Maulana Dr Adil Khan, a religious scholar and head of Pakistan`s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi on Saturday, Dawn reported. Citing police statement, it was reported that Khan`s car had stopped near a shopping centre in Shah Faisal Colony to purchase sweets when armed pillion riders opened indiscriminate fire on the car and fled.

While both Khan and his driver died, his aide escaped the uneventful incident as he had gone to purchase sweets.Dawn quoted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah as saying that some miscreants wanted to "sabotage the peace in the city".

Counter-Terrorism Department Deputy Inspector General Omar Shahid Hamid said that the police were focusing on two possible motives behind the incident.He said in addition to the sectarian aspect of the gun attack, they were ascertaining as to whether a third party wanted to create sectarian conflict.Pointing to "certain incidents" that may trigger sectarianism in the city such as Adil, a prominent figure in the Deobandi school of thought was recently targeted.

Maulana Dr Adil Khan, a religious scholar and head of Pakistan`s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi on Saturday, Dawn reported.

Maulana Dr Adil Khan, a religious scholar and head of Pakistan`s Jamia Farooqia seminary, was shot dead along with his driver in a suspected targeted attack in Karachi on Saturday, Dawn reported. Citing police statement, it was reported that Khan`s car had stopped near a shopping centre in Shah Faisal Colony to purchase sweets when armed pillion riders opened indiscriminate fire on the car and fled. While both Khan and his driver died, his aide escaped the uneventful incident as he had gone to purchase sweets.Dawn quoted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah as saying that some miscreants wanted to "sabotage the peace in the city". Counter-Terrorism Department Deputy Inspector General Omar Shahid Hamid said that the police were focusing on two possible motives behind the incident.He said in addition to the sectarian aspect of the gun attack, they were ascertaining as to whether a third party wanted to create sectarian conflict.Pointing to "certain incidents" that may trigger sectarianism in the city such as Adil, a prominent figure in the Deobandi school of thought was recently targeted.

Pakistan religious scholar shot dead in Karachi

Jessica Fletcher to Vidya Bagchi: 7 intriguing female detective characters

Two Myanmar migrant workers on death row for the brutal murder of a pair of British backpackers in Thailand have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment following a mass royal pardon.

The men's lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman said the pardon decree -- which was published Friday and applies to all inmates on death row -- was "effective immediately".

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were found guilty of the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and of killing David Miller, 24, after their battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern resort island of Koh Tao in September 2014.

But defence lawyers have said the evidence used to convict the two men -- who are both from Myanmar's impoverished Rakhine state -- was unreliable and alleged that confessions by the pair were obtained under duress.

"I can't find words to express how thankful we are," Ye Zaw Tun, a brother of Win Zaw Tun, told AFP on Saturday following the decree.

"We knew this case was totally unfair, and we sometimes feel bitterness, but we want to say thanks for the royal pardon."

A commutation of their sentence had been the pair's only remaining hope after their final appeal failed last year, with Thailand's top court ruling the evidence against them was clear.

The case triggered a strong reaction from Myanmar, where many felt the two men had been given an unfair trial as low-paid migrant workers -- an integral part of Thailand's workforce -- are often regarded with contempt by its public.

The police were accused of buckling under pressure to solve a crime that attracted worldwide attention.

Defence lawyers claimed authorities mishandled DNA related to the case and did not allow independent analysis of the samples.

Win Zaw Tun's brother said the men were in good health in prison but called for them to be "immediately released".

The royal pardon comes as Thailand is rocked by near-daily anti-government demonstrations by student-led groups

Two Myanmar migrant workers on death row for the brutal murder of a pair of British backpackers in Thailand have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment following a mass royal pardon.

Two Myanmar migrant workers on death row for the brutal murder of a pair of British backpackers in Thailand have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment following a mass royal pardon. The men's lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman said the pardon decree -- which was published Friday and applies to all inmates on death row -- was "effective immediately". Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were found guilty of the rape and murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and of killing David Miller, 24, after their battered bodies were found on a beach on the southern resort island of Koh Tao in September 2014. But defence lawyers have said the evidence used to convict the two men -- who are both from Myanmar's impoverished Rakhine state -- was unreliable and alleged that confessions by the pair were obtained under duress. "I can't find words to express how thankful we are," Ye Zaw Tun, a brother of Win Zaw Tun, told AFP on Saturday following the decree. "We knew this case was totally unfair, and we sometimes feel bitterness, but we want to say thanks for the royal pardon." A commutation of their sentence had been the pair's only remaining hope after their final appeal failed last year, with Thailand's top court ruling the evidence against them was clear. The case triggered a strong reaction from Myanmar, where many felt the two men had been given an unfair trial as low-paid migrant workers -- an integral part of Thailand's workforce -- are often regarded with contempt by its public. The police were accused of buckling under pressure to solve a crime that attracted worldwide attention. Defence lawyers claimed authorities mishandled DNA related to the case and did not allow independent analysis of the samples. Win Zaw Tun's brother said the men were in good health in prison but called for them to be "immediately released". The royal pardon comes as Thailand is rocked by near-daily anti-government demonstrations by student-led groups

Death sentence of Myanmar men commuted in Brit murder case

Authorities in France recently discovered a 30-year-old corpse in a basement while overseeing renovations of a mansion in Paris.

The mansion in question, was sold for $41.2 million, and the discovery of the body has led the police to open a murder investigation.

The mansion is in Paris central 7th district, and is a historically important building.

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"Historically, it is an important building. Many people lived there, including poet François Coppée," Sabine Lebreton, the vice-president of Association pour la Sauvegarde du Site de la Rue Oudinot, a local preservation association, told CNN.

"It's also about what the place says… In the back, there is a huge garden, you can imagine the receptions and social functions... It's of [sic] another century."

The building had remained abandoned since mid-18th century, and was sold for a whopping $41.2 million in January of 2020.

Reports started surfacing in French media in July of a body being found the mansion’s basement.

According to CNN, the Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a pilot murder investigation after discovering the body in the mansion undergoing facelift in Oudinot street in Paris.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/notre-dames-grand-organs-dismantled-for-restoration-in-paris-317969" hreflang="en">Notre Dame's grand organ's dismantled for restoration in Paris</a>

The body was reportedly discovered on February 26, and investigations are now underway, with the criminal unit taking over the case.

CNN spoke to Bruno Picard, a lawyer who was overseeing the house’s auction. According to him, nobody had visited the cellar, which is why the detail was missed in the report. The man was found in a spot where nobody had gone.

He also claims the new owner is about to begin work in the mansion!

Authorities in France recently discovered a 30-year-old corpse in a basement while overseeing renovations of a mansion in Paris. The mansion in question, was sold for $41.

Authorities in France recently discovered a 30-year-old corpse in a basement while overseeing renovations of a mansion in Paris. The mansion in question, was sold for $41.2 million, and the discovery of the body has led the police to open a murder investigation. The mansion is in Paris central 7th district, and is a historically important building. Also read: Paris makes masks mandatory in busy outdoor areas as virus rate rises "Historically, it is an important building. Many people lived there, including poet François Coppée," Sabine Lebreton, the vice-president of Association pour la Sauvegarde du Site de la Rue Oudinot, a local preservation association, told CNN. "It's also about what the place says… In the back, there is a huge garden, you can imagine the receptions and social functions... It's of [sic] another century." The building had remained abandoned since mid-18th century, and was sold for a whopping $41.2 million in January of 2020. Reports started surfacing in French media in July of a body being found the mansion’s basement. According to CNN, the Paris prosecutor’s office has opened a pilot murder investigation after discovering the body in the mansion undergoing facelift in Oudinot street in Paris. Also read: Notre Dame's grand organ's dismantled for restoration in Paris The body was reportedly discovered on February 26, and investigations are now underway, with the criminal unit taking over the case. CNN spoke to Bruno Picard, a lawyer who was overseeing the house’s auction. According to him, nobody had visited the cellar, which is why the detail was missed in the report. The man was found in a spot where nobody had gone. He also claims the new owner is about to begin work in the mansion!

