February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

Your daily Top 12 stories from Frank News

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USA UK AUSTRALIA

Russia ‘boosting Trump 2020’ Corbyn up for shadow cabinet gig Speed maybe caused derailment

Intelligence officials say Russia is Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he A train that crashed north of Melbourne, interfering with the 2020 election to try would serve in his successor’s shadow killing two people, was reportedly to help President get cabinet if they asked him to. The outgoing speeding before it derailed on a reelected, reports. leader would remain in the frontline of notorious section that had caused The paper said intelligence officials told British politics if Labour’s new leader trouble for drivers in the past. lawmakers about the interference in a wanted him as a member of their top Passengers described being thrown February 13 closed-door briefing to the team. Leadership contender Rebecca violently around inside the train when House Intelligence Committee. It said Long-Bailey, the shadow business the Sydney to Melbourne XPT diesel the disclosure angered Trump, who secretary, has suggested she would offer locomotive and five carriages came off complained the Democrats would use Corbyn a job if she becomes Labour’s tracks near Wallan Station, 60km north the information against him. new leader in April. of the city. The train’s driver and his pilot died at the scene, while 11 were injured.

USA UK Australia

Paraglider lands in power lines Scotland a ‘divided nation’ Inquiry visits fire-hit regions

A paraglider spent three hours trapped Former prime minister Gordon Brown An independent NSW inquiry into the in power lines before being rescued has claimed that Scotland is at risk summer’s unprecedented bushfires is in northern California. The paraglider, of becoming “one of the West’s most well underway with visits to affected who was not immediately identified, divided countries”. Brown made the regions about to kick off in earnest. The was facing the ground with the wires as claim after a YouGov poll of 2500 Scots inquiry, announced by Premier Gladys his only support when first responders suggested that only 16 per cent believe Berejiklian in January, received more than arrived, according to officials with the the country is united. Commissioned 70 submissions within a week. Former Olivehurst Fire Department. Olivehurst by the Our Scottish Future think tank, NSW Police deputy commissioner Dave is about 40 miles (64km) north of the poll also found that 47 per cent of Owens, who is leading the inquiry with Sacramento. He got stuck while trying to respondents believe Scots will always former NSW chief scientist Professor land at the Yuba County airport during a be divided on the issues of Brexit and Mary O’Kane, said they were doing a training exercise, officials said. independence. flyover of the Snowy Mountains area.

1 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

Your daily Top 12 stories from Frank News

Full stories start on page 6

rest of the world EUROPE new zealand

South Korea ups virus response ‘Frugal four’ refuse to budge Chinese restaurants struggle

South Korea has reported 100 new virus Major contributors to the European Some Chinese restaurants are crying out cases, bringing the country’s total to Union’s budget have blocked progress at for customers following the coronavirus 204, many of them clustered around a an emergency summit, insisting that they travel ban on visitors from . The southeastern city, and raising fears that would not stump up more funds for the travel ban has been in force since the outbreak is getting out of control. In bloc’s next long-term spending package, February 3 and local diners are becoming the capital, Seoul, officials banned major worth around €1 trillion. The so-called more cautious and avoiding Chinese downtown rallies and shut down a big “Frugal Four” of Austria, Denmark, the food. Dragon Restaurant is one of many park to avoid mass public gatherings Netherlands and Sweden believe the EU’s restaurants across the country begging where the virus could spread. Workers in 2021-2027 budget, which is meant to people to come back to eat their food. protective gear also sprayed disinfectant fund ambitious climate change and digital Store manager Shuping Chen said they in the city’s subway. economy policies, should amount to 1 per had been losing about $5000 a week in cent of the bloc’s gross national income. what should be peak season. rest of the world EUROPE NEW ZEALAND

Thai court disbands popular party Varadkar, Martin to talk Milford Road reopens for tourists

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin have Dozens of tourist coaches have been ordered the popular opposition Future agreed to meet for exploratory talks next allowed to travel the Milford Road for Forward Party dissolved, declaring that it week as efforts to form a government the first time since a storm closed the violated election law by accepting a loan intensify in Ireland. The leaders of Fine road. The popular tourist area was hit from its leader. The court also imposed Gael and Fianna Fail will get together by heavy rain and slips, forcing it shut. a 10-year ban on the party’s executive next week after TDs failed to elect a new While essential vehicles like fuel tankers members holding political office. The taoiseach on the first day of the new Dail. and food trucks got access last weekend, ruling against the party comes just ahead Varadkar has tendered his resignation to businesses and tourists alike have been of a no-confidence debate in parliament President Michael D Higgins but he will counting the days down until the road against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- remain in place as caretaker taoiseach could be opened again. Coach driver ocha and several of his Cabinet until a new one is elected. Reece Hay said he had never seen the members. road like this before.

