Historic India ruling legalises gay sex +++ Trump responds to anonymous NYT column

7. Oktober 2018, 02:00

Historic India ruling legalises gay sex

In an historic verdict, India's Supreme Court has ruled that gay sex is no longer a criminal offence in the country. A panel of judges said the law dating from British colonial times was unconstitutional and had been used to harass the gay community. Campaigners outside the court cheered and celebrated as the news was announced.

Trump responds to anonymous NYT column

President Trump has asked the New York Times to name the senior administration official who wrote an article for the newspaper saying that government colleagues were working to frustrate part of the president's agenda. In the column, the anonymous source said Trump's "impulsiveness" had led to ill-informed and reckless decisions. But it added that some of the president's attitudes and actions were being constrained by "adults in the room". Speaking at an event at the White House, Trump described the author as "gutless" and the New York Times as "phony": "we have somebody in what I call the failing New York Times that's talking about he's part of the resistance within the Trump administration. This is what we have to deal with - but it's really a disgrace."

London says Putin responsible for Salisbury attack

Britain's minister for security Ben Wallace says Russian President Vladimir Putin bears ultimate responsibility for a nerve agent attack on the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury earlier this year. Yesterday, British officials said the attack was carried out by two Russian military intelligence officers. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement.

Earthquake hits Japan's Hokkaido island

Japan's northern island of Hokkaido has been hit by a powerful earthquake which has triggered a series of landslides. Reports say at least 8 people have been killed and dozens are missing. 3 million people are also without electricity. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says extra assistance is being sent to the region: "the number of self-defence forces troops responding to the aftermath of the quake will be increased to 25,000 from the current 4,000. The government will do all it can in search and rescue efforts by mobilising members of the self-defence forces, police officers, firefighters and the coastguard."

North and South Korean leaders to meet

The South Korean authorities have confirmed that President Moon Jae-in will meet the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang later this month. Officials say they will discuss "practical measures" aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

The weather

Sunny in the north and east. Elsewhere cloudy with thundery showers. Highs will be ranging between 19 and 27 degrees.

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