30-year-old corpse found in Parisian mansion during renovation work

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed condolences to the family of journalist Vikram Joshi who passed away today and said that voices are being muzzled and even media is not being spared.

"My heartfelt condolences to the family of Vikram Joshi, a fearless journalist who passed away today. He was shot in UP for filing an FIR to book his niece's molesters. An atmosphere of fear has been created in the country. Voices being muzzled. Media not spared. Shocking," the West Bengal Chief Minister tweeted.

Journalist Vikram Joshi, who was shot at by unknown miscreants near his residence in Vijay Nagar, Ghaziabad on July 20, breathed his last at a hospital on Wednesday.

Doctors monitoring Joshi had said that the veins in the journalists' head had got badly damaged due to the bullet injury.

Meanwhile, the Station in-charge has been suspended and departmental inquiry initiated after the family of the journalist alleged inaction by the police.

The incident occurred on Monday, days after Vikram Joshi had filed a complaint with Vijay Nagar Police Station stating that some men were harassing his niece.

Hours after the death of journalist Vikram Joshi, Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday stated that it has arrested three accused in the case along with six others, while one is accused is absconding.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed condolences to the family of journalist Vikram Joshi who passed away today and said that voices are being muzzled and even media is not being spared.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed condolences to the family of journalist Vikram Joshi who passed away today and said that voices are being muzzled and even media is not being spared. "My heartfelt condolences to the family of Vikram Joshi, a fearless journalist who passed away today. He was shot in UP for filing an FIR to book his niece's molesters. An atmosphere of fear has been created in the country. Voices being muzzled. Media not spared. Shocking," the West Bengal Chief Minister tweeted. Journalist Vikram Joshi, who was shot at by unknown miscreants near his residence in Vijay Nagar, Ghaziabad on July 20, breathed his last at a hospital on Wednesday. Doctors monitoring Joshi had said that the veins in the journalists' head had got badly damaged due to the bullet injury. Meanwhile, the Station in-charge has been suspended and departmental inquiry initiated after the family of the journalist alleged inaction by the police. The incident occurred on Monday, days after Vikram Joshi had filed a complaint with Vijay Nagar Police Station stating that some men were harassing his niece. Hours after the death of journalist Vikram Joshi, Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday stated that it has arrested three accused in the case along with six others, while one is accused is absconding.

Voices being muzzled, even media not spared: Mamata Banerjee on journalist Vikram Joshi's murder

The Russian governor of&nbsp;Khabarovsk region has been arrested on Thursday on multiple charges of involvement in murders.

Sergei Frugal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region along the border with China, was arrested in Khabarovsk and was flown to Moscow.

Frugal has been accused of involvement in murders of multiple businessmen in the Kabharovsk and the surrounding areas in the year 2004 and 2005. In addition to him, four of his accomplice have also been arrested, as per the local media reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-report-highlights-russias-involvement-in-war-crimes-in-syria-311831">Also watch:&nbsp;UN report highlights Russia's involvement in war crimes in Syria</a>

Russian TV stations showed the video of Frugal's arrest, in which several&nbsp;agents got the 50-year-old governor out of his car, searched him and then transferred him into a van and drove away.

Frugal became the Governor of the region in 2018, after serving as a&nbsp;federal lawmaker on behalf of&nbsp;Liberal-Democratic Party for several years. In 2015-2016, he headed the public health committee in the lower house of parliament. Khabarovsk is a region along the border of Russia-China.

If the charges are proved right, Frugal might be jailed for life.&nbsp;Frugal's lawyer and teams has not issued a statement yet.

The Russian governor of Khabarovsk region has been arrested on Thursday on multiple charges of involvement in murders. Sergei Frugal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region along the border with China, was arrested in Khabarovsk and was flown to Moscow.

The Russian governor of Khabarovsk region has been arrested on Thursday on multiple charges of involvement in murders. Sergei Frugal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region along the border with China, was arrested in Khabarovsk and was flown to Moscow. Frugal has been accused of involvement in murders of multiple businessmen in the Kabharovsk and the surrounding areas in the year 2004 and 2005. In addition to him, four of his accomplice have also been arrested, as per the local media reports. Also watch: UN report highlights Russia's involvement in war crimes in Syria Russian TV stations showed the video of Frugal's arrest, in which several agents got the 50-year-old governor out of his car, searched him and then transferred him into a van and drove away. Frugal became the Governor of the region in 2018, after serving as a federal lawmaker on behalf of Liberal-Democratic Party for several years. In 2015-2016, he headed the public health committee in the lower house of parliament. Khabarovsk is a region along the border of Russia-China. If the charges are proved right, Frugal might be jailed for life. Frugal's lawyer and teams has not issued a statement yet.

Russia: Regional governor Sergei Frugal arrested on murder charges

At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on Wednesday, laying bare splits in the prime minister's political heartland ahead of next year's polls.&nbsp;

Musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was shot dead on Monday night in what police said was a targeted killing.&nbsp;

Protests reflecting anger at the killing of a popular figure and a sense of political marginalisation broke out the next morning in the capital and other towns and cities in the surrounding Oromiya region.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/egypt-sudan-ethiopia-wont-fill-disputed-dam-before-accord-308912" hreflang="en">Egypt, Sudan: Ethiopia won't fill disputed dam before accord</a>

The dead included protesters and members of the security forces, spokesman Getachew Balcha said. Some businesses had also been set on fire.

"We were not prepared for this," he said.

Police said late on Tuesday that a policeman was also killed in Addis Ababa, and three explosions there had killed and injured an unspecified number of people.&nbsp;

Prominent Oromo opposition leader Bekele Gerba and media mogul Jawar Mohammed were also arrested when Jawar's bodyguards refused to disarm during a stand-off with police.&nbsp;

Haacaaluu, whose funeral will be held Thursday, provided a soundtrack to a generation of young protesters. Their three years of bloody street demonstrations forced the unprecedented resignation of the previous prime minister and the appointment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/egypt-is-committed-to-a-diplomatic-solution-to-ethiopias-dam-crisis-sisi-307352" hreflang="en">Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi</a>

Abiy, Haacaaluu and Jawar are all Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, which has long complained of being excluded from power.&nbsp;

Jawar was a prominent supporter of Abiy's appointment, but became more openly critical last year. Jawar's popular Oromo Media Network gives him the ability to mobilise support quickly across Oromiya and his power base could pose a significant challenge to Abiy's party in next year's elections.&nbsp;

Ethiopia's federal structure means power was traditionally derived by claiming the support of large ethnic voting blocs. Under the previous administration, voting was rarely free or fair and opposition activists were often jailed, torture or driven into exile.

Abiy has allowed much greater political freedoms and promised the next polls will be free and fair. But his new ruling party, based on a pan-Ethiopian vision, faces stiff competition from newly emboldened regional powerbrokers like Jawar determined to stake claims for their people after decades of repression.&nbsp;

At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on Wednesday, laying bare splits in the prime minister's political heartland ahead of next year's polls.