2 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, with President Donald Trump. – AP a paraglider was trapped in power lines in California.– AP

NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA Russia ‘boosting Trump Paraglider gets caught in 2020 candidacy’ power lines

Intelligence officials say Russia is interfering with the A paraglider spent three hours trapped in power lines 2020 election to try to help President Donald Trump get before being rescued in northern California. reelected, The New York Times reports. The paraglider, who was not immediately identified, was The Times said intelligence officials told lawmakers about the facing the ground with the wires as his only support when first interference in a February 13 closed-door briefing to the responders arrived, according to officials with the Olivehurst House Intelligence Committee. It said the disclosure angered Fire Department. Trump, who complained the Democrats would use the Olivehurst is about 40 miles (64km) north of Sacramento. information against him. He berated the outgoing director of He got stuck while trying to land at the Yuba County airport national intelligence, , the next day. during a training exercise, officials said. No major injuries were US intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the 2016 reported. election through social media campaigns and stealing and Power was cut to the surrounding area for a few hours while distributing emails from Democratic accounts. They say Russia crews worked to save the man, authorities said. was trying to boost Trump’s campaign and add chaos to the “Our main focus was letting him know to stay in contact American political process. Special counsel Robert Mueller with the aircraft and not to reach out and touch us so that concluded that Russian interference was “sweeping and the aircraft stayed still,” said Randy York of the Yuba City Fire systematic,” but he did not find a criminal conspiracy between Department. Russia and the Trump campaign. Trump has doubted the “He’s exhausted but all his vitals seem to be stable.” ■ findings of Russian interference. In the House briefing, Trump’s allies challenged the DNI’s chief election official, Shelby Pierson, who delivered the conclusions, saying Trump has been tough on Russia, the Times reported. But Trump has also spoken warmly of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and withdrawn troops from areas like Syria where Moscow could fill the vacuum. He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine, a Russian adversary – a decision that was at the core of his impeachment proceedings. The Times said Trump was angry that the House briefing was made before the panel’s chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment proceedings. At an open hearing this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia was engaged in “information warfare” heading into the November election, but that law enforcement had not seen efforts to target America’s infrastructure. He said Russia was relying on a covert social media campaign to divide the American public and sow discord. ■

3 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. – AP – AP

UK UK Corbyn open to joining Scotland risks becoming shadow cabinet ‘divided nation’

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says he would serve in his Former prime minister Gordon Brown has claimed that successor’s shadow cabinet if they asked him to. Scotland is at risk of becoming “one of the West’s most divided countries”. The outgoing leader would remain in the frontline of British politics if Labour’s new leader wanted him as a member of Brown made the claim after a YouGov poll of 2500 Scots their top team. suggested that only 16 per cent believe the country is united. Leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey, the shadow Commissioned by the Our Scottish Future think tank, the poll business secretary, has suggested she would offer Corbyn a also found that 47 per cent of respondents believe Scots will job if she becomes Labour’s new leader in April. always be divided on the issues of Brexit and independence. Deputy leadership contender Richard Burgon has previously Almost half (44 per cent) of those surveyed also said that said he would like Corbyn to be shadow foreign secretary. they now have less trust in politicians, while 34 per cent said “I am happy to serve the party in any capacity because they are less likely to discuss politics with casual acquaintances. my whole life has been about making my contribution in “The poll shows Scotland is at risk of becoming one of the Parliament, holding governments to account and of course West’s most divided countries and stuck in a rut,” Brown said. speaking out on policy areas,” Corbyn said. “I want us to break out of the trench warfare from which “I have been proud to lead the party for the past five years, everyone loses out. We are divided because we have been proud of the policy achievements we have made and of the polarised by extreme positions – either a no-change, status huge growth in membership.” quo ‘do nothing’ stance or an ever harder separation including Asked to confirm that he would accept a position, if offered, now abandoning the UK pound. Corbyn replied: “See what it is. “The poll shows that Scotland is not just more divided than at “I didn’t know I was going to be offered anything and you’re any time in my lifetime but these divisions could dominate our telling me something that I didn’t know.” lives for many decades to come.” If Corbyn were to remain on Labour’s frontbench, he would Brown also criticised Prime Minister Boris Johnson for become the first leader since Ramsay McDonald to do so. offering nothing other than “cosmetic gestures” to the devolved The ballot in the leadership contest had been due to open administrations. on Friday, but it emerged voting was being delayed until “Scotland looks more like two nations, not the united country Monday, with logistical reasons behind the alteration. I’d like it to be,” he said. Corbyn also rejected Tony Blair’s call for a “head-to-toe “Divisions over independence and over a referendum are renewal” of the party. now spilling over into other areas – the future of the pound, Blair, who is the last Labour leader to win a general election, the future of Scotland’s relations with Europe, the priorities had urged the remaining three leadership contenders – Long- we give to health, education and high-quality jobs and the Bailey, Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy – to heed his warnings environment. about Labour’s current state of political wilderness. “This Punch and Judy cycle – with both sides dug in with all “The idea that we would turn to some kind of market-led or nothing stances – has got to give way to common sense economic analysis by the Labour Party is not the way forward. answers. I want to end the divisions with a plan to bring us “The way forward surely is to recognise the need to re- back together again.” ■ balance our economy and our society.” ■

