The chocolate sauce bubbling in a bain-marie is a staple of cookery programmes, but this is food porn with a twist, as France's newest celebrity chef cooks up a storm in a corner of his prison cell.&nbsp;

Welcome to Dany Hellz Kitchen, the popular Instagram account of a French inmate, who conjures up mouthwatering tagines, tiramisus and pizzas with the few basic utensils he is allowed to keep behind bars.&nbsp;

"You can make everything with nothing," is the motto of this foodie convict, who films himself in action with his phone but does not show his face on camera in order to remain anonymous, phones being banned in French prison cells.&nbsp;

Dany (not his real name) has spent over seven years in jail for trafficking illegal substances (he would not say which).&nbsp;

"After a few years, prison food is so jaded, it always tastes the same, so I try to vary the dishes," he told AFP in a telephone interview.&nbsp;

The centrepiece of his 'hell's kitchen', a nod to British chef Gordon Ramsay's TV series of the same name, is a hot plate that doubles up as an oven when turned upside down and propped up by four cans.&nbsp;

"In the past I had two hot plates meaning I could cook something evenly, sandwich-style, but they took it away from me so now I have to turn the stove around half-way through to distribute the heat," he says.&nbsp;

His videos provide a rare glimpse into prison life, with the light filtering into his cell through the bars on the window and a small TV screen perched high on a wall.&nbsp;

They also underscore the importance attached to food among people struggling with boredom and loneliness.&nbsp;

For Dany, a university graduate of north African origin, cooking is a form of therapy.&nbsp;

"I get up, I set up my equipment and it allows me to concentrate on something I enjoy and that other prisoners also enjoy," he says.&nbsp;

His approach is two-fold: either he takes his prison food tray and reworks the steamed fish or vegetables with olive oil and garlic to add flavour or he creates his own dish from scratch using food and equipment sourced through the prison catalogue.&nbsp;

He also receives food parcels from family and friends. &nbsp;

One of his most recent gifts was a bottle of soy sauce but in the past visitors have also managed to smuggle in fresh goods, including, he says, a leg of lamb on one occasion.&nbsp;

No sharp objects allowed in cells, he chops and peels with a knife with a rounded tip. &nbsp;

Prisoners are also not allowed to have yeast lest they use it to make alcohol, a pet peeve of Dany's but which doesn't stop him making bread.&nbsp;

Like all chefs, he has a secret ingredient he cannot live without -- tomato paste, "which makes an excellent base for lots of different sauces."&nbsp;

As his culinary fame grows, fellow prisoners have begun placing orders for favourite dishes, such as one man's request for loubia, a Moroccan bean stew, which he served with peppers roasted directly on his hot plate.&nbsp;

Dany shares his creations with other inmates during walks in the prison yard as well as with the wider world in videos recorded in a mix of slang-infused French and English. &nbsp;

One video on Instagram, where he has nearly 30,000 followers, shows him making and icing a birthday cake.&nbsp;

"Dude you eating better than me and your in prison," one incredulous follower commented on Instagram. &nbsp;

"Chef, I've tasted your cooking, it's incredible", another follower, with the alias 24-El-Padrino, praises.&nbsp;

Dany is hoping to use his newfound fame to launch his own cannabis cooking oil after his release, expected later this year.&nbsp;

And he has already planned the menu for his prison parting feast -- there will be couscous -- and is salivating at the prospect of his first meal as a newly-free man.&nbsp;

"It'll be a wood-fired pizza, I think."&nbsp;

The chocolate sauce bubbling in a bain-marie is a staple of cookery programmes, but this is food porn with a twist, as France's newest celebrity chef cooks up a storm in a corner of his prison cell.

The chocolate sauce bubbling in a bain-marie is a staple of cookery programmes, but this is food porn with a twist, as France's newest celebrity chef cooks up a storm in a corner of his prison cell. Welcome to Dany Hellz Kitchen, the popular Instagram account of a French inmate, who conjures up mouthwatering tagines, tiramisus and pizzas with the few basic utensils he is allowed to keep behind bars. "You can make everything with nothing," is the motto of this foodie convict, who films himself in action with his phone but does not show his face on camera in order to remain anonymous, phones being banned in French prison cells. Dany (not his real name) has spent over seven years in jail for trafficking illegal substances (he would not say which). "After a few years, prison food is so jaded, it always tastes the same, so I try to vary the dishes," he told AFP in a telephone interview. The centrepiece of his 'hell's kitchen', a nod to British chef Gordon Ramsay's TV series of the same name, is a hot plate that doubles up as an oven when turned upside down and propped up by four cans. "In the past I had two hot plates meaning I could cook something evenly, sandwich-style, but they took it away from me so now I have to turn the stove around half-way through to distribute the heat," he says. His videos provide a rare glimpse into prison life, with the light filtering into his cell through the bars on the window and a small TV screen perched high on a wall. They also underscore the importance attached to food among people struggling with boredom and loneliness. For Dany, a university graduate of north African origin, cooking is a form of therapy. "I get up, I set up my equipment and it allows me to concentrate on something I enjoy and that other prisoners also enjoy," he says. His approach is two-fold: either he takes his prison food tray and reworks the steamed fish or vegetables with olive oil and garlic to add flavour or he creates his own dish from scratch using food and equipment sourced through the prison catalogue. He also receives food parcels from family and friends. One of his most recent gifts was a bottle of soy sauce but in the past visitors have also managed to smuggle in fresh goods, including, he says, a leg of lamb on one occasion. No sharp objects allowed in cells, he chops and peels with a knife with a rounded tip. Prisoners are also not allowed to have yeast lest they use it to make alcohol, a pet peeve of Dany's but which doesn't stop him making bread. Like all chefs, he has a secret ingredient he cannot live without -- tomato paste, "which makes an excellent base for lots of different sauces." As his culinary fame grows, fellow prisoners have begun placing orders for favourite dishes, such as one man's request for loubia, a Moroccan bean stew, which he served with peppers roasted directly on his hot plate. Dany shares his creations with other inmates during walks in the prison yard as well as with the wider world in videos recorded in a mix of slang-infused French and English. One video on Instagram, where he has nearly 30,000 followers, shows him making and icing a birthday cake. "Dude you eating better than me and your in prison," one incredulous follower commented on Instagram. "Chef, I've tasted your cooking, it's incredible", another follower, with the alias 24-El-Padrino, praises. Dany is hoping to use his newfound fame to launch his own cannabis cooking oil after his release, expected later this year. And he has already planned the menu for his prison parting feast -- there will be couscous -- and is salivating at the prospect of his first meal as a newly-free man. "It'll be a wood-fired pizza, I think."

Crime and cuisine: French prison chef becomes Instagram star 

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan. His visit has come just weeks before the May 1 deadline for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.&nbsp;Meanwhile,&nbsp;Pope Francis urged people to fight&nbsp;organised&nbsp;crime such as the 'mafias'&nbsp;on Sunday. He warned that criminals were using coronavirus pandemic for their own benefit.&nbsp;Read this and more in Top 10 World News at this time.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-austin-pays-unannounced-visit-to-afghanistan-report-372092">US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pays surprise visit to Afghanistan&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Austin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8ee5b5a-f669-4e70-b43d-4143edd152c7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%202.jpg" />

Austin's reported Afghanistan visit has come on the heels of him being in India&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-nuclear-arms-plan-is-illegal-russian-envoy-372084">UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Russia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dfde1f60-4442-46aa-a94b-683640f749f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%203.jpg" />

The Kremlin said at the time that it regretted the British nuclear decision, which it suggested would harm international stability, while the Russian foreign ministry described the move as a serious blow to international arms control&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-vs-mafia-holy-father-urges-people-to-fight-organised-crime-372097">Pope Francis vs Mafia? Holy Father urges people to fight&nbsp;organised&nbsp;crime&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Pope" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3eda3c7-daa9-4125-ab9a-e46d72c5c92e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%204.jpg" />

Italian police say that crime clans are using coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to win&nbsp;favour&nbsp;with people&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-clarifies-its-vaccine-has-no-pork-derived-ingredients-372044">AstraZeneca clarifies its vaccine has no pork-derived ingredients&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Vaccine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3cd89fea-22d0-42bb-8b6f-4e70083d22d9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%205.jpg" />

Indonesia’s highest Muslim clerical council, the Indonesia Ulema Council, said on its website Friday that the vaccine is "haram" because the manufacturing process uses "trypsin from the pork pancreas."

&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-japan-affirm-cooperation-over-taiwan-emergency-372064">US and Japan affirm cooperation over Taiwan emergency&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="US, Japan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cd3684d8-b290-4df7-879e-fdbecea8e86d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%206.jpg" />

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. To this end, Tokyo’s policy on China-Taiwan relations has always been to encourage dialogue for a peaceful solution to cross-strait tensions.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-pledges-to-prevent-coronavirus-resurgence-as-emergency-measures-end-372098">Japan PM pledges to prevent coronavirus' resurgence as emergency measures end</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<img alt="Suga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a0b3bc2d-4145-478a-aeeb-aef454e69888" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%207.jpg" />

Suga on Thursday announced that the months-long emergency measures for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama would end at midnight on Sunday, a move underscoring his government's eagerness to&nbsp;minimise&nbsp;burdens on businesses and keep the economy going, despite concerns raised by experts about the potential for an upsurge

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-pilots-bumpy-all-terrain-rig-on-siberian-holiday-372096">Putin pilots bumpy all-terrain rig on Siberian holiday&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Putin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2599a2bd-9bf9-49ef-9190-0136e6d71b25" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%208.jpg" />

Video released by the Kremlin from inside an all-terrain vehicle showed the president at the wheel of a vehicle that pulled branches from overhanging trees as it&nbsp;barrelled&nbsp;over snow-laden tracks through dense forests of birch&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-us-envoy-anatoly-antonov-returns-to-moscow-after-killer-row-372093">Russia's US envoy Anatoly Antonov returns to Moscow after 'killer' row&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Russia US envoy" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8fa8a4f6-1945-4ba8-9e0d-51c6e430221d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%209.jpg" />

Russia's envoy to the United States Anatoly Antonov landed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport Sunday morning, Russian news agencies reported, after he was recalled last week over the spat&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paraguay-president-survives-impeachment-bid-by-opposition-over-pandemic-372087">Paraguay president survives impeachment bid by opposition over pandemic&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Paraguay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22b1e2fb-1321-4acd-8f24-cf2f60b7ab5f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%2010.jpg" />

Abdo's conservative government has faced fierce protests in recent weeks as a surge in Covid-19 cases has left hospitals on the brink of collapse and out of drugs, while the country has been slow to secure vaccines&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-stares-into-the-abyss-as-covid-19-surge-pushes-hospitals-to-brink-of-collapse-372071">Brazil stares into the abyss as Covid-19 surge pushes hospitals to brink of collapse&nbsp;</a>

<img alt="Brazil" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42feffde-0b1b-43ca-bf09-735f699044ec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Top%2010%20-%2011.jpg" />

It is being reported that the Covid intensive care units in virtually all of Brazil’s 26 states and the federal district containing the capital, Brasília, are now either at, or perilously close to capacity.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan. His visit has come just weeks before the May 1 deadline for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan. His visit has come just weeks before the May 1 deadline for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Pope Francis urged people to fight organised crime such as the 'mafias' on Sunday. He warned that criminals were using coronavirus pandemic for their own benefit. Read this and more in Top 10 World News at this time. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pays surprise visit to Afghanistan Austin's reported Afghanistan visit has come on the heels of him being in India UK nuclear arms plan is illegal: Russian envoy The Kremlin said at the time that it regretted the British nuclear decision, which it suggested would harm international stability, while the Russian foreign ministry described the move as a serious blow to international arms control Pope Francis vs Mafia? Holy Father urges people to fight organised crime Italian police say that crime clans are using coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to win favour with people AstraZeneca clarifies its vaccine has no pork-derived ingredients Indonesia’s highest Muslim clerical council, the Indonesia Ulema Council, said on its website Friday that the vaccine is "haram" because the manufacturing process uses "trypsin from the pork pancreas." US and Japan affirm cooperation over Taiwan emergency China regards Taiwan as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. To this end, Tokyo’s policy on China-Taiwan relations has always been to encourage dialogue for a peaceful solution to cross-strait tensions. Japan PM pledges to prevent coronavirus' resurgence as emergency measures end Suga on Thursday announced that the months-long emergency measures for Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama would end at midnight on Sunday, a move underscoring his government's eagerness to minimise burdens on businesses and keep the economy going, despite concerns raised by experts about the potential for an upsurge Putin pilots bumpy all-terrain rig on Siberian holiday Video released by the Kremlin from inside an all-terrain vehicle showed the president at the wheel of a vehicle that pulled branches from overhanging trees as it barrelled over snow-laden tracks through dense forests of birch Russia's US envoy Anatoly Antonov returns to Moscow after 'killer' row Russia's envoy to the United States Anatoly Antonov landed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport Sunday morning, Russian news agencies reported, after he was recalled last week over the spat Paraguay president survives impeachment bid by opposition over pandemic Abdo's conservative government has faced fierce protests in recent weeks as a surge in Covid-19 cases has left hospitals on the brink of collapse and out of drugs, while the country has been slow to secure vaccines Brazil stares into the abyss as Covid-19 surge pushes hospitals to brink of collapse It is being reported that the Covid intensive care units in virtually all of Brazil’s 26 states and the federal district containing the capital, Brasília, are now either at, or perilously close to capacity.

