As Donald Trump scraps DACA, a giant toddler appears over US-Mexico border wall

A 20-metre-high portrait of a toddler is erected over the US-Mexico border wall in the same week President Donald Trump announced he would wind back the Dreamers immigration program…

MORE: As Donald Trump scraps DACA, a giant toddler appears over US-Mexico border wall – Donald Trump’s America – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Two-thirds of Bangladesh under water as South Asia floods toll tops 1,200

Severe monsoon flooding spreads across India, Nepal and Bangladesh, leaving more than 1,200 people dead since the rains started.

There is an urgent need for rescue and relief services on the Indian subcontinent as severe monsoon flooding spreads across India, Nepal and Bangladesh, leaving more than 1,200 people dead since the rains started.

Key points:

• UN says 40 million people affected
• Building collapses in Mumbai as city floods
• Worst flooding in some parts of Bangladesh in nearly 30 years

Oxfam said its Bangladesh staff reported two-thirds of the country was under water and in some areas the flooding was the worst since 1988, creating an urgent demand for humanitarian supplies.

Widescale flooding in an arc stretching across the Himalayan foothills caused landslides and washed away tens of thousands of homes and vast swathes of farmland.

The UN said about 40 million had been affected.

Source: South Asia floods: Appeals for help as monsoon rains cause havoc in India, Nepal, Bangladesh – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Hamilton booed by London crowd as #F1 hits capital with Brit driver absent from the show

LEWIS HAMILTON’s name was booed by fans at the Formula One parade in London after his no-show.

The Brit was only only current F1 star not to take part in the sensational show in the capital hosted by the sport’s new owners Liberty Media.

Instead, the 32-year old is on a bizarre two-day break just before the British Grand Prix.

Liberty have already expressed their feelings that 19 of the 20 drivers cooperated, and then the fans jeered his name when it was announced by F1 champion, Damon Hill.

Hamilton’s boss at Mercedes, Toto Wolff, who granted the three-time world champion his mini break, tried to justify his driver’s failure to turn up.

He said: “Lewis feels that is is such a tough championship battle that he needed the days off after Austria….but you can see him at Silverstone.”

The future of the sport in Britain is uncertain after Silverstone bosses triggered a break clause in their contract.

Source: Lewis Hamilton booed by London crowd as F1 hits streets of the capital with Brit driver absent from the show

Police investigate Pilbara mine death | Perth Now

Police are investigating the death of a person at a Pilbara mine site today.

The death was reported just after midday today and police are travelling to the mine.

No further details are available at this time.

Source: Police investigate Pilbara mine death | Perth Now

Cyclist hater Ben Smith jailed for eight years over death of father-of-three Steve Jarvie

A CYCLIST hater has been sentenced to eight years’ jail after he killed a Sydney pushbike rider while on bail and a good behaviour bond for a string of other crimes.

Today Ben Smith, 27, was sentenced to a non-parole period of 5 ½ years for the manslaughter of father-of-three Steve Jarvie who was left to die on the side of the Old Pacific Highway at Cowan in February 2013.

But before Judge Mark Buscombe read out Smith’s sentence, he revealed his criminal history which showed he has been caught twice for excessive speeding, high-range drink driving and was on bail at the time of Mr Jarvie’s death after being charged with offensive behaviour, resisting arrest and destroying property.

And less than a month after killing Mr Jarvie, Smith was then caught for mid-range drink driving.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that while Smith was awaiting trial he was charged with driving under the influence of drugs in November last year.

Source: Cyclist hater Ben Smith jailed for eight years over death of father-of-three Steve Jarvie | Perth Now

Gay men flogged in Aceh after vigilantes find them having sex

In what human rights groups describe as a new low, two gay men have been lashed 83 times each with the cane in the Indonesian province of Aceh.

Key points:

• Vigilantes found the men having sex in an apartment
• Homosexuality is illegal under Sharia law, which is in force in Aceh
• Indonesia appears to be sliding away from its reputed tolerance and pluralism

Hundreds gathered outside a mosque in Banda Aceh to watch the flogging of the two men who are both in their early 20s.

Vigilantes found the men having sex after entering a private apartment room in March and reported them to authorities.

Aceh is the only part of Indonesia where homosexuality is illegal because Sharia law is in force there.

The strict Islamic law has been in place since 2004 with the punishment for morale misdeeds flogging by cane.

Drinking alcohol, adultery, and public displays of affection outside of a relationship are also criminal acts.

Another four heterosexual couples were also caned this morning for displaying affection while being unmarried.

‘New low’ as Indonesia shifts toward intolerance

“It’s really a new low for Indonesia and Aceh,” Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch said.

“The problem is that Aceh is seen as a role model for conservative areas across the country.”

Mr Harsono had called on the Indonesian President to immediately intervene to prevent the public flogging.

He said there has been growing anti-LGBT sentiment across Indonesia, particularly over the past two years.

On the weekend more than 140 men were arrested at a gay club in Jakarta for pornography with police widely distributing photos of the accused with their faces clearly visible.

Tim Lindsey, the director of the Centre for Indonesian law, Islam and Society at Melbourne University, said coupled with the jailing of Jakarta’s Christian Governor known as Ahok, it suggested a societal shift toward intolerance.

“In the last five years in particular the rise of conservative hardliner groups such as those who led the attack on Ahok in Jakarta has also led to the targeting of gay men and other LGBTI groups,” Professor Lindsey said.

“There is a real question as to whether Indonesia’s reputation for pluralism and tolerance can survive or whether society in Indonesia has significantly shifted as recent events suggest may be the case.”

Iffah Rochmah, from the hardline group Hizbhut Tahrir, told the ABC homosexuality is now “rampant” and “endemic” across the country.

“Some people are saying it’s inhumane,” she said of the caning of the gay men in Aceh.

“Inhumane according to whom? The perpetrators may think it’s a hefty punishment but what about the next possible victims?”

The Indonesian Government is trying to have Hizbhut Tahrir disallowed, in the first solid step against the rising conservatism.

Source: Gay men flogged in Aceh after vigilantes find them having sex – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Robin Millhouse, first Democrats MP and ‘maverick personality’, dies aged 87

Former maverick MP and Supreme Court judge Robin Millhouse is being remembered for his contribution to law reform in South Australia after dying at the age of 87.

Mr Millhouse was a member of State Parliament for more than 25 years before going on to a career as a judge first at home and then overseas.

One of the most colourful characters in South Australian legal and political circles, Mr Millhouse was Australia’s first Democrats MP.

He was also a devout Christian, a fitness fanatic, cycling enthusiast and ardent nudist.

Former SA Democrats leader Ian Gilfillan said Mr Millhouse was “one of the most remarkable and unusual people that you’d ever meet”.

“A remarkable friend and a remarkable individual with a maverick personality,” he said.

MORE HERE: Robin Millhouse, first Democrats MP and ‘maverick personality’, dies aged 87 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Moment plane lands on MOTORWAY in Barcelona