Mohib Ullah, a top Rohingya community leader was shot dead on Wednesday in Bangladesh's resort district of Cox's Bazar.

As per police spokesman of Cox's Bazar, Mohib Ullah was talking with other refugee leaders outside his office after evening prayers when four assailants shot him dead.

"Four to five unidentified assailants shot him from close range. He was declared dead at a MSF hospital in the camp," said Rafiqul Islam, police spokesperson.

He said police and the Armed Police Battalion, which is tasked with ensuring security for the country's 34 Rohingya camps, have stepped up security, deploying hundreds more armed officers.

No arrest has been made as yet.

"We are conducting raids in the area," he said, adding Ullah had not alerted police of any threats from any group.&nbsp;

Ullah was outside ARPSH office at Kutupalong, the world's largest refugee settlement when he was killed.

"He was in a pool of blood. He was brought dead to the nearby MSF hospital," Nowkhim said from a hideout, adding that many Rohingya leaders have gone into hiding after Ullah's killing.

No one has claimed responsibility, but a Rohingya leader told AFP that Ullah was killed by the extremist group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which was behind several attacks on Myanmar security posts in recent years 
"It is a work of ARSA," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mohib Ullah, a top Rohingya community leader was shot dead on Wednesday in Bangladesh's resort district of Cox's Bazar. As per police spokesman of Cox's Bazar, Mohib Ullah was talking with other refugee leaders outside his office after evening prayers when four assailants shot him dead.

Mohib Ullah, a top Rohingya community leader was shot dead on Wednesday in Bangladesh's resort district of Cox's Bazar. As per police spokesman of Cox's Bazar, Mohib Ullah was talking with other refugee leaders outside his office after evening prayers when four assailants shot him dead. "Four to five unidentified assailants shot him from close range. He was declared dead at a MSF hospital in the camp," said Rafiqul Islam, police spokesperson. He said police and the Armed Police Battalion, which is tasked with ensuring security for the country's 34 Rohingya camps, have stepped up security, deploying hundreds more armed officers. No arrest has been made as yet. "We are conducting raids in the area," he said, adding Ullah had not alerted police of any threats from any group. Ullah was outside ARPSH office at Kutupalong, the world's largest refugee settlement when he was killed. "He was in a pool of blood. He was brought dead to the nearby MSF hospital," Nowkhim said from a hideout, adding that many Rohingya leaders have gone into hiding after Ullah's killing. No one has claimed responsibility, but a Rohingya leader told AFP that Ullah was killed by the extremist group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, which was behind several attacks on Myanmar security posts in recent years "It is a work of ARSA," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Top Rohingya community leader shot dead in Bangladesh

The United States in 2020 experienced the biggest rise in murder since the start of national record-keeping in 1960, according to data gathered by the FBI for its annual report on crime.

The Uniform Crime Report will stand as the official word on an unusually grim year, detailing a rise in murder of around 29%. The previous largest one-year change was a 12.7% increase in 1968. The national rate, murders per 100,000, still remains about one-third below the rate in the early 1990s.

The data is scheduled to be released Monday along with a news release, but it was published early on the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.

The FBI said some numbers could change by Monday as it reviews possible discrepancies and receives updates. But the main conclusions of the data are highly unlikely to change.

Separately, an independent analysis of big cities finds at least one promising sign that the murder rate may be flattening this year: The increase in murders this summer does not appear to be as large as the record spike last summer.

Here are the main takeaways from the crime data for 2020 as well as the best evidence of where things stand so far in 2021.

The Rise in Murder Was National, Not Regional

Previously, the largest one-year increase in total number of murders was 1,938 in 1990. The FBI data shows almost 5,000 more murders last year than in 2019, for a total of around 21,500 (still below the particularly violent era of the early 1990s).

The reasons for the rise may never be fully sorted out, but analysts have pointed to many possible contributing factors, including various pandemic stresses; increased distrust between the police and the public after the murder of George Floyd, including a pullback by the police in response to criticism; and increased firearm carrying.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guatemala-volcano-erupts-but-no-evacuations-yet-415407">Also read |&nbsp;Guatemala volcano erupts but no evacuations yet</a>

About 77% of reported murders in 2020 were committed with a firearm, the highest share ever reported, up from 67% a decade ago.

The change in murder was&nbsp;a national phenomenon and not a regional one. Murder rose more than 35% in cities with populations over 250,000 that reported full data.

It also rose more than 40% in cities 100,000 to 250,000, and around 25% in cities under 25,000.

No geographic area was spared. The FBI reported in March that murder was up at least 20% in every region of the country, including around a 30% increase in the Midwest. Overall, murder was up at least 20% in counties carried by President Joe Biden as well as by Donald Trump in 2020.

One regional factor stayed consistent: Louisiana had the highest murder rate for the 32nd straight year.

Murders were already elevated in the first few months of 2020, then increased significantly in June and stayed high through the remainder of the year.

Overall Crime Fell

Even with the rise in murders and a roughly 5% increase in violent crime, the new data shows that overall major crimes fell about 4% to 5% in 2020.

Murder, although it carries the highest societal cost, makes up a tiny portion of major crimes as defined by the FBI.

Some of the reduction in overall crime was clearly related to the pandemic. Theft made up around 7 in 10 property crimes, and it is hard to commit shoplifting when stores are closed. But overall crime was dropping long before the pandemic; 2020 was the 18th straight year of declining overall crime.

Exit of Police Officers From Big-City Agencies

The evidence on police officer employment had been mixed. An earlier survey of 200 police departments found large increases in retirements between April 2020 and April 2021, while data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed virtually no change in the number of people employed at local police departments.

The new data showed little overall change. But large agencies were substantially more likely than small ones to report a decline in officers. Newark, New Jersey, and New York City reported some of the largest percentage declines, with New York dropping by more than 2,500 officers from 2019 to 2020, according to the FBI data.

This data is useful in describing the overall trend, but it does not provide insight into the question of why some agencies lost officers. Was it because of poor morale and increased difficulties in doing the job, or did retirements surge because increased overtime in 2020 made it a more attractive prospect?

Or maybe some agencies lost officers overall because the pandemic made hiring replacements particularly challenging. These questions remain unanswered by the UCR data.

Murder Is Still Up in 2021

The evidence from big cities suggests that murder is still up in 2021 relative to 2020, although the increase is not nearly as big. My collection of data from 87 cities with publicly available year-to-date data shows murder up by 9.9% relative to comparable points in 2020.

Some cities&nbsp;like Portland, Oregon, and Las Vegas&nbsp;are seeing big increases relative to last year; some big cities, like Chicago and New York, are seeing flat numbers after sizable increases in 2020&nbsp;and some places, like St. Louis (which had the nation’s highest murder rate in 2020), are seeing sizable declines.

The first half of this year largely followed the pattern begun in the second half of last year. The rate of increase in murder appears to be decelerating as more cities that had big increases starting last summer begin to report data for this summer.

Held Back by Lack of Data

The picture for 2021 is made murkier by less data. The FBI has published national UCR estimates every year since 1960, but it is switching to a new crime reporting system next year.

Last year, the FBI began publishing quarterly crime updates, but this year it did not produce national updates for the first or second quarter because not enough agencies submitted data. This probably reflects struggles among law enforcement agencies nationwide to switch to the new system, called NIBRS, which is expected to provide more insight into a wider array of crimes at both the local and national level. In 2020, fewer than 10,000 of more than 18,000 participating agencies submitted data via NIBRS.

As crime analysts have noted for years, the United States does not have a system of timely data collection to estimate crime trends quickly. The FBI does not publish the official annual statistics until nine months after the end of the previous year.

During this transition period between reporting systems and during this period of elevated shootings and murders, the data is getting worse, not better.

The United States in 2020 experienced the biggest rise in murder since the start of national record-keeping in 1960, according to data gathered by the FBI for its annual report on crime.

The United States in 2020 experienced the biggest rise in murder since the start of national record-keeping in 1960, according to data gathered by the FBI for its annual report on crime. The Uniform Crime Report will stand as the official word on an unusually grim year, detailing a rise in murder of around 29%. The previous largest one-year change was a 12.7% increase in 1968. The national rate, murders per 100,000, still remains about one-third below the rate in the early 1990s. The data is scheduled to be released Monday along with a news release, but it was published early on the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website. The FBI said some numbers could change by Monday as it reviews possible discrepancies and receives updates. But the main conclusions of the data are highly unlikely to change. Separately, an independent analysis of big cities finds at least one promising sign that the murder rate may be flattening this year: The increase in murders this summer does not appear to be as large as the record spike last summer. Here are the main takeaways from the crime data for 2020 as well as the best evidence of where things stand so far in 2021. The Rise in Murder Was National, Not Regional Previously, the largest one-year increase in total number of murders was 1,938 in 1990. The FBI data shows almost 5,000 more murders last year than in 2019, for a total of around 21,500 (still below the particularly violent era of the early 1990s). The reasons for the rise may never be fully sorted out, but analysts have pointed to many possible contributing factors, including various pandemic stresses; increased distrust between the police and the public after the murder of George Floyd, including a pullback by the police in response to criticism; and increased firearm carrying. Also read | Guatemala volcano erupts but no evacuations yet About 77% of reported murders in 2020 were committed with a firearm, the highest share ever reported, up from 67% a decade ago. The change in murder was a national phenomenon and not a regional one. Murder rose more than 35% in cities with populations over 250,000 that reported full data. It also rose more than 40% in cities 100,000 to 250,000, and around 25% in cities under 25,000. No geographic area was spared. The FBI reported in March that murder was up at least 20% in every region of the country, including around a 30% increase in the Midwest. Overall, murder was up at least 20% in counties carried by President Joe Biden as well as by Donald Trump in 2020. One regional factor stayed consistent: Louisiana had the highest murder rate for the 32nd straight year. Murders were already elevated in the first few months of 2020, then increased significantly in June and stayed high through the remainder of the year. Overall Crime Fell Even with the rise in murders and a roughly 5% increase in violent crime, the new data shows that overall major crimes fell about 4% to 5% in 2020. Murder, although it carries the highest societal cost, makes up a tiny portion of major crimes as defined by the FBI. Some of the reduction in overall crime was clearly related to the pandemic. Theft made up around 7 in 10 property crimes, and it is hard to commit shoplifting when stores are closed. But overall crime was dropping long before the pandemic; 2020 was the 18th straight year of declining overall crime. Exit of Police Officers From Big-City Agencies The evidence on police officer employment had been mixed. An earlier survey of 200 police departments found large increases in retirements between April 2020 and April 2021, while data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed virtually no change in the number of people employed at local police departments. The new data showed little overall change. But large agencies were substantially more likely than small ones to report a decline in officers. Newark, New Jersey, and New York City reported some of the largest percentage declines, with New York dropping by more than 2,500 officers from 2019 to 2020, according to the FBI data. This data is useful in describing the overall trend, but it does not provide insight into the question of why some agencies lost officers. Was it because of poor morale and increased difficulties in doing the job, or did retirements surge because increased overtime in 2020 made it a more attractive prospect? Or maybe some agencies lost officers overall because the pandemic made hiring replacements particularly challenging. These questions remain unanswered by the UCR data. Murder Is Still Up in 2021 The evidence from big cities suggests that murder is still up in 2021 relative to 2020, although the increase is not nearly as big. My collection of data from 87 cities with publicly available year-to-date data shows murder up by 9.9% relative to comparable points in 2020. Some cities like Portland, Oregon, and Las Vegas are seeing big increases relative to last year; some big cities, like Chicago and New York, are seeing flat numbers after sizable increases in 2020 and some places, like St. Louis (which had the nation’s highest murder rate in 2020), are seeing sizable declines. The first half of this year largely followed the pattern begun in the second half of last year. The rate of increase in murder appears to be decelerating as more cities that had big increases starting last summer begin to report data for this summer. Held Back by Lack of Data The picture for 2021 is made murkier by less data. The FBI has published national UCR estimates every year since 1960, but it is switching to a new crime reporting system next year. Last year, the FBI began publishing quarterly crime updates, but this year it did not produce national updates for the first or second quarter because not enough agencies submitted data. This probably reflects struggles among law enforcement agencies nationwide to switch to the new system, called NIBRS, which is expected to provide more insight into a wider array of crimes at both the local and national level. In 2020, fewer than 10,000 of more than 18,000 participating agencies submitted data via NIBRS. As crime analysts have noted for years, the United States does not have a system of timely data collection to estimate crime trends quickly. The FBI does not publish the official annual statistics until nine months after the end of the previous year. During this transition period between reporting systems and during this period of elevated shootings and murders, the data is getting worse, not better.

Murders in US rose  by almost 30% in 2020; rising at a slower rate in 2021

The British police had said that they had arrested a suspect in the hunt for the murderer of a teacher who was killed in a London park. The teacher was making a five-minute walk from her home to meet a friend at a pub.

Sabina Nessa left her home in south London just before 8:30 pm on September 17, as she went towards The Depot Bar on Pegler Square in Kidbrooke Village.

However, she never arrived and her body was found in the park the next afternoon.

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"Sabina's journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination," said Detective Inspector Joe Garrity.

Later, the police said that they had arrested a 38-year-old man in Lewisham, south London, on suspicion of murder. They also released pictures taken from security TV footage of a man and a vehicle.

"Any information as to his identity or whereabouts could be vital for our investigation," said Detective Chief Inspector Neil John.

A postmortem was also carried out on Monday. However, the police said that it was inconclusive.

The British police had said that they had arrested a suspect in the hunt for the murderer of a teacher who was killed in a London park. The teacher was making a five-minute walk from her home to meet a friend at a pub.

The British police had said that they had arrested a suspect in the hunt for the murderer of a teacher who was killed in a London park. The teacher was making a five-minute walk from her home to meet a friend at a pub. Sabina Nessa left her home in south London just before 8:30 pm on September 17, as she went towards The Depot Bar on Pegler Square in Kidbrooke Village. However, she never arrived and her body was found in the park the next afternoon. Also read | Murder rose by almost 30% in 2020; rising at a slower rate in 2021 "Sabina's journey should have taken just over five minutes but she never made it to her destination," said Detective Inspector Joe Garrity. Later, the police said that they had arrested a 38-year-old man in Lewisham, south London, on suspicion of murder. They also released pictures taken from security TV footage of a man and a vehicle. "Any information as to his identity or whereabouts could be vital for our investigation," said Detective Chief Inspector Neil John. A postmortem was also carried out on Monday. However, the police said that it was inconclusive.