Top 10 world news: Austin in Afghanistan, Pope asks to fight crime and more 

Urging the Metropolitan Opera to compensate its artists “appropriately,” the company’s music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, sent a letter to leaders at the Met on Thursday saying that the many months its orchestra and chorus had gone without pay during the pandemic had become “increasingly unacceptable.”

He sent the letter as the Met’s musicians were scheduled to receive their first partial paychecks since they were furloughed in April. Before this week, they had been the last major ensemble in the country without a deal for at least some pay during the pandemic. In addressing the players’ nearly yearlong furlough — and hinting at the tough negotiations ahead, in which the Met is seeking long-term pay cuts from its unionized employees — Nézet-Séguin was doing something rare for a music director: weighing in on labor matters.

“Of course, I understand this is a complex situation,” Nézet-Séguin wrote, “but as the public face of the Met on a musical level, I am finding it increasingly hard to justify what has happened.”

The letter was obtained by The New York Times and confirmed by its recipients, which included Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager; the leaders of the negotiating committees representing the chorus and orchestra; and members of the opera’s board of directors.

“We risk losing talent permanently,” Nézet-Séguin warned in the letter. “The orchestra and chorus are our crown jewels, and they must be protected. Their talent is the Met. The artists of the Met are the institution.”

The orchestra committee has said that 10 out of 97 members have retired during the pandemic as the ensemble has gone unpaid, a stark increase from the two to three who retire in an average year.

“Protecting the long-term future of the Met is inextricably linked with retaining these musicians, and with respecting their livelihoods, their income and their well-being,” Nézet-Séguin wrote.

The Met said in a statement that “we share Yannick’s frustration over the lengthy closure and the impact it has had on our employees,” and added that the company was pleased that its orchestra and chorus and others were now receiving bridge pay. The Met said all involved were “working together for new agreements that will ensure the sustainability of the Met into the future.”

The Met, the nation’s largest performing arts organization, has said that since the pandemic forced it to shut its doors it has lost an estimated $150 million in earned revenue, and that it was seeking pay cuts from its workers, as many arts institutions have. The Met has been trying to cut the payroll costs for its highest-paid unions by 30% — the change in take-home pay would be more like 20%, it has said — and has offered to restore half the cuts when ticket revenue and core donations return to prepandemic levels.

Months into the furlough, the Met offered partial paychecks to its workers if they agreed to those cuts, but the unions resisted. At the end of the year, the Met offered partial paychecks on a temporary basis for simply returning to the bargaining table. Members of the American Guild of Musical Artists, which represents chorus members, dancers and others, accepted at the end of January and have been receiving paychecks for more than a month. The orchestra musicians voted to accept the offer this week. (The Met has locked out its stagehands, whose contract expired last year.)

Nézet-Séguin wrote in his letter that he was relieved that both the musicians and the chorus members are now being paid, but added that “this is just a start.” The deal allows for temporary payments of up to $1,543 a week, less than half of what the musicians are typically paid.

Nézet-Séguin was named the Met’s music director in 2016, when he was tapped to succeed James Levine, who led the company for four decades (Levine, who stepped down to an emeritus position because of health problems and was then fired two years later after an investigation into sexual abuse allegations, died this month.)

“I implore the fiduciaries of this incredible house to urgently help to find a solution to compensate our artists appropriately,” Nézet-Séguin wrote. “We all realize the challenges, economic and otherwise, that the Met is facing, and therefore I ask for empathy, honesty and open communication throughout this process.”

Urging the Metropolitan Opera to compensate its artists “appropriately,” the company’s music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, sent a letter to leaders at the Met on Thursday saying that the many months its orchestra and chorus had gone without pay during the pandemic had become “increasingly unacceptable.

Urging the Metropolitan Opera to compensate its artists “appropriately,” the company’s music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, sent a letter to leaders at the Met on Thursday saying that the many months its orchestra and chorus had gone without pay during the pandemic had become “increasingly unacceptable.” He sent the letter as the Met’s musicians were scheduled to receive their first partial paychecks since they were furloughed in April. Before this week, they had been the last major ensemble in the country without a deal for at least some pay during the pandemic. In addressing the players’ nearly yearlong furlough — and hinting at the tough negotiations ahead, in which the Met is seeking long-term pay cuts from its unionized employees — Nézet-Séguin was doing something rare for a music director: weighing in on labor matters. “Of course, I understand this is a complex situation,” Nézet-Séguin wrote, “but as the public face of the Met on a musical level, I am finding it increasingly hard to justify what has happened.” The letter was obtained by The New York Times and confirmed by its recipients, which included Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager; the leaders of the negotiating committees representing the chorus and orchestra; and members of the opera’s board of directors. “We risk losing talent permanently,” Nézet-Séguin warned in the letter. “The orchestra and chorus are our crown jewels, and they must be protected. Their talent is the Met. The artists of the Met are the institution.” The orchestra committee has said that 10 out of 97 members have retired during the pandemic as the ensemble has gone unpaid, a stark increase from the two to three who retire in an average year. “Protecting the long-term future of the Met is inextricably linked with retaining these musicians, and with respecting their livelihoods, their income and their well-being,” Nézet-Séguin wrote. The Met said in a statement that “we share Yannick’s frustration over the lengthy closure and the impact it has had on our employees,” and added that the company was pleased that its orchestra and chorus and others were now receiving bridge pay. The Met said all involved were “working together for new agreements that will ensure the sustainability of the Met into the future.” The Met, the nation’s largest performing arts organization, has said that since the pandemic forced it to shut its doors it has lost an estimated $150 million in earned revenue, and that it was seeking pay cuts from its workers, as many arts institutions have. The Met has been trying to cut the payroll costs for its highest-paid unions by 30% — the change in take-home pay would be more like 20%, it has said — and has offered to restore half the cuts when ticket revenue and core donations return to prepandemic levels. Months into the furlough, the Met offered partial paychecks to its workers if they agreed to those cuts, but the unions resisted. At the end of the year, the Met offered partial paychecks on a temporary basis for simply returning to the bargaining table. Members of the American Guild of Musical Artists, which represents chorus members, dancers and others, accepted at the end of January and have been receiving paychecks for more than a month. The orchestra musicians voted to accept the offer this week. (The Met has locked out its stagehands, whose contract expired last year.) Nézet-Séguin wrote in his letter that he was relieved that both the musicians and the chorus members are now being paid, but added that “this is just a start.” The deal allows for temporary payments of up to $1,543 a week, less than half of what the musicians are typically paid. Nézet-Séguin was named the Met’s music director in 2016, when he was tapped to succeed James Levine, who led the company for four decades (Levine, who stepped down to an emeritus position because of health problems and was then fired two years later after an investigation into sexual abuse allegations, died this month.) “I implore the fiduciaries of this incredible house to urgently help to find a solution to compensate our artists appropriately,” Nézet-Séguin wrote. “We all realize the challenges, economic and otherwise, that the Met is facing, and therefore I ask for empathy, honesty and open communication throughout this process.”

Met Opera’s music director decries musicians’ unpaid furlough

There have been numerous cases of false convictions across the world. There have been people who have languished in jail for years without having committed any crime. Often, relief comes years after the sentence is handed to the 'convict'. Similar relief may possibly come for an Australian woman.

Kathleen Folbigg, the woman in question, was accused and convicted for killing her four children. She is a resident of New South Wales in Australia. Folbigg was handed a 30-year sentence for smothering her children for a period of 10 years. Her trial took place in 2003 and she was dubbed "Australia's worst female serial killer" during her trial. She has already served 18 years of her sentence.

But there's a new twist to the story.

At least 90 eminent scientists, science advocates and medical experts have petitioned New South Wales governor for Folbigg's release, as per BBC online.

The reason?

A possible fatal genetic mutation.

Scientists are saying that a genetic mutation in Folbigg and her two daughters may have been the reason behind their deaths. This argument is being based on a latest scientific discovery.

Scientists have reportedly detected mutation in Folbigg's two sons as well but they say that more research is needed to infer anything in these two particular cases.

If at all, Folbigg's conviction is overturned. It will mark worst miscarriage of justice in Australia's history.

There have been numerous cases of false convictions across the world. There have been people who have languished in jail for years without having committed any crime.

There have been numerous cases of false convictions across the world. There have been people who have languished in jail for years without having committed any crime. Often, relief comes years after the sentence is handed to the 'convict'. Similar relief may possibly come for an Australian woman. Kathleen Folbigg, the woman in question, was accused and convicted for killing her four children. She is a resident of New South Wales in Australia. Folbigg was handed a 30-year sentence for smothering her children for a period of 10 years. Her trial took place in 2003 and she was dubbed "Australia's worst female serial killer" during her trial. She has already served 18 years of her sentence. But there's a new twist to the story. At least 90 eminent scientists, science advocates and medical experts have petitioned New South Wales governor for Folbigg's release, as per BBC online. The reason? A possible fatal genetic mutation. Scientists are saying that a genetic mutation in Folbigg and her two daughters may have been the reason behind their deaths. This argument is being based on a latest scientific discovery. Scientists have reportedly detected mutation in Folbigg's two sons as well but they say that more research is needed to infer anything in these two particular cases. If at all, Folbigg's conviction is overturned. It will mark worst miscarriage of justice in Australia's history.

New scientific discovery may help acquit Aussie mom accused of killing own children

In February, dozens of women in Mexico deliberately bled for their missing children as a mark of protest. They have been camping for weeks outside the Interior Ministry in Mexico City to demand justice for the disappearances and murders of their children.

In the country wracked by drug-related violence and cartel revenge killings, around 80,000 persons have disappeared in the past 15 years. For these protesting mothers and thousands of other relatives, it's an ordeal to trace their loved ones. It has emerged that many of the bodies have been lying in government morgues for over a decade, while thousands have been buried in public graves.

Some 39,000 unidentified bodies dating back to 2006 are in government custody, found a recent investigation by the news team Quinto Elemento Lab.&nbsp;Thousands of corpses that pass through morgues each year without ever being identified and end up in common graves, according to a report in The Los Angeles Times.

"More than 28,000 of them had been cremated or buried in public cemeteries. Another 2,589 had been donated to medical schools. Most of the rest were still in morgues or could not be located," it said.

This has now become a “humanitarian crisis and forensic emergency,” Mexico’s top human rights official, Alejandro Encinas, had said recently.

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/women-in-mexico-bleed-for-their-missing-children-in-call-for-justice-364083/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

An expert team was formed in 2019 to identify the bodies and bone fragments, but their efforts were hampered by the forensic hurdles and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Few cemeteries — almost none — have a good registry of the location and quantity of people who are buried there,” The LA Times quoted Roxana Enríquez Farias, a founder of the Mexican Forensic Anthropology Team, as saying.

Decomposing corpses are frequently stacked one on top of another, sometimes only in plastic bags, and the mixing of genetic materials makes it difficult to obtain useful samples, the report said.

In many cases, records of the disappeared consist of nothing more than names and ages, without family DNA samples or other clues that could help match them to remains. When the state of Tamaulipas exhumed 265 cadavers and various boxes of bones from a public cemetery in 2018, officials were able to identify only about 30 people, according to the report.

In February, dozens of women in Mexico deliberately bled for their missing children as a mark of protest. They have been camping for weeks outside the Interior Ministry in Mexico City to demand justice for the disappearances and murders of their children.

