This was published 7 years ago
'We've lost a great star': British MP murdered while meeting constituents
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. British MP murdered
Jo Cox was holding an MP's "surgery," a quaint name for a public meeting with constituents, at the public library in Birstall near Leeds around lunchtime on Thursday, local time.
Eyewitnesses say as she left the library she intervened in a dispute between two men on the street. She was shot, possibly three times. An hour later she was declared dead. A 52-year old man has been arrested in relation to the incident. Police are treating this as a "lone activity" (ie. not organised terrorism). Our EU Correspondent Nick Miller reports.
Labour MP Jo Cox was attacked and killed overnight in the UK.Credit: AP
The Remain and Leave campaigns swiftly suspended their campaigns as MPs took to Twitter to express their shock. Prime Minister David Cameron called her a "bright star" with a "huge heart," pointing out her work campaigning for refugees and alluding to background in working for Oxfam and fighting modern slavery.
But it was the poignant, initially wordless tribute from her husband, that was utterly heartbreaking.
The US congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head meeting constituents in 2011, also responded to Jo Cox's killing on Twitter.
2. Democrats filibuster on gun control
Gun control dominated US politics again as Democrats filibustered in the Senate for almost 15 hours demanding action on gun control bills.
President Barack Obama and VP Joe Biden are due to visit Orlando and meet with victims' families within hours.
3. Election round-up
Both leaders were out to demonstrate unity last night.
Bill Shorten and wife Chloe during a vigil for victims of the Orlando shootings, at Federation Square in Melbourne.
Bill Shorten was at a vigil for the Orlando victims and Malcolm Turnbull broke bread with Muslims, including the Gold Logie winner Waleed Aly, to celebrate the end of that night's Ramadan fast.
Malcolm Turnbull, pictured with Waleed Aly and his wife Susan Carland, at the Iftar dinner.Credit: Andrew Meares
But one of the guests - an Islamic preacher who has made anti-gay remarks - has attracted controversy to the event. Mr Turnbull has since condemned the preacher's statements on homosexuality as wrong and unacceptable.
In other news, the Greens have backed out of preferencing the Christian Democrats over a gay Liberal candidate in Sydney.
4. Indonesia fires at asylum boat
The Sri Lankan women disembark the boat against the orders of the Indonesian authorities.Credit: Fadly
From our correspondent in Jakarta, Jewel Topsfield, who reports Indonesian police have fired a warning shot at five Sri Lankan women who disembarked their boat which has been stranded off Aceh since June 11.
The five are part of a group of 44 women who claimed to be on en route to Australia when they suffered engine trouble. Indonesian authorities say they'll conduct their own turnback once conditions calm down.
5. Egypt Air black box found
Personal belongings and other wreckage from EgyptAir flight 804 in Egypt. (Egyptian Armed Forces via AP, File)Credit: Egyptian Armed Forces
We are closer to finding out what happened to flight MS804 with search crews finally locating the wreckage and black box.
6. More cattle cruelty
More distressing footage has emerged of what appears to abuse of Australian live cattle being slaughtered in Vietnamese abattoirs. Interesting to note that Animals Australia, who obtained the footage, say it is the second time they have gathered such images. Last time they took it straight to the industry but got no response.
That's it for today, you can follow me on Facebook for more.