British police arrest suspect in murder of teacher

US real estate scion&nbsp;Robert&nbsp;Durst&nbsp;was Friday convicted of killing his best friend to prevent her talking to police about his wife's disappearance.

Durst, a multi-millionaire who was the subject of explosive HBO documentary "The Jinx," had always denied that he shot Susan Berman in the back of the head in 2000 at her Beverly Hills home.

But a jury in Los Angeles took a total of just eight hours to find the 78-year-old guilty of the execution-style slaying.

Prosecutors had said he murdered crime writer Berman in December 2000 to prevent her from being questioned by New York police over the disappearance of his wife Kathleen two decades earlier.

Berman, the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster, had acted as a spokeswoman for&nbsp;Durst&nbsp;after he became a suspect in Kathleen's disappearance.

Durst, an estranged member of one of New York's wealthiest and most powerful real estate dynasties, was never charged in his wife's case.

He was arrested in March 2015 in a New Orleans hotel room in connection with Berman's murder, hours before the final episode of the HBO documentary "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of&nbsp;Robert&nbsp;Durst" aired.

In the documentary's stunning finale,&nbsp;Durst&nbsp;is heard muttering to himself, "There it is, you're caught" and "Killed them all, of course" -- apparently unaware that a microphone remained switched on while he used the restroom.

The series also delved into the 2001 death of&nbsp;Durst's neighbor in Texas, Morris Black, who was found dismembered.&nbsp;

Durst&nbsp;admitted the dismemberment, but claimed the killing was self-defense. He was acquitted.

Durst&nbsp;testified for 14 days in a trial that gripped local media.

He repeatedly denied any involvement in Berman's death, but acknowledged he had written an anonymous letter to police telling them that her body lay in her Beverly Hills home.

Prosecutor John Lewin told the jury there was a "mountain of evidence" that&nbsp;Durst&nbsp;had killed all three people with whose deaths he had been connected.

He said a friend of&nbsp;Durst&nbsp;had testified that the real estate magnate had told him of Berman: "It was her or me. I had no choice."

"He has never been held accountable for his domestic abuse of (wife) Kathie. He was never held accountable for her death. The last 20 years he's gotten away with murdering Susan," Lewin told the jury.&nbsp;

"For the last 20 years, he's avoided responsibility for Morris Black.&nbsp;Durst&nbsp;is not jinxed. He's a three-time killer who has managed to escape accountability until this very moment."

Durst&nbsp;was not in court when the verdict was read because he was isolating following an exposure to someone with Covid-19.

He will be sentenced on October 18, and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

US real estate scion Robert Durst was Friday convicted of killing his best friend to prevent her talking to police about his wife's disappearance. Durst, a multi-millionaire who was the subject of explosive HBO documentary "The Jinx," had always denied that he shot Susan Berman in the back of the head in 2000 at her Beverly Hills home.

US real estate scion Robert Durst was Friday convicted of killing his best friend to prevent her talking to police about his wife's disappearance. Durst, a multi-millionaire who was the subject of explosive HBO documentary "The Jinx," had always denied that he shot Susan Berman in the back of the head in 2000 at her Beverly Hills home. But a jury in Los Angeles took a total of just eight hours to find the 78-year-old guilty of the execution-style slaying. Prosecutors had said he murdered crime writer Berman in December 2000 to prevent her from being questioned by New York police over the disappearance of his wife Kathleen two decades earlier. Berman, the daughter of a Las Vegas mobster, had acted as a spokeswoman for Durst after he became a suspect in Kathleen's disappearance. Durst, an estranged member of one of New York's wealthiest and most powerful real estate dynasties, was never charged in his wife's case. He was arrested in March 2015 in a New Orleans hotel room in connection with Berman's murder, hours before the final episode of the HBO documentary "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" aired. In the documentary's stunning finale, Durst is heard muttering to himself, "There it is, you're caught" and "Killed them all, of course" -- apparently unaware that a microphone remained switched on while he used the restroom. The series also delved into the 2001 death of Durst's neighbor in Texas, Morris Black, who was found dismembered. Durst admitted the dismemberment, but claimed the killing was self-defense. He was acquitted. Durst testified for 14 days in a trial that gripped local media. He repeatedly denied any involvement in Berman's death, but acknowledged he had written an anonymous letter to police telling them that her body lay in her Beverly Hills home. Prosecutor John Lewin told the jury there was a "mountain of evidence" that Durst had killed all three people with whose deaths he had been connected. He said a friend of Durst had testified that the real estate magnate had told him of Berman: "It was her or me. I had no choice." "He has never been held accountable for his domestic abuse of (wife) Kathie. He was never held accountable for her death. The last 20 years he's gotten away with murdering Susan," Lewin told the jury. "For the last 20 years, he's avoided responsibility for Morris Black. Durst is not jinxed. He's a three-time killer who has managed to escape accountability until this very moment." Durst was not in court when the verdict was read because he was isolating following an exposure to someone with Covid-19. He will be sentenced on October 18, and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

US tycoon Robert Durst guilty of Beverly Hills murder of best friend

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning.

Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal."

He said that authorities knew which substance was administered but the name couldn't be disclosed in order to not hamper the investigation.

A sign posted on a glass door on the university campus warned "all members of Darmstadt Technical University" that "drinks and water containers" at the Materials and Earth Sciences department had been "tampered with."

"As a precautionary measure we advise against the consumption of food and drinks left on university grounds in the coming days," the warning sign read.

According to local media, some of the seven people affected suffered from "serious poisoning" on Monday afternoon (August 23) which led to discomfort and discolourations of fingers and feet.

A 30-year-old student assistant was doing "much better" on Tuesday after his life was in danger a day earlier, according to "Hessenschau."

(With inputs from agencies)

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning. Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal.

German police are probing an attempted murder after member of university showed symptoms of poisoning. Darmstadt's Chief Prosecutor Robert Hartmann said that investigation was based on the fact that a substance was found in several foods which can be harmful and even lethal." He said that authorities knew which substance was administered but the name couldn't be disclosed in order to not hamper the investigation. A sign posted on a glass door on the university campus warned "all members of Darmstadt Technical University" that "drinks and water containers" at the Materials and Earth Sciences department had been "tampered with." "As a precautionary measure we advise against the consumption of food and drinks left on university grounds in the coming days," the warning sign read. According to local media, some of the seven people affected suffered from "serious poisoning" on Monday afternoon (August 23) which led to discomfort and discolourations of fingers and feet. A 30-year-old student assistant was doing "much better" on Tuesday after his life was in danger a day earlier, according to "Hessenschau." (With inputs from agencies)

German police probe attempted murder after poisoning attack at university

A&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;man&nbsp;was&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;in connection with the&nbsp;suspected&nbsp;murder&nbsp;of a&nbsp;Swiss&nbsp;woman&nbsp;whose body was found near a waterfall in Thailand's famed tourist island of&nbsp;Phuket, police said Sunday.

The body of Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, 57, was found on Thursday lying face-down, with her phone, shorts and trainers nearby.

She had travelled to&nbsp;Phuket&nbsp;under a so-called "sandbox" scheme, a pilot project allowing vaccinated tourists to enter the island without undergoing the usual two-week mandatory hotel quarantine.

Deputy National Police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said officers had&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;27-year-old Theerawut Tortip in connection with the&nbsp;murder.

In a press conference, which Theerawut attended via a phone-in and accompanied by his lawyer, the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;national said he had taken roughly 300 baht ($9) after strangling Sauvain-Weisskopf.

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"I would like to apologise to the family of the tourist and plead for all Thais to forgive me," he added.

Police Major General Nantadej Yoinual, who oversees the southern region, said Theerawut confessed following an interrogation.

He added that they had detained the&nbsp;man&nbsp;after reviewing nearby CCTV footage, and narrowing their search to the owner of a motorbike seen around the same time as Sauvin-Weisskopf travelled to the waterfall.

A counsel with the&nbsp;Swiss&nbsp;embassy thanked the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;police for their efforts.&nbsp;

"The victim, the family of victim, and all the people of Thailand deserve a swift investigation of this crime," he said.

The case casts a pall over&nbsp;Phuket's "sandbox" scheme, touted as a much-anticipated reopening for Thailand's Covid-devastated tourism sector after more than a year of draconian travel curbs.

More than 16,000 people have arrived in&nbsp;Phuket&nbsp;since the July 1 launch of the scheme.

A Thai man was arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a Swiss woman whose body was found near a waterfall in Thailand's famed tourist island of Phuket, police said Sunday.

A Thai man was arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a Swiss woman whose body was found near a waterfall in Thailand's famed tourist island of Phuket, police said Sunday. The body of Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, 57, was found on Thursday lying face-down, with her phone, shorts and trainers nearby. She had travelled to Phuket under a so-called "sandbox" scheme, a pilot project allowing vaccinated tourists to enter the island without undergoing the usual two-week mandatory hotel quarantine. Deputy National Police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said officers had arrested 27-year-old Theerawut Tortip in connection with the murder. In a press conference, which Theerawut attended via a phone-in and accompanied by his lawyer, the Thai national said he had taken roughly 300 baht ($9) after strangling Sauvain-Weisskopf. Also read | Egypt's ancient King Khufu's boat moved from Giza pyramids to a new home "I would like to apologise to the family of the tourist and plead for all Thais to forgive me," he added. Police Major General Nantadej Yoinual, who oversees the southern region, said Theerawut confessed following an interrogation. He added that they had detained the man after reviewing nearby CCTV footage, and narrowing their search to the owner of a motorbike seen around the same time as Sauvin-Weisskopf travelled to the waterfall. A counsel with the Swiss embassy thanked the Thai police for their efforts. "The victim, the family of victim, and all the people of Thailand deserve a swift investigation of this crime," he said. The case casts a pall over Phuket's "sandbox" scheme, touted as a much-anticipated reopening for Thailand's Covid-devastated tourism sector after more than a year of draconian travel curbs. More than 16,000 people have arrived in Phuket since the July 1 launch of the scheme.

Thai man arrested for suspected murder of Swiss woman in Phuket

A former babysitter who served a few months in jail for shaking a five-month-old boy so forcefully 37 years ago that he suffered permanent brain damage now faces a possible life sentence after his death from those injuries in 2019, at age 35, officials said.

Terry McKirchy, 59, who now lives in Texas, was arrested again on July 2 after a grand jury in Broward County, Florida, indicted her on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Benjamin Dowling, prosecutors said this week.

She was taking care of him at her home in Hollywood, Florida, on July 3, 1984, when he had difficulty breathing, the authorities said. His mother told investigators that she immediately took him to a hospital, where doctors found that he had been shaken with such force that it had severed the blood vessels to his brain.

McKirchy was sentenced to 60 days in jail and probation after pleading no contest in 1985 to charges of attempted murder and aggravated child abuse.

Dowling was left with severe physical and mental disabilities.

Prosecutors in Broward County, Florida, said this week that they had opened a new case after the medical examiner who conducted Dowling's autopsy in Manatee County, Florida, where he had been living at the time of his death, referred the matter to law enforcement.

Prosecutors had faced scrutiny over their initial handling of the original case, including for comments that one prosecutor who was involved in the plea deal made to The Miami Herald in 1985. That prosecutor, who remains employed by the Broward County State Attorney's Office, called McKirchy’s sentence "therapeutic"&nbsp;at the time, but offered no further explanation.

Forensic experts considered the passage of time "between the injuries sustained and the death of the victim" when conducting the autopsy and ruled that "the death was directly caused by the injuries from 1984,"&nbsp;the Broward County State Attorney’s Office said in a statement this week. "The facts speak for themselves,"&nbsp;it said, "and this case was presented to the grand jury, which determined that this was a homicide."

McKirchy, who was in jail in Fort Bend County, Texas, awaiting extradition to Florida, faces up to life in prison if convicted.

A former babysitter who served a few months in jail for shaking a five-month-old boy so forcefully 37 years ago that he suffered permanent brain damage now faces a possible life sentence after his death from those injuries in 2019, at age 35, officials said.

A former babysitter who served a few months in jail for shaking a five-month-old boy so forcefully 37 years ago that he suffered permanent brain damage now faces a possible life sentence after his death from those injuries in 2019, at age 35, officials said. Terry McKirchy, 59, who now lives in Texas, was arrested again on July 2 after a grand jury in Broward County, Florida, indicted her on a first-degree murder charge in the death of Benjamin Dowling, prosecutors said this week. She was taking care of him at her home in Hollywood, Florida, on July 3, 1984, when he had difficulty breathing, the authorities said. His mother told investigators that she immediately took him to a hospital, where doctors found that he had been shaken with such force that it had severed the blood vessels to his brain. McKirchy was sentenced to 60 days in jail and probation after pleading no contest in 1985 to charges of attempted murder and aggravated child abuse. Dowling was left with severe physical and mental disabilities. Prosecutors in Broward County, Florida, said this week that they had opened a new case after the medical examiner who conducted Dowling's autopsy in Manatee County, Florida, where he had been living at the time of his death, referred the matter to law enforcement. Prosecutors had faced scrutiny over their initial handling of the original case, including for comments that one prosecutor who was involved in the plea deal made to The Miami Herald in 1985. That prosecutor, who remains employed by the Broward County State Attorney's Office, called McKirchy’s sentence "therapeutic" at the time, but offered no further explanation. Forensic experts considered the passage of time "between the injuries sustained and the death of the victim" when conducting the autopsy and ruled that "the death was directly caused by the injuries from 1984," the Broward County State Attorney’s Office said in a statement this week. "The facts speak for themselves," it said, "and this case was presented to the grand jury, which determined that this was a homicide." McKirchy, who was in jail in Fort Bend County, Texas, awaiting extradition to Florida, faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Ex-babysitter charged with murder 37 years after shaking infant, prosecutors say

After pleading guilty to fatally shooting five members of his family in June, a 44-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced Tuesday to&nbsp;205&nbsp;years in prison.