In February, dozens of women in Mexico deliberately bled for their missing children as a mark of protest. They have been camping for weeks outside the Interior Ministry in Mexico City to demand justice for the disappearances and murders of their children. In the country wracked by drug-related violence and cartel revenge killings, around 80,000 persons have disappeared in the past 15 years. For these protesting mothers and thousands of other relatives, it's an ordeal to trace their loved ones. It has emerged that many of the bodies have been lying in government morgues for over a decade, while thousands have been buried in public graves. Some 39,000 unidentified bodies dating back to 2006 are in government custody, found a recent investigation by the news team Quinto Elemento Lab. Thousands of corpses that pass through morgues each year without ever being identified and end up in common graves, according to a report in The Los Angeles Times. "More than 28,000 of them had been cremated or buried in public cemeteries. Another 2,589 had been donated to medical schools. Most of the rest were still in morgues or could not be located," it said. This has now become a “humanitarian crisis and forensic emergency,” Mexico’s top human rights official, Alejandro Encinas, had said recently. An expert team was formed in 2019 to identify the bodies and bone fragments, but their efforts were hampered by the forensic hurdles and the COVID-19 pandemic. “Few cemeteries — almost none — have a good registry of the location and quantity of people who are buried there,” The LA Times quoted Roxana Enríquez Farias, a founder of the Mexican Forensic Anthropology Team, as saying. Decomposing corpses are frequently stacked one on top of another, sometimes only in plastic bags, and the mixing of genetic materials makes it difficult to obtain useful samples, the report said. In many cases, records of the disappeared consist of nothing more than names and ages, without family DNA samples or other clues that could help match them to remains. When the state of Tamaulipas exhumed 265 cadavers and various boxes of bones from a public cemetery in 2018, officials were able to identify only about 30 people, according to the report.

Mexico's forensic nightmare: Many of the 80,000 missing are in govt graves due to failure in identification

Shortly after the premiere of the first episode of “Allen v. Farrow,” an HBO documentary series that reexamines Dylan Farrow’s decades-old sexual abuse allegations against filmmaker Woody Allen, her adoptive father, a spokesperson for Allen released a statement Sunday night slamming the series, calling it a “shoddy hit piece.”

Letty Aronson, Allen’s sister, sent the statement — attributed to a spokesperson — shortly after the first episode aired, on behalf of Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, the filmmaker’s wife and the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow. In 1992, Farrow, Allen’s longtime girlfriend, learned of the relationship between Allen and Previn when Previn was a first-year college student. That relationship is also the subject of scrutiny in the four-part docuseries.

Neither Allen nor Previn participated in the series, but it does include audio excerpts from Allen’s recent memoir, “Apropos of Nothing.”

“These documentarians had no interest in the truth,” the statement said. “Instead, they spent years surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers to put together a hatchet job riddled with falsehoods.”

On Monday, the publisher of Allen’s memoir, Skyhorse, raised another objection to the series: that the filmmakers had used snippets from the audiobook without permission. In a statement, the president and publisher of Skyhorse, Tony Lyons, said that the “unauthorized” use of the audio in the first episode was “clear, willful infringement under existing legal precedent.” 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-after-woody-allen-publisher-threatens-lawsuit-allen-v-farrow-makers-respond-365556" hreflang="en">After Woody Allen publisher threatens lawsuit, 'Allen v. Farrow' makers respond</a>

Lyons said in the statement that the filmmakers did not request permission to use the excerpts and that the publisher learned late last week that the episodes make “extensive” use of the audiobook. The publisher’s lawyer notified HBO on Friday that “if the use of the audiobook were anywhere near what we were hearing, it would constitute copyright infringement,” he said.

The memoir was originally set to be published last year by Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group until dozens of Hachette employees staged a walkout in protest and the publisher reneged. About two weeks later, his book was published by Arcade Publishing, an imprint of the independent publisher Skyhorse.

In response to the publisher’s objections, an HBO spokesperson provided a statement from the filmmakers, saying, “The creators of ‘Allen v. Farrow’ legally used limited audio excerpts from Woody Allen’s memoir in the series under the Fair Use doctrine.” The doctrine has been invoked to allow artists and journalists — including documentary filmmakers — to use limited amounts of copyrighted works for certain purposes, including using the material to illustrate an argument or to serve as the subject of a critique. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/mia-farrow-says-bringing-woody-allen-into-her-family-is-the-great-regret-of-her-life-365451">Mia Farrow says bringing Woody Allen into family is the 'great regret' of life</a>

Episode 1 includes extensive interviews with Mia Farrow and Dylan Farrow, who accused Allen of sexual assault when she was 7 years old. It also included interviews with family and friends who said that even before Aug. 4, 1992 — the day that Dylan Farrow says Allen assaulted her — they witnessed behavior from Allen toward his daughter that they saw as inappropriate.

Allen has long denied the abuse allegations, arguing that Mia Farrow had coached Dylan to make the allegations after learning about his relationship with Previn.

In Sunday’s statement, Allen continued to deny the claims.

“As has been known for decades, these allegations are categorically false,” the statement said. “Multiple agencies investigated them at the time and found that, whatever Dylan Farrow may have been led to believe, absolutely no abuse had ever taken place.”

In later episodes, the series raises questions about one of those investigations, in particular: a report issued by the Yale Child Sexual Abuse Clinic, at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, which found Dylan uncredible after interviewing the child nine times during a seven-month period. According to the series, all the contemporaneous interview notes from those sessions were destroyed when the final report was issued. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/woody-allen-mia-farrow-soon-yi-previn-dylan-farrow-a-timeline-365343" hreflang="en">Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Soon-Yi Previn, Dylan Farrow: A Timeline</a>

Prosecutors in Connecticut, where Dylan Farrow says that Allen sexually assaulted her, declined to prosecute Allen in 1993. The state’s attorney said that he did so to spare Dylan the trauma of a trial but that he believed she had been molested.

The statement said that Allen and Previn were approached about the documentary less than two months ago and were “given only a matter of days” to respond to it. It also said it was “sadly unsurprising” that HBO was airing the series, considering a production deal it had made with Ronan Farrow, Dylan Farrow’s brother, who has spoken in support of his sister, including in the series. (Ronan Farrow, an investigative journalist who has reported extensively on sexual misconduct, has a deal with HBO to create investigative documentary specials, though he was not on the production team for “Allen v. Farrow.”)

Shortly after the premiere of the first episode of “Allen v. Farrow,” an HBO documentary series that reexamines Dylan Farrow’s decades-old sexual abuse allegations against filmmaker Woody Allen, her adoptive father, a spokesperson for Allen released a statement Sunday night slamming the series, calling it a “shoddy hit piece.

Shortly after the premiere of the first episode of “Allen v. Farrow,” an HBO documentary series that reexamines Dylan Farrow’s decades-old sexual abuse allegations against filmmaker Woody Allen, her adoptive father, a spokesperson for Allen released a statement Sunday night slamming the series, calling it a “shoddy hit piece.” Letty Aronson, Allen’s sister, sent the statement — attributed to a spokesperson — shortly after the first episode aired, on behalf of Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, the filmmaker’s wife and the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow. In 1992, Farrow, Allen’s longtime girlfriend, learned of the relationship between Allen and Previn when Previn was a first-year college student. That relationship is also the subject of scrutiny in the four-part docuseries. Neither Allen nor Previn participated in the series, but it does include audio excerpts from Allen’s recent memoir, “Apropos of Nothing.” “These documentarians had no interest in the truth,” the statement said. “Instead, they spent years surreptitiously collaborating with the Farrows and their enablers to put together a hatchet job riddled with falsehoods.” On Monday, the publisher of Allen’s memoir, Skyhorse, raised another objection to the series: that the filmmakers had used snippets from the audiobook without permission. In a statement, the president and publisher of Skyhorse, Tony Lyons, said that the “unauthorized” use of the audio in the first episode was “clear, willful infringement under existing legal precedent.” Also read: After Woody Allen publisher threatens lawsuit, 'Allen v. Farrow' makers respond Lyons said in the statement that the filmmakers did not request permission to use the excerpts and that the publisher learned late last week that the episodes make “extensive” use of the audiobook. The publisher’s lawyer notified HBO on Friday that “if the use of the audiobook were anywhere near what we were hearing, it would constitute copyright infringement,” he said. The memoir was originally set to be published last year by Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group until dozens of Hachette employees staged a walkout in protest and the publisher reneged. About two weeks later, his book was published by Arcade Publishing, an imprint of the independent publisher Skyhorse. In response to the publisher’s objections, an HBO spokesperson provided a statement from the filmmakers, saying, “The creators of ‘Allen v. Farrow’ legally used limited audio excerpts from Woody Allen’s memoir in the series under the Fair Use doctrine.” The doctrine has been invoked to allow artists and journalists — including documentary filmmakers — to use limited amounts of copyrighted works for certain purposes, including using the material to illustrate an argument or to serve as the subject of a critique. Also read: Mia Farrow says bringing Woody Allen into family is the 'great regret' of life Episode 1 includes extensive interviews with Mia Farrow and Dylan Farrow, who accused Allen of sexual assault when she was 7 years old. It also included interviews with family and friends who said that even before Aug. 4, 1992 — the day that Dylan Farrow says Allen assaulted her — they witnessed behavior from Allen toward his daughter that they saw as inappropriate. Allen has long denied the abuse allegations, arguing that Mia Farrow had coached Dylan to make the allegations after learning about his relationship with Previn. In Sunday’s statement, Allen continued to deny the claims. “As has been known for decades, these allegations are categorically false,” the statement said. “Multiple agencies investigated them at the time and found that, whatever Dylan Farrow may have been led to believe, absolutely no abuse had ever taken place.” In later episodes, the series raises questions about one of those investigations, in particular: a report issued by the Yale Child Sexual Abuse Clinic, at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, which found Dylan uncredible after interviewing the child nine times during a seven-month period. According to the series, all the contemporaneous interview notes from those sessions were destroyed when the final report was issued. Also read: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Soon-Yi Previn, Dylan Farrow: A Timeline Prosecutors in Connecticut, where Dylan Farrow says that Allen sexually assaulted her, declined to prosecute Allen in 1993. The state’s attorney said that he did so to spare Dylan the trauma of a trial but that he believed she had been molested. The statement said that Allen and Previn were approached about the documentary less than two months ago and were “given only a matter of days” to respond to it. It also said it was “sadly unsurprising” that HBO was airing the series, considering a production deal it had made with Ronan Farrow, Dylan Farrow’s brother, who has spoken in support of his sister, including in the series. (Ronan Farrow, an investigative journalist who has reported extensively on sexual misconduct, has a deal with HBO to create investigative documentary specials, though he was not on the production team for “Allen v. Farrow.”)

Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn call HBO docuseries a 'shoddy hit piece'

In an appeal hearing to begin on Thursday, Denmark's top court will be asked to decide if coughing at someone while shouting 'corona' constitutes threatening behaviour. &nbsp;

The 20-year-old defendant in the case was arrested in March, when the country was under a full coronavirus lockdown, after subjecting police to what prosecutors called the 'ruthless and thoughtless' actions during a routine traffic stop. He subsequently tested negative for Covid-19.&nbsp;

First acquitted in a local court, he was later convicted of the offence at Denmark's Western High Court and, at his Supreme Court appeal against that conviction, prosecutors are seeking jail term of three to five months. The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict in the coughing case on February 18.&nbsp;

Other similar incidents of coughing directed at police were reported in Denmark last year, in part a reflection of simmering public discontent in some quarters against the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis.&nbsp;

The government, which says it follows a 'precautionary principle' in managing the virus, enjoyed almost unequivocal public support for swift action against Covid-19 early last year.&nbsp;

But opposition parties have begun to question what some consider an overly cautious approach as infection rates fall, and 30 per cent of Danes now think, the government's measures are too far-reaching, according to a recent Aarhus University study.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this week said lifting the lockdown required 'complete epidemic control'.&nbsp;

In recent months, thousands have taken to the streets in protests, some violent, calling for authorities to ease lockdown curbs which they say limit their freedom and are crippling businesses.&nbsp;

Virologists, health authorities and the government have defended the current curbs - which have locked down most of the county apart from essential shops - as vital to contain more infectious coronavirus variants, notably ones first identified in Britain and South Africa, that have reached Denmark.

In an appeal hearing to begin on Thursday, Denmark's top court will be asked to decide if coughing at someone while shouting 'corona' constitutes threatening behaviour.

