This was published 7 years ago
Russian Ambassador to Turkey assassinated in Ankara
Every Monday to Friday I'll be delivering a personally-curated newsletter. Call it the double espresso of news – the morning news kickstart for busy people who want to know what they need to know before they get going.
By Latika Bourke
1. Russian Ambassador shot dead in Turkey
Russia's Ambassador to Turkey was shot and killed in an attack while attending an art exhibition in Ankara. The attacker reportedly shouted "Allah Akbar! Do not forget Aleppo! Do not forget Syria! Do not forget Aleppo! Do not forget Syria! As long as our lands are not safe, you will not be safe!" [Fairfax]
Russia considers the killing a terrorist attack and has declared the attackers will be punished and vowed to raise the killing at the United Nations Security Council. [Russian Tass news agency]
Local media reported between 15-20 shots were heard. [The Hürriyet Daily News]
AP said this photo, taken seconds before the Ambassador's death, shows his assassin behind him.
A man with a gun shouts inside the Ankara gallery as Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov lies on the ground.Credit: AP
The man behind Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov is believed to have pulled out a gun seconds after this photo was taken.Credit: AP
Andrei Karlov had not begun delivering his speech at the opening of the Russia in the eyes of Turks, said Russia Today.
Earlier the United Nations Security council ended up voting unanimously in favour of sending UN staff to monitor the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo. [CNN]
The seven-year old girl who has been tweeting from the besieged city has been evacuated safely after her account went silent over the last few days. [Ben Hubbard/The New York Times]
A Turkish NGO tweeted the news of Bana Alabed's rescue.
2. Lagarde convicted
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. Credit: FRANCOIS MORI
Christine Lagarde has been found guilty of criminal charges relating to her time as France's finance minister. [The New York Times] Good explainer here on the exact charges, the court she was tried in and why she has avoided any punishment. [BBC]
But the verdict is a shock and likely to destabilise the International Monetary Fund, which Lagarde leads. The French government says it still has confidence in Lagarde who may appeal the verdict. [BBC]
Lagarde was appointed to the post after the 2011 sexual assault scandal which engulfed her predecessor Dominique Strauss-Khan (also a former French finance minister).
3. I've never asked a PM for anything, says Murdoch
News Corporation executive chairman Rupert Murdoch. Credit: AP
Rupert Murdoch has sent a Letter to the Editor of The Guardian, decrying "fake news about me," insisting he has never asked a Prime MInister for anything. [Read]
He was referring to a quote originally reported by London's Evening Standard where the reporter wrote "I once asked Rupert Murdoch why he was so opposed to the European Union. "That's easy," he replied. "When I go into Downing Street they do what I say; when I go to Brussels they take no notice." [Anthony Hilton]
This has subsequently been re-reported, or churned, repeatedly by other outlets prompting Murdoch's letter to the Guardian. [Robert Booth]
It comes ahead of the British government's decision on Murdoch's takeover attempt of Britain's Sky News Network.
4. Trump
The US electoral college is expected to formally endorse Donald Trump's election as President of the United States.
The Electoral College has never denied the outcome of a US election before and many Democrats are tempted for 2016's shock result to be a first.
But Barack Obama's former strategist David Axelrod says that would be "destructive." [The Hill]
5. Australian politics
The silly season is well and truly upon us so there's not too much around in federal politics.
Big shake up of copyright laws looming, reports Peter Martin. [The Age]
Treasurer Scott Morrison has pulled out savings from the fiscal equivalent of the back of the couch.Credit: Andrew Meares
The story out of MYEFO (the alphabet soup name for the budget update) is less that the ratings agencies didn't downgrade Australia's credit rating on the spot but that Treasury has chosen to be cautious with its forecasts. [Jacob Greber/Financial Review]
This could mean Treasury doesn't want to tell the government how much revenue it might really expect (because they'll spend it!) and could lead to a delayed boost to the budget bottom line if commodity prices stay stronger.
Saving the best for last, don't miss this excellent read from Stephanie Peatling on the shameful story that is Australia's donation disclosure laws. It's cracking! [Fairfax]
6. Lion
As you may know I am adopted. My book From India With Love was released last year (hint hint if you are looking for a late emergency Christmas present...) [Amazon]
Anyway, the point of today's Number Six is not shameless self-promotion but as a link to Saroo Brierley's story. As I gradually told my circle of friends and associates that I was writing my book there were a few stock-standard responses, including: "have you read the story of the Tasmanian guy who was adopted from India and tracked down his biological mother using Google Earth."
When this was first mentioned to me I had not but I soon found out Saroo Brierley's story had a huge momentum in Australia and in India - deservedly so.
His story has been made into a movie featuring Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel. When one of my Twitter followers sent the trailer to me two weeks ago he said the opening line was a mirror of my book's own.
"Where are you from?...I'm adopted I'm not really any..."
Lion has had rave reviews. You may be wondering why you haven't seen much about it yet? That's because it is only just coming to Australia now, three months after debuting to huge acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival. [Gary Maddox/The Sydney Morning Herald]
Lion is now nominated for four Golden Globe awards including Best Motion Picture - Drama.
Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Saroo Brierley, Sue Brierley and John Brierley at the Australian premiere of LION in Sydney.Credit: Mark Metcalfe
Kidman (who has adopted children) is up for a gong in the category of Best Supporting Actress. Kidman describes her performance as a "love letter" to her children. [Sara Vilkomerson/Town&Country]
Of all my Number Sixes, after almost 12 months of Double Shot, this has been my favourite to write so far.
And that's it from me today, you can follow me on Facebook for more.