FOX 6 news of Milwaukee reported that Christopher Stokes of Milwaukee called 911 himself following the shootings on April 27, 2020.

Overcome by guilt, Stokes reportedly told a 911 dispatcher&nbsp;that he has just massacred his family&nbsp;adding that the weapon, a gun, was still upstairs with the bodies.&nbsp;

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The police found Stokes sitting outside the house when they arrived. According to the report, he was quick to let them know what he did.

During the search of the home, authorities discovered a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun in one of the bedrooms, as well as a box of 25 shells that had 12 unused shells left, according to a report.

At his sentencing hearing, Stokes revealed that he had "blood on my mind" when he woke up, adding that he had no idea what possessed him to kill his family.

Earlier this year, Stokes entered a plea of guilty to five counts of first-degree reckless homicide and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon in the case.

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According to reports, the defendant told the court that he deserved to be locked up, expressing remorse.

Among the five killed, four were teenagers.&nbsp;

Reports indicate that Stokes's lawyer had requested a 35-year sentence. In addition to 200 years in prison, Stokes was also sentenced to 105 years of extended supervision.

After pleading guilty to fatally shooting five members of his family in June, a 44-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced Tuesday to 205 years in prison. FOX 6 news of Milwaukee reported that Christopher Stokes of Milwaukee called 911 himself following the shootings on April 27, 2020.

After pleading guilty to fatally shooting five members of his family in June, a 44-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced Tuesday to 205 years in prison. FOX 6 news of Milwaukee reported that Christopher Stokes of Milwaukee called 911 himself following the shootings on April 27, 2020. Overcome by guilt, Stokes reportedly told a 911 dispatcher that he has just massacred his family adding that the weapon, a gun, was still upstairs with the bodies. Also read | Man jailed for killing a 21-year girl who mistook his car for Uber The police found Stokes sitting outside the house when they arrived. According to the report, he was quick to let them know what he did. During the search of the home, authorities discovered a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun in one of the bedrooms, as well as a box of 25 shells that had 12 unused shells left, according to a report. At his sentencing hearing, Stokes revealed that he had "blood on my mind" when he woke up, adding that he had no idea what possessed him to kill his family. Earlier this year, Stokes entered a plea of guilty to five counts of first-degree reckless homicide and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon in the case. In Pics | Forest fire ravages through area near Athens According to reports, the defendant told the court that he deserved to be locked up, expressing remorse. Among the five killed, four were teenagers. Reports indicate that Stokes's lawyer had requested a 35-year sentence. In addition to 200 years in prison, Stokes was also sentenced to 105 years of extended supervision.

Milwaukee man sentenced to 200+ years for killing five family members

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 21-year-old girl who mistook his car for her Uber ride.

Samantha Josephson had entered the convict Nathaniel Rowland’s car in March 2019 mistaking it to be the Uber ride she had booked for herself to take her from Columbia's Five Points entertainment district back to her apartment.

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Rowland had circled around the block a few times while observing Josephson standing alone waiting for her ride. Once she entered the vehicle, Rowland knowingly turned on the child lock which trapped the girl in the car.

Later, her dead body was found with 120 stab wounds and several cuts and injuries. It was dumped in woodland nearly 65 miles away from the city.

Rowland, however, had argued that he is innocent in this matter but the Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said, "She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did", and added that he was not convinced with Rowland’s argument.

Evidence-wise, prosecution experts had been successful in linking Josephson’s blood to the interior of Rowland's car and to the suspected murder weapon (a knife with two blades). Her blood was also found on cleaning supplies that were found in the dustbins behind Rowland’s girlfriend, convict's sock, and bandana.

Video evidence was also shown in which Rowland was captured trying to use the victim’s debit card to sell her mobile phone after committing the crime

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 21-year-old girl who mistook his car for her Uber ride. Samantha Josephson had entered the convict Nathaniel Rowland’s car in March 2019 mistaking it to be the Uber ride she had booked for herself to take her from Columbia's Five Points entertainment district back to her apartment.

A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a 21-year-old girl who mistook his car for her Uber ride. Samantha Josephson had entered the convict Nathaniel Rowland’s car in March 2019 mistaking it to be the Uber ride she had booked for herself to take her from Columbia's Five Points entertainment district back to her apartment. Also read | Biden to make coronavirus vaccine compulsory for federal workers: Reports Rowland had circled around the block a few times while observing Josephson standing alone waiting for her ride. Once she entered the vehicle, Rowland knowingly turned on the child lock which trapped the girl in the car. Later, her dead body was found with 120 stab wounds and several cuts and injuries. It was dumped in woodland nearly 65 miles away from the city. Rowland, however, had argued that he is innocent in this matter but the Circuit Judge Clifton Newman said, "She obviously put up an amazing fight against you and left a sufficient trail for the jury to see what you did", and added that he was not convinced with Rowland’s argument. Evidence-wise, prosecution experts had been successful in linking Josephson’s blood to the interior of Rowland's car and to the suspected murder weapon (a knife with two blades). Her blood was also found on cleaning supplies that were found in the dustbins behind Rowland’s girlfriend, convict's sock, and bandana. Video evidence was also shown in which Rowland was captured trying to use the victim’s debit card to sell her mobile phone after committing the crime

Man jailed for killing a 21-year girl who mistook his car for Uber

A few hours after Singapore police found the dead body of a 13-year-old, officials have arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of the murder.

On Monday, police officials found the dead body of the victim with multiple wounds in a school bathroom along with an ax. He was immediately pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic.

The crime took place at River Valley High School, which is one of the top schools in Singapore’s western region.

"We are all shocked to receive news of the tragic incident at River Valley High School this morning,"&nbsp;said Chan Chun Sing, Singapore's Minister of Education, in a Facebook post. "Our thoughts are with the families of the students concerned. Ministry of Education, Singapore is rendering all possible support to them, and the students and staff at the school."

While the 16-year-old was arrested and was due to be charged soon, the police will also be seeking a court order to remand the criminal for psychiatric assessment.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two children did not know each other. So, the motive behind this murder is still unclear. A detailed investigation has been launched into the matter.

The case sent shivers around the city where the safety of children amid rising violence cases has come out as an important issue that needs to be addressed. Assuring parents and students that the government will put its best foot forward to take of kids’ safety, Sing said, "We will take care of you as always. If you need to talk to anyone, or know someone who needs help, please reach out to an adult, your teachers or school counsellors. You are never alone, and we will always stand ready to help you."

A few hours after Singapore police found the dead body of a 13-year-old, officials have arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of the murder. On Monday, police officials found the dead body of the victim with multiple wounds in a school bathroom along with an ax.

A few hours after Singapore police found the dead body of a 13-year-old, officials have arrested a 16-year-old on suspicion of the murder. On Monday, police officials found the dead body of the victim with multiple wounds in a school bathroom along with an ax. He was immediately pronounced dead at the scene by a paramedic. The crime took place at River Valley High School, which is one of the top schools in Singapore’s western region. "We are all shocked to receive news of the tragic incident at River Valley High School this morning," said Chan Chun Sing, Singapore's Minister of Education, in a Facebook post. "Our thoughts are with the families of the students concerned. Ministry of Education, Singapore is rendering all possible support to them, and the students and staff at the school." While the 16-year-old was arrested and was due to be charged soon, the police will also be seeking a court order to remand the criminal for psychiatric assessment. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two children did not know each other. So, the motive behind this murder is still unclear. A detailed investigation has been launched into the matter. The case sent shivers around the city where the safety of children amid rising violence cases has come out as an important issue that needs to be addressed. Assuring parents and students that the government will put its best foot forward to take of kids’ safety, Sing said, "We will take care of you as always. If you need to talk to anyone, or know someone who needs help, please reach out to an adult, your teachers or school counsellors. You are never alone, and we will always stand ready to help you."

Singapore: School boy charged for murder of 13-year-old kid

A 50-year-old man in France has been sentenced for 30 years in prison after he killed four members of his family over 'Nazi gold'.

Hubert&nbsp;Caouissin&nbsp;appeared before the Loire-Atlantique Assize Court on Wednesday and admitted that he&nbsp;convinced that the family was sitting on a rumoured inheritance of gold bars and coins and cheating his wife Lydie, Troadec’s sister,&nbsp;out of what he believed was her fair share.

Following seven hours of deliberations, the jury accepted the argument of&nbsp;Caouissin's lawyer of&nbsp;diminished responsibility, resulting in a punishment that fell short of the life sentence demanded by prosecutors.

For interfering with a crime scene and concealing a corpse, Caouissin's ex-wife Lydie Troadec, 52, received three years' imprisonment, one suspended.

At their home in Orvault near Nantes on the night of 16-17 February 2017, Caouissin killed Brigitte and Pascal Troadec, both 49, as well as Charlotte Troadec, 18, and Sebastien Troadec, 21.

His next step was to meticulously dismember the bodies at his farm, throwing muscles and organs into bushes in order to be eaten by animals and trying to burn skin, bones, and fat in the oven.

In his account, he said he visited the family in Orvault trying to find "information" about the hoard, and then he killed the victims in self-defence.

The accused has been diagnosed with "chronic paranoid delusions" by psychologists and psychiatrists, according to his lawyer Thierry Fillion.

Caouissin's defence lawyers urged jurors not to sentence him for life based on the diagnosis.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

A 50-year-old man in France has been sentenced for 30 years in prison after he killed four members of his family over 'Nazi gold'. Hubert Caouissin appeared before the Loire-Atlantique Assize Court on Wednesday and admitted that he convinced that the family was sitting on a rumoured inheritance of gold bars and coins and cheating his wife Lydie, Troadec’s sister, out of what he believed was her fair share.

A 50-year-old man in France has been sentenced for 30 years in prison after he killed four members of his family over 'Nazi gold'. Hubert Caouissin appeared before the Loire-Atlantique Assize Court on Wednesday and admitted that he convinced that the family was sitting on a rumoured inheritance of gold bars and coins and cheating his wife Lydie, Troadec’s sister, out of what he believed was her fair share. Following seven hours of deliberations, the jury accepted the argument of Caouissin's lawyer of diminished responsibility, resulting in a punishment that fell short of the life sentence demanded by prosecutors. For interfering with a crime scene and concealing a corpse, Caouissin's ex-wife Lydie Troadec, 52, received three years' imprisonment, one suspended. At their home in Orvault near Nantes on the night of 16-17 February 2017, Caouissin killed Brigitte and Pascal Troadec, both 49, as well as Charlotte Troadec, 18, and Sebastien Troadec, 21. His next step was to meticulously dismember the bodies at his farm, throwing muscles and organs into bushes in order to be eaten by animals and trying to burn skin, bones, and fat in the oven. In his account, he said he visited the family in Orvault trying to find "information" about the hoard, and then he killed the victims in self-defence. The accused has been diagnosed with "chronic paranoid delusions" by psychologists and psychiatrists, according to his lawyer Thierry Fillion. Caouissin's defence lawyers urged jurors not to sentence him for life based on the diagnosis. (With inputs from agencies)

Troadec case: French man gets 30 years in jail for killing in-laws over 'Nazi gold'

Police in USA's Georgia state were searching on Monday for a shooter after the person drove onto a golf course, killed an employee and fled, leaving two corpses in his pickup truck.

On&nbsp;Saturday (local time) five shots were heard on Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw a city 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta, according to a witness quoted by local channel WXIA

Police officials found body of one man who was later identified as club pro Eugene Siller, on a green. He had been shot in the head, police spokeswoman Shenise Barner told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The two men whose bodies were then found in the back of the truck were also gunshot victims, police said.&nbsp; 
Authorities did not elaborate on a possible motive.

Nearby Kennesaw State University issued an alert shortly after the shooting, warning of the possible presence of an "armed and dangerous" man.

The university later lifted the alert, saying there was "no credible threat to (the) campus."

The United States has a long and painful history of deadly gun violence, in the form of a steady daily toll of shootings as well as high-profile mass killings that have targeted schools, work places and shopping centers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Police in USA's Georgia state were searching on Monday for a shooter after the person drove onto a golf course, killed an employee and fled, leaving two corpses in his pickup truck.

Police in USA's Georgia state were searching on Monday for a shooter after the person drove onto a golf course, killed an employee and fled, leaving two corpses in his pickup truck. On Saturday (local time) five shots were heard on Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw a city 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Atlanta, according to a witness quoted by local channel WXIA Police officials found body of one man who was later identified as club pro Eugene Siller, on a green. He had been shot in the head, police spokeswoman Shenise Barner told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The two men whose bodies were then found in the back of the truck were also gunshot victims, police said. Authorities did not elaborate on a possible motive. Nearby Kennesaw State University issued an alert shortly after the shooting, warning of the possible presence of an "armed and dangerous" man. The university later lifted the alert, saying there was "no credible threat to (the) campus." The United States has a long and painful history of deadly gun violence, in the form of a steady daily toll of shootings as well as high-profile mass killings that have targeted schools, work places and shopping centers. (With inputs from agencies)

US: Police seek killer after 3 bodies at golf club

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and asked the Kerala High Court to oversee the apportionment of Rs 10 ($ 100 million) crore compensation to the heirs of the victim.

A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah quashed the FIR and proceedings emanating from the case against the two Italian marines.

The bench said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, Italy shall resume further investigation in the case against the marines -- Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone.

The top court termed the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation paid by Italy over and above the payment already made as “reasonable and adequate”.

It said that out of the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation, Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each shall be deposited in the name of heirs of two deceased Kerala fishermen and Rs 2 crore ($ 20 million)&nbsp;shall be given to owner of boat.

The top court said that Rs 10 crore&nbsp;($ 100 million) deposited in apex court’s registry shall be transferred to the Kerala High Court, which will make a fixed deposit of Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each in the name of heirs of the two deceased fishermen for some time.

The bench said that heirs of fishermen will be able to withdraw the interest amount during the period of fixed deposit of compensation money, so that entire money is not misappropriated.

