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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALANDUKNORTH AMERICA

Democrats pass funding plan

On their first day in the majority, House Democrats passed a plan to re-open the government without funding President Donald Trump’s promised border wall. The largely party-line votes came after Trump made a surprise appearance at the White House briefing room pledging to keep up the fight for his signature campaign promise.

Truck crash, fire kills seven

Two big rigs and two passenger vehicles collided and spilled diesel fuel across a Florida highway, sparking a massive fire that killed seven people, authorities said. The wreck happened on Interstate 75 about a mile (1.6 kilometers) south of Alachua, near Gainesville. The flames were fed by about 50 gallons (189 liters) of diesel, authorities said. Several others were taken to the hospital, some with critical injuries, it was reported.

Build issues found in tower

A number of design and construction issues have been confirmed in Sydney’s cracked Opal Tower by an independent investigation into the building’s faults. An interim briefing by two engineering experts, commissioned by the state government, has identified a number of problems in the Sydney Olympic Park tower. The tower was evacuated on Christmas Eve after cracks were found in the structure.

Tory members back no-deal plan

Theresa May’s bid to get Tory MPs to back her Brexit plan suffered a set-back as a new poll showed more than half of Conservative Party members prefer a no-deal withdrawal. In a three-way choice, 57 per cent of grassroots Tories said they would support leaving the EU without an agreement, while 23% would back the Prime Minister’s deal and 15 per cent would choose to remain. A total of five per cent had no preference.

New airport tech to fight drones

Anti-drone technology will be deployed at Gatwick and Heathrow airports in response to disruption caused by the flying machines in the run-up to Christmas. Both airports are investing millions in equipment to prevent future flight disruption. A spokeswoman for Gatwick said the airport had spent several million pounds on new defences after flights were grounded at the airport last month.

Warning after risky campfire

The Department of Conservation says a fire that was lit on an island near Auckland with a total fire ban could have had “devastating consequences”. It said remains of a campfire and signs of a tent pitched on Pokohinu Island, also known as Burgess Island, was reported to DOC earlier this week. The department’s Great Barrier Island operations manager, George Taylor, said people needed to follow the rules.

YOUr DAIlY TOP 12 STOrIES FrOM FRANK NEWS

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALANDUKREST OF THE WORLD

North Korean envoy vanishes

north Korea’s top diplomat in Italy has gone into hiding along with his wife, according to a South Korean lawmaker, raising the possibility of a defection of a senior north Korean official. The news came from South Korea’s spy agency, which briefed lawmakers in Seoul on the status of north Korea’s acting ambassador to Italy, Jo Song Gil. It said he went into hiding with his wife in before his posting to Italy ended late that month.

Rover explores moon’s far side

A Chinese lunar rover began exploring the terrain in the world’s first mission on the surface of the far side of the moon. Jade rabbit 2 drove off a ramp and onto the soft, snow-like surface after a Chinese spacecraft made the first-ever soft landing on the moon’s far side. A photo posted online by China’s space agency showed tracks left by the rover as it headed away from the spacecraft.

Fuel tanker erupts into flames

It took 100 firefighters hours to bring a roadside inferno under control after a fuel tanker burst into flames on the side of a motorway near Wollongong. The truck was carrying 36,000 litres of fuel along the M1 Princes Motorway west of Wollongong when it caught fire. About 20 emergency crews converged on the scene to douse the flaming vehicle with foam, a Fire and rescue nSW spokeswoman said.

Navy ship patrols Channel

A royal navy vessel has been deployed to patrol the Straits of Dover amid concern about refugees crossing the English Channel. The move follows a request from Home Secretary Sajid Javid for naval support in dealing with the situation. Sending HMS Mersey to patrol the Channel marks a significant escalation of the response to the migration issue.

Hunt: IS ‘far from defeated’

Syrian president Bashar Assad will remain in power “for a while” due to russian backing, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said. Acknowledging that Moscow believed it had gained a new sphere of influence in the region, Hunt said Moscow must take responsibility for securing peace. “I think you know the British longstanding position is that we won’t have lasting peace in Syria with that regime,” he said.

Seamless facilities key to success

The group that successfully lobbied for a commuter train service from Hamilton to Auckland says there are several aspects that are key to its success. A five-year trial is expected to start in early 2020 and cost $78.2 million. The government, through the Transport Agency will contribute $68.4 million and local authorities; Waikato regional, Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils will pay $9.8 million.