In an appeal hearing to begin on Thursday, Denmark's top court will be asked to decide if coughing at someone while shouting 'corona' constitutes threatening behaviour. The 20-year-old defendant in the case was arrested in March, when the country was under a full coronavirus lockdown, after subjecting police to what prosecutors called the 'ruthless and thoughtless' actions during a routine traffic stop. He subsequently tested negative for Covid-19. First acquitted in a local court, he was later convicted of the offence at Denmark's Western High Court and, at his Supreme Court appeal against that conviction, prosecutors are seeking jail term of three to five months. The Supreme Court is expected to give its verdict in the coughing case on February 18. Other similar incidents of coughing directed at police were reported in Denmark last year, in part a reflection of simmering public discontent in some quarters against the government's handling of the Covid-19 crisis. The government, which says it follows a 'precautionary principle' in managing the virus, enjoyed almost unequivocal public support for swift action against Covid-19 early last year. But opposition parties have begun to question what some consider an overly cautious approach as infection rates fall, and 30 per cent of Danes now think, the government's measures are too far-reaching, according to a recent Aarhus University study. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this week said lifting the lockdown required 'complete epidemic control'. In recent months, thousands have taken to the streets in protests, some violent, calling for authorities to ease lockdown curbs which they say limit their freedom and are crippling businesses. Virologists, health authorities and the government have defended the current curbs - which have locked down most of the county apart from essential shops - as vital to contain more infectious coronavirus variants, notably ones first identified in Britain and South Africa, that have reached Denmark.

Danish top court to decide if coughing a crime in pandemic

A Japanese woman who said she hid her mother's corpse in a freezer in her apartment for a decade told police she feared eviction if the death was discovered, media reported Saturday.

Yumi Yoshino was held "on suspicion of abandoning and hiding a female body" found Wednesday inside the freezer in a Tokyo apartment.

The 48-year-old woman said she hid the body 10 years ago because she "didn't want to move out" of the home she shared with her mother, after finding her dead.

The mother, thought to be aged around 60 at the time of her death, was named on the lease of the apartment in a municipal housing complex.

Yoshino had been forced to leave the apartment in mid-January after missing rent payments, the reports said, and a cleaner discovered the body in a freezer hidden in a closet.

An autopsy could not determine the time and cause of woman's death.

A Japanese woman who said she hid her mother's corpse in a freezer in her apartment for a decade told police she feared eviction if the death was discovered, media reported Saturday.

A Japanese woman who said she hid her mother's corpse in a freezer in her apartment for a decade told police she feared eviction if the death was discovered, media reported Saturday. Yumi Yoshino was held "on suspicion of abandoning and hiding a female body" found Wednesday inside the freezer in a Tokyo apartment. The 48-year-old woman said she hid the body 10 years ago because she "didn't want to move out" of the home she shared with her mother, after finding her dead. The mother, thought to be aged around 60 at the time of her death, was named on the lease of the apartment in a municipal housing complex. Yoshino had been forced to leave the apartment in mid-January after missing rent payments, the reports said, and a cleaner discovered the body in a freezer hidden in a closet. An autopsy could not determine the time and cause of woman's death.

Japan woman hid mum's frozen corpse for 10 years, reports say

A woman -- who had been on the run for more than 20 years -- has finally gone on trial in southeastern China. She is accused of killing seven people.

Lao Rongzhi appeared in the Nanchang Intermediate People's Court in Jiangxi province on Monday. She "expressed her apologies" to the victims' families and claimed she was a "victim," who was forced to help her boyfriend, convicted murderer Fa Ziying, out of fear.

Fa was arrested in July 1999. He was convicted of seven murders and executed in December that year.

The two conspired and jointly committed crimes of robbery, kidnapping and intentional homicide in Nanchang, Wenzhou, Changzhou and Hefei.

Lao and Fa were in a relationship between 1996 and 1999.

Lao also had surgery to change her appearance to avoid arrest, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

A woman -- who had been on the run for more than 20 years -- has finally gone on trial in southeastern China. She is accused of killing seven people. Lao Rongzhi appeared in the Nanchang Intermediate People's Court in Jiangxi province on Monday.

A woman -- who had been on the run for more than 20 years -- has finally gone on trial in southeastern China. She is accused of killing seven people. Lao Rongzhi appeared in the Nanchang Intermediate People's Court in Jiangxi province on Monday. She "expressed her apologies" to the victims' families and claimed she was a "victim," who was forced to help her boyfriend, convicted murderer Fa Ziying, out of fear. Fa was arrested in July 1999. He was convicted of seven murders and executed in December that year. The two conspired and jointly committed crimes of robbery, kidnapping and intentional homicide in Nanchang, Wenzhou, Changzhou and Hefei. Lao and Fa were in a relationship between 1996 and 1999. Lao also had surgery to change her appearance to avoid arrest, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Woman goes on trial in China after 20 years on the run

There's no saying what may help investigation officials as they try and solve a crime. Smallest of details can lead to a major revelation. The official just needs to be clever enough to spot the detail. UP Police cracked a murder case in Hardoi due to weak spelling skill of the accused.

The accused Ram Pratap Singh had kidnapped and 8-year-old boy from his grandmother's house on October 26 and murdered him. The same day however, he sent a message to the boy's father through a stolen phone and demanded 200,000 rupees for the release of the boy.

In the message sent to the boy's father, Singh wrote '"Do lakh rupay Seeta-Pur lekar pahuchiye. Pulish ko nahi batana nahi to hatya kar denge (Reach Sitapur with Rs 2 lakh. Don`t inform the police or your son will be murdered)."

"When the boy`s family lodged a missing complaint, we formed teams to trace him. We called back on the mobile phone number but it was switched off. The cyber-surveillance cell was roped in and we detained a person in whose name the SIM was issued, but he said his phone had been stolen," said Anurag Vats, Superintendent of Police in Hardoi.

On the basis of CCTV footage and tip-offs, police picked up 10 suspects including Ram Pratap Singh.

Now the real task was to nab the real killer from the crowd.

Police asked all suspects to write: "Main police main bharti hona chahta hoon. Main Hardoi se Sitapur daud kar ja sakta hoon (I want a police job. I can run from Hardoi to Sitapur)."

Ram Pratap Singh fell into the trap as he wrote police as 'pulish' and Sitapur as 'Seeta-pur', just as he had done in the ransom message to the boy's father.

He was arrested on Saturday and later confessed to the crime.

(With IANS inputs)

There's no saying what may help investigation officials as they try and solve a crime. Smallest of details can lead to a major revelation. The official just needs to be clever enough to spot the detail.

There's no saying what may help investigation officials as they try and solve a crime. Smallest of details can lead to a major revelation. The official just needs to be clever enough to spot the detail. UP Police cracked a murder case in Hardoi due to weak spelling skill of the accused. The accused Ram Pratap Singh had kidnapped and 8-year-old boy from his grandmother's house on October 26 and murdered him. The same day however, he sent a message to the boy's father through a stolen phone and demanded 200,000 rupees for the release of the boy. In the message sent to the boy's father, Singh wrote '"Do lakh rupay Seeta-Pur lekar pahuchiye. Pulish ko nahi batana nahi to hatya kar denge (Reach Sitapur with Rs 2 lakh. Don`t inform the police or your son will be murdered)." "When the boy`s family lodged a missing complaint, we formed teams to trace him. We called back on the mobile phone number but it was switched off. The cyber-surveillance cell was roped in and we detained a person in whose name the SIM was issued, but he said his phone had been stolen," said Anurag Vats, Superintendent of Police in Hardoi. On the basis of CCTV footage and tip-offs, police picked up 10 suspects including Ram Pratap Singh. Now the real task was to nab the real killer from the crowd. Police asked all suspects to write: "Main police main bharti hona chahta hoon. Main Hardoi se Sitapur daud kar ja sakta hoon (I want a police job. I can run from Hardoi to Sitapur)." Ram Pratap Singh fell into the trap as he wrote police as 'pulish' and Sitapur as 'Seeta-pur', just as he had done in the ransom message to the boy's father. He was arrested on Saturday and later confessed to the crime. (With IANS inputs)

Weak spelling skills of murderer help police arrest him

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday said it had registered a case and taken over the investigation of the Hathras gang rape-murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman.

The CBI registered the case on a complaint of the victim`s brother who alleged that an accused had tried to strangulate her sister in a millet field on September 14.

The case was earlier probed by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The agency took over the case following the a request by the Uttar Pradesh government and further notification from the central government.

The CBI said that it has constituted a special team to probe the case, which led to the widespread criticism of the UP government after the victim was hurriedly cremated by Hathras police on September 30.

The woman died at a Delhi hospital on September 29, a fortnight after she was allegedly raped at her village by four upper-caste men. 
&nbsp;

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday said it had registered a case and taken over the investigation of the Hathras gang rape-murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday said it had registered a case and taken over the investigation of the Hathras gang rape-murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman. The CBI registered the case on a complaint of the victim`s brother who alleged that an accused had tried to strangulate her sister in a millet field on September 14. The case was earlier probed by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The agency took over the case following the a request by the Uttar Pradesh government and further notification from the central government. The CBI said that it has constituted a special team to probe the case, which led to the widespread criticism of the UP government after the victim was hurriedly cremated by Hathras police on September 30. The woman died at a Delhi hospital on September 29, a fortnight after she was allegedly raped at her village by four upper-caste men.

CBI takes over Hathras gang-rape case, begins probe

A police station in suburban Paris came under attack by about 40 unidentified people on Saturday night (local time). The mob was armed with metal bars and it was using fireworks as mortars. People wanted to enter the police station but were not able to do so. &nbsp;

"Violent attack last night on the police station of Champigny with mortar shots and various projectiles. No police officer was injured," the Paris police headquarters said on Twitter.

The police station is located in Champigny-Sur-Marne, about 15 km southeast of central Paris.

The police posted a video of the attack. The video showed a barrage of fireworks going off in the direction of the police station.

"It was an organised attack of about 40 people who wanted to do battle," Champigny Mayor Laurent Jeanne told BFM. "For a few days it has been tense with people who have a certain willingness to do battle with the police. It`s anti-police sentiment. We weren`t far off from a disaster."

There were no arrests.

A spate of public safety incidents across France since the end of the COVID-19 lockdown in mid-May has put the government on heightened alert for increases in crime amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

President Emmanuel Macron, who faces a presidential election in less than two years, has been criticised by opponents over crime and public safety since he took power in 2017 and opinion polls show that the public see his government as weakest on those issues.

(With Reuters inputs)

A police station in suburban Paris came under attack by about 40 unidentified people on Saturday night (local time). The mob was armed with metal bars and it was using fireworks as mortars.

A police station in suburban Paris came under attack by about 40 unidentified people on Saturday night (local time). The mob was armed with metal bars and it was using fireworks as mortars. People wanted to enter the police station but were not able to do so. "Violent attack last night on the police station of Champigny with mortar shots and various projectiles. No police officer was injured," the Paris police headquarters said on Twitter. The police station is located in Champigny-Sur-Marne, about 15 km southeast of central Paris. The police posted a video of the attack. The video showed a barrage of fireworks going off in the direction of the police station. "It was an organised attack of about 40 people who wanted to do battle," Champigny Mayor Laurent Jeanne told BFM. "For a few days it has been tense with people who have a certain willingness to do battle with the police. It`s anti-police sentiment. We weren`t far off from a disaster." There were no arrests. A spate of public safety incidents across France since the end of the COVID-19 lockdown in mid-May has put the government on heightened alert for increases in crime amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. President Emmanuel Macron, who faces a presidential election in less than two years, has been criticised by opponents over crime and public safety since he took power in 2017 and opinion polls show that the public see his government as weakest on those issues. (With Reuters inputs)

Mob of 40 attacks police station in Paris suburb

Authorities in Canada have arrested and charged a man with making repeated false claims that he had traveled to Syria to join the ISIS and carried out grisly crimes, they announced.

The charges against 25-year-old Shehroze Chaudhry stemmed from his claims in news media -- including in a widely noted interview with New York Times podcast the Caliphate -- of a terrorist past, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said late Friday.

Chaudhry -- who has used the alias Abu Huzayfah, according to Canada's Global News -- claimed to have traveled to Syria in 2016 to join the IS group and serve with its religious police.

He said he had personally carried out at least two executions and witnessed other acts of violence.

The RCMP said Chaudhry, who lives in the city of Burlington in Ontario province, was charged after a lengthy investigation "in connection with a hoax regarding terrorist activity."

It accused him of "raising public safety concerns amongst Canadians."

"Hoaxes can generate fear within our communities and create the illusion there is a potential threat to Canadians, while we have determined otherwise," said a statement from Superintendent Christopher deGale, who heads the RCMP national security unit.

"As a result, the RCMP takes these allegations very seriously."

