Alex Pullin: Australian world-champion snowboarder dies

Two-time world champion snowboarder Alex Pullin has died while spearfishing in his native Australia, local officials have confirmed.

Pullin, 32, was found unresponsive off a beach on Queensland's Gold Coast on Wednesday.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be revived, authorities said.

Nicknamed "Chumpy", Pullin was Australia's flagbearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said: "The man was spearfishing off Palm Beach. He was brought to shore by bystanders where he was treated by local lifesavers and paramedics."

A snorkeller had spotted Pullin unconscious underwater on an artificial reef, local media said.

Lifeguards brought him to shore and called paramedics about 10:30 local time (00:30 GMT).

The athlete had previously shared pictures online of himself spearfishing, swimming and surfing.

The sport's Australian peak body, Snow Australia, said it was "shocked and saddened" by Pullin's death, leading tributes from fans and others.

"Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed," it said in a statement.

Pullin's represented Australia in snowboard cross at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympics.

The United States is 'looking at' banning TikTok and other Chinese social media apps, Pompeo says

Hong Kong/Washington (CNN Business) The United States is "looking at" banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday.

Pompeo suggested the possible move during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham, adding that "we're taking this very seriously."

Pompeo was asked by Ingraham whether the United States should be considering a ban on Chinese social media apps, "especially TikTok."

"With respect to Chinese apps on people's cell phones, I can assure you the United States will get this one right too, Laura," he said. "I don't want to get out in front of the President [Donald Trump], but it's something we're looking at."

Washington's top diplomat added that people should only download the app "if you want your private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist Party."

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request from CNN Business for comment.

Pompeo's remarks come during a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China, which have spilled over into several arenas including national security, trade and technology.

TikTok — which is owned by Beijing-based startup Byte Dance — has been repeatedly criticized by US politicians who accused the short-form video app of being a threat to national security because of its ties to China. They allege that the company could be compelled to "support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party."

TikTok has said previously that it operates separately from Byte Dance. It says its data centers are located entirely outside of China, and that none of that data is subject to Chinese law. US user data is stored in the United States, with a backup in Singapore, according to TikTok. A spokesperson for the company told CNN Business in May that it thinks the national security concerns are "unfounded."

TikTok has exploded in popularity in the United States and other western countries, becoming the first Chinese social media platform to gain significant traction with users outside of its home country. It was downloaded 315 million times in the first three months of this year, more quarterly downloads than any other app in history, according to analytics company Sensor Tower.

This is a developing story and will be updated. Sherisse Pham contributed reporting.

Hong Kong: US passes sanctions as nations condemn new law

The US House of Representatives has approved new Hong Kong-related sanctions, after Beijing imposed a security law that was condemned by countries around the world.

The measure, which was passed unanimously, penalises banks that do business with Chinese officials.

It will have to be approved by the Senate before going to President Trump.

Critics say China's law ends freedoms that were guaranteed for 50 years when British rule ended in 1997.

"The law is a brutal, sweeping crackdown against the people of Hong Kong, intended to destroy the freedoms they were promised," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the passing of the law was a "clear and serious breach" of the 1985 Sino-British joint declaration.

• Why people are scared of Hong Kong's new law

Under this declaration, Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, with certain freedoms guaranteed for at least 50 years under the "one country, two systems" agreement.

The UK has offered residency, and then citizenship, to up to three million Hong Kongers.

But on Thursday China threatened "corresponding measures" to block the citizenship plan.

"If the British side makes unilateral changes to the relevant practice, it will breach its own position and pledges, as well as international law and basic norms," said the Chinese Embassy in the UK.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old man from Hong Kong - suspected of stabbing a police officer during Wednesday's protests - has been arrested on a plane while trying to flee to London.

The suspect, known only as Mr Wong, was detained on the plane moments before it set off.

• UK asylum for ex-consulate worker 'tortured in China'

China said the security law was necessary to stop the type of protests seen in Hong Kong during much of 2019.

And despite condemnation in the West, more than 50 countries, led by Cuba, supported China at the UN this week.

What does the US law say?

The Hong Kong Autonomy Act imposes sanctions on banks that do business with Chinese officials who are involved in cracking down on pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

Ms Pelosi said the law was an "urgently needed response to [China's passing] of its so-called 'national security' law... which is purpose built to dismantle democratic freedoms in Hong Kong".

