News in Brief(2023-10-09)

Australian PM tries to soothe fears
over Indigenous rights vote
SYDNEY, Oct 08: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Sunday kicked off a last-ditch bid to convince sceptical voters to back a referendum on Indigenous rights, telling them they had "nothing to fear". Next weekend's referendum will decide whether to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution for the first time, a historic proposal that would also give First Nations peoples a greater say in national policy making to help address entrenched inequalities. But with less than a week to go, polls indicate the so-called "Indigenous Voice to Parliament" is likely to fail. — AFP
Scotland rains cause landslips on road
LONDON, Oct 08: Parts of Scotland on Saturday saw a month's rain fall in 24 hours, as motorists had to be airlifted to safety, police and rail officials said. Ten drivers were rescued after becoming trapped due to a series of landslips on a main road near Inveraray, on the west coast. Flooding caused by the downpours saw kayakers paddle down submerged streets in the Inverclyde area. Train services were cancelled or finished early and motorists were advised to delay travelling if possible. — AFP
Putin fulfills schoolgirl's dream
PSKOV, Oct 08: A schoolgirl from the western Russian city of Pskov has received an Akita Inu puppy as a gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin, the press service of the Pskov Region's government has said. "On this day, a schoolgirl received a present from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The country's leader fulfilled the girl's longtime dream of having her own pet dog, Vika has long been dreaming about having an Akita Inu puppy," the statement says. When Vika saw the puppy, she burst into tears of joy, The puppy was named Umka. — TASS