At least 50 people were killed in Ethiopia's Oromiya region in protests following the fatal shooting of a popular singer, a regional spokesman said on Wednesday, laying bare splits in the prime minister's political heartland ahead of next year's polls. Musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa was shot dead on Monday night in what police said was a targeted killing. Protests reflecting anger at the killing of a popular figure and a sense of political marginalisation broke out the next morning in the capital and other towns and cities in the surrounding Oromiya region. Also read: Egypt, Sudan: Ethiopia won't fill disputed dam before accord The dead included protesters and members of the security forces, spokesman Getachew Balcha said. Some businesses had also been set on fire. "We were not prepared for this," he said. Police said late on Tuesday that a policeman was also killed in Addis Ababa, and three explosions there had killed and injured an unspecified number of people. Prominent Oromo opposition leader Bekele Gerba and media mogul Jawar Mohammed were also arrested when Jawar's bodyguards refused to disarm during a stand-off with police. Haacaaluu, whose funeral will be held Thursday, provided a soundtrack to a generation of young protesters. Their three years of bloody street demonstrations forced the unprecedented resignation of the previous prime minister and the appointment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. Also read: Egypt is committed to a diplomatic solution to Ethiopia's dam crisis: Sisi Abiy, Haacaaluu and Jawar are all Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, which has long complained of being excluded from power. Jawar was a prominent supporter of Abiy's appointment, but became more openly critical last year. Jawar's popular Oromo Media Network gives him the ability to mobilise support quickly across Oromiya and his power base could pose a significant challenge to Abiy's party in next year's elections. Ethiopia's federal structure means power was traditionally derived by claiming the support of large ethnic voting blocs. Under the previous administration, voting was rarely free or fair and opposition activists were often jailed, torture or driven into exile. Abiy has allowed much greater political freedoms and promised the next polls will be free and fair. But his new ruling party, based on a pan-Ethiopian vision, faces stiff competition from newly emboldened regional powerbrokers like Jawar determined to stake claims for their people after decades of repression.

At least 52 killed in Ethiopia protests over singer's death

Three Myanmar military officers were found guilty by a court martial investigating atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in conflict-ridden Rakhine state, the army announced Tuesday. 
 
The rare action against military members came as Myanmar faces charges of genocide at the United Nations' top court over a brutal 2017 crackdown against the Rohingya. 
 
Some 750,000 Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh with accounts of widespread murder, rape and arson.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/suspected-rohingya-refugee-boat-seen-floating-off-indonesia-308314" hreflang="en">Suspected Rohingya refugee boat seen floating off Indonesia</a> 
 
Rights groups accused security forces of committing atrocities in various villages, including Gu Dar Pyin, where they alleged at least five shallow mass graves had been found.&nbsp; 
 
After initially denying the allegations, the military started court martial proceedings in September, admitting there had been "weakness in following instructions" in the village.&nbsp; 
 
The commander-in-chief's office announced Tuesday the court martial had "confirmed the guilty verdict" and sentenced three officers.&nbsp; 
 
No details were provided on the perpetrators, their crimes, or sentences.&nbsp; 
 
Estimates from survivors in Bangladesh put the death toll from the village in the hundreds.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/malaysia-could-send-rohingya-detainees-back-out-to-sea-sources-306778" hreflang="en">Malaysia could send Rohingya detainees back out to sea: Sources</a> 
 
The government has largely supported the army's justification of the 2017 operations as a means of rooting out insurgents. 
 
Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi admitted at the International Court of Justice in December, however, that disproportionate force may have been used. 
 
The military has maintained any atrocities were committed by a few maverick individuals.&nbsp; 
 
UN investigators also found evidence of extrajudicial killings in other Rakhine villages, Maung Nu and Chut Pyin.&nbsp; 
 
The army chief's office said Tuesday a court of inquiry would "continue to investigate" events at both villages. &nbsp; 
 
In 2018 the military sentenced members of the security forces to a decade in prison for the killing of 10 Rohingya in Inn Din village, but they were released after serving less than a year.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/south-asia/traffickers-demand-payments-for-rohingya-stranded-at-sea-306121" hreflang="en">Traffickers demand payments for Rohingya stranded at sea</a> 
 
Two journalists who exposed that&nbsp;massacre were detained for more than 16 months before they were pardoned following global outcry.&nbsp; 
 
The state remains a flashpoint of ethnic and religious tensions, and the military has been locked in battle since January last year with insurgents fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. 
 
Intensified fighting over the weekend drew alarm from the UN on Sunday, who called for both sides to respect international humanitarian law as thousands more civilians fled their homes from artillery shelling.

Three Myanmar military officers were found guilty by a court martial investigating atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in conflict-ridden Rakhine state, the army announced Tuesday.

Three Myanmar military officers were found guilty by a court martial investigating atrocities against Rohingya Muslims in conflict-ridden Rakhine state, the army announced Tuesday. The rare action against military members came as Myanmar faces charges of genocide at the United Nations' top court over a brutal 2017 crackdown against the Rohingya. Some 750,000 Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh with accounts of widespread murder, rape and arson. Also read: Suspected Rohingya refugee boat seen floating off Indonesia Rights groups accused security forces of committing atrocities in various villages, including Gu Dar Pyin, where they alleged at least five shallow mass graves had been found. After initially denying the allegations, the military started court martial proceedings in September, admitting there had been "weakness in following instructions" in the village. The commander-in-chief's office announced Tuesday the court martial had "confirmed the guilty verdict" and sentenced three officers. No details were provided on the perpetrators, their crimes, or sentences. Estimates from survivors in Bangladesh put the death toll from the village in the hundreds. Also read: Malaysia could send Rohingya detainees back out to sea: Sources The government has largely supported the army's justification of the 2017 operations as a means of rooting out insurgents. Civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi admitted at the International Court of Justice in December, however, that disproportionate force may have been used. The military has maintained any atrocities were committed by a few maverick individuals. UN investigators also found evidence of extrajudicial killings in other Rakhine villages, Maung Nu and Chut Pyin. The army chief's office said Tuesday a court of inquiry would "continue to investigate" events at both villages. In 2018 the military sentenced members of the security forces to a decade in prison for the killing of 10 Rohingya in Inn Din village, but they were released after serving less than a year. Also read: Traffickers demand payments for Rohingya stranded at sea Two journalists who exposed that massacre were detained for more than 16 months before they were pardoned following global outcry. The state remains a flashpoint of ethnic and religious tensions, and the military has been locked in battle since January last year with insurgents fighting for more autonomy for ethnic Rakhine Buddhists. Intensified fighting over the weekend drew alarm from the UN on Sunday, who called for both sides to respect international humanitarian law as thousands more civilians fled their homes from artillery shelling.

Myanmar finds soldiers guilty in Rohingya atrocities court martial

Three Indian-origin family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were found dead in the backyard pool of their recently purchased home in New Jersey.

The three lived in the house on Clearview Road, which the family bought in April this year for USD 451,000, according to public records.

Bharat Patel, 62, his 33-year old daughter-in-law Nisha Patel and her 8-year-old daughter, drowned accidentally in the above-ground pool in East Brunswick on Monday, police was quoted as saying by the NJ.com.

Authorities had been investigating if Bharat, Nisha and her daughter had been electrocuted in the pool, but ruled that out on Tuesday afternoon, the New York Post reported.

According to news agency PTI, law-enforcement sources said the pool varied in depth, with a deep end or a section in the middle that was several feet.

Investigators have not yet determined how all three family members drowned, but were seeking to determine if they were not strong swimmers and panicked when reaching deeper water.

Neighbours recalled hearing screaming from the backyard on Monday.

Police attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but pronounced the three victims dead at the scene, authorities said.

Three Indian-origin family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were found dead in the backyard pool of their recently purchased home in New Jersey. The three lived in the house on Clearview Road, which the family bought in April this year for USD 451,000, according to public records.

Three Indian-origin family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were found dead in the backyard pool of their recently purchased home in New Jersey. The three lived in the house on Clearview Road, which the family bought in April this year for USD 451,000, according to public records. Bharat Patel, 62, his 33-year old daughter-in-law Nisha Patel and her 8-year-old daughter, drowned accidentally in the above-ground pool in East Brunswick on Monday, police was quoted as saying by the NJ.com. Authorities had been investigating if Bharat, Nisha and her daughter had been electrocuted in the pool, but ruled that out on Tuesday afternoon, the New York Post reported. According to news agency PTI, law-enforcement sources said the pool varied in depth, with a deep end or a section in the middle that was several feet. Investigators have not yet determined how all three family members drowned, but were seeking to determine if they were not strong swimmers and panicked when reaching deeper water. Neighbours recalled hearing screaming from the backyard on Monday. Police attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but pronounced the three victims dead at the scene, authorities said.

Three Indian-origin family members found dead in backyard pool in US: Report

The man who open fired at a mosque in Norway, after killing his step sister, has been sentenced to jail for 21 years.