• What if the US removes Hong Kong's special status?
• US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese officials

Before the bill was signed, the US had already began eliminating Hong Kong's special status - halting defence exports and restricting the territory's access to high-technology products.

Last year, the US had also signed into law the Human Rights and Democracy Act, supporting pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.

What have other countries said?

The UK said it will offer up to three million Hong Kong residents the chance to settle there and ultimately apply for full British citizenship.

Australia is also "actively considering" offering safe haven to Hong Kong residents - with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying there were proposals that will "soon be considered by cabinet".

Japan was among the other countries that spoke out against the law, calling it "regrettable".

"It will undermine trust for the principle of 'one country, two systems'" said Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

European Council President Charles Michel said it "deplored" the law - adding that it had a "detrimental effect on the independence of the judiciary and rule of law".

And Canada changed its travel advice to Hong Kong, saying the new law "increased the risk of arbitrary detention on national security grounds and possible extradition to mainland China".

Yesterday, a senior Chinese official slammed foreign critics, saying Hong Kong's affairs were "none of your business".

Have all countries been critical?

No. At the United Nations this week, Cuba - on behalf of 53 countries - welcomed the law.

Speaking at the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, it said: "Non-interference in internal affairs of sovereign states is an essential principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

"We believe every country has the right to safeguard its national security through legislation, and commend relevant steps taken for this purpose."

Hong Kong: 'Anti-protest' law kicks in as city marks handover

Hong Kong is marking 23 years since British rule ended as a new "anti-protest" law, imposed by Beijing, comes into effect. 

The national security law targets secession, subversion and terrorism with punishments up to life in prison.

Hong Kong was handed back to China from Britain in 1997, under an agreement supposed to protect certain freedoms for at least 50 years.

But critics say the law is the "end of Hong Kong", and stops those freedoms.

"[China] promised 50 years of freedom to the Hong Kong people, and gave them only 23," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

China's new law: Why is Hong Kong worried?

The city's leader, however, said the law would "restore stability" after widespread protests in 2019.

"The [new law] is considered the most important development in relations between the central government and Hong Kong since the handover," said Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

At the same time, a Chinese official bristled at foreign critics, asking them: "What's this got to do with you?"

"We Chinese will not be scared by anyone," said Zhang Xiaming of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs office of the State Council. "Gone are the days when we had to take cues from others."

Will there be mass protests on the anniversary?

A pro-democracy protest is held each year on the anniversary, typically attended by tens or hundreds of thousands of people.

But for the first time since the handover, authorities banned the march - citing a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people because of coronavirus.

Some activists have pledged to defy the ban and march later in the afternoon.

"We march every year... and we will keep on marching," pro-democracy activist Leung Kwok-hung told Reuters.

Photos on social media - confirmed by police as genuine - showed a flag being used to warn protesters about the new law.

One pro-democracy activist warned there was a "large chance of our being arrested".

"The charges will not be light, please judge for yourself," said Tsang Kin-shing of the League of Social Democrats.

Police officers in the city are on standby, insiders told the South China Morning Post. They said around 4,000 officers were poised to handle any unrest.

What does the new law say?

Under the new law, crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces are punishable by a minimum sentence of three years, with the maximum being life.

Protesters often targeted city infrastructure during the 2019 protests, and under the new law, damaging public transport facilities can be considered terrorism.

Beijing will also establish a new security office in Hong Kong, with its own law enforcement personnel - neither of which would come under the local authority's jurisdiction.

Inciting hatred of China's central government and Hong Kong's regional government are now offences under Article 29.

The law can also be broken from abroad by non-residents, under Article 38.

This could mean that foreigners could be arrested if they step into Hong Kong, if they are suspected of breaking the new law.

Some critics feared the law would apply retroactively - that is, to offences committed before the law was passed - but Mr Zhang said that would not be the case.

He added that suspects arrested in Hong Kong on charges of violating the law may be tried on the mainland.

Huge Nevada wildfire turns Las Vegas sky red in pictures

A wildfire raging in Mount Charleston, Nevada, has sent up a large plume of smoke visible from nearby Las Vegas.

