Wednesday, February 12

Day: June 9, 2016

Chinese police require DNA for passports in Xinjiang
Asia, ENGLISH

Chinese police require DNA for passports in Xinjiang

    Police in China's north-western region of Xinjiang are asking some residents to provide DNA samples and other biological data when applying for travel documents. People in the multi-ethnic area of Yili will have to provide the samples before being allowed to go abroad. The Chinese government is trying to crack down on periodic violence, which it blames on Islamist militants. Many Muslims in Xinjiang say they are discriminated against. They say the Chinese authorities often refuse to issue documents allowing them to travel. Most of the Uighur ethnic minority, which makes up about 45% of Xinjiang's population, practise the Muslim faith. Over the years China's authorities have attributed violent attacks to Uighur militants, who they say are inspired or aided by overseas terro...
Why Putin Is Meddling in Britain’s Vote
ENGLISH, Europe

Why Putin Is Meddling in Britain’s Vote

    Russian President Vladimir Putin walks past an honor guard London. The only big-name pols on Earth who think Britain should leave the European Union are Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen and Vladimir Putin. Or so the campaign for Britain to remain in the EU keeps telling us. Trump is open about his support for the British exit, or Brexit, and will be in Britain on the day of the referendum results. French hardliner Le Pen is keen to campaign in Britain—even though the leave camp has publicly demanded she stay away. The Kremlin, on the other hand, totally denies that Putin wants Britain to quit the 28-member economic and political union. Officials insist that the Russian president remains entirely neutral. He has offered no public statement on the June 23 referendum and his colle...
Bangladeshi imprisoned 10yrs for trafficking in Malaysia
Asia, ENGLISH

Bangladeshi imprisoned 10yrs for trafficking in Malaysia

    A Malaysian court today imprisoned a Bangladeshi national for 10 years, finding him guilty of trafficking three fellows through Andaman Sea of Songkhla province of Thailand between 2014 and 2015. Nurul Islam, 32, admitted to a court in Malaysian state Perlis that he had trafficked three Bangladeshis – Mohammad Nurbasa, Delwar and Joy – between October 2014 and April last year, reports Malaysian daily The Star. Meanwhile, a Thai national Biau Wong Chumpo, 46, was charged with trafficking in Bangladeshi national Md Tofajir Hussain between October 2014 and May 2 last year. The report, however, did not elaborate the incidents of the trafficking. Contacted to Musharrat Jebin, first secretary (labour) at Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, told The Daily Star that they h...
Four Killed In Deadly Tel Aviv Market Shooting
Arab world, ENGLISH

Four Killed In Deadly Tel Aviv Market Shooting

    Gunmen killed four people and wounded 16 during an attack in an open air shopping complex in Tel Aviv on Wednesday night. Israeli police said the men are Palestinian cousins from the occupied West Bank. Channel 10 TV reported that at least one of the attackers was disguised as an ultra-Orthodox Jew with black coat and hat. Authorities described the attack at the popular open-air Sharona market as a harsh terror attack. The dead have been named as Ilana Nave, 39, Mila Mishayev, 32, Ido Ben Aryeh, 42, and Michael Feige, 58. Early reports from Israeli spokeswoman Luba Samri said the “two terrorists” were both “neutralised”, which can mean either killed or detained. Dramatic photographs show Israeli policemen arresting a blood-spattered suspect shortly after the shooting, whic...
Danish plans for asylum-seeker football league
ENGLISH, Europe

Danish plans for asylum-seeker football league

    Plans are under way in Denmark for a football league for asylum seekers, aimed at helping them to integrate into society. Residents at four centres for asylum seekers in eastern Denmark will compete against each other in the pilot project, which is due to kick-off in August, the TV2 website reports. It is the idea of Per Bjerregaard, former chairman of the top-flight Danish club Brondby IF. "The project can contribute in a variety of ways," he tells the broadcaster. "Asylum seekers can get exercise and variety in their daily lives, and get easier access to other Danes and associations in Denmark. In this way we can facilitate integration through football." The participants are being kitted out with football boots and strips, and Mr Bjerregaard says a number of big names ha...