Ex-IS member guilty of genocide for chaining up Yazidi girl to die in the sun

Defendant convicted in a German court after enslaving a Yazidi woman and her five-year-old daughter

In a landmark verdict, a former member of the Islamic State group has been found guilty of genocide by a German court over the death of a five-year-old Yazidi girl he had bought as a slave and then chained up in the hot sun to die.

The Frankfurt regional court also convicted Taha Al-J of crimes against humanity, war crimes and bodily harm resulting in death. The 29-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay the girl’s mother €50,000 (£42,600).

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source https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/ex-is-member-guilty-of-genocide-for-leaving-yazidi-girl-to-die-in-the-sun

'Don't bring any more of those': people try to stop crew going to sea to save refugees – video

The RNLI has confirmed an incident took place following claims a lifeboat crew was blocked from going to sea by people opposing the rescuing of refugees in the Channel. Hastings, which has a population of about 100,000, is on the frontline of the small boat arrivals. Refugees have been landing on its beach since 2019 but in line with the overall tripling of numbers this year there has been a huge increase, particularly in the last month.

• Tensions run high in Hastings over small boat arrivals
  

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source https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2021/nov/30/dont-bring-any-more-of-those-people-try-to-stop-crew-going-out-to-sea-to-save-refugees-video

Federal court upholds California ban on large-scale firearm magazines

The governor hailed the 7-4 decision as a ‘victory for the health and safety’ of the state’s residents

A federal appeals court has upheld California’s ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines, overturning a previous ruling from a lower court and handing a victory to gun control advocates.

In a 7-4 vote on Tuesday, the ninth circuit court of appeals ruled that limits on large-scale magazines do not violate second amendment rights nor notably limit the ability to defend oneself. The ruling supports the constitutionality of California laws that ban magazines holding 10 or more rounds of ammunition.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/30/california-ban-gun-control-court

Australia news updates live: bigger quarantine fines in NSW over Omicron; parliament under pressure on second-last day

Labor reportedly ditching fuel emissions standards policy; penalties of $5,000 for those who fail to comply with quarantine or testing requirements come into force as authorities attempt to curb the Omicron Covid variant – follow the day’s news live

• What does the new variant mean, and how worried should we be?
• Where has Omicron spread, and why are scientists so concerned?
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing
  

Here is what Liberal senator David Van told the senate yesterday (he did a personal explanation later in the afternoon, but didn’t stand up at the time when president Slade Brockman asked if anyone wanted to withdraw their interjection at the time of the incident)

As you asked us to reflect, I reflect on my behaviour in Question Time and I acknowledge that interjections are always disorderly. I acknowledge I was making interjections while Senator Lambie was asking a question during Question Time.

And while I do not accept the characterisation of my interjections in the manner raised in points of order in that time, by other senators, I do regret the interjections and I apologise to Senator Lambie and to the Senate unreservedly. Mr President, I commit to holding myself to the highest standards in the future. Thank you.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/dec/01/australia-news-updates-live-covid-omicron-scott-morrison-parliament-nsw-victoria-coronavirus-travel-restrictions-quarantine-australian-politics

The 50 best albums of 2021: 50-41

Our countdown opens with a list of LPs that includes Gojira’s climate-crisis rally-cry and an uplifting house full-length from US producer Eris Drew

• The best songs of 2021
• More on the best culture of 2021
  By Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Laura Snapes

This list is drawn from votes by Guardian music critics – each critic votes for their Top 20 albums, with points allocated for each placing. Check in every weekday to see our next picks, and please share your own favourite albums of 2021 in the comments below.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/30/the-50-best-albums-of-2021

Jill Biden decks the White House halls for Christmas – in pictures

The theme for the 2021 White House holiday season is Gifts from the Heart. According to Jill Biden’s office, about 6,000ft of ribbon, more than 300 candles and more than 10,000 ornaments were used this year to decorate. There are also 41 Christmas trees throughout the White House

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source https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gallery/2021/nov/30/white-house-christmas-decorations-pictures-gallery

At the stroke of midnight Barbados becomes the world’s newest republic

President Sandra Mason was sworn in at a ceremony in the capital Bridgetown attended by Prince Charles and the singer Rihanna

After 396 years, the sun has set on the British monarchy’s reign over the Caribbean island of Barbados, with a handover ceremony at midnight on Monday marking the birth of the world’s newest republic.

As the clock struck 12, the Royal Standard flag representing the Queen was lowered over a crowded Heroes Square in Bridgetown and Carol Roberts-Reifer, chief executive officer of the National Cultural Foundation, made the declaration of Barbados’ transition to its new constitutional status.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/30/at-the-stroke-of-midnight-barbados-becomes-the-worlds-newest-republic