In 2018, during a question period in Canada's House of Commons that followed Chaudhry's Caliphate interview, opposition Conservatives expressed outrage that he could still be free after making his repeated terroristic claims.

They demanded his arrest, and in an ensuing investigation inconsistencies began to emerge in his accounts.

Chaudhry is scheduled to make a court appearance in Brampton, Ontario on November 16, the authorities said.

Canada's terrorism hoax laws carry a maximum sentence of five years.

The RCMP security unit is tasked with "investigating individuals who have either departed Canada for the purpose of contributing to the activities of a terrorist group or returned back to Canada after participating in the activities of a terrorist group."

Authorities in Canada have arrested and charged a man with making repeated false claims that he had traveled to Syria to join the ISIS and carried out grisly crimes, they announced.

Authorities in Canada have arrested and charged a man with making repeated false claims that he had traveled to Syria to join the ISIS and carried out grisly crimes, they announced. The charges against 25-year-old Shehroze Chaudhry stemmed from his claims in news media -- including in a widely noted interview with New York Times podcast the Caliphate -- of a terrorist past, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said late Friday. Chaudhry -- who has used the alias Abu Huzayfah, according to Canada's Global News -- claimed to have traveled to Syria in 2016 to join the IS group and serve with its religious police. He said he had personally carried out at least two executions and witnessed other acts of violence. The RCMP said Chaudhry, who lives in the city of Burlington in Ontario province, was charged after a lengthy investigation "in connection with a hoax regarding terrorist activity." It accused him of "raising public safety concerns amongst Canadians." "Hoaxes can generate fear within our communities and create the illusion there is a potential threat to Canadians, while we have determined otherwise," said a statement from Superintendent Christopher deGale, who heads the RCMP national security unit. "As a result, the RCMP takes these allegations very seriously." In 2018, during a question period in Canada's House of Commons that followed Chaudhry's Caliphate interview, opposition Conservatives expressed outrage that he could still be free after making his repeated terroristic claims. They demanded his arrest, and in an ensuing investigation inconsistencies began to emerge in his accounts. Chaudhry is scheduled to make a court appearance in Brampton, Ontario on November 16, the authorities said. Canada's terrorism hoax laws carry a maximum sentence of five years. The RCMP security unit is tasked with "investigating individuals who have either departed Canada for the purpose of contributing to the activities of a terrorist group or returned back to Canada after participating in the activities of a terrorist group."

'Hoaxes generate fear': Canada man arrested over false terror link claims

A man was arrested on charges of a murder that happened 35 years ago in Rochester, New York, and DNA testing had a major role to play in it.

A 14-year old was raped and killed while delivering a birthday card in her neighborhood on Thanksgiving Day 1984 and her body was found by a pedestrian near a school dumpster that night with signs of trauma.

Timothy Williams, 56, was arrested at his home in Melbourne, Florida, on Wednesday and arraigned as a fugitive, according to Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Julie Hahn.

The DNA was extracted from semen collected during an autopsy, and was uploaded to the FBI's DNA database in 1999.

In 2017, New York law was changed to allow law enforcement to search for familial matches to DNA collected in criminal investigations, and the department requested to have a familial DNA search conducted to see if there was a match with the extracted DNA or anyone that might be related.

In July 2020, familial search results from the New York state crime lab generated new leads.

Williams had no defense attorney in Florida, where he waived extradition in Florida. He now awaits extradition to New York.

The victim's mother thanked the police department for the lengths it went to solve the case.

A man was arrested on charges of a murder that happened 35 years ago in Rochester, New York, and DNA testing had a major role to play in it. A 14-year old was raped and killed while delivering a birthday card in her neighborhood on Thanksgiving Day 1984 and her body was found by a pedestrian near a school dumpster that night with signs of trauma.

A man was arrested on charges of a murder that happened 35 years ago in Rochester, New York, and DNA testing had a major role to play in it. A 14-year old was raped and killed while delivering a birthday card in her neighborhood on Thanksgiving Day 1984 and her body was found by a pedestrian near a school dumpster that night with signs of trauma. Timothy Williams, 56, was arrested at his home in Melbourne, Florida, on Wednesday and arraigned as a fugitive, according to Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Julie Hahn. The DNA was extracted from semen collected during an autopsy, and was uploaded to the FBI's DNA database in 1999. In 2017, New York law was changed to allow law enforcement to search for familial matches to DNA collected in criminal investigations, and the department requested to have a familial DNA search conducted to see if there was a match with the extracted DNA or anyone that might be related. In July 2020, familial search results from the New York state crime lab generated new leads. Williams had no defense attorney in Florida, where he waived extradition in Florida. He now awaits extradition to New York. The victim's mother thanked the police department for the lengths it went to solve the case.

DNA leads to arrest in murder of a New York teenager 35 years ago

United States President Donald Trump has made crime and recent civil disturbances in the country a prime focus for his reelection campaign in the upcoming November presidential elections.&nbsp;

But a new poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos has found that majority of Americans do not perceive crime as the primary problem and are actually sympathetic towards the ongoing protests against systemic racism.

"Very" concerned

The poll found that 78 per cent Americans are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the virus. Almost 60 per cent respondents said that Trump was partly responsible for the spread of the virus, along with the business closures that came with it.&nbsp;

Over 6 million Americans have been infected with the virus, a figure higher than elsewhere in the world.

Majority of the Americans do not perceive crime as their primary concern and do not see it increasing in their communities, according to the poll.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/police-did-an-incredible-job-trump-cuts-off-black-pastors-when-asked-about-police-violence-324735" hreflang="en">'Police did an incredible job': Trump cuts off Black pastors when asked about police violence</a>

Only 8 per cent American adults listed crime as the primary concern for the country, while 30 per cent said it was the economy or jobs, while 16 per cent said it was the healthcare system.

62 per cent voters, including 62 per cent Democrats and 65 per cent Republicans said that crime was not increasing in their communities.

Additionally, 53 per cent respondents claimed they were sympathetic to the protesters, up by 1 per cent from July.

Protests have erupted in various parts after police shot down a black man in Wisconsin.&nbsp;

“No one will be safe in Biden’s America,” Trump said last week at the Republican national convention, while accusing Biden of attempting to defund the police.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-visits-kenosha-despite-requests-for-reconsideration-324644/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Online poll

The poll was conducted online throughout the US and recorded responses from 1,335 adults - 551 Democrats and 523 Republicans.

The poll, which was conducted on August 31 and September 1 revealed that 40 per cent of the voters extended support to the incumbent president, while 47 per cent said that they would vote for Joe Biden, Trump’s Democratic opponent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/fake-news-there-were-no-mini-strokes-trump-lashes-out-over-health-reports-324641" hreflang="en">'Fake news, there were no mini-strokes': Trump lashes out over health reports</a>

Over the last three weeks, Biden’s edge over Trump has remained unchanged, even as both the parties conducted conventions officially nominating their presidential candidates.

Over 180,000 Americans have lost their lives to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and Trump has tried to frame his election campaign around the Black Lives Matter protests instead of his handling of the virus.

Trump has accused Biden of being weak on crime and has blamed protesters for violence across American cities

United States President Donald Trump has made crime and recent civil disturbances in the country a prime focus for his reelection campaign in the upcoming November presidential elections.

United States President Donald Trump has made crime and recent civil disturbances in the country a prime focus for his reelection campaign in the upcoming November presidential elections. But a new poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos has found that majority of Americans do not perceive crime as the primary problem and are actually sympathetic towards the ongoing protests against systemic racism. "Very" concerned The poll found that 78 per cent Americans are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the virus. Almost 60 per cent respondents said that Trump was partly responsible for the spread of the virus, along with the business closures that came with it. Over 6 million Americans have been infected with the virus, a figure higher than elsewhere in the world. Majority of the Americans do not perceive crime as their primary concern and do not see it increasing in their communities, according to the poll. Also read: 'Police did an incredible job': Trump cuts off Black pastors when asked about police violence Only 8 per cent American adults listed crime as the primary concern for the country, while 30 per cent said it was the economy or jobs, while 16 per cent said it was the healthcare system. 62 per cent voters, including 62 per cent Democrats and 65 per cent Republicans said that crime was not increasing in their communities. Additionally, 53 per cent respondents claimed they were sympathetic to the protesters, up by 1 per cent from July. Protests have erupted in various parts after police shot down a black man in Wisconsin. “No one will be safe in Biden’s America,” Trump said last week at the Republican national convention, while accusing Biden of attempting to defund the police. Online poll The poll was conducted online throughout the US and recorded responses from 1,335 adults - 551 Democrats and 523 Republicans. The poll, which was conducted on August 31 and September 1 revealed that 40 per cent of the voters extended support to the incumbent president, while 47 per cent said that they would vote for Joe Biden, Trump’s Democratic opponent. Also read: 'Fake news, there were no mini-strokes': Trump lashes out over health reports Over the last three weeks, Biden’s edge over Trump has remained unchanged, even as both the parties conducted conventions officially nominating their presidential candidates. Over 180,000 Americans have lost their lives to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and Trump has tried to frame his election campaign around the Black Lives Matter protests instead of his handling of the virus. Trump has accused Biden of being weak on crime and has blamed protesters for violence across American cities

Trump's campaign in danger as most Americans see coronavirus, not crime as top issue: Poll

The assistant of a wealthy young technology entrepreneur who was found decapitated in his luxury New York apartment this week was charged with his murder Friday, police said.

Tyrese Haspil, 21, is accused of killing 33-year-old Fahim Saleh, who was CEO of Nigerian motorcycle ride-hailing and delivery app Gokada.

"Mr Haspil was Mr Saleh's executive assistant and handled his finances and personal matters. It is also believed that he owed the victim a significant amount of money," Rodney Harrison, the NYPD's top detective, told reporters.

Saleh's remains were found in his Manhattan home on Tuesday afternoon.

An electric saw was discovered near his torso, and his head and limbs were found elsewhere in the apartment.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/33-year-old-tech-ceo-found-dismembered-in-new-york-apartment-313592">Also read |&nbsp;33-year-old tech CEO found dismembered in New York apartment</a>

Harrison added that Haspil was believed to have assaulted Saleh with a Taser before murdering him on Monday.

Saleh, the son of Bangladeshi immigrants, was also a founding partner of Adventure Capital, which invests in startups in developing countries.

According to local media reports, Saleh recently purchased the apartment where he was murdered for about $2.2 million.

The assistant of a wealthy young technology entrepreneur who was found decapitated in his luxury New York apartment this week was charged with his murder Friday, police said.

The assistant of a wealthy young technology entrepreneur who was found decapitated in his luxury New York apartment this week was charged with his murder Friday, police said. Tyrese Haspil, 21, is accused of killing 33-year-old Fahim Saleh, who was CEO of Nigerian motorcycle ride-hailing and delivery app Gokada. "Mr Haspil was Mr Saleh's executive assistant and handled his finances and personal matters. It is also believed that he owed the victim a significant amount of money," Rodney Harrison, the NYPD's top detective, told reporters. Saleh's remains were found in his Manhattan home on Tuesday afternoon. An electric saw was discovered near his torso, and his head and limbs were found elsewhere in the apartment. Also read | 33-year-old tech CEO found dismembered in New York apartment Harrison added that Haspil was believed to have assaulted Saleh with a Taser before murdering him on Monday. Saleh, the son of Bangladeshi immigrants, was also a founding partner of Adventure Capital, which invests in startups in developing countries. According to local media reports, Saleh recently purchased the apartment where he was murdered for about $2.2 million.

New York police charge assistant with decapitating tech entrepreneur

A Chinese man who stabbed to death two people at a coronavirus travel checkpoint was executed Thursday, the Supreme People's Court said.

Ma Jianguo was driving with friends to a village in rural Yunnan for a karaoke party when he came to a barricade blocking his path.

One member of the group&nbsp;tried to remove the barrier, sparking a dispute with people manning it.

Ma, aged 24, then stabbed two checkpoint volunteers several times in the abdomen, killing them, the court said in a posting on its official social media account.

At the time of the killings in February tens of millions of Chinese were under complete lockdown at home as the country grappled with a worsening coronavirus outbreak.

"During a grade-one major public health emergency response in Yunnan province, Ma Jianguo refused to abide by epidemic prevention and control policies, as well as traffic control measures," a ruling on the court's website said.

Since the coronavirus epidemic erupted late last year in the central city of Wuhan, China has charged hundreds of people with offences related to the crisis.

They include spreading "rumours" about the contagion, concealing an infection, and not complying with epidemic prevention guidelines.