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

NORTH AMERICA

Flames engulf vehicles after a fiery crash along Interstate 75 in Florida. - AP

Truck crash, fuel fire leaves seven deadTwo big rigs and two passenger vehicles collided and spilled diesel fuel across a Florida highway, sparking a massive fire that killed seven people, authorities said.

The wreck happened on Interstate 75 about a mile (1.6 kilometers) south of Alachua, near Gainesville. The flames were fed by about 50 gallons (189 liters) of diesel, authorities said.

Several others were taken to the hospital, some with critical injuries, the Gainesville Sun reported. Authorities initially said six had died but revealed a seventh victim had perished.

Emergency crews extinguished the fire and said they were treating the crash as a homicide investigation. The fire was so intense that authorities said it damaged parts of the road.

A spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol said that their top priorities were to conduct a thorough investigation and to identify the deceased victims.

“There’s going to be families that need to be notified that their loves ones have perished,” said lieutenant P.V. riordan.

The aftermath closed part of the highway in both directions, causing massive delays.

The crash was in the northbound lanes, but southbound lanes were closed for hours to keep a route open for first responders, according to a tweet from the Alachua County Sherriff’s office, which said the emergency “required all hands on deck.”

Debris including personal property and vehicle parts was scattered across the road, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

A helicopter arrived to search for any victims who may have been in nearby woods. ■

Speaker of the House nancy Pelosi. - AP

NORTH AMERICA

Dems pass funding plan without wallOn their first day in the majority, House Democrats passed a plan to re-open the government without funding President Donald Trump’s promised border wall.

The largely party-line votes came after Trump made a surprise appearance at the White House briefing room pledging to keep up the fight for his signature campaign promise.

House Speaker nancy Pelosi said Trump and Senate republicans should “take yes for an answer” and approve the border bill, which was virtually identical to a plan the Senate adopted on a voice vote last month.

“We’re not doing a wall. Does anyone have any doubt that we’re not doing a wall?” Pelosi said.

Pelosi, who was elected speaker earlier, also took a shot a Trump, calling his proposal “a wall between reality and his constituents.”

Trump strode into the White House briefing room – the 13th day of the partial government shutdown – and declared that “without a wall you cannot have border security.” He then left without taking questions from reporters.

The appearance came hours after the new Congress convened, with Democrats taking majority control of the House and returning Pelosi to the speakership after eight years of GOP control. The Democratic legislation to re-open the government without funding the wall is going nowhere in the Senate, where republicans want Trump’s endorsement before voting on a funding package.

Trump is demanding billions of dollars to build his wall along the US border with Mexico, which the Democrats have refused.

Asked if she would give Trump $1 for a wall to reopen the government, Pelosi said: “One dollar? Yeah, one dollar. The fact is a wall is an immorality. It’s not who we are as a nation.”

Congressional leaders from both parties met with Trump at the White House, but failed to make progress during their first sit-down in weeks. The White House has invited the leaders back for another round of talks that officials have suggested might be more successful. ■

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

UK

Anti-drone technology installed at Gatwick Airport during recent closures. - PA

Airports invest in anti-drone technologyAnti-drone technology will be deployed at Gatwick and Heathrow airports in response to disruption caused by the flying machines in the run-up to Christmas.

Both airports are investing millions in equipment to prevent future flight disruption.

A spokeswoman for Gatwick said the airport had spent several million pounds on new defences after flights were grounded at the airport last month.

Between December 19 and 21, Gatwick Airport was repeatedly forced to close due to reported drone sightings, causing mass disruption to passengers, with about 1000 flights affected.

The Army were brought in to help deal with the travel chaos.A spokesman for Heathrow said they would also be investing

millions in anti-drone technology, adding: “The safety of our passengers and colleagues remains our top priority.

“Working closely with relevant authorities including the Met Police, we are constantly looking at the best technologies that help remove the threat of drones.”

The Israeli-developed Drone Dome system is believed to be among the technology used at the airport by the Army.

The anti-drone equipment can detect and jam communications between a drone and its operator and was deployed on a roof at Gatwick.

The system, which is said to have a range of several miles, uses four radars to give 360-degree detection in order to identify and track targets.

