The European Union today revealed plans to redistribute 160,000 refugees from overstretched Middle Eastern border states through all EU member states.
Europe’s top official, Jean-Claude Juncker, said each member’s quota will be set taking into account economic strength, population, unemployment and the number of asylum applications approved over the past five years.“We now need immediate action,” Mr Juncker said. “We cannot leave Italy, Greece and Hungary to fare alone.” He also urged states not to discriminate according to creed, saying “There is no religion, there is no belief, there is no philosophy when it comes to refugees.”
Apple announces wide range of new products
Tech giant Apple has unveiled new iPhones, an iPad Pro and a new Apple TV. The iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus match the design of their predecessors but a new rose colour is added to the range. The phones get a faster A9 processor, a 12megapixel camera that shoots in 4K resolution, and a new technology named 3D touch. The iPad Pro is a comprehensive redesign of the iPad air with increased screen size and resolution, higher processing speed (1.8 times that of the iPad Air 2) and two new features – a special stylus and an add-on keyboard (sold separately). The Apple TV features a redesigned remote with touch pad and extra dedicated buttons, a dedicated app store and advanced voice controls. The new iPhone will cost from $1079 to $1229.
Rebels advance in Syria
Rebels aligned with the Al Nusra front, an off-shoot of al-Qaeda, took advantage of a severe sandstorm this week to seize a besieged air force base in the northern Idlib province from the Syrian Government, further weakening President Bashar al-Assad’s hold on the country. Earlier this week it was reported that ISIS forces had overrun the last oilfield that had remained under government control. The seesaw battle for control of the oilfields – Syria’s primary source of revenue – has been a feature of the war against Assad.
Surgeons face discrimination and sexual harassment
Bullying and sexual harassment are commonly inflicted on junior surgeons, according to a report commissioned by Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS.) Half of surgeons who responded to the survey, conducted by an independent researcher, reported some form of victimisation by senior surgeons.
Bullying was reported by 40 per cent of respondents, cultural discrimination by 20 per cent. One response read “They want you out of the country or they want you dead.” Sexual harassment was reported by 7 per cent of respondents, some of whom felt obliged to accept advances in order to receive tutelage. It was also widely suggested that making a complaint would be “career suicide”. The college is now formulating an action plan that will be implemented in November.
Meanwhile, another normal day…
Brisbane man Alan Vaarwerk felt obliged to share his outrage on Twitter this morning when he saw the home page of the Brisbane Times, a Fairfax news service in Brisbane. His cry of despair was picked up by at least one MP, Fiona Richardson, the Victorian Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence. Between the two of them they’d been retweeted just 390 times after 12 hours. Is that another cry of despair we hear… ?
– Compiled from web sources by Sion Weatherhead
Top photo is a UN High Commissioner for Refugees image from the frontline of the struggle to address the humanitarian crisis on Europe’s borders.
If you are able to help ease the plight of people displaced by the crisis in Syria, the UNHCR is accepting donations. The World Food Programme, the UN’s food aid agency, also struggles to feed the millions already living in crowded refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan. A fraction of the cost of the new iPhone could help feed some kids.
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