Seeing who blocked you on twitter

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest last month jumped to the highest level since records began in 2015, according to government data. A total of 563 square kilometers (217.38 square miles) of the world's largest rainforest was destroyed in November, 103% more than in the same month last year, according to Brazil's space research agency. From January to November this year an area almost the size of the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico was destroyed — an 83% overall increase in destruction when compared with the same period last year. The figures were released on Friday by the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), and collected through the DETER database, which uses satellite images to monitor forest fires, forest destruction and other developments affecting the rainforest. Watch video 08:10 Share Brazil: Appetite for beef eats into rainforest Send Facebook Twitter google+ Whatsapp Tumblr linkedin stumble Digg reddit … [Read more...] about Amazon sees alarming rise in deforestation

21st Century Fox’s takeover of Sky should be blocked until allegations of sexual and racial harassment at Fox News have been resolved, according to a lawyer representing alleged victims in the US. Doug Wigdor said it was difficult for Ofcom, the UK media regulator, to determine whether Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox was a “fit and proper” owner of Sky without a full set of facts regarding the cases. He also called for 21st Century Fox to lift gagging orders on victims of harassment and discrimination at Fox News who reached a settlement with the company over the last decade. Wigdor, who is representing 21 current and former Fox News employees, held talks with Ofcom on Thursday about its review of 21st Century Fox’s acquisition of the 61% of Sky it does not already own. The regulator is also examining the deal on the grounds of media plurality and competition. Ofcom is scheduled to make a recommendation to the government by 20 June. Speaking to the … [Read more...] about Calls for Ofcom to block Sky takeover until Fox News cases are resolved

A Scottish judge has temporarily rejected calls to block Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament, in a blow to anti-Brexit campaigners. Lord Doherty said he would not rule definitively that the prime minister had the powers to ask the Queen to prorogue parliament until a full hearing of the case, which he brought forward to Tuesday next week. He rejected an application from lawyers acting for 75 anti-Brexit MPs and peers for an emergency interdict, or injunction, requiring Johnson to suspend the prorogation. In a surprise development, Aidan O’Neill QC, the lawyer acting for the MPs and peers, called in court for Johnson to provide a sworn affidavit under oath setting out why he needed to prorogue parliament. O’Neill also said he reserved the right to call Johnson to give evidence in court at a later date. Joanna Cherry QC, the Scottish National party MP who is leading the legal challenge, urged the prime minister to provide a statement. “Tell the court … [Read more...] about Scottish judge refuses to block Johnson proroguing parliament

You can have your banana and eat it too – for just $120,000. Well, if you think a banana is not worth that amount, no need to slip on a banana skin. But the fact that a banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $120,000 at Art Basel Miami Beach in the United States is no banana oil. The duct-taped banana artwork, titled Comedian, was sold from Emmanuel Perrotin’s gallery, which has branches in New York and Asian cities such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Seoul, last week. The artwork by Maurizio Cattelan was presented by Galerie Perrotin, a contemporary art gallery founded in Paris in 1990 which has had a long association with the Italian artist. The gallery, in fact, said more editions of the artwork have been selling, and Perrotin and Cattelan have agreed to increase the price to $150,000 after the second edition was sold and the third was delivered to a museum. Bananas are “a symbol of global trade, a double entendre, as well as a classic device for humor”, … [Read more...] about Let the banana oil flow and see art for what it’s not

“Do you remember the girl who did that thing with the stocking: she put it in her mouth and then pulled it out ... somewhere else?” asks former dancer Jo King. “And who was the girl with the snake? I remember she used to clear the pub. And Canadian Linda, who was the most graceful, fairy-like doll ... Then there was me, shouting at people if they didn’t put money in the jug!” It’s Saturday 30 July, and the White Horse strip pub in London’s Shoreditch is packed for its closing night. On the stage dancers sparkle, people cry, and three generations of landladies wave goodbye. “I’m going to miss it terribly,” says Sue Bristow, the pub’s outgoing boss. Behind the scenes, coins are counted from collection jars amid a clutter of flowers, cards and cake. It’s Legends Night, and dancers across the decades have come back to pay tribute. One woman’s parents are here; another has brought in old photos. At one point in … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a weird, sexy family’: priced-out London strip club bids a fond farewell