In February 2012, India had accused the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker -- of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India''s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

On June 11, the top court had said that it would pass orders on closure of proceedings in India against the Italian marines. Earlier, the top court was informed by the Kerala government that Rs 4 core each would be given to the heirs of two deceased fishermen and the rest Rs 2 core ($ 20 million) would be paid to the owner of the fishing vessel St. Antony on which the two were shot dead.

The top court had said that it was of the view that the compensation money be transferred to the Kerala High Court for disbursal and ensuring that the amount does not fritter away.

The Centre had informed the top court earlier that Italy has deposited Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) with it over and above the ex-gratia paid earlier and the same has been deposited by the Union Ministry of External Affairs with the apex court's registry as directed.

“There was an award by International Tribunal, which we as a Nation have accepted. The agreement is among Republic of Italy, India and the Kerala government,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said.

The dispute before the international tribunal was as to which country, Italy or India, has the jurisdiction to prosecute the marines and it was decided that both the nations have the “concurrent jurisdiction”, Mehta had said.

“But based on facts it was decided that India would not pursue the criminal case and proceedings would be started in Italy,” he had said.

The Centre has also told the top court that Italy has assured the Indian government that it would prosecute the marines there as per law and that maximum compensation will be ensured to the victims'' family members.

The Centre had referred to the last year's ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague which held that India was entitled to get compensation in the case but can't prosecute the marines due to official immunity enjoyed by them.

It had said the arbitration under United Nation Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), which was instituted on a request from Italy, has delivered its Award on May 21, 2020.

Latorre, who had suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was first granted bail and allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him.

In Italy, Latorre underwent a heart surgery after which the top court granted him extension of his stay in his native country.

On September 28, 2016, the apex court had allowed Latorre to remain in his country till the international arbitral tribunal decided the jurisdictional issue.

On May 26, 2016, Girone was also granted bail with certain conditions and allowed by the top court to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue was decided.

The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat ''St Antony'' in which two Kerala fishermen were killed when marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and asked the Kerala High Court to oversee the apportionment of Rs 10 ($ 100 million) crore compensation to the heirs of the victim.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and asked the Kerala High Court to oversee the apportionment of Rs 10 ($ 100 million) crore compensation to the heirs of the victim. A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah quashed the FIR and proceedings emanating from the case against the two Italian marines. The bench said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, Italy shall resume further investigation in the case against the marines -- Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone. The top court termed the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation paid by Italy over and above the payment already made as “reasonable and adequate”. It said that out of the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation, Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each shall be deposited in the name of heirs of two deceased Kerala fishermen and Rs 2 crore ($ 20 million) shall be given to owner of boat. The top court said that Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) deposited in apex court’s registry shall be transferred to the Kerala High Court, which will make a fixed deposit of Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each in the name of heirs of the two deceased fishermen for some time. The bench said that heirs of fishermen will be able to withdraw the interest amount during the period of fixed deposit of compensation money, so that entire money is not misappropriated. In February 2012, India had accused the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker -- of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India''s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). On June 11, the top court had said that it would pass orders on closure of proceedings in India against the Italian marines. Earlier, the top court was informed by the Kerala government that Rs 4 core each would be given to the heirs of two deceased fishermen and the rest Rs 2 core ($ 20 million) would be paid to the owner of the fishing vessel St. Antony on which the two were shot dead. The top court had said that it was of the view that the compensation money be transferred to the Kerala High Court for disbursal and ensuring that the amount does not fritter away. The Centre had informed the top court earlier that Italy has deposited Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) with it over and above the ex-gratia paid earlier and the same has been deposited by the Union Ministry of External Affairs with the apex court's registry as directed. “There was an award by International Tribunal, which we as a Nation have accepted. The agreement is among Republic of Italy, India and the Kerala government,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said. The dispute before the international tribunal was as to which country, Italy or India, has the jurisdiction to prosecute the marines and it was decided that both the nations have the “concurrent jurisdiction”, Mehta had said. “But based on facts it was decided that India would not pursue the criminal case and proceedings would be started in Italy,” he had said. The Centre has also told the top court that Italy has assured the Indian government that it would prosecute the marines there as per law and that maximum compensation will be ensured to the victims'' family members. The Centre had referred to the last year's ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague which held that India was entitled to get compensation in the case but can't prosecute the marines due to official immunity enjoyed by them. It had said the arbitration under United Nation Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), which was instituted on a request from Italy, has delivered its Award on May 21, 2020. Latorre, who had suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was first granted bail and allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him. In Italy, Latorre underwent a heart surgery after which the top court granted him extension of his stay in his native country. On September 28, 2016, the apex court had allowed Latorre to remain in his country till the international arbitral tribunal decided the jurisdictional issue. On May 26, 2016, Girone was also granted bail with certain conditions and allowed by the top court to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue was decided. The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat ''St Antony'' in which two Kerala fishermen were killed when marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates.

SC closes criminal case in India against Italian marines for killing 2 Indian fishermen in 2012

An 18-year-old girl of Pakistan origin is suspected to have been killed by her family after she refused to marry through the arranged marriage system.

Saman Abbas had refused to marry someone as per her family’s traditional plan. Her family wanted her to marry a cousin in Pakistan, but Abbas protested.

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She also reported her parents to the police twice last year and had taken help from social services to move to a shelter home. This unconventional step angered Abbas’ family.

Abbas was later reported missing when the police reached her parents' home on May 05 and found nobody. Upon further investigation, the police officials found that the girl’s parents had left for Pakistan without the girl.

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With the help of security cameras, the police found images of five people walking from off the house holding shovels, a crowbar, and a bucket.

The local police are now searching for the girls' parents, an uncle and two cousins as all five of them "are supposed to have taken part in the crime".

(With inputs from agencies)

An 18-year-old girl of Pakistan origin is suspected to have been killed by her family after she refused to marry through the arranged marriage system. Saman Abbas had refused to marry someone as per her family’s traditional plan.

An 18-year-old girl of Pakistan origin is suspected to have been killed by her family after she refused to marry through the arranged marriage system. Saman Abbas had refused to marry someone as per her family’s traditional plan. Her family wanted her to marry a cousin in Pakistan, but Abbas protested. Watch | Pregnant woman stuck at 18-feet-high wall as she attempts to enter US She also reported her parents to the police twice last year and had taken help from social services to move to a shelter home. This unconventional step angered Abbas’ family. Abbas was later reported missing when the police reached her parents' home on May 05 and found nobody. Upon further investigation, the police officials found that the girl’s parents had left for Pakistan without the girl. Also read | Salon sustainability: Hair cutting being used to contain oil spills With the help of security cameras, the police found images of five people walking from off the house holding shovels, a crowbar, and a bucket. The local police are now searching for the girls' parents, an uncle and two cousins as all five of them "are supposed to have taken part in the crime". (With inputs from agencies)

Italy: Pakistan-origin girl feared dead after refusing arranged marriage

An Iranian couple have shocked the world after they confessed to murdering their son, a famous film-maker Babak Khorramdin, and also their daughter and son-in-law years ago.

Khorramdin’s murder was identified when someone from his neighbourhood called the police after spotting human parts in the dustbin, local media reported.

The police reported to the scene and found two chopped hands, from which they were able to identify the dead body through finger prints.

Upon investigation, the police arrested his parents Iran Khorramdin, 74, and Akbar Khorramdin, 81, who admitted to using sleeping pills to drug their son, and then suffocated him to death. To be sure, they also stabbed him multiple times and then cut his body parts to hide the body in bin.

"It was Friday night when his mother cooked chicken and poisoned it to make him unconscious, but did not eat that and went to his room and slept, so we put the food in the refrigerator. He woke up the next day and ate that," the father said in the court.

The couple waited for his son to pass out and around 5 pm "tied up his feet to a chair and then put a black plastic bag on his head and then stabbed him several times". Later, they cut his body into pieces, packed it into three suitcases, and disposed them off in different parts of the city.

The elderly couple also confessed to killing their daughter and son-in-law in a similar fashion, a few years ago. They claim to have murdered their daughter as she was allegedly addicted to drugs, and their son-in-law because he had turned out to be abusive.

They also admitted that they murdered their film-maker son simply because he was having relationships with his students, as he was single, and that was not okay with the parents.

There has been no sign of remorse or regret from the elderly couple. Khorramdin’s father, during the court hearing, said, "I don't regret what I did with the cooperation of my wife. They were corrupted and I thank God".

This case has shocked the country and has raised concerns about the leniency of law for the parents who murder their own children in Iran.

An Iranian couple have shocked the world after they confessed to murdering their son, a famous film-maker Babak Khorramdin, and also their daughter and son-in-law years ago.

An Iranian couple have shocked the world after they confessed to murdering their son, a famous film-maker Babak Khorramdin, and also their daughter and son-in-law years ago. Khorramdin’s murder was identified when someone from his neighbourhood called the police after spotting human parts in the dustbin, local media reported. The police reported to the scene and found two chopped hands, from which they were able to identify the dead body through finger prints. Upon investigation, the police arrested his parents Iran Khorramdin, 74, and Akbar Khorramdin, 81, who admitted to using sleeping pills to drug their son, and then suffocated him to death. To be sure, they also stabbed him multiple times and then cut his body parts to hide the body in bin. "It was Friday night when his mother cooked chicken and poisoned it to make him unconscious, but did not eat that and went to his room and slept, so we put the food in the refrigerator. He woke up the next day and ate that," the father said in the court. The couple waited for his son to pass out and around 5 pm "tied up his feet to a chair and then put a black plastic bag on his head and then stabbed him several times". Later, they cut his body into pieces, packed it into three suitcases, and disposed them off in different parts of the city. The elderly couple also confessed to killing their daughter and son-in-law in a similar fashion, a few years ago. They claim to have murdered their daughter as she was allegedly addicted to drugs, and their son-in-law because he had turned out to be abusive. They also admitted that they murdered their film-maker son simply because he was having relationships with his students, as he was single, and that was not okay with the parents. There has been no sign of remorse or regret from the elderly couple. Khorramdin’s father, during the court hearing, said, "I don't regret what I did with the cooperation of my wife. They were corrupted and I thank God". This case has shocked the country and has raised concerns about the leniency of law for the parents who murder their own children in Iran.

No regret: Iran couple admits to dismembering son and daughter

A police officer in Huntsville, Alabama, was convicted of murder Friday for fatally shooting a man who had called 911 to report that he was suicidal and who was holding a gun to his head when police arrived, prosecutors said.

The officer, William Darby, who had been strongly defended by the Police Department and cleared of wrongdoing by a city review board, will face 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced for the killing of Jeffrey Parker, 49, on April 3, 2018, according to prosecutors.

The verdict stunned city leaders, who had maintained that Darby was justified in using deadly force. The Huntsville City Council had voted to dedicate $125,000 in public money for the officer’s criminal defense, according to AL.com. And police officers throughout Alabama had been watching the case because of how frequently they respond to mental health crises.

“We are in the first stages of shock,” Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray said in a statement. “While we thank the jury for their service in this difficult case, I do not believe Officer Darby is a murderer. Officers are forced to make split-second decisions every day, and Officer Darby believed his life and the lives of other officers were in danger.”

Prosecutors said the evidence showed that the first officer on the scene, Genisha Pegues, had been trying to help Parker when Darby showed up. Darby, who was 25 and had been on the force for about 18 months, shot Parker 11 seconds after entering his house, according to Martin Weinberg, a lawyer who represents Parker’s family.

“In this particular case, there was zero hostility or aggression by Mr. Parker when the officers arrived,” Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard said at a news conference. Yet Darby’s response was “off the charts,” he said.

“The facts of the case bore out that there was nothing justified about this encounter with Mr. Parker, and justice was served,” Broussard said.

Officers called to Parker’s house found him “suicidal” and holding a gun, the police said in a statement in August 2018. After Parker disregarded several orders to drop his weapon, Darby fatally shot him, the police said.

According to a lawsuit filed by Parker’s family, Darby was the third officer to arrive at Parker’s house that day.

Pegues had entered with her gun pointed down and found Parker sitting on a couch with a gun to his head, according to the lawsuit. She had been talking to him when Darby arrived about five minutes later, according to the lawsuit.

Darby began screaming at Pegues while he was still in the front yard, according to the lawsuit, telling her to point her gun at Parker because “he can shoot you!” Darby then repeatedly yelled at Parker to put his gun down before firing the single shot that killed Parker, the lawsuit states.

About a month later, a review board convened by the Huntsville Police Department concluded that Darby’s use of deadly force had been “within policy,” the city said.

But a Madison County grand jury indicted the officer in August 2018.

At Darby’s trial, Pegues testified that she had never felt that Parker was a threat, and a prosecutor argued that Darby had been the initial aggressor, according to WSFA, a local television station.

Darby’s lawyer, Robert Tuten, contended that Darby had not been the initial aggressor and had been protecting not only himself but his fellow officers, WFSA reported. After the verdict on Friday, Tuten vowed to appeal.

“To say that people are shocked by this verdict would be a big understatement,” Tuten said at a news conference. “This was a very important case to Alabama law enforcement,” he added, and could affect the way officers throughout the state respond to people with guns and threats of suicide.

“Everybody has been watching this,” Tuten said.

Mayor Tommy Battle said that he disagreed with the verdict and that Darby had the right to appeal. “Officer Darby followed the appropriate safety protocols in his response on the scene,” he said in a statement. “He was doing what he was trained to do in the line of duty.”

Bill Parks, a longtime friend of Parker's, said he hoped that the conviction would prompt officers to respond more humanely to people in mental health crises.

At a news conference Friday, Parks said his friend had been “a very kind soul” who had loved music and “could fix anything” but who had also had his “demons.”

“He just asked for help,” Parks said. “He wanted help, and what ended up in a situation where he asked for help turned out terribly.”

A police officer in Huntsville, Alabama, was convicted of murder Friday for fatally shooting a man who had called 911 to report that he was suicidal and who was holding a gun to his head when police arrived, prosecutors said.

