Local sources in Baghdad and southern provinces of Iraq on Monday said access to the web had been temporarily restored after blockages in response to protests that have entered their second week with casualties numbered at the hundreds. Demonstrators accuse the Iraqi government of deliberately cutting access to the internet in efforts to censor those who broadcast their protests on Facebook and Twitter. The Ministry of Communication’s spokesperson, however, claimed the government had not blocked the internet; instead, stating the blockage was caused by technical difficulties.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has defended Russia over claims of interference in the 2016 presidential election. After face-to-face talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Trump contradicted US intelligence agencies and said there had been no reason for Russia to meddle in the vote. Mr Putin reiterated that Russia had never interfered in US affairs.
Lastly, eight-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt is in talks for a trial to play football in Australia, his agent says. The Jamaican former sprinter, 31, is negotiating a six-week stint with the Central Coast Mariners, a team in the country’s A-League competition. Club officials said “if all goes well”, Bolt could be signed for a season. Maybe we’ll even see him play in the world cup!