Gatwick and Heathrow have not disclosed the specific equipment they plan to deploy to counter the threat posed by drones. ■

- PA

UK

Tory members support no-deal Brexit planTheresa May’s bid to get Tory MPs to back her Brexit plan suffered a set-back as a new poll showed more than half of Conservative Party members prefer a no-deal withdrawal.

In a three-way choice, 57 per cent of grassroots Tories said they would support leaving the EU without an agreement, while 23 per cent would back the Prime Minister’s deal and 15 per cent would choose to remain. A total of five per cent had no preference.

A two-way referendum would see 29 per cent of Tory members endorse the PM’s stance, with 64 per cent voting for a no-deal Brexit, according to the YouGov poll funded by Economic and Social research Council.

The overwhelming rejection of May’s deal shown in the survey comes at a crucial time for the PM as she faces a crunch Commons vote on her plans.

After May suddenly pulled a vote on the Withdrawal Agreement in December because it faced a significant defeat, MPs are to begin debating the proposals again next Wednesday with a vote scheduled for the following week.

The poll findings came as May’s Brexit agenda was hit by a series of blows.

DUP deputy leader nigel Dodds insisted his party’s opposition to Irish border backstop proposals had not lessened after a meeting with the Prime Minister.

Dodds said: “The Withdrawal Agreement, as currently proposed, flies in the face of the Government’s commitments on northern Ireland as we leave the EU.”

However, Irish Taoiseach leo Varadkar insisted there could be no changes to the backstop, which is intended to prevent a hard border in Ireland by ensuring the UK abides by EU customs rules if no trade deal is agreed by the end of a Brexit transition period.

Varadkar said he had spoken to German chancellor Angela Merkel by telephone and the two leaders agreed to “stand by” the Brexit deal. ■

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND

- Moodboard

Island campfire ‘could have been devastating’The Department of Conservation says a fire that was lit on an island near Auckland with a total fire ban could have had “devastating consequences”.

It said remains of a campfire and signs of a tent pitched on Pokohinu Island, also known as Burgess Island, was reported to DOC earlier this week.

The department’s Great Barrier Island operations manager, George Taylor, said people needed to follow the rules.

“Burgess Island is one of the Mokohinau Islands that are significant for seabird and skink populations,” he said.

“Fire is a serious threat to these and other wildlife and plants, many of which on the island could have been wiped out if the fire got out of control.”

Taylor said fires and camping were not allowed on the island.The fire risk was currently high and the campfire could have

easily spread, he said.The Mokohinau Islands lie 100km north-east of Auckland city

and Pokohinu Island is the only one that can be freely visited.Permits are required to land on the other islands. ■

The Opal Tower at Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney. - AAP

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND

Design, build issues found in Sydney towerA number of design and construction issues have been confirmed in Sydney’s cracked Opal Tower by an independent investigation into the building’s faults.

An interim briefing by two engineering experts, commissioned by the state government, has identified a number of problems in the Sydney Olympic Park tower.

The tower was evacuated on Christmas Eve after cracks were found in the structure with residents still shut out of their apartments as investigations continue.

In a statement issued by the planning minister’s office, Professors Mark Hoffman and John Carter said they had identified issues that would require further investigation.

The preliminary investigation found no evidence of any issues with the foundations of the building.

“We are now able to focus our attention on these key areas to determine what has caused the issues,” the engineering experts said.

“We have also met with the engineers working on these matters and those who are working on the rectification proposals.”

Earlier, the nSW premier “wholeheartedly” encouraged residents to explore their legal options as some consider a class action against whoever’s responsible for the building’s faults.

Gladys Berejiklian said those found responsible for the debacle should be held accountable.

“Absolutely, I think residents should exercise every right, every legal opportunity they have, I would if I was in their shoes,” she said.

Shine lawyers class-action specialist Jan Saddler said the firm has held talks with some residents who are anxious about the state of their investment.

“It would, at a very high level at least, look like there would be grounds or the basis for bringing a class action in this particular case subject of course to what is discovered,” Saddler said. ■

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

REST Of THE WORLD

China’s lunar rover leaves wheel marks after leaving the lander that touched down on the

surgace of the far side of the moon. - AP

China’s lunar rover explores moon’s far sideA Chinese lunar rover began exploring the terrain in the world’s first mission on the surface of the far side of the moon.

Jade rabbit 2 drove off a ramp and onto the soft, snow-like surface after a Chinese spacecraft made the first-ever soft landing on the moon’s far side. A photo posted online by China’s space agency showed tracks left by the rover as it headed away from the spacecraft.