A police officer in Huntsville, Alabama, was convicted of murder Friday for fatally shooting a man who had called 911 to report that he was suicidal and who was holding a gun to his head when police arrived, prosecutors said. The officer, William Darby, who had been strongly defended by the Police Department and cleared of wrongdoing by a city review board, will face 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced for the killing of Jeffrey Parker, 49, on April 3, 2018, according to prosecutors. The verdict stunned city leaders, who had maintained that Darby was justified in using deadly force. The Huntsville City Council had voted to dedicate $125,000 in public money for the officer’s criminal defense, according to AL.com. And police officers throughout Alabama had been watching the case because of how frequently they respond to mental health crises. “We are in the first stages of shock,” Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray said in a statement. “While we thank the jury for their service in this difficult case, I do not believe Officer Darby is a murderer. Officers are forced to make split-second decisions every day, and Officer Darby believed his life and the lives of other officers were in danger.” Prosecutors said the evidence showed that the first officer on the scene, Genisha Pegues, had been trying to help Parker when Darby showed up. Darby, who was 25 and had been on the force for about 18 months, shot Parker 11 seconds after entering his house, according to Martin Weinberg, a lawyer who represents Parker’s family. “In this particular case, there was zero hostility or aggression by Mr. Parker when the officers arrived,” Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard said at a news conference. Yet Darby’s response was “off the charts,” he said. “The facts of the case bore out that there was nothing justified about this encounter with Mr. Parker, and justice was served,” Broussard said. Officers called to Parker’s house found him “suicidal” and holding a gun, the police said in a statement in August 2018. After Parker disregarded several orders to drop his weapon, Darby fatally shot him, the police said. According to a lawsuit filed by Parker’s family, Darby was the third officer to arrive at Parker’s house that day. Pegues had entered with her gun pointed down and found Parker sitting on a couch with a gun to his head, according to the lawsuit. She had been talking to him when Darby arrived about five minutes later, according to the lawsuit. Darby began screaming at Pegues while he was still in the front yard, according to the lawsuit, telling her to point her gun at Parker because “he can shoot you!” Darby then repeatedly yelled at Parker to put his gun down before firing the single shot that killed Parker, the lawsuit states. About a month later, a review board convened by the Huntsville Police Department concluded that Darby’s use of deadly force had been “within policy,” the city said. But a Madison County grand jury indicted the officer in August 2018. At Darby’s trial, Pegues testified that she had never felt that Parker was a threat, and a prosecutor argued that Darby had been the initial aggressor, according to WSFA, a local television station. Darby’s lawyer, Robert Tuten, contended that Darby had not been the initial aggressor and had been protecting not only himself but his fellow officers, WFSA reported. After the verdict on Friday, Tuten vowed to appeal. “To say that people are shocked by this verdict would be a big understatement,” Tuten said at a news conference. “This was a very important case to Alabama law enforcement,” he added, and could affect the way officers throughout the state respond to people with guns and threats of suicide. “Everybody has been watching this,” Tuten said. Mayor Tommy Battle said that he disagreed with the verdict and that Darby had the right to appeal. “Officer Darby followed the appropriate safety protocols in his response on the scene,” he said in a statement. “He was doing what he was trained to do in the line of duty.” Bill Parks, a longtime friend of Parker's, said he hoped that the conviction would prompt officers to respond more humanely to people in mental health crises. At a news conference Friday, Parks said his friend had been “a very kind soul” who had loved music and “could fix anything” but who had also had his “demons.” “He just asked for help,” Parks said. “He wanted help, and what ended up in a situation where he asked for help turned out terribly.”

Alabama officer is convicted of murdering a suicidal man

Two American students have been charged with a life sentence for the murder of a police officer while they were on a summer holiday in Rome.

Mario Cerciello Rega, a police officer, was stabbed during a late-night encounter in July 2019 while he was out with his friend Gabriel Natale-Hjorth.

Finnegan Lee Elder, a 21-year-old, had admitted to stabbing Cerciello 11 times with a seven-inch camping knife. The police officer was stabbed to death on a dark street near the hotel the Americans were staying in.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/two-american-tourists-given-life-sentences-for-killing-police-officer-in-italy-383168">Watch |</a>

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However, Elder claims they acted out of self-defence as they thought they were being jumped from behind. The two Americans had assumed thugs were following them after what they called a 'drug deal gone wrong'.

The two will first have to serve solitary confinement for two months and then serve their life behind bars — a sentence that brought Elder close to fainting. They will also have to pay for their trial.

"This sentence is a disgrace for&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;with these judges who don't want to see what emerged during the trial and the investigation,"&nbsp;Elder's attorney, Renato Borzone, said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Two American students have been charged with a life sentence for the murder of a police officer while they were on a summer holiday in Rome. Mario Cerciello Rega, a police officer, was stabbed during a late-night encounter in July 2019 while he was out with his friend Gabriel Natale-Hjorth.

Two American students have been charged with a life sentence for the murder of a police officer while they were on a summer holiday in Rome. Mario Cerciello Rega, a police officer, was stabbed during a late-night encounter in July 2019 while he was out with his friend Gabriel Natale-Hjorth. Finnegan Lee Elder, a 21-year-old, had admitted to stabbing Cerciello 11 times with a seven-inch camping knife. The police officer was stabbed to death on a dark street near the hotel the Americans were staying in. Watch | However, Elder claims they acted out of self-defence as they thought they were being jumped from behind. The two Americans had assumed thugs were following them after what they called a 'drug deal gone wrong'. The two will first have to serve solitary confinement for two months and then serve their life behind bars — a sentence that brought Elder close to fainting. They will also have to pay for their trial. "This sentence is a disgrace for Italy with these judges who don't want to see what emerged during the trial and the investigation," Elder's attorney, Renato Borzone, said. (With inputs from agencies)

2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder

Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said on Monday she had received a knife covered in red stains by post, days after senior security officials and a left-wing party leader were sent death threats.

The ministry released a photo showing a small, wood-handled folding knife with a series of red stains running up the blade.

"This is serious...We should be concerned as I'm not a controversial person," said Maroto, a socialist who has served as minister of industry, trade and tourism since 2018.

Also read:<a href="Spain's famous Pamplona bull-run cancelled for second year due to pandemic">&nbsp;Spain's famous Pamplona bull-run cancelled for second year due to pandemic</a>

"It gives us more strength to defend democracy... Hatred and threats will not silence us," she told reporters outside the house of parliament.

Police are investigating the package, which arrived at the ministry on Friday and included a return address, she added.

The Spanish government is led by the Socialist Party (PSOE), with the far-left Unidas Podemos as its junior coalition partner.

But a chorus of voices from across the political spectrum - including the far-right Vox party - condemned the threats.

Last week, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Pablo Iglesias of Unidas Podemos, and Maria Gamez, who heads the Guardia Civil police force, also received death threats in the mail.

Without suggesting who might be behind the letters, Marlaska on Monday blamed a culture of political polarisation for allowing hate speech to flourish.

"We have a certain anti-democratic political discourse that we must confront forcefully," he told La Sexta television.

He linked the threats to the recent vandalism of a feminist mural in Madrid and the defacement of a statue of former socialist Prime Minister Francisco Largo-Caballero.

"All this generates a belief that it is OK to discriminate... against certain groups," he said.

Tension between right and left has ratcheted up in recent weeks ahead of a regional election in Madrid, where conservative incumbent Isabel Diaz Ayuso is running with the slogan "Communism or Freedom".

Iglesias, who is standing against her for Unidas Podemos, walked out of a debate on Friday after Rocio Monasterio, his opponent from Vox, questioned whether the threats were real.

He had earlier posted the letter on Twitter alongside a photo of four bullets he said came in the envelope. 
"Your wife, your parents and you are sentenced to capital punishment, your time is running out," the letter read.

Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said on Monday she had received a knife covered in red stains by post, days after senior security officials and a left-wing party leader were sent death threats.

Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said on Monday she had received a knife covered in red stains by post, days after senior security officials and a left-wing party leader were sent death threats. The ministry released a photo showing a small, wood-handled folding knife with a series of red stains running up the blade. "This is serious...We should be concerned as I'm not a controversial person," said Maroto, a socialist who has served as minister of industry, trade and tourism since 2018. Also read: Spain's famous Pamplona bull-run cancelled for second year due to pandemic "It gives us more strength to defend democracy... Hatred and threats will not silence us," she told reporters outside the house of parliament. Police are investigating the package, which arrived at the ministry on Friday and included a return address, she added. The Spanish government is led by the Socialist Party (PSOE), with the far-left Unidas Podemos as its junior coalition partner. But a chorus of voices from across the political spectrum - including the far-right Vox party - condemned the threats. Last week, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Pablo Iglesias of Unidas Podemos, and Maria Gamez, who heads the Guardia Civil police force, also received death threats in the mail. Without suggesting who might be behind the letters, Marlaska on Monday blamed a culture of political polarisation for allowing hate speech to flourish. "We have a certain anti-democratic political discourse that we must confront forcefully," he told La Sexta television. He linked the threats to the recent vandalism of a feminist mural in Madrid and the defacement of a statue of former socialist Prime Minister Francisco Largo-Caballero. "All this generates a belief that it is OK to discriminate... against certain groups," he said. Tension between right and left has ratcheted up in recent weeks ahead of a regional election in Madrid, where conservative incumbent Isabel Diaz Ayuso is running with the slogan "Communism or Freedom". Iglesias, who is standing against her for Unidas Podemos, walked out of a debate on Friday after Rocio Monasterio, his opponent from Vox, questioned whether the threats were real. He had earlier posted the letter on Twitter alongside a photo of four bullets he said came in the envelope. "Your wife, your parents and you are sentenced to capital punishment, your time is running out," the letter read.

Spanish Tourism Minister gets knife in post

A journalist was shot and killed during a robbery bid in the Bank Colony area of Quetta on Saturday evening, said police officials.

Police said the journalist, Abdul Wahid Raisani, was going home from his office yesterday evening when robbers tried to snatch his motorcycle near Qambrani Road.

During the ensuing struggle, the robbers fired shots, one of which struck Raisani`s chest, they added according to Dawn. The Balochistan Union of Journalists strongly condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Raisani`s death.

Earlier this week, senior journalist and former chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra), Absar Alam, was shot in Islamabad. In a video shared by journalist Asad Toor, Alam could be heard saying he was shot at while walking outside his home.

Dawn further reported that earlier this month, a local journalist, Waseem Alam, was shot dead by unidentified persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s Karak. At least 10 journalists were murdered and several others threatened, kidnapped, tortured and arrested in Pakistan on trumped-up charges while discharging their professional responsibilities in 2020 alone, according to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors` (CPNE) Media Freedom Report 2020, according to Dawn.

No action has so far been taken against those responsible for torturing and killing journalists and it seems that such persons enjoy impunity.

"It is a matter of grave concern that the legal system of the country has become useless in protecting and providing justice to journalists," said the report.Pakistan continues to remain one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, and more and more scribes are being arrested for criticising the country`s Army under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA).

PECA, which is seen as the draconian tool to silence free speech, criminalises any speech considered to be "blasphemous" and even those who criticise state institutions.

Recently, a new section was added in PECA stating that those who intentionally ridicule, bring into disrepute or defame the Armed Forces of Pakistan will be sentenced up to two years and be fined over USD 3,018.

Pakistan has been ranked 145th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders`s (RSF) 2020 World Press Freedom Index, three places lower than in 2019.&nbsp;

A journalist was shot and killed during a robbery bid in the Bank Colony area of Quetta on Saturday evening, said police officials. Police said the journalist, Abdul Wahid Raisani, was going home from his office yesterday evening when robbers tried to snatch his motorcycle near Qambrani Road.

A journalist was shot and killed during a robbery bid in the Bank Colony area of Quetta on Saturday evening, said police officials. Police said the journalist, Abdul Wahid Raisani, was going home from his office yesterday evening when robbers tried to snatch his motorcycle near Qambrani Road. During the ensuing struggle, the robbers fired shots, one of which struck Raisani`s chest, they added according to Dawn. The Balochistan Union of Journalists strongly condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for Raisani`s death. Earlier this week, senior journalist and former chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Authority (Pemra), Absar Alam, was shot in Islamabad. In a video shared by journalist Asad Toor, Alam could be heard saying he was shot at while walking outside his home. Dawn further reported that earlier this month, a local journalist, Waseem Alam, was shot dead by unidentified persons in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s Karak. At least 10 journalists were murdered and several others threatened, kidnapped, tortured and arrested in Pakistan on trumped-up charges while discharging their professional responsibilities in 2020 alone, according to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors` (CPNE) Media Freedom Report 2020, according to Dawn. No action has so far been taken against those responsible for torturing and killing journalists and it seems that such persons enjoy impunity. "It is a matter of grave concern that the legal system of the country has become useless in protecting and providing justice to journalists," said the report.Pakistan continues to remain one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists, and more and more scribes are being arrested for criticising the country`s Army under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA). PECA, which is seen as the draconian tool to silence free speech, criminalises any speech considered to be "blasphemous" and even those who criticise state institutions. Recently, a new section was added in PECA stating that those who intentionally ridicule, bring into disrepute or defame the Armed Forces of Pakistan will be sentenced up to two years and be fined over USD 3,018. Pakistan has been ranked 145th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders`s (RSF) 2020 World Press Freedom Index, three places lower than in 2019.

Pakistan journalist shot dead during robbery bid

Protesters gathered in several French cities Sunday to denounce a court's refusal of a trial for a man who killed a 65-year-old Jewish woman, after experts determined he acted in a "delirious fit" due to heavy marijuana use.

The decision infuriated the victim's family as well as Jewish groups, and prompted President Emmanuel Macron to urge a change in French law to ensure people face responsibility for violent crimes while under the influence of drugs.

Sarah Halimi was pushed out the window of her Paris flat by neighbour Kobili Traore, 27, who shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest" in Arabic).

Have a look |&nbsp;<a href="Woman's murder by alleged harasser in Kuwait sparks protest, outrage">Woman's murder by alleged harasser in Kuwait sparks protest, outrage</a>

The country's highest court said this month that while the murder was anti-Semitic, Traore could not be held criminally responsible since he had acted in a state of dementia.

He has been in psychiatric care since Halimi's death.

"The clamour has risen and hope has returned. That hope is all of you here," Halimi's brother William Attal told a crowd of several thousand at the Trocadero esplanade in Paris.

