The force that through the green fuse drives the flower / Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees / Is my destroyer. / And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose / My youth is bent by the same wintry fever¡¦.by Dylan Thomas
Zozibin 2019-12-13 (00:26) IP address :85.203.21.137
When Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe on Sunday, it marked the first time black women have simultaneously held the top titles of four major beauty pageants.
Media outlets jumped on the news and many on social media celebrated.
Some said that Ms Tunzi, Cheslie Kryst (Miss USA), Kaliegh Garris (Miss Teen USA) and Nia Franklin (Miss America) represent a new age for beauty pageants, one of diversity and inclusion. Ms Tunzi has been especially praised, with her dark black skin and short natural hair.
charges 2019-12-13 (00:18) IP address :85.203.21.137
What will Mr Weinstein face trial for?
Mr Weinstein's criminal trial is set to begin on 6 January in Manhattan.
He is accused of raping a woman in a hotel room in the New York borough in 2013, and of performing a forcible sex act on a second woman in 2006.
He denies the charges.
He also pleaded not guilty in August to two additional charges of predatory sexual assault over an alleged rape in 1993, although these cannot be prosecuted because of time limits.
groupsa 2019-12-13 (00:02) IP address :85.203.21.137
'Nobody was mixing up the blondes'
"My year was one of the largest groups of women of colour competing in Miss America," Ms Taveras said. "When you consider the history, just to be in that position is amazing."
But that led to it's own challenges. Ms Taveras said people would often mix up the contestants who were black.
still2 2019-12-12 (23:32) IP address :85.203.21.137
Film mogul Harvey Weinstein has reached a tentative $25m (¡Ì19m) settlement with dozens of women who have accused him of sexual misconduct, lawyers have said.
Some 30 actresses and ex-employees would share the payout in the deal.
However, it still needs signing off by all parties, Mr Weinstein's lawyers have not commented and some say the deal will punish those holding out.
Mr Weinstein faces a separate criminal trial next month on rape and sexual assault charges, which he denies.
The Hollywood producer could face life in jail if convicted.
alleged 2019-12-12 (23:29) IP address :85.203.21.137
What has the reaction been?
It has certainly been mixed.
Genie Harrison, a lawyer for one of the plaintiffs, told the New York Times: "I don't think there's a markedly better deal to be made."
She said other alleged victims who hold out could end up with nothing, and that they should "come forward and be able to get the best level of compensation we were able to get".
One plaintiff backing the deal, Louisette Geiss, told Associated Press (AP) news agency: "This settlement will ensure that all survivors have the chance for recovery and can move forward without Harvey's damaging lock on their careers."
protests 2019-12-12 (15:08) IP address :185.198.242.123
India's parliament has approved a bill that grants citizenship to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The bill passed the upper house of parliament by 125 votes to 105. It had already cleared the lower house.
The news came as protests against the bill raged in north-eastern states bordering Bangladesh. Troops were deployed in Tripura and police battled protesters in Assam's capital Guwahati.
normally 2019-12-12 (14:59) IP address :185.198.242.123
One Australian patient is being transported home by air ambulance, with others set to follow over the next 24-48 hours so they can be cared for nearer their families.
Local media has reported only five to 10 people donate skin in New Zealand each year.
And since each adult has about two sq m (22 sq ft) of skin, doctors have requested 120 sq m (1,300 sq ft) of skin from the US, where there are more tissue banks.
An initial skin graft normally lasts a couple of weeks. The idea is the body can begin to repair itself, but replacement grafts are often needed.
response 2019-12-12 (14:52) IP address :185.198.242.123
Tamil film superstar-turned-politician Kamal Haasan asked why the same courtesy was not being extended to Sri Lankan migrants from minority communities.
In parliament as well, a number of opposition parties and politicians have raised similar concerns.
Prominent Muslim MP Asaddudin Owaisi said it was "worse than Hitler's laws and a conspiracy to make Muslims stateless".
midnight 2019-12-12 (13:49) IP address :185.198.242.123