Ma's execution is believed to be the first carried out for an epidemic-related offence.

In Beijing alone, 113 people have been charged with epidemic-related crimes since a fresh outbreak emerged in early June, officials said this week.

Chinese authorities have used the vague "rumour-mongering" charge to silence whistle-blowers, including Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who alerted colleagues to the virus in late December but was reprimanded by local authorities along with seven others.

Li later died of the&nbsp;disease.

A Chinese man who stabbed to death two people at a coronavirus travel checkpoint was executed Thursday, the Supreme People's Court said. Ma Jianguo was driving with friends to a village in rural Yunnan for a karaoke party when he came to a barricade blocking his path.

A Chinese man who stabbed to death two people at a coronavirus travel checkpoint was executed Thursday, the Supreme People's Court said. Ma Jianguo was driving with friends to a village in rural Yunnan for a karaoke party when he came to a barricade blocking his path. One member of the group tried to remove the barrier, sparking a dispute with people manning it. Ma, aged 24, then stabbed two checkpoint volunteers several times in the abdomen, killing them, the court said in a posting on its official social media account. At the time of the killings in February tens of millions of Chinese were under complete lockdown at home as the country grappled with a worsening coronavirus outbreak. "During a grade-one major public health emergency response in Yunnan province, Ma Jianguo refused to abide by epidemic prevention and control policies, as well as traffic control measures," a ruling on the court's website said. Since the coronavirus epidemic erupted late last year in the central city of Wuhan, China has charged hundreds of people with offences related to the crisis. They include spreading "rumours" about the contagion, concealing an infection, and not complying with epidemic prevention guidelines. Ma's execution is believed to be the first carried out for an epidemic-related offence. In Beijing alone, 113 people have been charged with epidemic-related crimes since a fresh outbreak emerged in early June, officials said this week. Chinese authorities have used the vague "rumour-mongering" charge to silence whistle-blowers, including Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who alerted colleagues to the virus in late December but was reprimanded by local authorities along with seven others. Li later died of the disease.

China executes man in coronavirus-rage killing case

The number of murders in US cities has spiked in the first half of 2020, a new report claims.

The investigation, undertaken by The New York Times, suggests that the murder rate was much lower for the same duration in 2019.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-governments-boxed-food-aid-promise-falls-short-311363" hreflang="en">US government's boxed food aid promise falls short</a>

New York City alone has witnessed a record-breaking spike in the last 25 years.&nbsp;Over just one weekend, 14 people were killed in Chicago, with 106 being shot!&nbsp;In June, Lose Angeles witnessed a 250 per cent spike in homicides.

To paint a cumulative picture, the Times has reported that the rate of homicides is up by 21.8 per cent in 38 major American cities. However, the rate of other crimes like theft has gone down.

Post-pandemic fears?

This may reflect the reality of a post-pandemic world, with fear-ridden people succumbing to crime. Besides street crime, the whole world has witnessed a spike in domestic violence in the aftermath of the virus, which induced lockdowns around the globe. Helplines have received a lot of calls!

Another factor which may have added to the heightened rates is the race laden protests against police brutality after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. The world, following the footprint of the US, broke out in protests against police brutality against people of colour.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-hospitals-in-america-may-soon-overflow-with-patients-311349" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Hospitals in America may soon overflow with patients</a>

Many in the US have called for the defunding of the police. Also, the US has reported a resurgence in the number of cases, with 50,000 new cases being reported daily over the last few days.

Statistically, homicide among people can usually be traced back to people who knew each other.

The Times suggests that this may indeed have nothing to do with the pandemic or the ongoing protests, but perhaps a consequence of the trends that have been in motion for years now.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/charge-filed-against-white-woman-who-called-911-against-african-american-birdwatcher-311259" hreflang="en">Charge filed against white woman who called 911 against African American birdwatcher</a>

The publication claimed that New York City reported a similar jump in the number of cases in 2015, when there was no pandemic or protests. Additionally, the rate of murders in Chicago is also down by six per cent if compared with 2017.

The number of murders in US cities has spiked in the first half of 2020, a new report claims. The investigation, undertaken by The New York Times, suggests that the murder rate was much lower for the same duration in 2019.

The number of murders in US cities has spiked in the first half of 2020, a new report claims. The investigation, undertaken by The New York Times, suggests that the murder rate was much lower for the same duration in 2019. Also read: US government's boxed food aid promise falls short New York City alone has witnessed a record-breaking spike in the last 25 years. Over just one weekend, 14 people were killed in Chicago, with 106 being shot! In June, Lose Angeles witnessed a 250 per cent spike in homicides. To paint a cumulative picture, the Times has reported that the rate of homicides is up by 21.8 per cent in 38 major American cities. However, the rate of other crimes like theft has gone down. Post-pandemic fears? This may reflect the reality of a post-pandemic world, with fear-ridden people succumbing to crime. Besides street crime, the whole world has witnessed a spike in domestic violence in the aftermath of the virus, which induced lockdowns around the globe. Helplines have received a lot of calls! Another factor which may have added to the heightened rates is the race laden protests against police brutality after George Floyd was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis. The world, following the footprint of the US, broke out in protests against police brutality against people of colour. Also read: COVID-19: Hospitals in America may soon overflow with patients Many in the US have called for the defunding of the police. Also, the US has reported a resurgence in the number of cases, with 50,000 new cases being reported daily over the last few days. Statistically, homicide among people can usually be traced back to people who knew each other. The Times suggests that this may indeed have nothing to do with the pandemic or the ongoing protests, but perhaps a consequence of the trends that have been in motion for years now. Also read: Charge filed against white woman who called 911 against African American birdwatcher The publication claimed that New York City reported a similar jump in the number of cases in 2015, when there was no pandemic or protests. Additionally, the rate of murders in Chicago is also down by six per cent if compared with 2017.

Number of homicides jumped in 28 major US cities in the first-half of 2020

British Police, on Thursday, claimed to have carried out their biggest operation ever in which they caught "iconic" figures.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has claimed to smash thousands of conspiracies, including murder plots, as the agency was able to crack the encryption system of EnroChat, the communication system which was being used by several criminals.

"Together we’ve protected the public by arresting middle-tier criminals and the kingpins, the so-called iconic untouchables who have evaded law enforcement for years, and now we have the evidence to prosecute them," said NCA Director of Investigations Nikki Holland.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-government-boosts-cyber-security-after-state-backed-attacks-309605">Also read|&nbsp;Australian government boosts cyber security after state-backed attacks</a>

NCA claimed to have been working on this project since 2016 with international partners, after which it has managed to arrest nearly 750 criminals.

The agency said it also meant a specialist team had been able to stop rival gangs carrying out kidnappings and executions, "successfully mitigating over 200 threats to life".

Two months ago, French and Dutch investigators were able to infiltrate the platform, which had 60,000 users worldwide and around 10,000 in the United Kingdom. This allowed the agencies to monitor the messages and keep a eye on the movements of the criminals.

Reports also suggested that EnroChat had realized that the platform had been infiltrated, and had then asked their users to throw away their devices. All this had happened after June 13.

However, British police have made 746 arrests, claimed 54 million pounds ($67 million) in criminal cash, seized 77 firearms, including an assault rifle and sub-machine guns, and more than two tonnes of drugs, the NCA said.

The operation has been helpful for other European agencies too, who have been able to get ahead of criminal activities using this&nbsp;information.

EnroChat has now been shut down.

(With inputs from Reuters)

British Police, on Thursday, claimed to have carried out their biggest operation ever in which they caught "iconic" figures. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has claimed to smash thousands of conspiracies, including murder plots, as the agency was able to crack the encryption system of EnroChat, the communication system which was being used by several criminals.

British Police, on Thursday, claimed to have carried out their biggest operation ever in which they caught "iconic" figures. The National Crime Agency (NCA) has claimed to smash thousands of conspiracies, including murder plots, as the agency was able to crack the encryption system of EnroChat, the communication system which was being used by several criminals. "Together we’ve protected the public by arresting middle-tier criminals and the kingpins, the so-called iconic untouchables who have evaded law enforcement for years, and now we have the evidence to prosecute them," said NCA Director of Investigations Nikki Holland. Also read| Australian government boosts cyber security after state-backed attacks NCA claimed to have been working on this project since 2016 with international partners, after which it has managed to arrest nearly 750 criminals. The agency said it also meant a specialist team had been able to stop rival gangs carrying out kidnappings and executions, "successfully mitigating over 200 threats to life". Two months ago, French and Dutch investigators were able to infiltrate the platform, which had 60,000 users worldwide and around 10,000 in the United Kingdom. This allowed the agencies to monitor the messages and keep a eye on the movements of the criminals. Reports also suggested that EnroChat had realized that the platform had been infiltrated, and had then asked their users to throw away their devices. All this had happened after June 13. However, British police have made 746 arrests, claimed 54 million pounds ($67 million) in criminal cash, seized 77 firearms, including an assault rifle and sub-machine guns, and more than two tonnes of drugs, the NCA said. The operation has been helpful for other European agencies too, who have been able to get ahead of criminal activities using this information. EnroChat has now been shut down. (With inputs from Reuters)

UK police catches nearly 750 criminals in biggest operation against EnroChat: NCA

North Korea is allegedly making millions selling sand illegally.&nbsp;According to media reports, the country, which is continuously under the international radar for flouting sanctions, and for overzealously conducting nuclear tests, which makes especially its neighbour South Korea anxious.

Earlier, Pyongyang was accused of illegally selling coal and other goods, seldom in huge quantities. To evade the radar of custom authorities and the UN sanctions therein, the country allegedly moves the goods from one ship to another in the ocean, CNN reported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/north-korea-to-cut-communications-with-enemy-south-in-row-over-leafleting-304397" hreflang="en">North Korea to cut communications with 'enemy' South in row over leafleting</a>

Reports suggest that 279 ships are currently circling around North Korean seas, in what seems to be a massive operation worth millions of dollars.

Instead of using ships to transport illegal weapons, drugs, money, and animals, or coal, the country is now transporting sand. The country is infamous for dealing the other mentioned items, especially coal, which brings great profits to the country.

<h6><img alt="A North Korea soldier stands guard as people unload a boat on the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, December 17, 2013" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ac91cd4d-fdc9-4044-b947-3489f19e3b26" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_27.jpg" /> 
A North Korea soldier stands guard as people unload a boat on the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, December 17, 2013 | AFP</h6>

As part of the United Nations sanctions from December 2017, the country cannot export earth and stone. So by selling its sand, the country is violating international law.

UN investigators had found that the country earned $22 million in 2019 via a “sand-export operation”. The report was released in April.

The Panel of Experts, or the investigating country, supplied details to the UN. According to its report, North Korea sent one million tonnes of sand to foreign territories between May-December 2019.

The coordinator of North Korean sanctions said the report pointed to a “large scale” and significant illegal activity in the region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-calls-for-developing-a-self-sufficient-economy-304143" hreflang="en">North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for developing a 'self-sufficient economy'</a>

These transfers of sand that do not happen on land may be helping North Korea ends its cash deficit.

Sand might seem like an ordinary thing to sell, but it is the main component of concrete, glass, and even the processors that power electronic devices.

The world consumes 50 billion tonnes of sand every year, which accounts for more usage than any other resource, only behind water.

However, illegal dredging of sand can have serious environmental implications.

In 2008, N Korea was selling sand extensively to South Korea, almost worth $73.35 million, but this exchange stopped shortly after.

China remains North Korea’s biggest sand buyer, as it consumes more sand than any other country.

North Korea is allegedly making millions selling sand illegally. According to media reports, the country, which is continuously under the international radar for flouting sanctions, and for overzealously conducting nuclear tests, which makes especially its neighbour South Korea anxious.

