sadness to recognise the value of healthy debate, show tolerance towards all those who knew him. different opinions and seek to reach across outdated divides “He was one of the most effective communicators of his and build consensus to tackle Britain’s problems.” generation – inside the House of Commons and outside. But At a press conference at London’s County Hall to announce it was Paul’s willingness to speak up for causes beyond the their move, Umunna issued an appeal to voters: “For far too political mainstream which marked him out as a politician of long, political parties in Westminster – parties of which we have real courage and integrity.” been a part – have been failing you. Conservative MP Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, “If you are sick and tired of politics as usual, guess what? So also paid tribute, tweeting: “He was an exceptional constituency are we. MP & it was a privilege to work with him taking the Wales Bill “If you want an alternative, please help us build it. The through Parliament when he was Shadow SoS for Wales. We bottom line is this – politics is broken, it doesn’t have to be this always had a warm & friendly relationship”. ■ way. Let’s change it.” ■

7 February 18 (GMT) – February 19 (AEST), 2019

- AAP Minister of Justice Andrew Little. - RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND Hot-air balloon Pike River door ‘likely crashes near house stashed somewhere’

Two hot-air balloons have made emergency landings Minister for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little says he in Melbourne, with one crashing near a house, leaving would be surprised if a missing cabinet door from the residents shocked and scared. explosion isn’t stored away safely somewhere.

One balloon landed near Eastlink at Wantirna South, while the Sonja Rockhouse, whose son Ben was among the 29 men killed other was at Terrara Road, Vermont South. in the mine blast, said a photograph of an electrical cabinet Vermont South woman Christine Taylor said she was in bed door that was blown 100m to the mine surface has just come when she heard a large crack from her backyard. to light but no one can say where the actual item has gone. “It was the scariest thing. I thought it was an earthquake She said the situation was “bloody outrageous” and proof a or a big gum tree coming down and then, bang, this thing proper investigation was needed. hit and the balloon was all over our fence and into our pool,” The door from a fan control box was photographed Taylor said. nine days after the first explosion in 2010 but has not Nine people were on board the balloon that crashed at been seen since. Wantirna South and another eight people were on board the The lawyer who represented some Pike River families at balloon that crashed at Vermont South. the royal commission hearings said he had no recollection “No one was injured in either incident,” Ambulance of the cabinet door. Victoria said. Nigel Hampton said he did not recall that piece of evidence. Both flights encountered trouble following a change in wind “I don’t recall seeing photographs of [the door] during the direction and speed just over an hour after take-off from lead-up to and through the Royal Commission hearings, which Bundoora at dawn, bound for Moorabbin airport. is slightly disturbing,” he said. Commercial Hot Air Ballooning Industry spokesman Damian Little said neither he nor the Pike River Recovery Agency Crook said both events were “minor” and the pilots – who had knows where the door is. each been flying about 20 years and had outstanding safety “The agencies investigating the original explosion in 2010 records – landed safely. were the police and what was then the Department of Labour, “The pilots chose safe landing sites and both flights have now WorkSafe. I’d be surprised if they don’t have [it] stored been concluded without injury,” he said. somewhere [with] all of the exhibits and the material they Crook said the balloon that landed in an open reserve at collected at that time as part of their investigation,’’ he said. Vermont conducted a “drag landing”, a typical manoeuvre Little said he became aware of the missing evidence last when there is significant ground wind speed. week and the agencies involved in the original investigation The other balloon landed in a horticultural property, causing were notified but would still be in the process of hunting minor tree damage, he said. it down. Crook added passengers were routinely briefed on safety The Opposition agrees with Little that there is probably a before the flight and before landing, with balloon baskets simple explanation for where the door has got to. designed to handle such incidents. ■ National’s re-entry spokesperson Mark Mitchell said evidence was carefully preserved and the agencies involved in the investigation needed time to locate it. ■

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