“It’s a small step for the rover, but one giant leap for the Chinese nation,” Wu Weiren, the chief designer of the lunar Exploration Project said, in a twist of US astronaut neil Armstrong’s famous comment when he became the first human to walk on the moon in 1969.

Previous moon landings, including America’s six manned missions from 1969 to 1972, have been on the near side of the moon, which faces Earth. The far side has been observed many times from lunar orbits, but never explored on the surface.

China’s space community is taking pride in the successful landing, which posed technical challenges because the moon blocks direct communication between the spacecraft and its controllers on Earth. China has been trying to catch up with the United States and other nations in space exploration.

“The landing on the far side shows China’s technology is powerful,” said He Qisong, a space expert at the East China University of Science and law in Shanghai.

While China’s space program still lags America’s, He said “China has already positioned itself at least as good as russia and the European Union”.

The news cheered people on the streets of Beijing, many of whom said it showed that China can now achieve or even surpass what the United States has done.

“I think it has huge groundbreaking significance for our country, in the space industry and related industries, as well as research and possible exploration of the moon in the future,” businessman Zheng Xu said. ■

The flag of north Korea waves inside the compound of the north Korean embassy in

rome, Italy. - AP

REST Of THE WORLD

North Korean envoy to Italy disappearsNorth Korea’s top diplomat in Italy has gone into hiding along with his wife, according to a South Korean lawmaker, raising the possibility of a defection of a senior North Korean official.

The news came from South Korea’s spy agency, which briefed lawmakers in Seoul on the status of north Korea’s acting ambassador to Italy, Jo Song Gil. It said he went into hiding with his wife in november before his posting to Italy ended late that month.

A high-profile defection by one of north Korea’s elite would be an embarrassment for leader Kim Jong Un as he pursues diplomacy with Seoul and Washington and seeks to portray himself as a geopolitical player.

South Korean lawmaker Kim Min-ki said an official from Seoul’s national Intelligence Service shared the information during a closed-door briefing. Kim did not say whether the spy agency revealed anything about Jo’s current whereabouts or whether he had plans to defect to South Korea.

Kim said the nIS said it has not been contacted by Jo.According to Kim, the nIS official said Jo and his wife left the

official residence in early november, weeks before his term was to end. Kim said he couldn’t confirm if the nIS official revealed whether Jo and his wife were accompanied by any children. The nIS earlier said it couldn’t confirm a South Korean media report that Jo was under Italian government protection as he seeks asylum in a Western nation.

north Korea has not yet commented on Jo’s status.An official with the Italian Foreign Ministry said that Jo

hadn’t requested asylum from Italy. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with standard practice, also said Jo no longer held diplomatic status in Italy, presumably since his assignment had ended.

north Korea is extremely sensitive about defections, especially among its elite diplomatic corps, and has previously insisted that they are South Korean or US plots to undermine its government. ■

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

UK

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. - AP

Hunt insits IS are ‘far from defeated’Syrian president Bashar Assad will remain in power “for a while” due to Russian backing, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.

Acknowledging that Moscow believed it had gained a new sphere of influence in the region, Hunt said Moscow must take responsibility for securing peace.

The Foreign Secretary said: “I think you know the British longstanding position is that we won’t have lasting peace in Syria with that regime.

“But, regretfully, we do think he’s going to be around for a while and that is because of the support that he’s had from russia.”

The Foreign Secretary said Moscow needed to help build a real peace in Syria which has been torn apart by civil war since 2011.

He said: “russia may think that it’s gained a sphere of influence. What we would say to them is yes, and you’ve also gained a responsibility.

“And if you’re going to be involved in Syria then you need to make sure that there really is peace in Syria.

“And that means making sure that president Assad does not use chemical weapons on his own people.”

The Foreign Secretary said president Assad had tightened his control and some countries would seek to end the diplomatic isolation of Syria.

“He’s been able to consolidate his position. There will be many people in Syria who are bitterly dispappointed, but that has been the outcome.

“But, if that is the outcome, then there are going to be countries that want to re-establish diplomatic ties.”

Hunt said the Islamic State group is “far from defeated” despite losing most of the land it held.

