SINGAPORE — A 14-year-old girl who ran away from home took refuge in the flat of a man she had met through her cousin as she had nowhere to go. There, the man and his friends plied her with alcohol before taking turns to rape her while she was drunk. Umar Abdul Rahim, then 18 years old and doing national service, was one of the three who gang-raped her in May 2021. Now 21, he was sentenced to 11 years' jail and 12 strokes of the cane on Oct 1 by the High Court after he pleaded guilty to a charge of rape. His cousin, Muhammad Uzair Abdul Rahman, 21, was sentenced to 16 years' jail and 20 strokes of the cane in October 2023. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and a count of sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 16. The third man involved in the rape, Noor Asri Mohd Tahil, 37, and another alleged accomplice, Mohammad Shahridzmie Salleh, 21, have not been dealt with yet. The victim, whose identity is protected by a gag order, was placed under a Beyond Parental Control (BPC) order in March 2020.

The body of an 18-year-old man was found at a hostel in the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Thursday (Oct 3). In response to queries, the police said they received a call for assistance at 37 Prince George's Park at about 7.25am. The address belongs to a hostel block in Prince George's Park Residences. The man was found lying motionless at the foot of the building and pronounced dead at scene by a paramedic from the Singapore Civil Defence Force. Based on preliminary investigations, the police do not suspect foul play. Investigations are ongoing. In response to AsiaOne's queries, NUS shared a memo sent to residents of Helix House. Associate Professor Lee Kooi Cheng, who is master of Helix House, expressed the university's deepest condolences to family and friends of the dorm resident who had died on Thursday morning. «We have been in touch with the family and friends of the resident to provide any support and assistance that they need. We would like to encourage everyone to respect the family's privacy,» said Lee.

In the end, neither the prosecution nor the defence got what they argued for regarding the sentence for the five charges former Transport Minister S Iswaran was convicted for on Sept 24.  The defence, led by Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, asked for no more than eight weeks' jail, while the prosecution, led by Deputy Attorney-General Tai Wei Shyong, pushed for six to seven months then. In court today, Justice Vincent Hoong considered the prosecution's request to be «manifestly inadequate' and, therefore, »appropriate to impose a sentence in excess of both parties' positions".  Why general deterrence assumed centrestage Section 165 of the Penal Code punishes obtaining gifts in public office when there are official business dealings between the parties involved. 

[allAfrica]

The federal Immigration Department has beefed up human resources in Beirut in order to prioritize immigration applications from Lebanon as fears of a larger conflict embroiling the Middle East loom, a senior government source told CBC News.

Last year, Canada recorded its lowest-ever fertility rate for the second year in a row, according to Statistics Canada. Experts say economic and cultural factors might be discouraging Canadians from having more kids.

After facing an external investigation into claims he mistreated staff, Canada's first accessibility commissioner Michael Gottheil is now suing the federal government and unnamed employees for more than $2.3 million in damages.

[RFI] France's interior minister has ordered authorities in the French overseas department of Mayotte to arrange deportation flights for migrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Paris seeks to clamp down on illegal immigration to the island off the east coast of Africa.

Le vendredi 27 septembre 2024 restera une date mémorable pour l'ensemble des personnels du Ministère de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux. M. François Mangari, Secrétaire Général de la Chancellerie a satisfait au rituel, en remettant tous les attributs de pouvoir à M. Martin Obandja Owoula, Secrétaire général entrant. La cérémonie de passation de charges entre MM François Mangari et Martin Obandja Owoula, était présidée par le Ministre de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux, Paul-Marie GONDJOUT. (...) - JUSTICE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

The CDH Investment Bank (CDHIB) has committed a total of K2 million in support of the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) upcoming third Research Dissemination Conference to be conducted from October 2-4 2024 at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The conference which is to be hosted under the theme; ‘Research and Innovation Driving Health Towards […] The post CDH Bank commits K2m to KUHeS Research Dissemination Conference appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

The highly anticipated Blantyre Motor Show is set to take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the New K Motors site, located at the Old National Bus Terminal in Makata, Blantyre. According to Alinane Andrew Njolomole, CEO of the Motor Show, this year’s edition promises to be an unforgettable experience for motor enthusiasts and […] The post All set for Blantyre Motor Show appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has amplified calls for full devolution of central government functions to local councils in the country. Banda spoke Wednesday in Lilongwe during the launch of the revised National Decentralization Policy, held under the theme: “Deepening Decentralization.” He reiterated that ministries, departments and agencies must devolve […] The post Minister Chimwendo Banda calls for full devolution to local councils appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Island Beverages Limited has announced its sponsorship of the Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) Summer Golf Championship, set to take place from October 3-6, 2024. “We believe this corporate tournament will offer relationship-building tools for Island Beverages Limited,” said Christopher Malani, Commercial Director.  “It creates an ideal environment for networking and building business relationships in a […] The post Island Beverages Tees Off with Blantyre Sports Club Summer Golf Championship Sponsorship appeared first on Malawi Nyasa Times - News from Malawi about Malawi.

Amanda Abbington has revealed she held a summit of other Strictly Come Dancing contestants in her own home to swap stories of treatment on the show.