In Norway, a far-right&nbsp;Norwegian man shot his&nbsp;Chinese-born stepsister and then open-fired at people in mosque, in a racially motivated act of terrorism.

Philip Manshaus, who is now 22 years old,&nbsp;shot and killed Johanne Zhangjia Ihle-Hansen, his adopted stepsister, in their family home. He then&nbsp;drove to the nearby al-Noor Islamic Centre. He entered the building and open-fired.

He was unsuccessful in injuring anyone at the mosque, as a 65-year-old man tackled the shooter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockdowns-saved-many-lives-and-easing-them-is-risky-say-scientists-304354">Also read:&nbsp;Lockdowns saved many lives and easing them is risky, say scientists</a>

Philip, in his defense, said he assumed that the Asian-origin adopted sister posed a threat to his family, simply because of her origin.

"He went in with the purpose of killing as many Muslims as possible," judge Annika Lindstroem said.

He was inspired by the New Zealand mosque shooting, which killed more than 50 people. Just like that incident, Philip, too&nbsp;wore a helmet camera to film the mosque shooting. However, unlike New Zealand shooter, he\&nbsp;failed in his attempt to broadcast the attack online.

The court rejected his plea of being declared insane, and went with the word of a psychiatric evaluation which found him fit to stand trial.

The court has also&nbsp;contained a provision that his release can be put off indefinitely should he still be considered a threat to society.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The man who open fired at a mosque in Norway, after killing his step sister, has been sentenced to jail for 21 years. In Norway, a far-right Norwegian man shot his Chinese-born stepsister and then open-fired at people in mosque, in a racially motivated act of terrorism.

The man who open fired at a mosque in Norway, after killing his step sister, has been sentenced to jail for 21 years. In Norway, a far-right Norwegian man shot his Chinese-born stepsister and then open-fired at people in mosque, in a racially motivated act of terrorism. Philip Manshaus, who is now 22 years old, shot and killed Johanne Zhangjia Ihle-Hansen, his adopted stepsister, in their family home. He then drove to the nearby al-Noor Islamic Centre. He entered the building and open-fired. He was unsuccessful in injuring anyone at the mosque, as a 65-year-old man tackled the shooter. Also read: Lockdowns saved many lives and easing them is risky, say scientists Philip, in his defense, said he assumed that the Asian-origin adopted sister posed a threat to his family, simply because of her origin. "He went in with the purpose of killing as many Muslims as possible," judge Annika Lindstroem said. He was inspired by the New Zealand mosque shooting, which killed more than 50 people. Just like that incident, Philip, too wore a helmet camera to film the mosque shooting. However, unlike New Zealand shooter, he\ failed in his attempt to broadcast the attack online. The court rejected his plea of being declared insane, and went with the word of a psychiatric evaluation which found him fit to stand trial. The court has also contained a provision that his release can be put off indefinitely should he still be considered a threat to society. (With inputs from Reuters)

Norway mosque shooter jailed for 21 years under murder and anti-terrorism charges

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

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

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

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

An Iranian citizen who provided information to US&nbsp;and Israeli intelligence services on the whereabouts of Iran's slain top commander Qassem Soleimani will be executed soon, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday.

On January&nbsp;3, a US&nbsp;drone strike in Iraq killed Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias on US&nbsp;forces in the region.&nbsp;

"Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, one of the spies for CIA and Mossad has been sentenced to death. He gave the whereabouts of martyr Soleimani to our enemies," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised news conference.&nbsp;

Following Soleimani's killing Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base where U.S. forces were stationed on January&nbsp;8. No US&nbsp;troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury, but hundreds were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injury.

An American airstrike&nbsp;killed Iranian Major-General Qasim Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis drove the already politically fractured region into an entirely new era of high tensions and instability.

President Trump celebrated the assassination of Soleimani as a big win for America, stating that the slain commander of the Iran Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force had put in harm's way multiple American lives.

As Iran promises revenge, people of the country came out by the&nbsp;millions to protest the American operation and pay their respects to the martyred 'Hero of the Iranian people'.

An Iranian citizen who provided information to US and Israeli intelligence services on the whereabouts of Iran's slain top commander Qassem Soleimani will be executed soon, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday.

An Iranian citizen who provided information to US and Israeli intelligence services on the whereabouts of Iran's slain top commander Qassem Soleimani will be executed soon, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday. On January 3, a US drone strike in Iraq killed Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Washington blamed Soleimani for masterminding attacks by Iran-aligned militias on US forces in the region. "Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd, one of the spies for CIA and Mossad has been sentenced to death. He gave the whereabouts of martyr Soleimani to our enemies," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised news conference. Following Soleimani's killing Iran retaliated with a rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base where U.S. forces were stationed on January 8. No US troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury, but hundreds were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. An American airstrike killed Iranian Major-General Qasim Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis drove the already politically fractured region into an entirely new era of high tensions and instability. President Trump celebrated the assassination of Soleimani as a big win for America, stating that the slain commander of the Iran Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force had put in harm's way multiple American lives. As Iran promises revenge, people of the country came out by the millions to protest the American operation and pay their respects to the martyred 'Hero of the Iranian people'.

Iran will execute CIA agent involved in commander Soleimani's killing, says official

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

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

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

American man falsely charged with murder released after 23 years

Former Lesotho first lady Maesaiah Thabane has been re-arrested on charges of murder of her husband's ex-wife.

Maesaiah Thabane was charged with ordering the killing of Lipolelo Thabane, who was shot dead near her home in Lesotho's capital, Maseru, in June 2017.

Thabane will remain in custody until June 16. Her bail was revoked on allegations that due process was not followed during her first court appearance in February when she was charged with murder.

To be precise, the prosecution was not allowed to make arguments opposing her bail during the hearing.

The bail amount of 1,000 maloti ($58) was also paid long after she was released and not upon her release in February.

Following her re-arrest, the former first lady is slated to appear again in court where due process would be followed.

The former first lady fled the country in January despite a police warrant for her arrest, but she turned herself in to police in February after spending weeks in South Africa.

Thomas Thabane has not been charged in the case. The murder case, however, had led to Thabane's sudden retirement in May after months of pressure from his political party to resign over his alleged involvement.

Former Lesotho first lady Maesaiah Thabane has been re-arrested on charges of murder of her husband's ex-wife. Maesaiah Thabane was charged with ordering the killing of Lipolelo Thabane, who was shot dead near her home in Lesotho's capital, Maseru, in June 2017.

Former Lesotho first lady Maesaiah Thabane has been re-arrested on charges of murder of her husband's ex-wife. Maesaiah Thabane was charged with ordering the killing of Lipolelo Thabane, who was shot dead near her home in Lesotho's capital, Maseru, in June 2017. Thabane will remain in custody until June 16. Her bail was revoked on allegations that due process was not followed during her first court appearance in February when she was charged with murder. To be precise, the prosecution was not allowed to make arguments opposing her bail during the hearing. The bail amount of 1,000 maloti ($58) was also paid long after she was released and not upon her release in February. Following her re-arrest, the former first lady is slated to appear again in court where due process would be followed. The former first lady fled the country in January despite a police warrant for her arrest, but she turned herself in to police in February after spending weeks in South Africa. Thomas Thabane has not been charged in the case. The murder case, however, had led to Thabane's sudden retirement in May after months of pressure from his political party to resign over his alleged involvement.

Former Lesotho first lady re-arrested for killing of her husband's ex-wife

A 22-year-old youth was killed in Wadgaon Maval area of Pune district on Friday night for having a "provocative" WhatsApp status message, police said on Sunday.

Yash Awale was killed in Takwe village while out on a walk and seven people have been arrested in connection with the crime, an official said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sex-on-false-promise-of-marriage-not-rape-orissa-high-court-300761">Also read:&nbsp;Sex on false promise of marriage not rape: Orissa High Court</a>

"At around 10:15pm, seven to eight people came on three motorcycles and four of them attacked Awale on the head with a sharp-edged weapon. We have arrested seven people in the 19-23 age group for the crime on Saturday," he said.

