Singapore News
Fatal whipping exposes Bangladesh’s fatwa crimes When Bangladeshi teenager Hena Akhter was raped by her cousin, their village council issued a fatwa ordering a public whipping as punishment — 101 lashes for her, 201 for him. Hena collapsed after 70 lashes and died six days later at home in the remote Chamta village in Shariatpur [...]
Spate of armed robberies on Australia’s Gold Coast Australia’s popular Gold Coast tourist playground was reeling Monday after a police officer was shot in the face during the latest of more than 60 armed robberies in the area this year. Damian Leeding was fighting for his life after being blasted at close range by a [...]
S. Korea probes soldiers over pro-North postings South Korea’s military will launch an investigation into soldiers who posted pro-Pyongyang messages at an online message board praising North Korea, an official said Monday. The defence ministry is investigating seven or eight soldiers who wrote postings praising the communist North’s leader Kim Jong-Il or commented on articles [...]
US museums walk tightrope after China arrest US museums are facing delicate choices as they strive to meet a growing interest in China, cooperating with counterparts across the Pacific despite alarm over the detention of top artist Ai Weiwei. Directors of museums across the United States said in interviews that they found a strong public [...]
ISAF apologises for Afghan civilian deaths Foreign forces in Afghanistan apologised Monday for the deaths of nine Afghan civilians after President Hamid Karzai criticised an air strike which he and officials said killed 14, including children. The statement said that the strike in the southern province of Helmand was carried out Saturday after insurgents who [...]
Philippines struggles under mountain of dead fish Several lakeside towns in the Philippines on Monday were struggling to cope with mountains of rotting fish that were killed by a sudden drop in water temperatures at the weekend. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said more than 750 tonnes of fish had died since Friday [...]
Australia PM ramps up carbon tax campaign Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Monday intensified her campaign for a carbon tax as more prominent citizens joined actor Cate Blanchett in backing her proposal. Australians are among the world’s worst per capita carbon polluters, but plans for the tax aimed at cutting gases blamed for global [...]
Pakistan’s Afridi retires from international game Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi told AFP on Monday he was retiring from all international cricket, saying he was dejected after being replaced as one-day captain following a fiery clash with coach Waqar Younis. The 31-year-old developed differences with Waqar during the team’s 3-2 win against the West Indies earlier this [...]
Exam-obsessed Hong Kong makes celebrity tutors rich Cut-throat competition for exam success in Hong Kong’s high-pressure education system has spawned a new breed of teacher — celebrity tutors with near cult-like status and millionaire lifestyles. With their glamorous photographs showing megawatt grins and flashy attire splashed across billboards and buses, the star teachers claim to [...]
Suu Kyi plans landmark Myanmar political tour Democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi said Monday she is planning a political tour of Myanmar, a move likely to measure her popularity and test the limits of her freedom after her release six months ago. Suu Kyi, who spent seven years in detention until last November, was [...]