The MP who leads Macron's Republic on the Move party, Christophe Castaner, addressed the protest, which was also attended by opposition leaders and by several well-known actors.

Former French first lady Carla Bruni, wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, also appeared at the Paris rally, as did Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who said the city would soon name a street in Halimi's memory.

"It will also be a way of doing her justice," Hidalgo said.

Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti confirmed Sunday that a new penal responsibility law would be presented by end May to fill a "legal void".

But France's CSM judiciary council rejected the government's "disparagement" on Sunday and insisted that judges had correctly applied the law in a "painful" case.

Between 1,500 and 2,000 people also marched at a protest in the Mediterranean city of Marseille, while around 600 gathered outside a synagogue in the eastern city of Strasbourg, authorities said.

Jewish groups say the court ruling has made Jews less safe in France, while lawyers representing Halimi's family have said they will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.&nbsp;

French Jews have been repeatedly targeted by jihadists in recent years, most notably in 2012, when an Islamist gunman shot dead three children and a teacher at a Jewish school in the southern city of Toulouse.

In 2015, a pro-Islamic State radical gunned down four people at a Jewish supermarket in Paris.

Protesters gathered in several French cities Sunday to denounce a court's refusal of a trial for a man who killed a 65-year-old Jewish woman, after experts determined he acted in a "delirious fit" due to heavy marijuana use.

Protesters gathered in several French cities Sunday to denounce a court's refusal of a trial for a man who killed a 65-year-old Jewish woman, after experts determined he acted in a "delirious fit" due to heavy marijuana use. The decision infuriated the victim's family as well as Jewish groups, and prompted President Emmanuel Macron to urge a change in French law to ensure people face responsibility for violent crimes while under the influence of drugs. Sarah Halimi was pushed out the window of her Paris flat by neighbour Kobili Traore, 27, who shouted "Allahu Akbar" ("God is greatest" in Arabic). Have a look | Woman's murder by alleged harasser in Kuwait sparks protest, outrage The country's highest court said this month that while the murder was anti-Semitic, Traore could not be held criminally responsible since he had acted in a state of dementia. He has been in psychiatric care since Halimi's death. "The clamour has risen and hope has returned. That hope is all of you here," Halimi's brother William Attal told a crowd of several thousand at the Trocadero esplanade in Paris. The MP who leads Macron's Republic on the Move party, Christophe Castaner, addressed the protest, which was also attended by opposition leaders and by several well-known actors. Former French first lady Carla Bruni, wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, also appeared at the Paris rally, as did Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who said the city would soon name a street in Halimi's memory. "It will also be a way of doing her justice," Hidalgo said. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti confirmed Sunday that a new penal responsibility law would be presented by end May to fill a "legal void". But France's CSM judiciary council rejected the government's "disparagement" on Sunday and insisted that judges had correctly applied the law in a "painful" case. Between 1,500 and 2,000 people also marched at a protest in the Mediterranean city of Marseille, while around 600 gathered outside a synagogue in the eastern city of Strasbourg, authorities said. Jewish groups say the court ruling has made Jews less safe in France, while lawyers representing Halimi's family have said they will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. French Jews have been repeatedly targeted by jihadists in recent years, most notably in 2012, when an Islamist gunman shot dead three children and a teacher at a Jewish school in the southern city of Toulouse. In 2015, a pro-Islamic State radical gunned down four people at a Jewish supermarket in Paris.

Protests in France over no trial for Jewish woman's killer

Woman's murder by alleged harasser in Kuwait sparks protest, outrage

One day, about a half-century ago, William Heiser Jr. came home from boarding school to find that his mother was gone. His father, William Sr., a former police officer, told him and his sister that their mother had walked out.

“He just said she just packed up her stuff and left,” Heiser said, even though some of her clothes and belongings were still in their house in Philadelphia.

Heiser, 68, said he figured that his parents had grown apart or divorced. Sometimes, he wondered if his mother had been upset at him and his sister. As the years went on, the disappearance of his mother, Marie Petry Heiser, became more painful, as Heiser and his sister questioned why she never called or wrote. When they asked their father where she was, he would tell them he didn’t know.

“‘I haven’t heard; I don’t know where she’s at,’” the elder Heiser would tell them, the son recalled. “We had no reason to question him because we hadn’t heard neither.”

Now, the long mystery of Marie Heiser’s disappearance has been solved — at least in part.

This past week, police announced that Marie Heiser was the victim of a homicide and that her remains had been discovered more than 40 years ago, in June 1977, by a teenager who was biking home in a wooded area of Townsend, Delaware, about 65 miles south of the Heisers’ home in Philadelphia.

Those remains had never been identified, but they were recently connected to Heiser through DNA technology that traced her family tree back to her children. The police said they were continuing to investigate how she had been killed and had not identified a suspect.

Heiser, who was 50 when she died, was never reported missing, and the elder William Heiser died in 2006. The police said his explanation that Marie Heiser had left the family was one of many questions they were investigating.

“We’re looking into every aspect of the case and, trust me, that has not passed us,” said Master Cpl. Michel Eckerd of the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware.

The younger William Heiser said he was certain that his father had nothing to do with his mother’s disappearance.

“He would be the last person that would ever hurt anybody,” said Heiser, who followed his father into law enforcement and is retired from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department in Florida. “He was a saint — took care of his family, never raised his voice or hands or argued or anything.”

Marie Heiser was a homemaker and a part-time employee at the former Ashbourne Country Club in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the police said. Eckerd said he hoped someone in the public who knew her or the family would come forward with information.

“She was very involved in the community in Philadelphia,” he said.

Heiser said he remembered going to the Jersey Shore and strolling along the boardwalk with his mother.

“She took care of us, and we had good times when I was smaller,” he said. “She was just a good person.”

William Heiser Sr. was a member of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Highway Patrol from the 1950s until the early 1960s, the police said. The patrol was known for performing thrill shows in stadiums and arenas, and Heiser had to leave the force after being seriously injured while rehearsing for a show, police said.

He went on to work as a truck driver and moved to South Daytona Beach, Florida, in the late 1970s, police said.

In June 1977, the New Castle County Police responded to the discovery of a woman’s remains in the Townsend area. The Delaware medical examiner determined at the time that the woman was the victim of a homicide, and police conducted an extensive investigation.

But authorities could not identify her or obtain any leads, police said. The case went cold, as fingerprints and dental records failed to turn up any matches.

Then, in 2008, investigators extracted a DNA profile from the remains. But, police said, the DNA failed to lead to a match after it was entered it into a national database.

In February 2017, police sent the sample to a Virginia company, Parabon NanoLabs, where a forensic artist, Thom Shaw, used the sample to create a sketch of the victim. The lab also mapped her potential family tree.

In 2019, a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, Steven Smugeresky, took over the ancestry research and worked tirelessly to develop leads on the identity of the remains, police said. The New Castle County Police followed up on those leads and obtained DNA samples from possible relatives.

Heiser said he got a call about two months ago from an investigator who asked him for a DNA sample and explained, “We think we might have found your mother’s remains.”

“It was a shock to us,” he said. “You’re never expecting a phone call like that, ever.”

A few weeks later, he said, police called him again to say the remains had been conclusively identified.

“You’re thinking, ‘Well, as horrible as this story is, there’s some closure,’” he said.

But the discovery has also raised more questions, he said, about who might have killed his mother.

“Before, we wondered where our mother was,” he said. “Now, we’re wondering what happened to our mother. So one door closes, another opens.”

One day, about a half-century ago, William Heiser Jr. came home from boarding school to find that his mother was gone. His father, William Sr., a former police officer, told him and his sister that their mother had walked out.

One day, about a half-century ago, William Heiser Jr. came home from boarding school to find that his mother was gone. His father, William Sr., a former police officer, told him and his sister that their mother had walked out. “He just said she just packed up her stuff and left,” Heiser said, even though some of her clothes and belongings were still in their house in Philadelphia. Heiser, 68, said he figured that his parents had grown apart or divorced. Sometimes, he wondered if his mother had been upset at him and his sister. As the years went on, the disappearance of his mother, Marie Petry Heiser, became more painful, as Heiser and his sister questioned why she never called or wrote. When they asked their father where she was, he would tell them he didn’t know. “‘I haven’t heard; I don’t know where she’s at,’” the elder Heiser would tell them, the son recalled. “We had no reason to question him because we hadn’t heard neither.” Now, the long mystery of Marie Heiser’s disappearance has been solved — at least in part. This past week, police announced that Marie Heiser was the victim of a homicide and that her remains had been discovered more than 40 years ago, in June 1977, by a teenager who was biking home in a wooded area of Townsend, Delaware, about 65 miles south of the Heisers’ home in Philadelphia. Those remains had never been identified, but they were recently connected to Heiser through DNA technology that traced her family tree back to her children. The police said they were continuing to investigate how she had been killed and had not identified a suspect. Heiser, who was 50 when she died, was never reported missing, and the elder William Heiser died in 2006. The police said his explanation that Marie Heiser had left the family was one of many questions they were investigating. “We’re looking into every aspect of the case and, trust me, that has not passed us,” said Master Cpl. Michel Eckerd of the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware. The younger William Heiser said he was certain that his father had nothing to do with his mother’s disappearance. “He would be the last person that would ever hurt anybody,” said Heiser, who followed his father into law enforcement and is retired from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department in Florida. “He was a saint — took care of his family, never raised his voice or hands or argued or anything.” Marie Heiser was a homemaker and a part-time employee at the former Ashbourne Country Club in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the police said. Eckerd said he hoped someone in the public who knew her or the family would come forward with information. “She was very involved in the community in Philadelphia,” he said. Heiser said he remembered going to the Jersey Shore and strolling along the boardwalk with his mother. “She took care of us, and we had good times when I was smaller,” he said. “She was just a good person.” William Heiser Sr. was a member of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Highway Patrol from the 1950s until the early 1960s, the police said. The patrol was known for performing thrill shows in stadiums and arenas, and Heiser had to leave the force after being seriously injured while rehearsing for a show, police said. He went on to work as a truck driver and moved to South Daytona Beach, Florida, in the late 1970s, police said. In June 1977, the New Castle County Police responded to the discovery of a woman’s remains in the Townsend area. The Delaware medical examiner determined at the time that the woman was the victim of a homicide, and police conducted an extensive investigation. But authorities could not identify her or obtain any leads, police said. The case went cold, as fingerprints and dental records failed to turn up any matches. Then, in 2008, investigators extracted a DNA profile from the remains. But, police said, the DNA failed to lead to a match after it was entered it into a national database. In February 2017, police sent the sample to a Virginia company, Parabon NanoLabs, where a forensic artist, Thom Shaw, used the sample to create a sketch of the victim. The lab also mapped her potential family tree. In 2019, a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, Steven Smugeresky, took over the ancestry research and worked tirelessly to develop leads on the identity of the remains, police said. The New Castle County Police followed up on those leads and obtained DNA samples from possible relatives. Heiser said he got a call about two months ago from an investigator who asked him for a DNA sample and explained, “We think we might have found your mother’s remains.” “It was a shock to us,” he said. “You’re never expecting a phone call like that, ever.” A few weeks later, he said, police called him again to say the remains had been conclusively identified. “You’re thinking, ‘Well, as horrible as this story is, there’s some closure,’” he said. But the discovery has also raised more questions, he said, about who might have killed his mother. “Before, we wondered where our mother was,” he said. “Now, we’re wondering what happened to our mother. So one door closes, another opens.”

She vanished decades ago. Her children just learned she had been killed.

A 31-year-old Hindu journalist in Pakistan was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Sindh province, multiple reports said on Saturday.

Ajay Lalvani, a reporter with a local television station and an Urdu language newspaper Daily Puchano, died on Thursday after he sustained bullet injuries in stomach, arm, and knee, The News International reported. He was sitting in the barber shop in Sukkur city when unidentified assailants on two bikes and a car drove by and opened fire.

Lalvani was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died.

The police on Friday registered an FIR against three unknown assailants and launched an investigation.

The victim's father has dismissed the police's claim of the murder being the result of a personal enmity.

A group of journalists protested against Lalvani's killing and carried out a march after his funeral. They claimed that the incident was a target killing as they held the Sukkur Police responsible for the incident.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an American independent non-profit organisation, has also urged authorities in Sindh province to apprehend those responsible for the killing.

A 31-year-old Hindu journalist in Pakistan was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Sindh province, multiple reports said on Saturday. Ajay Lalvani, a reporter with a local television station and an Urdu language newspaper Daily Puchano, died on Thursday after he sustained bullet injuries in stomach, arm, and knee, The News International reported.

A 31-year-old Hindu journalist in Pakistan was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Sindh province, multiple reports said on Saturday. Ajay Lalvani, a reporter with a local television station and an Urdu language newspaper Daily Puchano, died on Thursday after he sustained bullet injuries in stomach, arm, and knee, The News International reported. He was sitting in the barber shop in Sukkur city when unidentified assailants on two bikes and a car drove by and opened fire. Lalvani was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died. The police on Friday registered an FIR against three unknown assailants and launched an investigation. The victim's father has dismissed the police's claim of the murder being the result of a personal enmity. A group of journalists protested against Lalvani's killing and carried out a march after his funeral. They claimed that the incident was a target killing as they held the Sukkur Police responsible for the incident. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an American independent non-profit organisation, has also urged authorities in Sindh province to apprehend those responsible for the killing.

Hindu journalist killed in Pakistan's Sindh province

A Franco-Ivorian man and his Belgian wife have been convicted of killing a British businessman at a Belgian seaside resort a quarter of a century ago.

The court in the Belgian city of Bruges late Tuesday found Jean-Claude Lacote and his wife Hilde Van Acker quilty of shooting dead 44-year-old&nbsp;Marcus Mitchell.

Lacote, 54, and Van Acker, 57, were arrested in the Ivory Coast two years ago after living a colourful life on the run in the US and Africa.&nbsp;

They had pleaded not guilty but now face possible life imprisonment.

The trial, which began March 5, had revealed multiple lives of Lacote, who has been a clothing dealer in the United States, was a television producer in South Africa and ran an airline in Ivory Coast.