The Wadgaon Maval police station official said the accused and the deceased have previous enmity.

"Apparently, the deceased kept a provocative status message on WhatsApp which irked the accused and the murder could be a result of this. We are probing all angles including this one,' he added.

A 22-year-old youth was killed in Wadgaon Maval area of Pune district on Friday night for having a "provocative" WhatsApp status message, police said on Sunday. Yash Awale was killed in Takwe village while out on a walk and seven people have been arrested in connection with the crime, an official said.

A 22-year-old youth was killed in Wadgaon Maval area of Pune district on Friday night for having a "provocative" WhatsApp status message, police said on Sunday. Yash Awale was killed in Takwe village while out on a walk and seven people have been arrested in connection with the crime, an official said. Also read: Sex on false promise of marriage not rape: Orissa High Court "At around 10:15pm, seven to eight people came on three motorcycles and four of them attacked Awale on the head with a sharp-edged weapon. We have arrested seven people in the 19-23 age group for the crime on Saturday," he said. The Wadgaon Maval police station official said the accused and the deceased have previous enmity. "Apparently, the deceased kept a provocative status message on WhatsApp which irked the accused and the murder could be a result of this. We are probing all angles including this one,' he added.

Pune: 22-year-old killed for provocative WhatsApp status message

A new confession has come up in one of the most brutal serial killings in South Korea. Ten women were raped and brutally killed in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, between 1986 and 1991.

After years, a South Korean man has confessed to the murder of the women from these infamous killings, alongwith murder of few other women.&nbsp;

However, the local police has stated that the confessor will not face any prosecution. The man, who is in his 50s, is already serving a life sentence in the prison&nbsp;for raping and killing a younger sister of his wife.

In April, the local police stated that they believed they have identified the man behind the most brutal serial killings. The police has now announced that the suspect confessed to nine of those murders, and has also confessed to&nbsp;additional five murders and about 30 sexual assaults.

One of the 10 Hwaseong deaths is now believed to be a copycat murder, the official said.

The suspect was being questioned for some time now, however he changed his attitude in the last one week and gave a detailed explanation of the murders. The Gyeonggi South Provincial Police Agency said even though the suspect has confessed to the murders, they will be now re-investigating the claims to make sure the confession is true.

"Naturally, the police must investigate the crimes," the police official said. "It is an important case that had prompted questions all over Korea."

"The victims and their families had strongly demanded (the truth). No matter how much time has passed, uncovering what really happened is the reason police exist."

The families of the victims will not be able to file a civil suit against the confessor as according to South Korean laws, a civil la can only be filed within 10 years of the crime.

&nbsp;

A new confession has come up in one of the most brutal serial killings in South Korea. Ten women were raped and brutally killed in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, between 1986 and 1991.

A new confession has come up in one of the most brutal serial killings in South Korea. Ten women were raped and brutally killed in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, between 1986 and 1991. After years, a South Korean man has confessed to the murder of the women from these infamous killings, alongwith murder of few other women. However, the local police has stated that the confessor will not face any prosecution. The man, who is in his 50s, is already serving a life sentence in the prison for raping and killing a younger sister of his wife. In April, the local police stated that they believed they have identified the man behind the most brutal serial killings. The police has now announced that the suspect confessed to nine of those murders, and has also confessed to additional five murders and about 30 sexual assaults. One of the 10 Hwaseong deaths is now believed to be a copycat murder, the official said. The suspect was being questioned for some time now, however he changed his attitude in the last one week and gave a detailed explanation of the murders. The Gyeonggi South Provincial Police Agency said even though the suspect has confessed to the murders, they will be now re-investigating the claims to make sure the confession is true. "Naturally, the police must investigate the crimes," the police official said. "It is an important case that had prompted questions all over Korea." "The victims and their families had strongly demanded (the truth). No matter how much time has passed, uncovering what really happened is the reason police exist." The families of the victims will not be able to file a civil suit against the confessor as according to South Korean laws, a civil la can only be filed within 10 years of the crime.

South Korean man confesses to Hwaseong murders; won't be prosecuted

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

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

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

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

World Bank analyses violence against women.40 years since first law on domestic violence was passed. 35% women experienced physical/ sexual violence by their intimate partner. 137 women murdered everyday by a family member.

Pointing  fingesr at Domestic Violence

A 14-year-old boy in the United States has been charged by the New York Police Department (NYPD) for stabbing and will be tried as an adult.

According to reports, Rashaun Weaver fatally stabbed a college student called Tessa Majors in December.

Weaver will be tried as an adult for two counts of second-degree murder and several counts of robbery. He has also been charged for a felony.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-promises-sweeping-reform-to-system-after-terror-stabbing-278202">UK promises sweeping reform after terror stabbing</a>

As per reports, Weaver has been held after nearly a couple of months since the crime took place.&nbsp;

On December 11, Weaver stabbed 18-years-old Majors while two other teens stood and watched. Majors was robbed for which another 13-year-old has been held in custody. The teen is believed to have robbed Majors and witnessed Weaver repeatedly plunge&nbsp;the knife into Majors.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mass-stabbing-reported-at-jewish-place-of-worship-in-new-york-270818">Mass stabbing reported at Jewish place of worship in New York&nbsp;</a>

Majors was a freshman at the prestigious Barnard College. On the evening of December 11, she was confronted by three teenagers and was robbed, later stabbed.&nbsp;

A 14-year-old boy in the United States has been charged by the New York Police Department (NYPD) for stabbing and will be tried as an adult. According to reports, Rashaun Weaver fatally stabbed a college student called Tessa Majors in December.

A 14-year-old boy in the United States has been charged by the New York Police Department (NYPD) for stabbing and will be tried as an adult. According to reports, Rashaun Weaver fatally stabbed a college student called Tessa Majors in December. Weaver will be tried as an adult for two counts of second-degree murder and several counts of robbery. He has also been charged for a felony. Also read: UK promises sweeping reform after terror stabbing As per reports, Weaver has been held after nearly a couple of months since the crime took place. On December 11, Weaver stabbed 18-years-old Majors while two other teens stood and watched. Majors was robbed for which another 13-year-old has been held in custody. The teen is believed to have robbed Majors and witnessed Weaver repeatedly plunge the knife into Majors. Also read: Mass stabbing reported at Jewish place of worship in New York Majors was a freshman at the prestigious Barnard College. On the evening of December 11, she was confronted by three teenagers and was robbed, later stabbed.

US teen charged with murder, to be tried as an adult 

A convict in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nirbhaya-rape-case-court-seeks-status-report-from-tihar-jail-authorities-224277">Nirbhaya's case</a>, Pawan, was shifted to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-priyanka-gandhi-to-meet-chidambaram-at-tihar-jail-tomorrow-264716">Tihar jail</a> on Sunday from Mandoli jail where he was lodged earlier.

The Nirbhaya case is about the gang-rape and brutal torture of a 23-year-old woman on December 16, 2012, which led to her death.

All the six accused in the case were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder.

One of the accused was a minor and appeared before a juvenile justice court, while another accused committed suicide in Tihar jail.

A convict in Nirbhaya's case, Pawan, was shifted to Tihar jail on Sunday from Mandoli jail where he was lodged earlier. The Nirbhaya case is about the gang-rape and brutal torture of a 23-year-old woman on December 16, 2012, which led to her death.

A convict in Nirbhaya's case, Pawan, was shifted to Tihar jail on Sunday from Mandoli jail where he was lodged earlier. The Nirbhaya case is about the gang-rape and brutal torture of a 23-year-old woman on December 16, 2012, which led to her death. All the six accused in the case were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder. One of the accused was a minor and appeared before a juvenile justice court, while another accused committed suicide in Tihar jail.

Convict in Nirbhaya case shifted to Tihar jail

The Telangana High Court on Wednesday approved the setting up of a fast-track court in Mahabubnagar to hear the case pertaining to the rape and murder of the veterinarian in Shadnagar.