North Korea is allegedly making millions selling sand illegally. According to media reports, the country, which is continuously under the international radar for flouting sanctions, and for overzealously conducting nuclear tests, which makes especially its neighbour South Korea anxious. Earlier, Pyongyang was accused of illegally selling coal and other goods, seldom in huge quantities. To evade the radar of custom authorities and the UN sanctions therein, the country allegedly moves the goods from one ship to another in the ocean, CNN reported. Also read: North Korea to cut communications with 'enemy' South in row over leafleting Reports suggest that 279 ships are currently circling around North Korean seas, in what seems to be a massive operation worth millions of dollars. Instead of using ships to transport illegal weapons, drugs, money, and animals, or coal, the country is now transporting sand. The country is infamous for dealing the other mentioned items, especially coal, which brings great profits to the country. A North Korea soldier stands guard as people unload a boat on the Yalu River which separates the North Korean town of Sinuiju from the Chinese border town of Dandong on the second anniversary of the death of former leader Kim Jong-Il, December 17, 2013 | AFP As part of the United Nations sanctions from December 2017, the country cannot export earth and stone. So by selling its sand, the country is violating international law. UN investigators had found that the country earned $22 million in 2019 via a “sand-export operation”. The report was released in April. The Panel of Experts, or the investigating country, supplied details to the UN. According to its report, North Korea sent one million tonnes of sand to foreign territories between May-December 2019. The coordinator of North Korean sanctions said the report pointed to a “large scale” and significant illegal activity in the region. Also read: North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for developing a 'self-sufficient economy' These transfers of sand that do not happen on land may be helping North Korea ends its cash deficit. Sand might seem like an ordinary thing to sell, but it is the main component of concrete, glass, and even the processors that power electronic devices. The world consumes 50 billion tonnes of sand every year, which accounts for more usage than any other resource, only behind water. However, illegal dredging of sand can have serious environmental implications. In 2008, N Korea was selling sand extensively to South Korea, almost worth $73.35 million, but this exchange stopped shortly after. China remains North Korea’s biggest sand buyer, as it consumes more sand than any other country.

North Korea allegedly making millions by selling its sand illegally

Stig Engstrom, a graphic designer, was the man who shot dead Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986, prosecutor Krister Petersson said on Wednesday, closing the case that has haunted Sweden for decades.&nbsp;

"The person is Stig Engstrom," Petersson told a news conference. "Because the person is dead, I cannot bring charges against him and have decided to close the investigation."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/sweden-urges-its-demonstrating-citizens-to-take-it-on-internet-rather-than-coming-out-on-streets-303269" hreflang="en">Sweden urges its demonstrating citizens to take it on internet rather than coming out on streets</a>

Palme was shot dead in central Stockholm in 1986 after a visit to the cinema with his wife and son. The murder sparked a massive manhunt and a plethora of conspiracy theories involving shadowy forces ranging from the CIA and Kurdish separatists to the South African security services.

While a petty criminal was convicted of Palme's killing, the judgement was later overturned and the police's failure to identify the culprit has left a scar on the psyche of a country that still prides itself on how safe it is to walk its streets.

Palme was prime minister between 1969 and 1976 and between 1982 and 1986. Some hail him as the architect of modern Sweden, while conservatives hated his anti-colonial views and criticism of the United States.

Stig Engstrom, a graphic designer, was the man who shot dead Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986, prosecutor Krister Petersson said on Wednesday, closing the case that has haunted Sweden for decades.

Stig Engstrom, a graphic designer, was the man who shot dead Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme in 1986, prosecutor Krister Petersson said on Wednesday, closing the case that has haunted Sweden for decades. "The person is Stig Engstrom," Petersson told a news conference. "Because the person is dead, I cannot bring charges against him and have decided to close the investigation." Also read: Sweden urges its demonstrating citizens to take it on internet rather than coming out on streets Palme was shot dead in central Stockholm in 1986 after a visit to the cinema with his wife and son. The murder sparked a massive manhunt and a plethora of conspiracy theories involving shadowy forces ranging from the CIA and Kurdish separatists to the South African security services. While a petty criminal was convicted of Palme's killing, the judgement was later overturned and the police's failure to identify the culprit has left a scar on the psyche of a country that still prides itself on how safe it is to walk its streets. Palme was prime minister between 1969 and 1976 and between 1982 and 1986. Some hail him as the architect of modern Sweden, while conservatives hated his anti-colonial views and criticism of the United States.

Swedish prosecutor names killer of PM Palme, closes 34-year case

A man in the United States who spent 23&nbsp;years in prison for sexually assaulting and murdering a four-year-old girl has been freed.

Prosecutors recently concluded the 55-year-old wasn’t guilty, with a judge overruling conviction for “crimes” against Barbara Jean Horn in July 1988, who was his neighbour.

The prosecutor, Carrie Wood apologised to Walter Ogrod and said, “I’m sorry it took 28 years… you are innocent, and that the words of your statement of confession came from Philadelphia Police detectives and not you".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/george-floyds-murder-inexcusable-says-british-pm-boris-johnson-302996" hreflang="en">George Floyd's murder 'inexcusable', says British PM Boris Johnson</a>

Barbara Jean was found dead by a neighbour around 300 metres from her home. She had sustained head wounds, and was wrapped in a garbage bag.&nbsp;Four years later, Ogrod was arrested.

A judge in Philadelphia overruled the previous findings, and found misconduct on the part of the prosecution, with new evidence propping up, which proved his innocence.

Turns out Ogrod’s confession was made under coercion, with lawyers claiming that the girl had died from asphyxiation.

Media reports also indicate that the eyewitness accounts of the perpetrator do not match the appearance of Ogrod.

In his confession, Ogrod did not even get the details of the murder right.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/cannot-tolerate-sin-of-racism-says-pope-francis-while-addressing-the-murder-of-george-floyd-302912" hreflang="en">'Cannot tolerate sin of racism', says Pope Francis while addressing the murder of George Floyd</a>

Philadelphia’s district attorney discovered that material and evidence of his innocence was withheld by prosecutors.

There is no other suspect in sight. Ogrod was convicted of the crime in 1996.

Even though the case wasn’t completely thrown out, his charge was lowered to a third-degree murder, which enabled him to post bail and get released.

One of his lawyers James Rollins told SkyNews that Ogrod was “very tired” but also “very pleased to be out of prison”.

A man in the United States who spent 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting and murdering a four-year-old girl has been freed. Prosecutors recently concluded the 55-year-old wasn’t guilty, with a judge overruling conviction for “crimes” against Barbara Jean Horn in July 1988, who was his neighbour.

A man in the United States who spent 23 years in prison for sexually assaulting and murdering a four-year-old girl has been freed. Prosecutors recently concluded the 55-year-old wasn’t guilty, with a judge overruling conviction for “crimes” against Barbara Jean Horn in July 1988, who was his neighbour. The prosecutor, Carrie Wood apologised to Walter Ogrod and said, “I’m sorry it took 28 years… you are innocent, and that the words of your statement of confession came from Philadelphia Police detectives and not you". Also read: George Floyd's murder 'inexcusable', says British PM Boris Johnson Barbara Jean was found dead by a neighbour around 300 metres from her home. She had sustained head wounds, and was wrapped in a garbage bag. Four years later, Ogrod was arrested. A judge in Philadelphia overruled the previous findings, and found misconduct on the part of the prosecution, with new evidence propping up, which proved his innocence. Turns out Ogrod’s confession was made under coercion, with lawyers claiming that the girl had died from asphyxiation. Media reports also indicate that the eyewitness accounts of the perpetrator do not match the appearance of Ogrod. In his confession, Ogrod did not even get the details of the murder right. Also read: 'Cannot tolerate sin of racism', says Pope Francis while addressing the murder of George Floyd Philadelphia’s district attorney discovered that material and evidence of his innocence was withheld by prosecutors. There is no other suspect in sight. Ogrod was convicted of the crime in 1996. Even though the case wasn’t completely thrown out, his charge was lowered to a third-degree murder, which enabled him to post bail and get released. One of his lawyers James Rollins told SkyNews that Ogrod was “very tired” but also “very pleased to be out of prison”.

American man falsely charged with murder released after 23 years

Police in the US state of Florida recently arrested a man for murder 35 years after the crime was committed.&nbsp;

Interestingly, DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette solved the cold case, the BBC reported.

Earlier this week, 57-year-old Daniel Wells was arrested in Pensacola for murdering Tonya McKinley.

McKinley was sexually assaulted and strangled on New Year’s Day in 1985. She has a son. The case remained unsolved for over three decades. According to the local police, DNA from a database linked Wells to the murder.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/man-sentenced-to-death-for-murder-of-19-people-at-a-caring-home-for-disabled-286671" hreflang="en">Man sentenced to death for murder of 19 people at a caring home for disabled</a>

"I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years." the victim’s sister, Renee, told NBC News.&nbsp;

The statement released by Pensacola police clearly states that they had interrogated her friends and family, while also talking to people at the local restaurant where the 23-year-old was seen.

The police were able to trace Wells by using open-source genealogy databases and combining them with DNA evidence which was found near the victim’s body 35 years ago.

"Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said. "In the meantime, a baby boy grew up without a mother, parents buried their daughter without knowing justice, and a killer was walking around free", the police statement added.

<h6><img alt="iii" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5639a385-098f-43d5-a854-1053926f46ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ETxX5GAWsAAAG9w.jpeg" /> 
Daniel Wells | Source: CTV news 
&nbsp;</h6>

Based on the information derived from this process, the police reached the relatives and cousins of Wells. After a link was established, the police charted out a family tree and finally zeroed in on Wells.

Media reports suggest that the police tracked him for a long time, and collected DNA evidence from a cigarette butt that he had thrown out of the car.

After the link was established and verified by the police, Wells was charged for committing first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. He is currently being held at Escambia Country Jail.

McKinley’s 35-year-old son, Timothy Davidson expressed happiness at the discovery.

“It’s still kind of unbelievable, like I’m dreaming,” he told The Daily Beast.

Police in the US state of Florida recently arrested a man for murder 35 years after the crime was committed. Interestingly, DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette solved the cold case, the BBC reported.

Police in the US state of Florida recently arrested a man for murder 35 years after the crime was committed. Interestingly, DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette solved the cold case, the BBC reported. Earlier this week, 57-year-old Daniel Wells was arrested in Pensacola for murdering Tonya McKinley. McKinley was sexually assaulted and strangled on New Year’s Day in 1985. She has a son. The case remained unsolved for over three decades. According to the local police, DNA from a database linked Wells to the murder. Also read: Man sentenced to death for murder of 19 people at a caring home for disabled "I didn't really think this would happen in my lifetime, not after 35 years." the victim’s sister, Renee, told NBC News. The statement released by Pensacola police clearly states that they had interrogated her friends and family, while also talking to people at the local restaurant where the 23-year-old was seen. The police were able to trace Wells by using open-source genealogy databases and combining them with DNA evidence which was found near the victim’s body 35 years ago. "Despite having a good bit of physical evidence and dozens of interviews, over time, the trail went cold," police said. "In the meantime, a baby boy grew up without a mother, parents buried their daughter without knowing justice, and a killer was walking around free", the police statement added. Daniel Wells | Source: CTV news Based on the information derived from this process, the police reached the relatives and cousins of Wells. After a link was established, the police charted out a family tree and finally zeroed in on Wells. Media reports suggest that the police tracked him for a long time, and collected DNA evidence from a cigarette butt that he had thrown out of the car. After the link was established and verified by the police, Wells was charged for committing first-degree murder and first-degree sexual battery. He is currently being held at Escambia Country Jail. McKinley’s 35-year-old son, Timothy Davidson expressed happiness at the discovery. “It’s still kind of unbelievable, like I’m dreaming,” he told The Daily Beast.

Cold case of murder solved after 35 years using DNA evidence from a cigarette butt

The crime rate against women in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tripura-two-bangladeshi-two-turkish-nationals-sent-to-6-days-police-remand-for-atm-hacking-271804">Tripura</a> has reduced by seven per cent during the last two years of the BJP-IPFT rule in the state, said Ratanlal Nath, state Law Minister. 
 
"As statistics show a growth rate of crime against women in other parts of the country, in north-eastern Tripura state, it has come down by seven per cent. The crime rate against women in Tripura has reduced from 25 per cent in 2016-2017 to 18.23 per cent during the last two years of BJP-IPFT rule in the state," said Nath. 
 
According to Nath during the year 2016 and 2017 out of the total 7,888 criminal cases, the number of cases of crimes against women was 1,974 at a rate of 82.25 crimes per month. 
 
"However, during the following two years (2018 and 2019) out of a total, 10,521 criminal cases reported incidents of crime against women were 1,919 and at a rate 79 crimes registered per month," Nath added. 
 
Earlier Nath also gave detailed statistics along with the year-wise breakup of the crime figure of the state during the Left Front's last two years and the first two years BJP-IPFT government which came to power in early 2018. 
 
The Law Minister claimed that after the change in the regime in Tripura, the crime rate has gone down while the conviction rate has increased and it reveals that the state's law and order are improving. 
 
"All other crime indicators including incidents of murder, rape, molestation, torture in the state during the last two years have reduced, which is a healthy sign. However, the government is not happy with this as it wants to bring the crime rate to zero," said Nath.