The fire started as a 10-acre (four hectares; 0.04 sq km) brush fire on Sunday afternoon.

By the early evening local parks officials said it had engulfed about 5,000 acres (20 sq km).

Ray Johnson, US Forest Service fire prevention officer, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the wind was too strong for firefighters to work safely.

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The American Red Cross of Nevada has opened an evacuation centre in a local primary school for residents of Mount Charleston.

It is not known what caused the fire.

Pakistan attack: 'Gunmen killed' in raid on stock exchange in Karachi

Gunmen have attacked the Pakistani stock exchange in the southern city of Karachi, killing at least two people and injuring others, local media report.

The assailants stormed the exchange after launching a grenade attack at the main gate to the building.

Latest reports quote police saying officers have killed all four heavily armed gunmen and are combing the area.

Militants from the Baloch Liberation Army say they were behind the attack.

Ethnic Baloch groups have fought a long-running insurgency for a separate homeland and a greater share of resources in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

Pakistan has suffered years of militant violence, mostly by Islamist groups, but attacks such as this one have become rare in recent years.

'They opened fire on everyone'

Monday's attack began when the militants armed with automatic rifles threw a grenade and then began firing at a security post outside the stock exchange.

"They had come in a silver Corolla car," Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon later told Reuters.

Guards fought back, killing all four attackers, the authorities say, but police officers and security personnel are feared to be among the casualties.

It is not clear if more assailants were involved and a search of the premises is continuing. The Pakistan Stock Exchange said in a statement that the situation was "still unfolding".

Its director, Abid Ali Habib, said the gunmen made their way from the car park and "opened fire on everyone".

Reports say most people managed to escape or hide in locked rooms. Those inside the building were being evacuated from the back door, Geo TV reported.

The stock exchange has offices for hundreds of financial institutions and is situated in a high security zone along with head offices of banks and other businesses.

طیارہ حادثہ کی عبوری تحقیقاتی رپورٹ تیار، کسے ذمہ دار ٹھہرایا گیا؟ نجی ٹی وی چینل نے تہلکہ خیز دعویٰ کردیا

اسلام آباد(ڈیلی پاکستان آن لائن) طیارہ حادثہ کی عبوری تحقیقاتی رپورٹ تیار  کرلی گئی۔  نجی ٹی وی دنیا نیوز نے تہلکہ خیز دعویٰ کرتے ہوئے بتایا ہےکہ حادثے کا ذمہ دار ایئرٹریفک کنٹرولر اورکپتان کو قراردیا گیاہے۔

دنیا نیوز کے مطابق  طیارہ حادثہ کی عبوری تحقیقاتی رپورٹ تیارکرلی گئی ہے جس میں ایئر ٹریفک کنٹرولر اور کپتان کوحادثہ کا ذمہ دار قرار دیا گیاہے۔ رپورٹ میں حادثات کی روک  تھام کیلئےپی آئی اے اورسی اے اے کاطریقہ کاربھی ناکام قرار دے دیا گیا۔ طیارہ حادثہ میں پی آئی اے اور سی اے اے بھی ذمہ دارقرار  دیئے گئے ہیں۔

نجی ٹی وی کے مطابق رپورٹ میں کسی فنی خرابی کو خارج از امکان قرار نہیں دیا گیا ۔حادثہ کے شکار طیارے کےآلات اورسسٹمزکی جانچ کاکام جاری ہے۔ جب کہ ڈیٹا فلائٹ ریکارڈر،کاک پٹ وائس ریکارڈرکی معلومات بھی رپورٹ میں شامل  کی گئی ہیں اس کے علاوہ  پروازکاایئرٹریفک کنٹرول سےحاصل ریکارڈبھی رپورٹ شامل کیا گیاہے۔

خیال رہےجمعہ 22 مئی کو پاکستانی وقت کے مطابق دوپہر دو بج کر 25 منٹ پر لاہور سے کراچی آنے والا پی آئی اے کا طیارہ ایئربس اے 320 ہوائی اڈے کے قریب ماڈل کالونی کے قریب واقع جناح گارڈن نامی آبادی پرگر کر تباہ ہو گیا۔اس طیارے میں عملے کے آٹھ اراکین سمیت 99 افراد سوار تھے۔