"In the circumstances reported by the Registrar General, High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad in the letter 2nd read above, government after careful examination of the proposal, hereby designates the Court of I Additional District and Session Judge, Mahabubnagar, as a Special Court for speedy trial of the rape and murder case of Disha (name changed) in Cr. No. 784/2019 of Shadnagar Station," reads an official order.

It said that the Registrar General of the High Court will take further necessary actions accordingly. The accused identified as Mohammad Areef, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu were sent to 14-day judicial custody by Ranga Reddy court on Saturday.

A veterinarian was allegedly gang-raped and killed by four persons who burnt her body under the limits of Shadnagar police station in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district on the intervening night of November 27 and 28.

Hyderabad police had, on November 29, arrested four accused involved in the alleged rape and murder case.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The Telangana High Court on Wednesday approved the setting up of a fast-track court in Mahabubnagar to hear the case pertaining to the rape and murder of the veterinarian in Shadnagar.

The Telangana High Court on Wednesday approved the setting up of a fast-track court in Mahabubnagar to hear the case pertaining to the rape and murder of the veterinarian in Shadnagar. "In the circumstances reported by the Registrar General, High Court for the State of Telangana at Hyderabad in the letter 2nd read above, government after careful examination of the proposal, hereby designates the Court of I Additional District and Session Judge, Mahabubnagar, as a Special Court for speedy trial of the rape and murder case of Disha (name changed) in Cr. No. 784/2019 of Shadnagar Station," reads an official order. It said that the Registrar General of the High Court will take further necessary actions accordingly. The accused identified as Mohammad Areef, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu were sent to 14-day judicial custody by Ranga Reddy court on Saturday. A veterinarian was allegedly gang-raped and killed by four persons who burnt her body under the limits of Shadnagar police station in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district on the intervening night of November 27 and 28. Hyderabad police had, on November 29, arrested four accused involved in the alleged rape and murder case.

Telangana: High Court sets up fast track court to hear vet's rape-murder case

Locals on Friday staged a protest outside the Shadnagar Police Station here against the alleged rape and murder of a woman veterinary doctor on Thursday. 
 
Scores of locals gathered outside the police station and raised slogans against the police. Demanding justice for the victim, locals pressed for prompt police action and fast proceeding of the case. 
 
The burnt body of the veterinary doctor was found at Shadnagar outskirts in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district on Thursday. 
 
The body was later identified as that of a veterinary doctor from the city. As per the preliminary probe, the police suspect that the doctor was sexually assaulted before being charred to death. 
 
The Police on Friday arrested four accused persons involved in the alleged rape and murder case of the woman veterinary doctor. 
 
According to the police sources, the accused that were arrested by the police are a lorry driver and cleaners.

Locals on Friday staged a protest outside the Shadnagar Police Station here against the alleged rape and murder of a woman veterinary doctor on Thursday. Scores of locals gathered outside the police station and raised slogans against the police.

Locals on Friday staged a protest outside the Shadnagar Police Station here against the alleged rape and murder of a woman veterinary doctor on Thursday. Scores of locals gathered outside the police station and raised slogans against the police. Demanding justice for the victim, locals pressed for prompt police action and fast proceeding of the case. The burnt body of the veterinary doctor was found at Shadnagar outskirts in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district on Thursday. The body was later identified as that of a veterinary doctor from the city. As per the preliminary probe, the police suspect that the doctor was sexually assaulted before being charred to death. The Police on Friday arrested four accused persons involved in the alleged rape and murder case of the woman veterinary doctor. According to the police sources, the accused that were arrested by the police are a lorry driver and cleaners.

Telangana: Locals protest over rape, murder of veterinary doctor

A charred body of an unidentified woman was found in the outskirts of Shamshabad near Siddula Gutta temple under the limits of RGI Airport Police Station limits on Friday. 
 
According to Prakash Reddy, DCP Shamshabad zone Cyberabad, the police received information from locals who saw that female body burning near the temple. 
 
They tried to douse the fire but failed in an attempt to save her. 
 
Prima facie, it is a body of a 30-35-year-old lady whose identity is yet to be ascertained by the police. 
 
The body has been shifted to a government hospital for an autopsy. 
 
"We are investigating the matter and it is yet to be known that it was a self-immolation incident or someone murdered her," Reddy said. 
 
Multiple teams have been formed to investigate the case. 
 
The incident comes shortly after the body of a young woman veterinary doctor was found charred in the Shadnagar area of Ranga Reddy district. 
 
The police have arrested four accused in connection with the alleged rape and murder of the medico.

A charred body of an unidentified woman was found in the outskirts of Shamshabad near Siddula Gutta temple under the limits of RGI Airport Police Station limits on Friday.

A charred body of an unidentified woman was found in the outskirts of Shamshabad near Siddula Gutta temple under the limits of RGI Airport Police Station limits on Friday. According to Prakash Reddy, DCP Shamshabad zone Cyberabad, the police received information from locals who saw that female body burning near the temple. They tried to douse the fire but failed in an attempt to save her. Prima facie, it is a body of a 30-35-year-old lady whose identity is yet to be ascertained by the police. The body has been shifted to a government hospital for an autopsy. "We are investigating the matter and it is yet to be known that it was a self-immolation incident or someone murdered her," Reddy said. Multiple teams have been formed to investigate the case. The incident comes shortly after the body of a young woman veterinary doctor was found charred in the Shadnagar area of Ranga Reddy district. The police have arrested four accused in connection with the alleged rape and murder of the medico.

Telangana: Another charred body of unidentified woman recovered

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

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

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

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

The death of a teenage Dutch model who fell naked from an upmarket apartment, allegedly after drug-fuelled group sex, is being treated as murder, Malaysian police said.

Ivana Smit tumbled from the 20th floor of a Kuala Lumpur condominium and landed on a sixth-floor balcony in December 2017.

Her death made headlines after claims emerged that 18-year-old Smit, the American living there and his Kazakh wife consumed large quantities of drugs and alcohol and had group sex.

Police at first dismissed suggestions of foul play and a coroner ruled earlier this year that no one was criminally involved while conceding there was likely a struggle before she fell.

But Smit's family lodged a legal challenge and the High Court last week overturned the coroner's decision, ruling that "persons knew or unknown" were involved and ordered a new probe.

Police announced Wednesday that the death of Smit, who reportedly lived in Malaysia since childhood, had been reclassified as murder and they were re-opening investigations.

A task force will be formed for the case, said Huzir Mohamed, head of the police's criminal investigation department.

"We will recall witnesses from whom we have taken statements, and call witnesses who were not previously interviewed," he said.

Police did not say who they planned to question. The couple linked to the case are reported to have left the country.

The death of a teenage Dutch model who fell naked from an upmarket apartment, allegedly after drug-fuelled group sex, is being treated as murder, Malaysian police said.

The death of a teenage Dutch model who fell naked from an upmarket apartment, allegedly after drug-fuelled group sex, is being treated as murder, Malaysian police said. Ivana Smit tumbled from the 20th floor of a Kuala Lumpur condominium and landed on a sixth-floor balcony in December 2017. Her death made headlines after claims emerged that 18-year-old Smit, the American living there and his Kazakh wife consumed large quantities of drugs and alcohol and had group sex. Police at first dismissed suggestions of foul play and a coroner ruled earlier this year that no one was criminally involved while conceding there was likely a struggle before she fell. But Smit's family lodged a legal challenge and the High Court last week overturned the coroner's decision, ruling that "persons knew or unknown" were involved and ordered a new probe. Police announced Wednesday that the death of Smit, who reportedly lived in Malaysia since childhood, had been reclassified as murder and they were re-opening investigations. A task force will be formed for the case, said Huzir Mohamed, head of the police's criminal investigation department. "We will recall witnesses from whom we have taken statements, and call witnesses who were not previously interviewed," he said. Police did not say who they planned to question. The couple linked to the case are reported to have left the country.

