This was published 7 years ago
Berlin truck driver could still be on the run with main suspect released as police chief warns of further attacks
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. Berlin attacker may still be on the run
German police now think their suspect could still be on the run with the Pakistani migrant detained over the deadly truck attack denying involvement. [The Washington Post]
A few minutes ago that man was released due a lack of sufficient evidence. [CNN]
Police chief Holger Münch said Germany can expect "further significant attacks." [Lucy Pasha-Robinson/The Independent]
The attack on Berlin will change Germany, says Deutsche Welle's editor-in-chief. [Alexander Kudascheff]
German Chancellor Angela Merkel who has already been under intense pressure over her so-called "open-door refugee policy" said she was "horrified, shocked and deeply saddened" by the Nice-style attack. She vowed Germany would punish those responsible. [Watch]
Merkel is now more vulnerable than ever before as she heads into next year's elections. [Noah Barkin/Reuters]
2. Turkey
Turkish police have detained six people over the assassination of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan pledged to work even more closely to fight terrorism. The Ambassador's remains were flown home after a service at the airport in Ankara. [Reuters]
3. UN wants Duterte investigated
The United Nation's human rights chief wants Phillipines President Rodrigo Duterte's own claim - that he killed people while a regional mayor - investigated for murder. [ABC]
4. Australia's ridiculous copyright laws
Really good recap of the important report into Australia's counter-productive copyright laws and how they encourage rampant piracy among Australians by Peter Martin. [The Age]
Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull's fiscal fixes have worked until now but have reached their expiry date, argues Paul Kelly. [The Australian]
Has Malcolm Turnbull found a way to credibly attack Bill Shorten? Former Rudd and Gillard advisor Sean Kelly thinks so in another insightful column. [The Monthly]
5. May faces Brexit committee
Prime Minister Theresa May was grilled by MPs, including from her own side during a Parliamentary committee hearing. (Unlike in Australia British politics doesn't appear to slow down in the weeks before Christmas, with summer holidays in July/August rather than during the festive season.)
The master of saying little beyond the inane "Brexit means Brexit," May did reveal that MPs would not be given a final say on the deal Britain eventually negotiates with the EU to leave. [Anushka Asthana/The Guardian]
But it was Donald Trump's mate Nigel Farage stealing headlines in Britain today for his hugely insensitive comments about the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox.
Farage said Brendan Cox was close to political extremists citing Cox's support of an organisation called HOPE not Hate.
HOPE has threatened Farage with legal action. [Sky News Britain]
6. Queen Elizabeth to step back
Queen Elizabeth turned 90 this year and today Buckingham Palace announced she would be stepping down from 25 of her 600 patronages.
The Queen has also been conducting fewer public engagements, reports the BBC, down from 196 in 2014-15 to 177 in the past twelve months. Still, not a bad effort! [Peter Hunt]
And that's it from me today, you can follow me on Facebook for more.