5: 

Earth-like world could be ‘most important planet found outside solar system’

A rocky Earth-sized planet that circles a small, nearby star could be the most important world ever found beyond the solar system, astronomers say.

The planet lies in the constellation of Vela in the southern sky and is close enough for telescopes to observe any atmosphere it has, a procedure that could help spot life on other planets in the future.

Named GJ 1132b, the alien world is about 16% larger than Earth, and at 39 light years distant, is three times closer than any other Earth-sized rocky planet yet found around another star. At that distance, it is hoped that telescopes will be able to make out the chemistry of its atmosphere, the speed of its winds and the colours of its sunsets.

The Guardian

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Bernie Sanders Joins Striking U.S. Capitol Workers

3: 

Australia accused of denying detainees medical care

Asylum seekers detained offshore are being denied access to urgent medical care in Australia because immigration officials fear they will access legal assistance otherwise unavailable to them, an alliance of health workers says.

The allegation comes from the group Doctors 4 Refugees that reviews medical cases at the request of refugees detained in offshore prisons on Nauru, Manus, and Christmas Island.

Despite a lack of medical equipment and expertise available locally, it is increasingly rare for detainees to be sent to Australia for treatment. 

“There’s a push to keep them away from Australia,” said Dr Barri Phatarfod, cofounder of the medical alliance. “The fear is that in Australia they may have access to legal assistance and the courts.”

2: 

New Zealand female MPs thrown out of parliament after disclosing sexual assaults

Several female MPs were ordered to leave the New Zealand parliament on Wednesday after their declarations that they had been victims of sexual assault were ruled out of order by the Speaker.

Opposition politicians had raised concerns in parliament over the detention of New Zealand citizens awaiting deportation after the Canberra government cancelled visas for those convicted of certain crimes.

Key went on a tirade after being questioned by Labour leader Andrew Little, telling Little “you back the rapists”, before being cut off by the Speaker, David Carter.

“Some of the [detainees] are rapists, some of them are child molesters, and some of them are murderers,” Key said.

“These are the people that the Labour party are saying are more important to support than New Zealanders who deserve protecting when they come back here.”

Key told Labour MP Kelvin Davis, who has said the detentions make a
mockery” of the Anzac relationship: “If you want to put yourself on the side of sex offenders, go ahead my son, but we’ll defend New Zealanders.”

An estimated three-quarters of Labour MPs walked out of parliament directly after Key’s comments on Tuesday, along with several Green members.

Key told the house and New Zealand media that he stood by his comments.

The Guardian 

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Second walk-out over PM’s comments

The furore this week has been prompted by acrimonious debate over the detention of New Zealanders by Australia in the detention centre on Christmas Island.

In Parliament yesterday, Mr Key deflected opposition accusations the government had been weak in its dealings with Australia by accusing Labour of “backing the rapists”.

Labour complained to Speaker of the House David Carter, calling Mr Key’s comments offensive, but Mr Carter refused to censure him and a large number of Labour and Green MPs staged a mass walk-out.

Today, several Labour and Green MPs left the Chamber before question time had even started in protest against the Prime Minister’s refusal to apologise for his comments.

RNZ