Dutch model's death plunge was murder, say Malaysian police

Nineteen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-overtakes-united-states-in-number-of-diplomatic-missions-264784">Chinese</a> officials face punishment for covering up a murder after the victim's body was found buried under a school playground some 16 years after the crime, state media said Wednesday.

Deng Shiping was overseeing the construction of a playground at the middle school where he worked in Huaihua city, central <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sets-up-hong-kong-crisis-centre-in-mainland-open-to-replacing-chief-liaison-264564">Hunan province</a>, when he disappeared in 2003.

The cold case was finally solved after his body was unearthed from the playground in June.

The raft of civil servants accused of concealing the crime includes police officers, local Communist Party committee members, government officials and school staff.

Two suspects have been prosecuted for the murder.

One of the men, Du Shaoping, had been contracted to build the school's playground, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Deng was overseeing the "quality of construction" of the building project and relations were tense with Du, Xinhua said.

The victim's daughter told Beijing News that Du had given her father gifts and cash, but Deng handed them over to the accounting staff of the school.

Du had told construction staff at the site that Deng was "too strict on the quality of the project and he wants to kill him", Beijing News reported.

The investigation found that Du and another man killed Deng in January 2003 and buried him under the playground.

The day after Deng disappeared, Du's uncle Huang Bingsong,&nbsp;who was also the principal of the school,&nbsp;was seen directing the bulldozer at the building site.

Deng's family reported the disappearance and suggested to police his corpse might be buried under the playground, but said police repeatedly failed to investigate or properly file the case.

After the murder, the principal helped hide the crime by "seeking help from local public security officers and other public servants", Xinhua said.

Xinhua said the 19 officials were found guilty of dereliction of duty or other violations of discipline and law.

Ten of them are awaiting a criminal trial, including six police officers and Huang, according to the Paper, a local daily.

The nine others face administrative punishments, including being sacked or "disciplined".

A total of 13 members of Du's crime group were also arrested and prosecuted for suspected crimes including illegal detention, affray and forced transactions.

Nineteen Chinese officials face punishment for covering up a murder after the victim's body was found buried under a school playground some 16 years after the crime, state media said Wednesday.

Nineteen Chinese officials face punishment for covering up a murder after the victim's body was found buried under a school playground some 16 years after the crime, state media said Wednesday. Deng Shiping was overseeing the construction of a playground at the middle school where he worked in Huaihua city, central Hunan province, when he disappeared in 2003. The cold case was finally solved after his body was unearthed from the playground in June. The raft of civil servants accused of concealing the crime includes police officers, local Communist Party committee members, government officials and school staff. Two suspects have been prosecuted for the murder. One of the men, Du Shaoping, had been contracted to build the school's playground, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Deng was overseeing the "quality of construction" of the building project and relations were tense with Du, Xinhua said. The victim's daughter told Beijing News that Du had given her father gifts and cash, but Deng handed them over to the accounting staff of the school. Du had told construction staff at the site that Deng was "too strict on the quality of the project and he wants to kill him", Beijing News reported. The investigation found that Du and another man killed Deng in January 2003 and buried him under the playground. The day after Deng disappeared, Du's uncle Huang Bingsong, who was also the principal of the school, was seen directing the bulldozer at the building site. Deng's family reported the disappearance and suggested to police his corpse might be buried under the playground, but said police repeatedly failed to investigate or properly file the case. After the murder, the principal helped hide the crime by "seeking help from local public security officers and other public servants", Xinhua said. Xinhua said the 19 officials were found guilty of dereliction of duty or other violations of discipline and law. Ten of them are awaiting a criminal trial, including six police officers and Huang, according to the Paper, a local daily. The nine others face administrative punishments, including being sacked or "disciplined". A total of 13 members of Du's crime group were also arrested and prosecuted for suspected crimes including illegal detention, affray and forced transactions.

19 Chinese officials punished for covering-up murder in 2003

Three Baltimore men who spent 36 years in prison were exonerated on Monday of the 1983 murder of a teenage boy who was shot dead over a jacket.

Alfred Chestnut, Andrew Stewart, and Ransom Watkins were serving life sentences for the shooting of DeWitt Duckett, a 14-year-old student at Harlem Park Junior High School in West Baltimore.

Duckett was shot in the neck inside his school and had his Georgetown University jacket stolen. It was the first fatal shooting of a student in a Baltimore public school and drew widespread press attention at the time.

"These three men were convicted, as children, because of police and prosecutorial misconduct," Baltimore state's attorney Marilyn Mosby said after the three were formally exonerated by a city circuit court judge and released from prison.

"What the state, my office, did to them is wrong," Mosby said. "They deserve so much more than an apology. We owe them real compensation and I plan to fight for it."

In a statement, the state's attorney office said "detectives targeted the three men, all 16-year-old Black boys, using coaching and coercion of other teenage witnesses to make their case."

According to the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP), which worked to secure the release of the "Harlem Park Three," four teenage witnesses identified Chestnut, Stewart and Watkins at their trial but later recanted their testimony.

The witnesses initially said one person committed the shooting but identified the three as the assailants under pressure from police, the MAIP said in a statement.

Chestnut was later seen wearing a Georgetown jacket but his mother produced a receipt for the jacket of the university made popular by its basketball team.

At a press conference following the release of the three, Watkins said "this should have never happened."

"Somebody's got to pay for this," he said. "You can't just leave this like this.

"This fight is not over," Watkins said. "You all will hear from us again."

The exoneration of the three men followed a joint investigation by the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Conviction Integrity Unit, MAIP and other groups.

"Everyone involved in this case -- school officials, police, prosecutors, jurors, the media, and the community -- rushed to judgment and allowed their tunnel vision to obscure obvious problems with the evidence,” MAIP executive director Shawn Armbrust said.

According to the state's attorney's office, six wrongfully convicted men have previously been released following investigations involving the Conviction Integrity Unit.

Three Baltimore men who spent 36 years in prison were exonerated on Monday of the 1983 murder of a teenage boy who was shot dead over a jacket. Alfred Chestnut, Andrew Stewart, and Ransom Watkins were serving life sentences for the shooting of DeWitt Duckett, a 14-year-old student at Harlem Park Junior High School in West Baltimore.

Three Baltimore men who spent 36 years in prison were exonerated on Monday of the 1983 murder of a teenage boy who was shot dead over a jacket. Alfred Chestnut, Andrew Stewart, and Ransom Watkins were serving life sentences for the shooting of DeWitt Duckett, a 14-year-old student at Harlem Park Junior High School in West Baltimore. Duckett was shot in the neck inside his school and had his Georgetown University jacket stolen. It was the first fatal shooting of a student in a Baltimore public school and drew widespread press attention at the time. "These three men were convicted, as children, because of police and prosecutorial misconduct," Baltimore state's attorney Marilyn Mosby said after the three were formally exonerated by a city circuit court judge and released from prison. "What the state, my office, did to them is wrong," Mosby said. "They deserve so much more than an apology. We owe them real compensation and I plan to fight for it." In a statement, the state's attorney office said "detectives targeted the three men, all 16-year-old Black boys, using coaching and coercion of other teenage witnesses to make their case." According to the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP), which worked to secure the release of the "Harlem Park Three," four teenage witnesses identified Chestnut, Stewart and Watkins at their trial but later recanted their testimony. The witnesses initially said one person committed the shooting but identified the three as the assailants under pressure from police, the MAIP said in a statement. Chestnut was later seen wearing a Georgetown jacket but his mother produced a receipt for the jacket of the university made popular by its basketball team. At a press conference following the release of the three, Watkins said "this should have never happened." "Somebody's got to pay for this," he said. "You can't just leave this like this. "This fight is not over," Watkins said. "You all will hear from us again." The exoneration of the three men followed a joint investigation by the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Conviction Integrity Unit, MAIP and other groups. "Everyone involved in this case -- school officials, police, prosecutors, jurors, the media, and the community -- rushed to judgment and allowed their tunnel vision to obscure obvious problems with the evidence,” MAIP executive director Shawn Armbrust said. According to the state's attorney's office, six wrongfully convicted men have previously been released following investigations involving the Conviction Integrity Unit.

