An Indian Sikh woman was among 16 terror suspects arrested by the Malaysian police for allegedly planning to attack leaders of local political parties, a media report said. The suspects, some of whom were linked to the Islamic State, were arrested in a special operation conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Pahang, Johor, Penang and Selangor cities. The terror suspects comprised 12 Indonesians, three Malaysians and one Indian national, it said.
Pakistan is a dangerous virus: Baloch Activist
Shams Baloch, central council member of Free Balochistan Movement in New York said Pakistan is a virus not just for India, Afghanistan or Balochistan, but for the entire world and humanity. Shams Baloch said, "We aim to expose the real face of Pakistan before the world and let the world know that Pakistan is a blot on humanity. Using power, Pakistan gained control over Balochistan. Pakistan is a virus not just for India, Afghanistan or Balochistan, but for the entire world and humanity," he added.
Ex-Pak PM Abbasi seeks better facilities in jail
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has filed an application in the accountability court, seeking better facilities at the Rawalpindi jail where he is currently lodged. Following the application, accountability court judge issued a notice to the superintendent of jail and sought the latter's reply. Abbasi's counsel argued before the court that the former leader had been given a better class during his detention in Malir jail in 1999. The lawyer said that the jail administration was not even permitting Abbasi to meet his close relatives. In the application, the lawyer requested the court to allow friends and family members to meet him in jail. The lawyer told the court that the former PM had some health issues; therefore, he should be allowed prescribed diet and facilities of air conditioner, refrigerator, television, newspapers, bed, books, toaster and oven at his own expense.
Pak social media star's brother found guilty of 'honour killing'
A Pakistan court convicted the brother of social media star Qandeel Baloch of her murder, a 2016 killing that sparked a change in laws and ignited fierce debate over the prevalence of 'honour killings' of women. A court found Muhammad Waseem guilty of the murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment. "Waseem has been given life in prison," his lawyer said and added that he would file an appeal against the verdict. Six other people, including two of Baloch's other brothers, had been acquitted, he said. Waseem admitted in a 2016 media conference organised by police that he strangled his 26-year-old sister due to her social media activities.
Pak man acquitted of blasphemy charge after 18 years
After languishing in jail for 18 years for charges under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, a death-row convict was finally acquitted by the country’s supreme court due to lack of proof. A case was filed against Wajih-ul-Hassan in 1999 for writing blasphemous letters to a lawyer. A three-judge bench observed that the prosecution failed to prove that the letters were actually written by him and exonerated Hassan.
Lanka’s former army chief in presidential race
Sri Lanka’s former army commander General Mahesh Senanayake announced his candidacy for the presidential election to be held in November. Senanayake’s presidential bid was announced at a rally by National People’s Movement, a collective of civil organisations. Senanayake, who retired in August, said politics had ruined Sri Lanka and an independent force was needed to bring about change in the country. He said he believed he was that alternative force.
Lanka’s tallest tusker gets armed escort
Nadungamuwa Raja, 65 years old, is a celebrated elephant towering around 10.5 feet in height, the tallest tamed tusker in Sri Lanka. And he has his own armed guards. Raja is an unofficial national treasure because he is one of the few tuskers chosen to carry a casket of Buddha relics in an annual pageant at the most sacred Buddhist shrine on the island, the Temple of the Tooth.
Two inmates die in Philippines prison riot
At least two prison inmates were killed and 34 others suffered injuries during a riot that broke out in an overcrowded jail in the Philippines capital. The police said that the fight between criminal gang members detained in the jail lasted for only 10 minutes. Two inmates died while being treated at a local hospital, police added. In addition, Manila city jail spokesperson was quoted as saying that 34 inmates were also injured in the incident that was triggered by an argument over a bed space in the jail. He said nine inmates who sustained serious injuries were taken to a hospital for treatment while 25 other detainees were treated at the city jail infirmary as they had sustained minor wounds. A temporary lockdown was imposed in the jail in the wake of the incident, he added.
Bangla guards kill Rohingya refugees
Two Rohingya refugees were killed in a gun battle with Bangladeshi border guards as they tried to cross into Bangladesh from Myanmar, officials said. More than 730,000 Rohingya refugees live in Bangladesh, having fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar where security forces are accused of carrying out killings, gang rape and arson in a crackdown after attacks on police posts by Rohingya insurgents in August 2017. Bangladesh is hosting refugees in cramped conditions in camps in the border district of Cox's Bazar, but wants to move them to a remote island in the Bay of Bengal, citing monsoons and an increasingly deteriorating law and order situation fueled by drug smuggling.
Canberra OKs use of marijuana
Australia’s capital has become the first part of the country to legalise recreational marijuana for personal use. The Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly voted to legalise possession by adults of up to 50 grams of dried marijuana and cultivation of two marijuana plants beginning January 31. The law requires that adults not use marijuana near children and to store it out of their reach. Owners cannot sell or supply their marijuana to anyone else. Households are limited to growing no more than four plants, regardless of the number of occupants.
Florida cop sacked for arresting six-year olds
Orlando school resource officer Dennis Turner, who arrested two 6-year-old children last week prompting a national outrage has been sacked, Orlando police chief Orlando Rolon said. He said Turner, who had been suspended following the incident at a charter school, did not follow the department’s policy requiring approval from a supervisor for any arrest of a minor younger than 12.
Speaking about it Orlando added that on behalf of himself and the entire Orlando Police Department, he apologises to the children involved and their families. He added that as a grandfather of three children less than 11 years old, he can imagine how traumatic it must have been for everybody involved. Earlier in the day, State Attorney Aramis Ayala had confirmed that her office would not prosecute the children and is working to clear their records.
Transgender man legally a mom for giving birth: Court
An individual who is born female but later becomes male and gives birth to a child should be legally regarded as a mother, England’s high court ruled. Fred McConnell, a transgender man, wanted to be recognised as the father of his son, who was born last year, on the official registration of the child’s birth but was told he would have to be registered as the mother. He sought legal action to quash that decision, saying it breached his and his son’s rights but in a landmark ruling, Andrew McFarlane, president of the high court’s family division, dismissed his claim and concluded that McConnell was the mother. “It is now medically and legally possible for an individual, whose gender is recognised in law as male, to become pregnant and give birth to their child,” McFarlane said. “Whilst that person’s gender is ‘male’, their parental status, which derives from their biological role in giving birth, is that of ‘mother’.”
Man douses fire with beer
A German motorist is being credited for his quick thinking after his car engine caught fire on the highway near the town of Hoesbach in Bavaria. Pulling over, the man turned to a slightly different foam extinguisher to douse the flames: bottles of beer kept in a case in his car. Authorities say the fire department responded but there was nothing left for them to do.
US army warns of violence at ‘Joker’ film screenings
The US Army has reportedly issued a warning to military commanders over the potential threat of violence during screenings of the film “Joker”. The memo, from US Army Base at Fort Sill Oklahoma, was shared by users on a popular Air Force Facebook page. The film is being criticised for its portrayal of a sympathetic outcast who turns to gun violence.