4 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

The derailed train. – AAP – AAP

AUSTRALIA Australia Speed may have caused Inquiry visits bushfire- XPT derailment hit regions

A train that crashed north of Melbourne, killing two An independent NSW inquiry into the summer’s people, was reportedly speeding before it derailed on a unprecedented bushfires is well underway with visits to notorious section that had caused trouble for drivers in affected regions about to kick off in earnest. the past. The inquiry, announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian in Passengers described being thrown violently around inside the January, received more than 70 submissions within a week. train when the Sydney to Melbourne XPT diesel locomotive and Former NSW Police deputy commissioner Dave Owens, who five carriages came off tracks near Wallan Station, 60km north is leading the inquiry with former NSW chief scientist Professor of the city. Mary O’Kane, said they were doing a flyover of the Snowy The train’s driver, 54-year-old Canberra resident John Mountains area. Kennedy, and his pilot, a 49-year-old from Castlemaine in They will then travel to the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains Victoria, died at the scene, while 11 were injured. areas where their activities include meeting NSW Rural Fire The train, carrying about 160 passengers, was reportedly Service incident management teams, before a community meant to slow to 15km/h to divert through a “passing loop” at meeting in Lithgow. Wallan when it derailed. Owens said they planned to return to the Hawkesbury area But passengers believed it had been moving much faster. for a community meeting but were still settling dates. A Sydney man described “hanging on for grim death” as the “It is full on, as I said, we’re reading on the run, we’re starting train came off the tracks. early, we’re finishing very late – but you know, if that’s my “It probably went about 150 metres before it stopped, there biggest issue, I think we’re doing pretty well,” Owens said. were carriages going sideways – pretty horrifying,” he said. The six-month inquiry will consider a range of issues The man said train staff had handed out complaint cards including causes and factors contributing to the summer’s to passengers moments before the derailment, after lengthy devastating fires, preparation and planning, hazard reduction delays caused by ongoing problems with signals on the line. and emergency responses. Passenger Leyon Gray said the train derailed minutes after Owens hopes fire-hit communities would feel at the end of it taking off again after sitting stationary on the tracks. that they’d had an opportunity to have their say. “The train got going and we were probably doing 80 or The former police commissioner can empathise with what 90km/h. Next thing we were thrown out of our seats.” people are going through after losing a Sydney home to fire There were 160 passengers and crew on board the train, seven years ago, before his Lake Conjola holiday home was which was running more than an hour behind schedule when spared this summer. it derailed. “It’s a different perspective now because I’m one of a number Police were amazed more passengers weren’t hurt. of properties that weren’t damaged, living in a community that Some passengers claimed they heard an onboard was absolutely devastated by those fires,” he said. announcement saying the driver was trying to make up for a Submissions to the inquiry are open until March 27, but the lost time before the crash, but police would not confirm this. deadline can be extended for those directly affected by fires. The rail union and Victorian National deputy leader Steph The schedule for community visits will be posted to the Ryan said safety concerns about the track had been raised for inquiry website as details are confirmed. ■ some time. ■

5 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

Workers prepare to spray disinfectant at Namdaemun Market in Seoul. – AP Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. – AP

rest of the world rest of the world South Korea ups virus Court orders opposition response amid new cases party dissolved

South Korea has reported 100 new virus cases, bringing Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ordered the popular the country’s total to 204, many of them clustered opposition Future Forward Party dissolved, declaring around a southeastern city, and raising fears that the that it violated election law by accepting a loan from its outbreak is getting out of control. leader.