Prosecutors portrayed the couple as "professional criminals" and said the murder was linked to an attempted fraud.

On May 28, 1996, aviation executive Mitchell was found dead in De Haan, an upscale Belgian North Sea beach resort, with two bullets in his head.

Investigators quickly discovered that he had been in regular contact with Lacote and Van Acker by telephone.

According to prosecutors, Mitchell had loaned Lacote a large sum of money for a false lead on a potential lucrative deal and the pair had fallen out.

The investigation turned up extraordinary details of the couple's life since the killing.

- TV reality show -

They were arrested on June 2 1996, shortly after the body was found, at Charleroi airport outside Brussels.

Released on bail later the same year they fled to the United States, where they married and founded a clothing business in Miami, Florida.

In 2007, Belgian investigators tracked Lacote to South Africa, but were not able to arrange his arrest.

In South Africa, Lacote produced a TV reality show on true crime stories and claimed to have excellent relations with the local police.

The couple moved to Ivory Coast and lived there for a decade, raising a daughter born in 2007, but were eventually arrested in Abidjan in November 2019.

Lacote had taken charge of an aviation company backed by a Lebanese businessman and gained access to high-level Ivorian political circles.

But he said he had refused a post as a government minister in order to raise his daughter in a better environment than the one he had known.

A Franco-Ivorian man and his Belgian wife have been convicted of killing a British businessman at a Belgian seaside resort a quarter of a century ago. The court in the Belgian city of Bruges late Tuesday found Jean-Claude Lacote and his wife Hilde Van Acker quilty of shooting dead 44-year-old Marcus Mitchell.

A Franco-Ivorian man and his Belgian wife have been convicted of killing a British businessman at a Belgian seaside resort a quarter of a century ago. The court in the Belgian city of Bruges late Tuesday found Jean-Claude Lacote and his wife Hilde Van Acker quilty of shooting dead 44-year-old Marcus Mitchell. Lacote, 54, and Van Acker, 57, were arrested in the Ivory Coast two years ago after living a colourful life on the run in the US and Africa. They had pleaded not guilty but now face possible life imprisonment. The trial, which began March 5, had revealed multiple lives of Lacote, who has been a clothing dealer in the United States, was a television producer in South Africa and ran an airline in Ivory Coast. Prosecutors portrayed the couple as "professional criminals" and said the murder was linked to an attempted fraud. On May 28, 1996, aviation executive Mitchell was found dead in De Haan, an upscale Belgian North Sea beach resort, with two bullets in his head. Investigators quickly discovered that he had been in regular contact with Lacote and Van Acker by telephone. According to prosecutors, Mitchell had loaned Lacote a large sum of money for a false lead on a potential lucrative deal and the pair had fallen out. The investigation turned up extraordinary details of the couple's life since the killing. - TV reality show - They were arrested on June 2 1996, shortly after the body was found, at Charleroi airport outside Brussels. Released on bail later the same year they fled to the United States, where they married and founded a clothing business in Miami, Florida. In 2007, Belgian investigators tracked Lacote to South Africa, but were not able to arrange his arrest. In South Africa, Lacote produced a TV reality show on true crime stories and claimed to have excellent relations with the local police. The couple moved to Ivory Coast and lived there for a decade, raising a daughter born in 2007, but were eventually arrested in Abidjan in November 2019. Lacote had taken charge of an aviation company backed by a Lebanese businessman and gained access to high-level Ivorian political circles. But he said he had refused a post as a government minister in order to raise his daughter in a better environment than the one he had known.

Notorious couple convicted of 1996 murder in Belgium

British police have charged an officer with the kidnap and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, whose disappearance last week has sparked anger and fears among women about their safety.

Constable Wayne Couzens, 48, who guarded diplomatic buildings, will appear in court on Saturday. Everard disappeared while walking home from a friend's house in south London on March 3.

The Metropolitan police had confirmed that a body found in a wood outside London was that of the missing woman.

Her case has led to an outpouring of personal accounts by women of their own experiences and fears of walking streets alone at night, and a campaign for action to address this.

"The investigation continues of course," Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave told reporters. "I would like to use this opportunity to encourage anyone that thinks they might have useful information to give, to get in contact with us."

He had said earlier in the day that he understood the hurt and anger sparked by the case. "Those are sentiments that I share personally," Ephgrave said. "I also recognise the wider concerns that are being raised quite rightly about the safety of women in public spaces in London and also elsewhere in the country."

Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said she would do all she could to protect women and girls following the outcry that has followed Everard's disappearance.

"Every woman &amp; girl should be free to walk our streets without the slightest fear of harassment, abuse or violence," she said on Twitter.

However, police have been criticised by organisers of a planned "Reclaim These Streets" vigil on Saturday near to where Everard was last seen, after officers said it could not take place due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A woman in her 30s, who media said was the partner of Couzens, was released on police bail after having been detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.

British police have charged an officer with the kidnap and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, whose disappearance last week has sparked anger and fears among women about their safety.

British police have charged an officer with the kidnap and murder of 33-year-old Sarah Everard, whose disappearance last week has sparked anger and fears among women about their safety. Constable Wayne Couzens, 48, who guarded diplomatic buildings, will appear in court on Saturday. Everard disappeared while walking home from a friend's house in south London on March 3. The Metropolitan police had confirmed that a body found in a wood outside London was that of the missing woman. Her case has led to an outpouring of personal accounts by women of their own experiences and fears of walking streets alone at night, and a campaign for action to address this. "The investigation continues of course," Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave told reporters. "I would like to use this opportunity to encourage anyone that thinks they might have useful information to give, to get in contact with us." He had said earlier in the day that he understood the hurt and anger sparked by the case. "Those are sentiments that I share personally," Ephgrave said. "I also recognise the wider concerns that are being raised quite rightly about the safety of women in public spaces in London and also elsewhere in the country." Home Secretary (interior minister) Priti Patel said she would do all she could to protect women and girls following the outcry that has followed Everard's disappearance. "Every woman & girl should be free to walk our streets without the slightest fear of harassment, abuse or violence," she said on Twitter. However, police have been criticised by organisers of a planned "Reclaim These Streets" vigil on Saturday near to where Everard was last seen, after officers said it could not take place due to COVID-19 restrictions. A woman in her 30s, who media said was the partner of Couzens, was released on police bail after having been detained on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Serving UK police officer charged with murder of 33-year-old woman

Eight Islamic extremists were sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the murder of a publisher on Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority nation grapples with tensions between religious hardliners and secularists.&nbsp;

Faisal Arefin Dipan, 43, the owner of a Dhaka-based publishing house that released several atheist books, was hacked to death in October 2015 by men suspected to be members of a local jihadist group.&nbsp;

The attack was part of a wave of violence between 2013 and 2016 targeting secular activists, bloggers and atheist writers.&nbsp;

Several top Islamist political party leaders were hanged over the violence under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;

Prosecutor Golam Sarwar Zakir said, the judge at Dhaka's Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal convicted all of the eight accused men.&nbsp;

"He (the judge) said their goal was to muzzle people's voices by murdering bloggers, writers and publishers. They wanted to disrupt public security by creating panic among the people," Zakir said.&nbsp;

Two of the men are still on the loose and were sentenced in absentia, including mastermind Syed Ziaul Haque, a sacked army officer, Zakir added.&nbsp;

Haque has been charged with the killings of several secular activists.&nbsp;

A defence lawyer for the eight men said they would appeal against the sentences.&nbsp;

The Bangladesh government has set up two major anti-terrorism police units in recent years to crack down on Islamic extremists.&nbsp;

More than 100 suspected Islamists have been killed in anti-terror raids across the country and hundreds have been detained. Around half-a-dozen Islamist militant outfits have been banned.&nbsp;

Star Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has become the latest target of radicals and had to be given an armed bodyguard after he was threatened for attending a Hindu ceremony in neighbouring India.

Eight Islamic extremists were sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the murder of a publisher on Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority nation grapples with tensions between religious hardliners and secularists.

Eight Islamic extremists were sentenced to death in Bangladesh for the murder of a publisher on Wednesday, as the Muslim-majority nation grapples with tensions between religious hardliners and secularists. Faisal Arefin Dipan, 43, the owner of a Dhaka-based publishing house that released several atheist books, was hacked to death in October 2015 by men suspected to be members of a local jihadist group. The attack was part of a wave of violence between 2013 and 2016 targeting secular activists, bloggers and atheist writers. Several top Islamist political party leaders were hanged over the violence under the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prosecutor Golam Sarwar Zakir said, the judge at Dhaka's Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal convicted all of the eight accused men. "He (the judge) said their goal was to muzzle people's voices by murdering bloggers, writers and publishers. They wanted to disrupt public security by creating panic among the people," Zakir said. Two of the men are still on the loose and were sentenced in absentia, including mastermind Syed Ziaul Haque, a sacked army officer, Zakir added. Haque has been charged with the killings of several secular activists. A defence lawyer for the eight men said they would appeal against the sentences. The Bangladesh government has set up two major anti-terrorism police units in recent years to crack down on Islamic extremists. More than 100 suspected Islamists have been killed in anti-terror raids across the country and hundreds have been detained. Around half-a-dozen Islamist militant outfits have been banned. Star Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has become the latest target of radicals and had to be given an armed bodyguard after he was threatened for attending a Hindu ceremony in neighbouring India.

Eight Islamists get death in Bangladesh over publisher’s murder

A former NYPD officer who was involved in a twisted plan of having her husband killed will probably be pleading guilty to the allegations, federal prosecutors said.

Valerie Cincinelli, who is a 36-year-old, has been in Brooklyn's federal jail since 2019 when she was jailed for devising a plan with her boyfriend to get her husband killed.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/man-falls-asleep-wakes-up-to-find-out-airpod-is-inside-his-body-361800" hreflang="en">Man falls asleep, wakes up to find out AirPod is inside his body</a>

"It’s the government’s understanding from conversations with the defense… that we have reached an agreement for a plea in this matter. We have been speaking with defense counsel about obtaining a signed plea agreement," said Catherine Mirabile, who is an assistant US attorney in Long Island.

The former NYPD officer has been charged with a murder-for-hire plot. She will be appearing in court on February 12, however, it is not yet clear what the charges of the plea deal will cover. As per local reports, however, she will plead guilty to a single count of obstruction of justice which carries a penalty of 46 to 67 months behind bars under the sentencing guidelines.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-53-years-wallet-lost-in-antarctica-reaches-91-year-old-owner-361761" hreflang="en">After 53 years, wallet lost in Antarctica reaches 91-year-old owner</a>

It has also been reported that the former officer's boyfriend, John DiRubba, had agreed to work with the federal investigators and had started recording all telephonic conversations with her that detailed her plans of getting her husband killed.

She had also planned to get her lover's teenager daughter killed as she thought he was spending too much money and resources on his daughter, reports claim.

The federal investigators had to devise a fake plan to convince the NYPD officer that her husband had been killed by the hired hitman. However, later an officer from the Suffolk County Police Department knocked on her door with questions regarding the alleged death, following which she hurriedly asked her boyfriend to delete all kinds of evidence that may lead to the officers believing that she had murdered her husband.

Later, the FBI took her in their custody that very same day and she has been in the jail since then. Her sentencing will now take place, probably, in a video hearing on February 12.

A former NYPD officer who was involved in a twisted plan of having her husband killed will probably be pleading guilty to the allegations, federal prosecutors said.

A former NYPD officer who was involved in a twisted plan of having her husband killed will probably be pleading guilty to the allegations, federal prosecutors said. Valerie Cincinelli, who is a 36-year-old, has been in Brooklyn's federal jail since 2019 when she was jailed for devising a plan with her boyfriend to get her husband killed. Also read| Man falls asleep, wakes up to find out AirPod is inside his body "It’s the government’s understanding from conversations with the defense… that we have reached an agreement for a plea in this matter. We have been speaking with defense counsel about obtaining a signed plea agreement," said Catherine Mirabile, who is an assistant US attorney in Long Island. The former NYPD officer has been charged with a murder-for-hire plot. She will be appearing in court on February 12, however, it is not yet clear what the charges of the plea deal will cover. As per local reports, however, she will plead guilty to a single count of obstruction of justice which carries a penalty of 46 to 67 months behind bars under the sentencing guidelines. Also read| After 53 years, wallet lost in Antarctica reaches 91-year-old owner It has also been reported that the former officer's boyfriend, John DiRubba, had agreed to work with the federal investigators and had started recording all telephonic conversations with her that detailed her plans of getting her husband killed. She had also planned to get her lover's teenager daughter killed as she thought he was spending too much money and resources on his daughter, reports claim. The federal investigators had to devise a fake plan to convince the NYPD officer that her husband had been killed by the hired hitman. However, later an officer from the Suffolk County Police Department knocked on her door with questions regarding the alleged death, following which she hurriedly asked her boyfriend to delete all kinds of evidence that may lead to the officers believing that she had murdered her husband. Later, the FBI took her in their custody that very same day and she has been in the jail since then. Her sentencing will now take place, probably, in a video hearing on February 12.

Former NYPD officer to plead guilty of planning to kill husband, with lover's help

Rock producer Phil Spector, who changed the sound of pop music in the 1960s with his "Wall of Sound" recordings and was convicted of murder for the 2003 murder of a Hollywood actress, has died at age 81 of COVID-19, according to authorities and media reports.

Spector produced 20 top 40 hits between 1961 and 1965 and went on to work with the Beatles on "Let It Be," as well as Leonard Cohen, the Righteous Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner.

He was diagnosed with COVID-19 four weeks ago and transferred to a hospital from his prison cell, where he had been serving a 19 years-to-life sentence for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, the Daily Mail newspaper said.

In a brief statement, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Spector died of natural causes at an outside hospital, and that his official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner in the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

Clarkson, 40, was killed by a shot to the mouth, fired from Spector’s gun in the foyer of his mock castle home outside Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 2003. The two met hours earlier at a Hollywood nightclub.

Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in a second trial, after the first trial deadlocked in 2007. The case drew worldwide interest because Spector was widely known as a rock music pioneer. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He began his career as a performer, recording a hit single as a teen with his band the Teddy Bears, but found his true calling as the producing genius behind 1960s girl groups such as Crystals and the Ronettes.