سی ای او پی آئی اے ارشد ملک کے مطابق طیارہ محو پرواز تھا اور فائنل لینڈنگ کے لیے پائلٹ نے کنٹرول ٹاور کو اپروچ کیا اور آگاہ کیا کہ طیارہ لینڈنگ کے لیے مکمل طور پر تیار ہے۔انھوں نے بتایا کہ ایئر پورٹ پر آ کر طیارے نے 'گو اراؤنڈ' یعنی چکر کاٹنے کا فیصلہ کیا اور اس دوران ان کے ساتھ کچھ ہوا ہے۔ یہ تفصیلات بلیک باکس کی جانچ پڑتال پر ہی پتا چلیں گی۔

فلاحی تنظیم ایدھی فاؤنڈیشن کے سربراہ اور جائے وقوعہ پر سب سے پہلے پہنچنے والوں میں سے ایک فیصل ایدھی نے بی بی سی سے بات کرتے ہوئے بتایا کہ طیارے کو رن وے سے دو سے ڈھائی سو میٹر کے فاصلے پر حادثہ پیش آیا، جہاں یہ ایک گھر کی تیسری منزل پر بنی پانی کی ایک ٹنکی سے ٹکرایا اور 20 فٹ چوڑی گلی میں گھس گیا۔

India-China clash: Two sides blame each other for deadly fighting

China and India have accused each other of provoking fighting in which at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a disputed Himalayan border area.

Soldiers reportedly brawled with sticks, bats and bamboo sticks studded with nails in the late-night confrontation in the Ladakh region on Monday.

 However, no shots were fired.

 India's army said that both sides suffered casualties. China confirmed the incident but did not give details.

 The Indian statement notes that injured soldiers were "exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain".

An extraordinary escalation 'with rocks and clubs'

It is the first deadly clash between the two sides in the border area, in the disputed Kashmir region, in at least 45 years.

India said China had tried to "unilaterally change the status quo". Beijing accused Indian troops of "attacking Chinese personnel".

The two armies later held talks to try to defuse tensions.

What happened?

The fighting occurred in the precipitous, rocky terrain of the strategically important Galwan Valley, which lies between China's Tibet and India's Ladakh.

Indian media say soldiers engaged in direct hand-to-hand combat, with some "beaten to death". During the fight, one newspaper reported, others fell or were pushed into a river.

The Indian army initially said a colonel and two soldiers had died. It later said that "17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty" and died from their injuries, taking the "total that were killed in action to 20".

Both sides insist no bullet has been fired in four decades, and the Indian army said on Tuesday that "no shots were fired" in this latest skirmish.

India's foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said the clash arose from "an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo" on the border.

China did not confirm the number of casualties, but accused India in turn of crossing the border onto the Chinese side.

The clash has provoked protests in India, with people burning Chinese flags.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been under pressure to publicly address the issue, including from Rahul Gandhi, former leader of the opposition Indian National Congress party.

George Floyd's funeral hears calls for racial justice

The funeral of George Floyd, an African American whose death in police custody spawned global outrage, has heard impassioned pleas for racial justice.

Speakers in the church in Houston, Texas, lined up to remember a man whose "crime was that he was born black".

Mr Floyd died in Minneapolis last month as a white police officer held a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes, his final moments filmed on phones.

Four police officers involved have been sacked and charged over his death.

His coffin was taken from the church driven in a motorcade to the Houston Memorial Gardens where he was to be buried beside his mother.

One of Mr Floyd's nieces, Brooke Williams, called for a change in laws which, she argued, were designed to disadvantage black people. 

"Why must this system be corrupt and broken?" she asked. "Laws were already put in place for the African-American system to fail. And these laws need to be changed. No more hate crimes, please! Someone said 'Make America Great Again', but when has America ever been great?"

 Republican President Donald Trump's Democratic opponent in the November presidential election, Joe Biden, addressed the service in a video message, saying: "When there is justice for George Floyd, we will truly be on our way to racial justice in America."

Mr Biden has sharply criticised Mr Trump, accusing him at the weekend of making "despicable" speculative remarks about Mr Floyd.

But the Democratic politician was himself recently accused of taking black American votes for granted when he said African Americans "ain't black" if they even considered voting for Mr Trump.