The Foreign Secretary said a solution needed to be found regarding what to do with Islamic State prisoners like Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh who are alleged to have been members of a brutal four-man cell in Syria and Iraq. ■

HMS Mersey, an offshore patrol vessel, leaves Portsmouth Harbour. - PA

UK

Navy ship patrols Channel for refugeesA Royal Navy vessel has been deployed to patrol the Straits of Dover amid concern about refugees crossing the English Channel.

The move follows a request from Home Secretary Sajid Javid for naval support in dealing with the situation.

Sending HMS Mersey to patrol the Channel marks a significant escalation of the response to the migration issue after Javid earlier announced the redeployment of two Border Force cutters from the Mediterranean.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “I can confirm that HMS Mersey will deploy to the Dover Straits to assist the UK Border Force and French authorities with their response to migrant crossings.

“The professionalism of the royal navy means the crew have been able to immediately divert from routine operations to help prevent migrants from making the dangerous journey across the Channel.”

Javid said: “My focus continues to be on protecting the UK border and preventing loss of life in the Channel.

“For these reasons, the Government has decided to deploy a navy vessel, HMS Mersey, to support our existing efforts.

“This will be an interim measure while the two Border Force cutters I have redeployed from abroad make their way back to UK waters.

“It is vital that we are working on all fronts to tackle this ongoing situation and I am grateful to Border Force and other agencies for the tireless work they have done in response to this activity.”

HMS Mersey, which left Portsmouth, is one of four royal navy river class patrol vessels.

It launched in June 2013, has a crew of around 45 sailors and a range of 7,800 sea miles, according to the royal navy website.

The cost of the offshore patrol vessel’s deployment will be met by the Home Office, a spokesperson said. ■

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January 4 (GMT) – January 5 (aEST), 2019

‘Seamless’ facilities key to successThe group that successfully lobbied for a commuter train service from Hamilton to Auckland says there are several aspects that are key to its success.

A five-year trial is expected to start in early 2020 and cost $78.2 million.

The government, through the Transport Agency will contribute $68.4 million and local authorities; Waikato regional, Hamilton City and Waikato District Councils will pay $9.8 million.

The service will start in Hamilton and end at Papakura where passengers will change to Auckland city trains.

The rail Opportunity network (TrOn) spokesperson Susan Trodden said it was important the message got out on why it would be important to use the train.

“Those concepts of health and safety, productivity, the ability to get from one place to another without having to negotiate a transport system on motorways when the roads ae getting more clogged then I think that will be key to a success,” Trodden said.

She said she felt the service would start with a flurry of interested people.

“There will be some people who will say ‘no this doesn’t work for me’.”

Trodden said it was important that things around the edges were done well.

“Marketed well, facilities available to people on the train are good quality that the ticketing system is simple and seamless.”

Trodden said she believed there were many people in leadership roles who were committed to making the service a success.

“A five-year commitment to the project is longer than we expected and shows leadership and a realistic time commitment to get the service going really, really well.” ■

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND

The northerner train at Hamilton train station. Photo: rnZ / Andrew McCrae

Fuel tanker burts into flames on highwayIt took 100 firefighters hours to bring a roadside inferno under control after a fuel tanker burst into flames on the side of a motorway near Wollongong.

The truck was carrying 36,000 litres of fuel along the M1 Princes Motorway west of Wollongong when it caught fire.

About 20 emergency crews converged on the scene to douse the flaming vehicle with foam, a Fire and rescue nSW spokeswoman said.

The 44-year-old male driver, the only occupant of the truck, was able to escape unharmed as homes around the fire were evacuated.

Crews battled to keep the blaze within containment lines as the fireball repeatedly flared up, with fuel spilling onto the roadway and into drains.

Firefighters later achieved a “significant fire knockdown”, FrnSW said.

Acting Superintendent Kevin Mcneil said it was potentially a “very dangerous situation” on a major roadway busy with school holiday traffic.

“A fuel tanker full of fuel could have caused extreme damage,” he said.

The fire appeared to have started in the truck’s cabin but it’s unlikely the driver will be charged, Mcneil said.

“We’re investigating the matter at the moment but it is unlikely anything the driver has done has caused this fire.”

Hazmat crews are expected to remain on the scene to help decant the remaining fuel from the vehicle and keep it from flowing into drains.

The M1’s northbound lanes are expected to reopen shortly, but the southbound lanes will remain closed as emergency services work to clear the road.

Images posted on social media show massive flames erupting from the tanker parked on the side of the road. ■

- AAP

AUSTRALIA + NEW ZEALAND