In the capital, Seoul, officials banned major downtown rallies The court also imposed a 10-year ban on the party’s executive and shut down a big park to avoid mass public gatherings members holding political office. where the virus could spread. Workers in protective gear also The ruling against the party comes just ahead of a no- sprayed disinfectant in the city’s subway. confidence debate in parliament against Prime Minister Most of the new cases have been reported since Prayuth Chan-ocha and several of his Cabinet members. Wednesday. The spike, especially in and around Daegu city, The party has been an irritant to the government and the has raised fears the outbreak was overwhelming the region’s conservative forces in Thai society that back it, because of both medical system. Many of the cases have been linked to a its reformist positions and its popularity. church in the city. The party placed a strong and surprising third in a general Authorities also reported the first two cases of the virus in election last March and holds 76 seats in Thailand’s House of South Korea’s 600,000-member military. A navy sailor and an Representatives. army officer both tested positive for the virus after visiting It was founded in March 2018 as Thailand was heading Daegu recently. toward an election after a period of military rule that began Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun said in a televised statement with a 2014 coup. the central government would concentrate its support to the There are 16 members of the party’s executive committee, southeastern region to ease a shortage in sickbeds, medical 11 of whom are members of parliament and lose their seats. personnel and equipment. The party’s remaining 65 lawmakers can take part in the “A month into the outbreak, we have entered an emergency upcoming no-confidence debate, but must find a new party phase,” Chung said. “Our efforts until now had been focused within 60 days to keep their seats. It was not immediately clear on blocking the illness from entering the country. But we will how the 11 empty seats would be filled. now shift the focus on preventing the illness from spreading The Constitutional Court was referred the case by the further in local communities.” Election Commission, which in December determined that the The surge of infections in Daegu and several cases in Seoul Future Forward Party had broken the law by accepting a 191 with unclear infection routes forced government officials to million baht ($6.03 million) loan from its founder and chief, acknowledge for the first time that the virus was circulating in Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. the local population. The commission said it considered the loan tantamount to a Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin urged the city’s 2.5 million donation, which are limited to 10 million baht ($316,000). people to stay home and wear masks even indoors if possible. The party’s main defence was that the law makes no mention Officials on Jeju Island said a 22-year-old navy sailor based of loans. Thanathorn is a 41-year-old billionaire whose family on the island tested positive for the virus, days after visiting fortune was made in the auto parts industry. ■ Daegu for a vacation. The sailor, currently hospitalized at a civilian hospital on the island, was Jeju’s first virus patient. ■

6 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives for the EU budget summit. – AP Leo Varadkar. – AP

EUROPE EUROPE ‘Frugal four’ refuse to Ireland’s Varadkar, budge on EU budget Martin to meet for talks

Major contributors to the European Union’s have budget Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin have agreed to meet blocked progress at an emergency summit, insisting that for exploratory talks next week as efforts to form a they would not stump up more funds for the bloc’s next government intensify in Ireland. long-term spending package, worth around €1 trillion ($1.1 trillion). The leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will get together next week after TDs failed to elect a new taoiseach on the first day The so-called “Frugal Four” of Austria, Denmark, the of the new Dail. Netherlands and Sweden believe the EU’s 2021-2027 budget, Varadkar has tendered his resignation to President Michael which is meant to fund ambitious climate change and digital D Higgins but he will remain in place as caretaker taoiseach economy policies, should amount to 1 per cent of the until a new one is elected. 27-nation trading bloc’s gross national income. A spokesman for Fine Gael said the date and time of the EU Council President Charles Michel, who met with EU meeting was yet to be confirmed. leaders throughout the night trying to broker a compromise, “The Taoiseach spoke by phone to Micheal Martin yesterday has tabled a draft budget of 1.074 per cent of GNI. The evening. They agreed to meet in person early next week European Parliament wants an ambitious 1.3 per cent, while for exploratory talks. “Fine Gael has also accepted the offer the EU’s powerful executive arm, the European Commission, from the Greens for exploratory talks next week,” said the prefers 1.11 per cent. spokesman. “I can understand that when you’re a prime minister Varadkar said on Monday he was preparing to go into in a country that has poor regions, infrastructures, I can opposition and that he would only seek a coalition with Fianna understand that … but when it comes to the percentage, I Fail as “a last resort”. stand firm,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said. The Dail failed to elect a taoiseach at its first sitting after the Asked whether the standoff could be resolved, Frederiksen election as none of the leaders of the four main political parties said “no, I don’t think so. I’m willing to stay, and I’m prepared nominated emerged with a majority to secure the role. to stay the whole weekend. But no, I don’t think we’re going to Varadkar, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, Sinn Fein leader reach an agreement.” Mary Lou McDonald and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were She said that another summit would be required, probably in all nominated for the role. early March. Ms McDonald received the most votes to become the next Broadly speaking, the “Frugal Four”, with the backing of taoiseach, 45, but was well short of the required figure of 80. Germany, are lined up against the “Friends of Cohesion,” a There were 41 votes in favour of Martin becoming taoiseach, group of mainly central and eastern European nations who while Varadkar got 36 votes in favour of him continuing in the want to see the continued flow of “cohesion funds” – money role, with 107 votes against and 16 abstentions. earmarked to help develop poorer regions. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein has been meeting with smaller parties “If we want to find an agreement, I think everybody has to be and independent TDs in a bid to form a government without Fine flexible. It cannot be the way that one or some countries try to Gael or Fianna Fail but may not have enough support to do so. dictate the outcome,” said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have ruled out going in to coalition Asked about the chances of a breakthrough, she said: “It looks with Sinn Fein, citing its left-wing economic policies and the quite difficult, the situation.” ■ party’s past links with the IRA. ■

