Top Asian News 3:31 a.m. GMT

Associated Press

Updated 23 September 2024 at 11:31 pm·1-min read

Singapore opens its first ministerial graft trial in nearly half a century

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Singapore's first ministerial corruption trial in nearly half a century began Tuesday, with former Transport Minister S. Iswaran battling charges in a rare scandal in the Asian financial hub known for its squeaky clean government. A former senior politician in the long-ruling People’s Action Party, Iswaran pleaded guilty in January to 35 charges of accepting gifts such as concert tickets and golf clubs valued at 403,000 Singapore dollars ($312,000), graft and obstructing justice. But in a twist at the start of the trial, local media said prosecutors will now proceed with only five charges. These include four related to public servants obtaining valuable things, and one charge of obstruction of justice, Channel News Asia reported.

PA Media: UK News
Woman died of heart attack caused by stranger repeatedly raping her, court told
Natalie Shotter, 37, had been on a night out before she was sexually assaulted and killed on a park bench in London in July 2021, jurors have heard.
The Telegraph
Teacher struck off for having sex with pupil complains about stigma caused by offence
A teacher who was struck off for having sex with a pupil has complained of being stigmatised because of her offence.
NextShark
Police search for man accused of pouring hot coffee on Brisbane baby
A Chinese national, identified as a 33-year-old man on a student visa, is accused of pouring hot coffee on a 9-month-old baby at Hanlon Park in Brisbane, Australia, on Aug. 27. The baby, named Luka, suffered serious burns, leading to lifelong injuries. The investigation: The suspect fled to New South Wales the day after the attack and left Australia from Sydney on Aug. 31.
The Telegraph
Xi and Mao replace Jesus and Mary in Chinese churches
The sudden order to remove the symbol of the cross from the roof and entrance of a village church in China’s Anhui province cited unspecified “safety” hazards.
The Telegraph
Billionaire Mulberry owner charged in corruption investigation
Mulberry’s billionaire owner has been charged in Singapore for his role in a scandal involving thousands of pounds’ worth of gifts he gave to a former government minister.
The Guardian
At 12 she was abused by a friend’s father. Police told her parents she was asleep so there was no need to let her know. The problem? They were wrong …
Franky Dean’s story highlights the moral dilemmas of crimes with ‘unknowing victims’
The Independent
Australian woman accused of killing and dismembering husband in ‘bizarre’ murder case
Police claim there was ‘extensive clean-up’ and ‘reflooring’ of couple’s home
Associated Press
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes. The decision by Judge Roger Arata in Avignon in southern France to allow journalists and members of the public attending the trial to see the recordings marks a stunning reversal in the case that has shaken France. It comes after a two-week legal battle in which journalists following the trial and lawyers of Gisèle Pelicot — who was allegedly raped over the course of a decade — argued that the videos were crucial for a full understanding of the extraordinary trial.
CNN
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
The Independent
Mob torches police outpost after 9-year-old girl ‘raped and murdered’ in India
The comes just weeks after 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered at a hospital in Kolkata, sparking widespread protests across the nation
BBC
Notorious Menendez brothers murder case to be reviewed
The brothers, who were jailed for killing their parents at a Beverly Hills mansion, say it was self-defence.
People
Man Apparently Found Infant's Urn After Retrieving His Stolen Truck. Now He and Family Want to Find Child's Parents
Ahmad Ervin, 42, found the urn of a child — with the name Marcel Akarhi Alexander inscribed on it —when he was cleaning out his truck after it was stolen
INSIDER
A Nevada official was found guilty of using $70K meant for a statue of a slain police officer for plastic surgery, her daughter's wedding, and rent
A jury found Michele Fiore guilty of misusing over $70,000 meant for a statue honoring a slain cop, instead spending it on rent and plastic surgery,
Associated Press
Malaysian billionaire hotelier charged in Singapore in relation to ex-minister's wrongdoings
A Malaysian billionaire hotelier who brought Formula One to Singapore was charged Friday for allegedly obstructing justice and abetting wrongdoings by a former Cabinet minister who was imprisoned a day earlier in a rare graft case. The two charges against Ong Beng Seng came just a day after f ormer Transport Minister S. Iswaran was sentenced to a year in prison, making him the first minister to be jailed in Singapore in nearly half a century. Iswaran, 62, pleaded guilty last week to a count of obstructing justice and four of accepting illegal gifts such as F1 tickets, wine and whisky from Ong and another businessman Lum Kok Seng.
CBC
Dozens gather for 21st annual Awo Taan Sisters In Spirit walk and vigil
WARNING: This story contains graphic detailsNearly 200 people took to Calgary's Stephen Avenue for the 21st annual Awo Taan Sisters In Spirit walk and vigil Friday.The gathering, which coincides with several other walks and vigils across Canada, raises awareness for and honours missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people (MMIWG2S+).Stephanie English walked about 200 kilometres from Piikani Nation to Calgary to honour her two departed daughters, one of whom was Joey English
The Independent
Screaming statue installed outside Indian hospital where doctor was raped and murdered
Statue denounced as disrespectful for ‘immortalising’ victim’s pain
Associated Press
Idaho state senator tells Native American candidate 'go back where you came from' in forum
Tensions rose during a bipartisan forum this week after an audience question about discrimination reportedly led an Idaho state senator to angrily tell a Native American candidate to “go back where you came from.” Republican Sen. Dan Foreman left the event early after the outburst and later denied making any racist comments in a Facebook post. Trish Carter-Goodheart, a Democratic candidate for the House District 6 seat and member of the Nez Perce Tribe, said the blowup left her shaken and thinking about security needs for future public events.
Associated Press
California vineyard owner says he was fined $120K for providing free housing to his employee
A California vineyard owner is suing Santa Clara County after officials fined him for allowing his longtime employee to live in an RV on his property for years. Michael Ballard, whose family owns Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards in a town south of San Francisco, alleges he was fined a total of more than $120,000 after the county said he violated local zoning laws that ban anyone from living in an RV on public or private property, according to the The Mercury News. Marcelino Martinez, manager of the vineyard, which is around 2.6 million square feet (243,000 square meters), said his family lost their lease on a trailer they were living in years ago and had limited options for affordable housing in the area.
The Guardian
‘Good girl and true hero’: dog saves owner by leading US officer to her home
Gita, 13, sat down in middle of road in Washington state after owner hurt his leg, fell and couldn’t get up
CNN
About 100 rescued elephants escape flash floods at popular sanctuary in northern Thailand, two killed in evacuation
Flash floods swept through a popular elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand on Thursday, killing two elephants and forcing the evacuation of about 100 more alongside dozens of tourists, amid urgent pleas for help.

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