Seychelles' authorities are currently testing and fine-tuning their early warning systems and preparedness in case of a flash flood, starting Wednesday morning. This is through a three-day tabletop exercise (TTX) being held at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort, bringing together members of the Disaster and Risk Management Division (DRMD). In her speech for the opening of the event, the United Nations resident coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Lisa Singh, explained that the initiative is to ensure that everyone, especially those most vulnerable, have access to timely and accurate early warning information. “Although disasters may not be a regular occurrence in common with other small island states, Seychelles is experiencing an increased frequency and intensity of flooding, drought, and storms,” said Singh. She cited the flash floods and landslide events in December 2023 and March 2024, highlighting “this worrying trend, which can have devastating effects on the economy and communities”. The TTX forms part of an effort to develop a robust early warning system (EWS) for Seychelles, which is financed by the European Union and Indian Ocean Commission through the Resilience Building and Disaster Management in the Indian Ocean (RDRM-IO) initiative. This is part of a joint effort spearheaded by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). During the three days, those attending are also expected to develop a roadmap that will help build an inclusive, people-centered early warning system "that leaves no one behind.” “The exercise this week will provide a practical platform to test and refine existing operational procedures, ensuring that the mechanisms in place are responsive, coordinated, and effective in reducing disaster risks,” she added. As a result of the TTX, the simulation due to be held on Thursday will evaluate the capacity of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) to manage information flow, make quick decisions, and lead response efforts across different scenarios. The group will also provide recommendations at the end of the exercise.

Le Pays va réduire l'utilisation de certaines catégories de pesticides, nocives pour l'environnement. Actuellement, au Fenua, il y a 20 grandes exploitations agricoles, pour lesquelles il serait impossible de supprimer certains produits chimiques, pour notamment des questions de rendement. Les petites exploitations arrivent à travailler en bio, ou en agriculture raisonnée. Mais le sujet est sensible.

Four people have been killed and 24 others in injured in Ukrainian attacks on Russia’s Belgorod Region, the local governor has said Read Full Article at RT.com

The iconic band duo - which includes Liam, 52, and Noel, 57 - announced the thrilling news on their official Instagram page on Wednesday.

Most palestinians died in a strike on a residential building in the western outskirts of the Gaza City

Foreign Minister also noted that «both sides are actively seeking out opportunities for the development of the Global South countries»

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors said Wednesday they are pursuing “several related investigations” that could lead to additional corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and indictments for people in his orbit...

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will be embarking on a crop restoration and expansion programme for coffee and cocoa farmers. Portfolio Minister, Floyd Green, provided an update on the programme during the International Coffee and...

Former transport minister S Iswaran was sentenced to 12 months' jail on Thursday (Oct 3) morning.  He looked grim as Justice Vincent Hoong read out his sentence. The judge asked for Iswaran to surrender himself on Oct 7, 4pm at State Courts 4A. The judge, in his sentencing remarks earlier, said that there were two key issues to be examined. One is what the appropriate sentencing approach should be when a public servant receives a valuable item from a person involved in business transactions. The second pertains to the appropriate reduction in sentence, applying guidelines for guilty pleas when an individual pleads guilty to multiple charges before the start of trial. The higher the office, the greater the level of culpability: Judge On the factors of culpability, Justice Hoong said that the higher the position held by a public servant, the greater their level of culpability. This is due to the significant influence these individuals have and the larger impact they can have on the public interest.

SINGAPORE — A hair salon chain with three outlets is being investigated for suspected unfair trade practices, said the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS). The statutory board made unannounced visits to the branches of HairFun salon located at Ang Mo Kio, Toa Payoh and Tampines on Oct 2. From Dec 1, 2022, to April 22, 34 complaints concerning sales tactics of the outlets were lodged with the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case), said Case president Melvin Yong in a Facebook post on Oct 2. They include practices such as exploiting elderly customers, charging higher prices without prior agreement and the concealing of payment amounts during Nets transactions, said the CCCS and Case in a joint statement on the same day. Case had invited the chain's operator to sign a voluntary compliance agreement to cease unfair trade practices and refund affected customers, but did not receive a response. The matter was subsequently referred to CCCS. 

FairPrice Group will give out a $4 return voucher for every $50 spent in a single receipt starting Thursday (Oct 3). The offer will run till Oct 9, and is valid across all FairPrice stores, including Finest, Xtra and Unity — excluding Unity outlets in Changi Airport. Shoppers can receive up to three return vouchers per transaction, which can be used across all FairPrice outlets throughout October with no minimum spend requirement, the group said on Wednesday. Keeping daily essentials within reach for everyone in Singapore has been their guiding mission for over 50 years, said FairPrice Group CEO Vipul Chawla. «Through the return voucher initiative, we want to assure Singaporeans that we will continue to support them in times of need, and strive to make their daily lives and access to healthy and nutritious food a little better every day,» he said.

Wayne Rooney won David Beckham's charity auction in May 2006 to spend the weekend with Diddy in New York.

The woman in her 30s, was walking on a zebra crossing in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, at around 8pm on Sunday when she was struck by a car that did not stop.

Burial grounds closed during the Victorian era after being declared 'full' could be reopened to accept new graves, the Law Commission has proposed.

The photo was was taken 14 minutes before the Bayesian went down during a freak storm off the coast of Sicily - killing seven people.

The actress, 52, said she is considering further action against the BBC after the Corporation apologised to her following her complaints over Mr Pernice, 34.

Pavel Durov has revealed Telegram has provided authorities in many countries with phone numbers and IP addresses of criminals since 2018 Read Full Article at RT.com