4 Mar 2019

Today's world news: What you need to know

7:55 pm on 4 March 2019

The international stories making headlines around the world in the past 24 hours.

US House committee seeks proof of obstruction and abuse by President Trump

A committee of the US House of Representatives is seeking documents alleging obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power by President Donald Trump and his aides.

Judiciary committee chairman Jerrold Nadler told ABC news that 60 individuals and entities would be receiving requests from Monday.

Mr Nadler said he believed Mr Trump had obstructed justice.

But any impeachment move would depend on the results of the inquiry.

Mr Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and accused Democrats of a witch hunt.

- ABC

Deadly Fires rage in eastern Victoria

Hundreds of firefighters are battling fires in Victoria, Australia.

Multiple lightning strikes on Friday started the largest fire in Bunyip State Park, east of Melbourne.

The country's meteorology bureau said plumes of smoke have risen up to 15km into the atmosphere.

- BBC

Huawei CFO sues Canadian Government

The chief financial officer of China's controversial telco Huawei launches civil action against the Canadian Government, its border agency and the police force, saying they violated her rights.

Meng Wanzhou says Canadian agencies detained, searched and interrogated her before telling her she was under arrest.

Canada arrested Ms Meng at the request of the United States at Vancouver's airport in December.

She is wanted in the US on charges that she misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran.

A civil claim filed in the British Columbia Supreme Court alleges that instead of immediately arresting her, authorities interrogated Ms Meng "under the guise of a routine customs" examination and used the opportunity to "compel her to provide evidence and information"

- ABC

"Kiwi Jihadi" found in Kurdish prison in Syria

A New Zealander serving with the Islamic State group has been captured in Northern Syria and is being held in a Kurdish prison.

The New Zealander fled IS in December and surrendered to Kurdish forces

Nicknamed the Kiwi Jihadi, Mark Taylor told the ABC he fled the Islamic State group in December and surrendered to Kurdish forces because life had become unbearable.

"There was no food, no money, basic services were pretty much collapsed. I was in a pickle myself and had to make a final decision, which was to leave," Taylor said.

- ABC

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