The crime rate against women in Tripura has reduced by seven per cent during the last two years of the BJP-IPFT rule in the state, said Ratanlal Nath, state Law Minister.

The crime rate against women in Tripura has reduced by seven per cent during the last two years of the BJP-IPFT rule in the state, said Ratanlal Nath, state Law Minister. "As statistics show a growth rate of crime against women in other parts of the country, in north-eastern Tripura state, it has come down by seven per cent. The crime rate against women in Tripura has reduced from 25 per cent in 2016-2017 to 18.23 per cent during the last two years of BJP-IPFT rule in the state," said Nath. According to Nath during the year 2016 and 2017 out of the total 7,888 criminal cases, the number of cases of crimes against women was 1,974 at a rate of 82.25 crimes per month. "However, during the following two years (2018 and 2019) out of a total, 10,521 criminal cases reported incidents of crime against women were 1,919 and at a rate 79 crimes registered per month," Nath added. Earlier Nath also gave detailed statistics along with the year-wise breakup of the crime figure of the state during the Left Front's last two years and the first two years BJP-IPFT government which came to power in early 2018. The Law Minister claimed that after the change in the regime in Tripura, the crime rate has gone down while the conviction rate has increased and it reveals that the state's law and order are improving. "All other crime indicators including incidents of murder, rape, molestation, torture in the state during the last two years have reduced, which is a healthy sign. However, the government is not happy with this as it wants to bring the crime rate to zero," said Nath.

Crime against women reduced 7% in Tripura: Law Minister Ratanlal Nath

The U.S. Supreme Court's consideration of a major gun rights case could end in a misfire, with the justices on Monday (December 2) debating whether to dismiss a challenge backed by the powerful National Rifle Association to a New York City handgun ordinance.

U.S. Supreme Court justices debate whether to dismiss major gun case

A witness to Friday's deadly attack in London said on Sunday (December 1) that it was like "a game of pinball bomb with added knives," as he described how staff at Fishmongers' Hall responded to the threat.

"A game of pinball bomb with added knives" - witness on London attack

Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday arrested a man who allegedly killed his two daughters in a drunk state here in Surajpur area on Thursday night. 
 
The accused, Hari Solanki, killed his six-year-old and three-year-old daughters after having an argument with his wife. 
 
According to Superintendent of Police Rural Ranvijay Singh, the wife of the accused said that Solanki was drunk. 
 
In the morning, the dead body of one daughter was found in the home while the other was found in an abandoned building. 
 
After the incident, the accused went missing but was arrested by police later in the day. 
 
"There were marks of injuries on the head of daughters that were caused by Solanki," police said. 
 
An FIR has been registered in the case and further investigation is underway.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday arrested a man who allegedly killed his two daughters in a drunk state here in Surajpur area on Thursday night. The accused, Hari Solanki, killed his six-year-old and three-year-old daughters after having an argument with his wife.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday arrested a man who allegedly killed his two daughters in a drunk state here in Surajpur area on Thursday night. The accused, Hari Solanki, killed his six-year-old and three-year-old daughters after having an argument with his wife. According to Superintendent of Police Rural Ranvijay Singh, the wife of the accused said that Solanki was drunk. In the morning, the dead body of one daughter was found in the home while the other was found in an abandoned building. After the incident, the accused went missing but was arrested by police later in the day. "There were marks of injuries on the head of daughters that were caused by Solanki," police said. An FIR has been registered in the case and further investigation is underway.

Drunk man kills two minor daughters after argument with wife in Uttar Pradesh

A Yemeni man stabbed three actors at a performance in the Saudi capital, police said on Tuesday, in the first such attack since the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-names-new-foreign-minister-in-generational-shift-257936">ultra-conservative kingdom</a> began easing decades-old restrictions on entertainment.

The knife-wielding assailant was arrested after state television footage showed him storming a musical performance in Riyadh's King Abdullah Park by what appeared to be a foreign theatre troupe.

Police said the victims were in stable condition after the attack late Monday, which comes as de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues sweeping reforms that mark the biggest cultural shakeup in the kingdom's modern history.

"Security forces dealt with a... stabbing attack against two men and a woman from a theatre group during a live performance," a police spokesman was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Police identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Yemeni expatriate but did not give details of his motive or the nationality of his victims.

The King Abdullah Park is one of the venues hosting the two-month "Riyadh Season", an art and entertainment festival that is part of a broad government push to open up the kingdom to tourists and diversify its economy away from oil.

Prince Mohammed has introduced mixed-gender concerts, re-opened cinemas and lifted a decades-old ban on women drivers as part of a drive to modernise the Muslim kingdom.

In scenes that were unimaginable just two years ago, Saudi Arabia has staged glitzy performances by a host of international artists, from South Korean boy band BTS to pop icon Janet Jackson and rapper 50 Cent.

Last month, the kingdom hosted its first-ever women's wrestling match as it attempts to shrug off its ultra-conservative image.

The knife attack has left many Saudis shocked, with some on social media denouncing it as an act of "terrorism".

"Every instigator against entertainment is a partner in this extremist act," one Twitter user said.

'Collision course'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-to-allow-women-to-serve-in-armed-forces-255090">Saudi officials</a> warn that introducing such wide-ranging reforms in a society steeped in conservatism is fraught with peril.

While they are wildly popular among Saudi Arabia's mainly young population, the reforms risk angering arch-conservatives, including hardline clerics and the religious police whose powers have been clipped in recent years.

"The risk of this sort of attack against the recent introduction of public entertainment, which many clerics have been inciting against, is a key reason (the government) has pursued a zero-tolerance policy towards their public attacks against change and reform," Saudi analyst Ali Shihabi said on Twitter.

Earlier this year, human rights campaigners reported the arrest of religious scholar Omar al-Muqbil after he criticised the Saudi General Entertainment Authority for hosting such concerts, saying they were "erasing Saudi society's original identity".

"Liberals and conservatives in the kingdom are on a collision course and that probably worries Saudi leaders the most," Quentin de Pimodan, a Saudi expert at the Greece-based Research Institute for European and American Studies, told AFP.

"After this attack we can expect a sharper crackdown on those opposed to Saudi's entertainment push."

Saudi Arabia has already drawn international censure for its sweeping crackdown on critics, including clerics, intellectuals and women activists.

The kingdom has faced international scrutiny over its human rights record since last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul.

Developing the tourism and leisure sector is one of the foundations of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 plan to prepare the Arab world's largest economy for the post-oil era.

The General Entertainment Authority has said it plans to pump $64 billion into the sector in the coming decade.

Some Saudis, however, view the push for entertainment as an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-welcomes-24000-tourists-in-10-days-254557">attempt to blunt public frustration</a> over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment in the petro-state.

A Yemeni man stabbed three actors at a performance in the Saudi capital, police said on Tuesday, in the first such attack since the ultra-conservative kingdom began easing decades-old restrictions on entertainment.

A Yemeni man stabbed three actors at a performance in the Saudi capital, police said on Tuesday, in the first such attack since the ultra-conservative kingdom began easing decades-old restrictions on entertainment. The knife-wielding assailant was arrested after state television footage showed him storming a musical performance in Riyadh's King Abdullah Park by what appeared to be a foreign theatre troupe. Police said the victims were in stable condition after the attack late Monday, which comes as de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues sweeping reforms that mark the biggest cultural shakeup in the kingdom's modern history. "Security forces dealt with a... stabbing attack against two men and a woman from a theatre group during a live performance," a police spokesman was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency. Police identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Yemeni expatriate but did not give details of his motive or the nationality of his victims. The King Abdullah Park is one of the venues hosting the two-month "Riyadh Season", an art and entertainment festival that is part of a broad government push to open up the kingdom to tourists and diversify its economy away from oil. Prince Mohammed has introduced mixed-gender concerts, re-opened cinemas and lifted a decades-old ban on women drivers as part of a drive to modernise the Muslim kingdom. In scenes that were unimaginable just two years ago, Saudi Arabia has staged glitzy performances by a host of international artists, from South Korean boy band BTS to pop icon Janet Jackson and rapper 50 Cent. Last month, the kingdom hosted its first-ever women's wrestling match as it attempts to shrug off its ultra-conservative image. The knife attack has left many Saudis shocked, with some on social media denouncing it as an act of "terrorism". "Every instigator against entertainment is a partner in this extremist act," one Twitter user said. 'Collision course' Saudi officials warn that introducing such wide-ranging reforms in a society steeped in conservatism is fraught with peril. While they are wildly popular among Saudi Arabia's mainly young population, the reforms risk angering arch-conservatives, including hardline clerics and the religious police whose powers have been clipped in recent years. "The risk of this sort of attack against the recent introduction of public entertainment, which many clerics have been inciting against, is a key reason (the government) has pursued a zero-tolerance policy towards their public attacks against change and reform," Saudi analyst Ali Shihabi said on Twitter. Earlier this year, human rights campaigners reported the arrest of religious scholar Omar al-Muqbil after he criticised the Saudi General Entertainment Authority for hosting such concerts, saying they were "erasing Saudi society's original identity". "Liberals and conservatives in the kingdom are on a collision course and that probably worries Saudi leaders the most," Quentin de Pimodan, a Saudi expert at the Greece-based Research Institute for European and American Studies, told AFP. "After this attack we can expect a sharper crackdown on those opposed to Saudi's entertainment push." Saudi Arabia has already drawn international censure for its sweeping crackdown on critics, including clerics, intellectuals and women activists. The kingdom has faced international scrutiny over its human rights record since last year's murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul. Developing the tourism and leisure sector is one of the foundations of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 plan to prepare the Arab world's largest economy for the post-oil era. The General Entertainment Authority has said it plans to pump $64 billion into the sector in the coming decade. Some Saudis, however, view the push for entertainment as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment in the petro-state.

Three actors stabbed on stage in Saudi capital by Yemeni man amid eased restrictions in country

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the whereabouts of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, missing since visiting Iran's Kish Island in 2007, remains unknown, and it denied a report that Tehran had opened a criminal case against him.

Levinson disappeared while on a trip to the island in the Persian Gulf. Iranian officials have repeatedly denied knowledge of his disappearance or of his whereabouts.

"Levinson has a judicial case in our country as he is missing ... This is based on humanitarian issues," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in remarks carried on state television.

Mousavi was commenting on a Western media report that Iran had told the United Nations that Levinson was the subject of an ongoing criminal case.

In 2016, during President Barack Obama's administration, senior US&nbsp;officials said they believed Levinson had died in captivity. But in January, a State Department spokesman said that was inaccurate and called on Iran to locate Levinson and return him home to his family.

The tension between Iran and the United States has risen significantly since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump withdrew from an international nuclear deal with Tehran last year and reimposed US&nbsp;sanctions that had been lifted after the 2015 accord.

Several Americans have been detained in Iran in recent years, and Trump warned in 2017 that Tehran would face "new and serious consequences" unless all unjustly held US&nbsp;citizens were freed.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the whereabouts of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, missing since visiting Iran's Kish Island in 2007, remains unknown, and it denied a report that Tehran had opened a criminal case against him.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that the whereabouts of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, missing since visiting Iran's Kish Island in 2007, remains unknown, and it denied a report that Tehran had opened a criminal case against him. Levinson disappeared while on a trip to the island in the Persian Gulf. Iranian officials have repeatedly denied knowledge of his disappearance or of his whereabouts. "Levinson has a judicial case in our country as he is missing ... This is based on humanitarian issues," Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in remarks carried on state television. Mousavi was commenting on a Western media report that Iran had told the United Nations that Levinson was the subject of an ongoing criminal case. In 2016, during President Barack Obama's administration, senior US officials said they believed Levinson had died in captivity. But in January, a State Department spokesman said that was inaccurate and called on Iran to locate Levinson and return him home to his family. The tension between Iran and the United States has risen significantly since US President Donald Trump withdrew from an international nuclear deal with Tehran last year and reimposed US sanctions that had been lifted after the 2015 accord. Several Americans have been detained in Iran in recent years, and Trump warned in 2017 that Tehran would face "new and serious consequences" unless all unjustly held US citizens were freed.

Iran says former FBI agent still missing, denies report of criminal case

Hundreds of friends and family members gathered in a remote northern Mexican region on Thursday (November 7) to mourn the nine American women and children who were slain in a burst of bullets and fire earlier this week.

Mourners for slain Americans in Mexico call for justice

The massacre of nine women and children in northern Mexico could test breakaway Mormon families' attachment to communities that for decades have been a haven for a way of life shunned by the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Faith in Mexico shaken for 'true believer' Mormon communities

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