7 February 21 (GMT) – February 22 (AEST), 2020

– 123RF Milford Road Alliance manager Kevin Thompson. – RNZ/Tess Brunton

new zealand NEW ZEALAND Travel ban starving Milford Road reopens Chinese restaurants for tourists

Some Chinese restaurants are crying out for customers Dozens of tourist coaches have been allowed to travel following the coronavirus travel ban on visitors from the Milford Road for the first time since a storm closed China. the road.

The travel ban has been in force since February 3 and local The popular tourist area was hit by heavy rain and slips, forcing diners are becoming more cautious and avoiding Chinese food. it shut. Dragon Restaurant is one of many restaurants across the While essential vehicles like fuel tankers and food trucks got country begging people to come back to eat their food. access last weekend, businesses and tourists alike have been Store manager Shuping Chen said they had been losing about counting the days down until the road could be opened again. $5000 a week in what should be peak season. She had to quickly Southern Discoveries coach driver Reece Hay has been figure out ways to attract people, including offering discounts for driving Milford Road for the past 25 years, but he said he had corporate customers and giving out hand sanitiser. never seen the road like this before. “Come back to our Chinese restaurant, we have good food “One area in particular … you’re right beside the river where and good service, we have no problem,” she said. “We just you’d never see the river before. It’s taken all the trees out, don’t want them to be scared of the Chinese food or people.” everything like that. There’s wash outs under roads, there’s a Another restaurant owner said their business revenue was lot of gravel sections where they’re repairing the roads,” Hay down by at least 50 per cent. said.“It’s a different road.” Vivian Wong owns the popular Christchurch Chinese After weeks of hard roadworks and long hours, Milford Road restaurant Madam Kwong. She said the number of customers Alliance manager Kevin Thompson watched 40 coaches snake had halved. through the forest towards Milford Sound. “You don’t have the tour bases coming, walk-in Chinese “It’s good news and I’m really pleased for the people on tourist customers or local people hosting the tourists.” board. They’re on their way to Milford and that’s number one.” She believed “the local people, especially Chinese and Broken trees were sticking out of landslips, and rubble was European customers dine less at Chinese restaurants,” to avoid pushed to the roadside, but Thompson said most of the big being around where Chinese communities congregate because issues were hidden. “there is a risk of contracting the virus”. Standing on the edge of the road, he checked a damaged She said New Zealand’s tourism industry heavily relied on wall of gabion baskets – rock-filled mesh rectangles that create the tourism community and people needed to better inform a barrier between the road and river. themselves about the virus and realise there were still no The river swept over them, creating a washing machine-like confirmed cases here. effect that ate through material and caused the wall to fail. Both racism and ignorance was partly to blame for local “The ‘what you can’t see’ is our next big challenge. It is those people staying away, she said. things that are down away from the road or under the road – The Dragon Boat in Auckland specialises in fresh seafood – a bridges, culverts, walls,” he said. hit with Chinese travellers who keep the business afloat. But Those things are significant pieces of work to repair or manager Ricky Wang said she now had to rely on local support. replace and they affect travel so it’s a balancing act of trying to “Customers in NZ or Auckland I hope they are not afraid … do those works and retain access, and that burns up time.” ■ we welcome all customers,” she said. ■

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