His signature production technique was the "Wall of Sound," which layered pop and even classical instruments into a full, lush sound that was new to pop records. He called it "a Wagnerian approach to rock &amp; roll: little symphonies for the kids."

By the late 1970s Spector, who once said he had "devils that fight inside me," had become something of a recluse, retreating behind the walls of his 33-room hilltop mansion near Los Angeles where Clarkson was killed years later.

Prosecutors charged Spector with murder despite his assertions that Clarkson, star of such films as "Barbarian Queen" and "Amazon Women on the Moon," had shot herself for reasons he could not grasp.

He told Esquire magazine in an interview that Clarkson had "kissed the gun" in a bizarre suicide.

Spector had a troubled early life. His father committed suicide, his sister spent time in mental institutions and Spector suffered bouts of severe depression.

Spector had a long-standing reputation for gunplay. He carried a pistol and a biographer said he often placed it on the recording console as he worked. He reportedly fired a shot in the studio during an acrimonious recording session with John Lennon.

WALL OF SOUND

Born Harvey Phillip Spector on Dec. 26, 1939, he grew up in New York City and formed the Teddy Bears with three high school friends. They scored a hit single in 1958 with a song titled after the inscription on his father's headstone: "To Know Him Is to Love Him."

The Teddy Bears had little other chart success and disbanded the following year, allowing Spector to shift from performing to working behind the scenes at the dawn of the '60s. He teamed with songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, co-writing the Ben E. King hit "Spanish Harlem," playing guitar on the Drifters' "On Broadway" and producing several top 10 hits.

In 1961 Spector and promoter Lester Sill formed Philles Records, issuing singles with what was becoming his trademark sound but also albums such as the perennial holiday favorite, "A Christmas Gift for You."

Spector signed Ike and Tina Turner in 1966 and released what he considered one of his masterpieces - the powerful "River Deep, Mountain High" - but it reached only No. 88 on the U.S. charts.

For a time, Spector turned his back on the record business, marrying Ronettes singer Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett, who would later say he was abusive, possessive and made her a virtual captive in their home.

Spector returned in 1969, signing a production deal with A&amp;M Records and working with Lennon on his hit single "Instant Karma" and with the Beatles on the "Let It Be" album.

"Let it Be" was considered a major comeback for Spector, but Paul McCartney was so unhappy with it that in 2003 he oversaw the release of "Let It Be ... Naked," which removed most of Spector's work.

Spector returned to the studio in the mid-1970s to work on records by Cher and others but by the end of the decade he had become increasingly reclusive and worked rarely after that.

Rock producer Phil Spector, who changed the sound of pop music in the 1960s with his "Wall of Sound" recordings and was convicted of murder for the 2003 murder of a Hollywood actress, has died at age 81 of COVID-19, according to authorities and media reports.

Rock producer Phil Spector, who changed the sound of pop music in the 1960s with his "Wall of Sound" recordings and was convicted of murder for the 2003 murder of a Hollywood actress, has died at age 81 of COVID-19, according to authorities and media reports. Spector produced 20 top 40 hits between 1961 and 1965 and went on to work with the Beatles on "Let It Be," as well as Leonard Cohen, the Righteous Brothers and Ike and Tina Turner. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 four weeks ago and transferred to a hospital from his prison cell, where he had been serving a 19 years-to-life sentence for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, the Daily Mail newspaper said. In a brief statement, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Spector died of natural causes at an outside hospital, and that his official cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner in the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office. Clarkson, 40, was killed by a shot to the mouth, fired from Spector’s gun in the foyer of his mock castle home outside Los Angeles on Feb. 3, 2003. The two met hours earlier at a Hollywood nightclub. Spector was convicted of second-degree murder in a second trial, after the first trial deadlocked in 2007. The case drew worldwide interest because Spector was widely known as a rock music pioneer. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He began his career as a performer, recording a hit single as a teen with his band the Teddy Bears, but found his true calling as the producing genius behind 1960s girl groups such as Crystals and the Ronettes. His signature production technique was the "Wall of Sound," which layered pop and even classical instruments into a full, lush sound that was new to pop records. He called it "a Wagnerian approach to rock & roll: little symphonies for the kids." By the late 1970s Spector, who once said he had "devils that fight inside me," had become something of a recluse, retreating behind the walls of his 33-room hilltop mansion near Los Angeles where Clarkson was killed years later. Prosecutors charged Spector with murder despite his assertions that Clarkson, star of such films as "Barbarian Queen" and "Amazon Women on the Moon," had shot herself for reasons he could not grasp. He told Esquire magazine in an interview that Clarkson had "kissed the gun" in a bizarre suicide. Spector had a troubled early life. His father committed suicide, his sister spent time in mental institutions and Spector suffered bouts of severe depression. Spector had a long-standing reputation for gunplay. He carried a pistol and a biographer said he often placed it on the recording console as he worked. He reportedly fired a shot in the studio during an acrimonious recording session with John Lennon. WALL OF SOUND Born Harvey Phillip Spector on Dec. 26, 1939, he grew up in New York City and formed the Teddy Bears with three high school friends. They scored a hit single in 1958 with a song titled after the inscription on his father's headstone: "To Know Him Is to Love Him." The Teddy Bears had little other chart success and disbanded the following year, allowing Spector to shift from performing to working behind the scenes at the dawn of the '60s. He teamed with songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, co-writing the Ben E. King hit "Spanish Harlem," playing guitar on the Drifters' "On Broadway" and producing several top 10 hits. In 1961 Spector and promoter Lester Sill formed Philles Records, issuing singles with what was becoming his trademark sound but also albums such as the perennial holiday favorite, "A Christmas Gift for You." Spector signed Ike and Tina Turner in 1966 and released what he considered one of his masterpieces - the powerful "River Deep, Mountain High" - but it reached only No. 88 on the U.S. charts. For a time, Spector turned his back on the record business, marrying Ronettes singer Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett, who would later say he was abusive, possessive and made her a virtual captive in their home. Spector returned in 1969, signing a production deal with A&M Records and working with Lennon on his hit single "Instant Karma" and with the Beatles on the "Let It Be" album. "Let it Be" was considered a major comeback for Spector, but Paul McCartney was so unhappy with it that in 2003 he oversaw the release of "Let It Be ... Naked," which removed most of Spector's work. Spector returned to the studio in the mid-1970s to work on records by Cher and others but by the end of the decade he had become increasingly reclusive and worked rarely after that.

Music producer Phil Spector, convicted of murder, dead at 81

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

The environment for journalists in Mexico has not been 'safe' for years, but the situation seems to only get worse with every passing day.

The death toll of journalists in Mexico has now increased to nine after a photojournalist was shot dead for merely doing his job.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-regulator-approves-pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-349187">Mexico regulator approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine</a>

Jaime Castaño Zacarías was attending to his duty and had visited a crime scene where dead bodies were found on the side of a road, which was being treated as rivalry violence between two drug cartels. Zacarías was spotted clicking pictures of the dead bodies in the city of Jerez.

After he clicked the required pictures, he left the crime scene on his motorcycle, and that is when he was followed and shot dead by gunmen.

The motive of this assassination was immediately made clear when the local police arrived to check on Zacarías and found his memory card of the camera to be missing.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-mexican-cleric-suspends-one-of-worlds-biggest-religious-gatherings-349143">Top Mexican cleric suspends one of world's biggest religious gatherings</a>

This murder has made Mexico officially the most unsafe country for journalists in the world. For the past four years, Mexico has seen the most murders of journalists, especially cases where the journalists were simply doing their duties.

As per data analysed by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Mexico has lost nearly 119 journalists to murders since 2000. While the journalists are caught in crosshairs and murdered in cold blood, politicians and officers of the law are majorly accused of colluding with the Mexican drug lords and criminals.

The news of Zacarías' murder has come almost a month after another journalist, Israel Vázquez, was murdered after following a tip of dead bodies being stuffed in plastic bags and being dumped in neighbourhoods.

Zacarías' murder is being investigated by the local police as an organised crime.

The environment for journalists in Mexico has not been 'safe' for years, but the situation seems to only get worse with every passing day. The death toll of journalists in Mexico has now increased to nine after a photojournalist was shot dead for merely doing his job.

The environment for journalists in Mexico has not been 'safe' for years, but the situation seems to only get worse with every passing day. The death toll of journalists in Mexico has now increased to nine after a photojournalist was shot dead for merely doing his job. Also read| Mexico regulator approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine Jaime Castaño Zacarías was attending to his duty and had visited a crime scene where dead bodies were found on the side of a road, which was being treated as rivalry violence between two drug cartels. Zacarías was spotted clicking pictures of the dead bodies in the city of Jerez. After he clicked the required pictures, he left the crime scene on his motorcycle, and that is when he was followed and shot dead by gunmen. The motive of this assassination was immediately made clear when the local police arrived to check on Zacarías and found his memory card of the camera to be missing. Also read| Top Mexican cleric suspends one of world's biggest religious gatherings This murder has made Mexico officially the most unsafe country for journalists in the world. For the past four years, Mexico has seen the most murders of journalists, especially cases where the journalists were simply doing their duties. As per data analysed by the Committee to Protect Journalists, Mexico has lost nearly 119 journalists to murders since 2000. While the journalists are caught in crosshairs and murdered in cold blood, politicians and officers of the law are majorly accused of colluding with the Mexican drug lords and criminals. The news of Zacarías' murder has come almost a month after another journalist, Israel Vázquez, was murdered after following a tip of dead bodies being stuffed in plastic bags and being dumped in neighbourhoods. Zacarías' murder is being investigated by the local police as an organised crime.

Situation worsens: Mexican photojournalist killed after investigating crime scene

In South Korea, a man who had murdered 14 women and girls 30 years ago recently made a bizarre claim.&nbsp;

Lee Chun-jae, responsible for the murders recently claimed that he was shocked that he wasn’t caught earlier.

The 57-year-old recently said that he didn’t expect the crimes to be buried forever.

"I didn't think the crimes would be buried forever," Lee told a court&nbsp;in the city of Suwon in South Korea.

Last year, he confessed to the murders to the police. But this was pertinent, for this was the first time he had referred the killings.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/north-korea-says-shooting-death-of-south-korean-man-was-self-defensive-measure-338924" hreflang="en">North Korea says shooting death of South Korean man was self-defensive measure</a>

A South Korean law protects the privacy of suspects and criminals, which is why the criminal’s full name is not divulged in the country.

The suspect was released in 2008 after spending 20 years in prison for raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl.

Among his 10 killings that took place between 1986 and 1991, commonly referred to as the Hwaseong murders, the murder of the 13-year-old is the most commonly known.

For a long time, the nine murders besides the one mentioned above went unsolved. The cases were recorded in “Memories of Murder”, a film in 2003 made by Bong Joon Ho made by “Parasite”.

In 2019, the police had launched an investigation into the murders after DNA evidence emerged.

The assailant had protested his innocence for years, and was granted a retrial. Currently, his lawyers are trying to overturn his conviction.

The man’s retrial is currently underway. On Monday, Lee claimed that the police had questioned him during the killing but said that he was carrying the watch of one of his victims, but was only asked for his identification by the police, after which he was set free.

"I still don't understand (why I wasn't a suspect)," CNN quoted him as saying.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-changed-its-military-draft-policy-heres-what-it-entails-338135" hreflang="en">South Korea changed its military draft policy. Here's what it entails</a>

"Crimes happened around me and I didn't try hard to hide things so I thought I would get caught easily. There were hundreds of police forces. I bumped into detectives all the time but they always asked me about people around me”, he further said, according to CNN.

Lee claimed that he had no reason for killing the youngster, and claimed to have not seen any emotion during the murder of the 13-year-old.

”It was an impulsive act," he claimed in court.

"I heard from someone that a person with a disability was arrested but I didn't know which one he was arrested for as I committed many (crimes)”, he added, as reported by CNN.

In South Korea, a man who had murdered 14 women and girls 30 years ago recently made a bizarre claim. Lee Chun-jae, responsible for the murders recently claimed that he was shocked that he wasn’t caught earlier.

In South Korea, a man who had murdered 14 women and girls 30 years ago recently made a bizarre claim. Lee Chun-jae, responsible for the murders recently claimed that he was shocked that he wasn’t caught earlier. The 57-year-old recently said that he didn’t expect the crimes to be buried forever. "I didn't think the crimes would be buried forever," Lee told a court in the city of Suwon in South Korea. Last year, he confessed to the murders to the police. But this was pertinent, for this was the first time he had referred the killings. Also read: North Korea says shooting death of South Korean man was self-defensive measure A South Korean law protects the privacy of suspects and criminals, which is why the criminal’s full name is not divulged in the country. The suspect was released in 2008 after spending 20 years in prison for raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl. Among his 10 killings that took place between 1986 and 1991, commonly referred to as the Hwaseong murders, the murder of the 13-year-old is the most commonly known. For a long time, the nine murders besides the one mentioned above went unsolved. The cases were recorded in “Memories of Murder”, a film in 2003 made by Bong Joon Ho made by “Parasite”. In 2019, the police had launched an investigation into the murders after DNA evidence emerged. The assailant had protested his innocence for years, and was granted a retrial. Currently, his lawyers are trying to overturn his conviction. The man’s retrial is currently underway. On Monday, Lee claimed that the police had questioned him during the killing but said that he was carrying the watch of one of his victims, but was only asked for his identification by the police, after which he was set free. "I still don't understand (why I wasn't a suspect)," CNN quoted him as saying. Also read: South Korea changed its military draft policy. Here's what it entails "Crimes happened around me and I didn't try hard to hide things so I thought I would get caught easily. There were hundreds of police forces. I bumped into detectives all the time but they always asked me about people around me”, he further said, according to CNN. Lee claimed that he had no reason for killing the youngster, and claimed to have not seen any emotion during the murder of the 13-year-old. ”It was an impulsive act," he claimed in court. "I heard from someone that a person with a disability was arrested but I didn't know which one he was arrested for as I committed many (crimes)”, he added, as reported by CNN.

South Korea: Man responsible for 14 murders claims he's surprised to have not been caught earlier

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