World news in brief
Nine pardoned Catalan leaders walk free from prison
Nine Catalan separatists pardoned by the Spanish government walked out of prison yesterday to cheers from supporters. The men left behind their lengthy terms for organising a bid four years ago to make Catalonia an independent republic. Spain’s Cabinet pardoned them on Tuesday in the hope of starting what the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, called a much-needed reconciliation in the country’s restive northeastern region.
Hong Kong protester pleads not guilty in first security law trial
The first person to stand trial under Hong Kong’s national security law pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism and inciting secession yesterday. Tong Ying-kit was arrested on 1 July last year, just a day after the controversial national security law came into effect. Mr Tong, 24, was accused of driving his motorcycle into a group of police officers during protests while bearing a flag with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times”. The slogan is now deemed illegal under the security law. Apart from charges of terrorism and inciting secession, he also faces an alternative charge of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm. Mr Tong has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
‘Napalm’ will not be used in Australia mouse plague
Despite fears Australia’s months-long mouse plague has already caused over $1bn in losses, deploying poison dubbed “napalm for mice” is not a solution, a government agency has said. Last month, the New South Wales government made an urgent application to use the controversial poison bromadiolone in the continuing battle against the millions of mice causing widespread agricultural devastation, and impacting people in the state. But the application has been rejected by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority due to safety and environmental concerns. The array of poisons already used to eradicate mice have harmed native species, including birds and fish.
Missing toddler found after two nights in Italian woods
A 21-month-old child has been found alive in the bottom of a ravine after spending two nights alone in woods near his home in Tuscany. The boy was found when a TV journalist heard his whimpers, emerging with a bump on his head and some scratches but in otherwise good condition. Nicola Tanturli had wandered away from his home in the Apennine mountains during the night on Monday, and was the subject of an intense round-the-clock search and Italian media coverage. Church bells
rang out in celebration in the town of Palazzuolo sul Senio, near Florence, when the boy was found, a mile from his home.
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