Three Baltimore men exonerated after 36 years in prison

Four soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were injured in a suicide bomb blast outside a military centre in Kabul, the Interior Ministry's spokesman, Nusrat Rahimi, told Sputnik on Monday. 
 
The attack occurred in Kabul's 19th police district, on the Jalalabad-Kabul highway, beside a recruitment centre and near an educational centre where the ANA conducts military exercises. 
 
A suicide bomber allegedly blew himself up near a military training centre. 
 
Pajhwok Afghan News reports two explosions and noted&nbsp;that a road near the incident is blocked.

(With inputs from Sputnik and ANI)

&nbsp;

Four soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were injured in a suicide bomb blast outside a military centre in Kabul, the Interior Ministry's spokesman, Nusrat Rahimi, told Sputnik on Monday.

Four soldiers of the Afghan National Army (ANA) were injured in a suicide bomb blast outside a military centre in Kabul, the Interior Ministry's spokesman, Nusrat Rahimi, told Sputnik on Monday. The attack occurred in Kabul's 19th police district, on the Jalalabad-Kabul highway, beside a recruitment centre and near an educational centre where the ANA conducts military exercises. A suicide bomber allegedly blew himself up near a military training centre. Pajhwok Afghan News reports two explosions and noted that a road near the incident is blocked. (With inputs from Sputnik and ANI)

Suicide bomber outside military centre injures four in Kabul

British&nbsp;police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/39-bodies-found-in-lorry-in-essex-were-vietnam-nationals-uk-police-260616">manslaughter and people trafficking</a>, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead.

Maurice Robinson was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered in the truck in an industrial zone in Grays in Essex, south-east England.

The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was "charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering", Essex police said.

Three more people are in custody in Britain over the investigation, the country's largest murder probe since the 2005 London suicide bombings.

A Northern Irish man was also arrested in Dublin on Saturday.

Police initially said the victims,&nbsp;believed to have arrived on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge,&nbsp;were Chinese, but retracted this and now many are feared to be Vietnamese.

Vietnam's ambassador, Tran Ngoc An, visited police investigating the case on Saturday and also spoke on the phone to&nbsp;British&nbsp;interior minister Priti Patel, the embassy said.

In Vietnam, several families told AFP Saturday that their relatives had gone missing on route to Britain, a prime destination for migrants seeking better lives abroad.

All the families come from impoverished and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of striking it rich abroad.

Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often owing tens of thousands of dollars to their traffickers and carrying falsified documents, and end up working off the books on cannabis farms or in nail salons.&nbsp;

'Fell to the ground'

In central Ha Tinh province, the father of 20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong said he received a call from a Vietnamese man in the UK this week saying his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdom-police-step-up-appeals-over-migrant-lorry-deaths-259320">son had died en route to Britain</a>.&nbsp;

"I fell to the ground when I heard that," Nguyen Dinh Gia said.&nbsp;"It seemed that he was in the truck with the accident, all of them dead."

Britain-based community group VietHome said it had received "photos of nearly 20 people reported missing, age 15-45" from Vietnam.

Families of missing Vietnamese migrants on Saturday held vigil and set up makeshift altars in their homes in central Nghe An province, where many of the suspected victims came from, praying for news from missing relatives.&nbsp;

The family of a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, Pham&nbsp;Thi Tra My, said on Friday they received a chilling text message from her in the hours before she is believed to have died.

"I'm sorry Mom. My path to abroad doesn't succeed. Mom, I love you so much! I'm dying because I can't breathe," she said in the message confirmed by her brother Pham Manh Cuong.

Their home province of Ha Tinh was devastated by a massive fish kill in 2016 when a Taiwanese&nbsp;steel&nbsp;firm dumped toxic wasted into the ocean.

Migrants can pay smugglers up to $40,000 for the dangerous journey, an enormous sum in Vietnam, where the annual per capital income is around $2,400, according to the World Bank.

'Vulnerable people'

The truck's driver is due in court on Monday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-lorry-victims-believed-to-be-vietnamese-uk-police-259383">Among the suspects still in custody</a> is a&nbsp;38-year-old woman reported to be the registered owner of the truck, and her husband, also 38. They denied any involvement, according to media reports.

"We've got to be realistic. We know that... we have people coming into the country, either being trafficked or as asylum seekers,"&nbsp;British&nbsp;police Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore told reporters earlier Saturday.

"It must be clear that criminals,&nbsp;and that's what we're dealing with, criminals, murderers,&nbsp;are taking more and more chances with these vulnerable people," he added.&nbsp;

He appealed to the Vietnamese community in Britain for information, saying his force would take no action against anyone here illegally who came forward to claim a friend or relative.

Pasmore said he had discussed with Vietnam's ambassador how to fast-track the process of fingerprint identification and DNA testing, but said identification would take time.

British police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with manslaughter and people trafficking, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead.

British police investigating the deaths of 39 people in a refrigerated truck charged the driver on Saturday with manslaughter and people trafficking, as families in Vietnam expressed fear their loved ones were among the dead. Maurice Robinson was arrested shortly after the bodies of eight women and 31 men were discovered in the truck in an industrial zone in Grays in Essex, south-east England. The 25-year-old from Northern Ireland was "charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to traffic people, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering", Essex police said. Three more people are in custody in Britain over the investigation, the country's largest murder probe since the 2005 London suicide bombings. A Northern Irish man was also arrested in Dublin on Saturday. Police initially said the victims, believed to have arrived on a ferry from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, were Chinese, but retracted this and now many are feared to be Vietnamese. Vietnam's ambassador, Tran Ngoc An, visited police investigating the case on Saturday and also spoke on the phone to British interior minister Priti Patel, the embassy said. In Vietnam, several families told AFP Saturday that their relatives had gone missing on route to Britain, a prime destination for migrants seeking better lives abroad. All the families come from impoverished and remote corners of central Vietnam, a hotspot for people willing to embark on dangerous journeys in the hope of striking it rich abroad. Many are smuggled illegally through Russia or China, often owing tens of thousands of dollars to their traffickers and carrying falsified documents, and end up working off the books on cannabis farms or in nail salons. 'Fell to the ground' In central Ha Tinh province, the father of 20-year-old Nguyen Dinh Luong said he received a call from a Vietnamese man in the UK this week saying his son had died en route to Britain. "I fell to the ground when I heard that," Nguyen Dinh Gia said. "It seemed that he was in the truck with the accident, all of them dead." Britain-based community group VietHome said it had received "photos of nearly 20 people reported missing, age 15-45" from Vietnam. Families of missing Vietnamese migrants on Saturday held vigil and set up makeshift altars in their homes in central Nghe An province, where many of the suspected victims came from, praying for news from missing relatives. The family of a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman, Pham Thi Tra My, said on Friday they received a chilling text message from her in the hours before she is believed to have died. "I'm sorry Mom. My path to abroad doesn't succeed. Mom, I love you so much! I'm dying because I can't breathe," she said in the message confirmed by her brother Pham Manh Cuong. Their home province of Ha Tinh was devastated by a massive fish kill in 2016 when a Taiwanese steel firm dumped toxic wasted into the ocean. Migrants can pay smugglers up to $40,000 for the dangerous journey, an enormous sum in Vietnam, where the annual per capital income is around $2,400, according to the World Bank. 'Vulnerable people' The truck's driver is due in court on Monday. Among the suspects still in custody is a 38-year-old woman reported to be the registered owner of the truck, and her husband, also 38. They denied any involvement, according to media reports. "We've got to be realistic. We know that... we have people coming into the country, either being trafficked or as asylum seekers," British police Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore told reporters earlier Saturday. "It must be clear that criminals, and that's what we're dealing with, criminals, murderers, are taking more and more chances with these vulnerable people," he added. He appealed to the Vietnamese community in Britain for information, saying his force would take no action against anyone here illegally who came forward to claim a friend or relative. Pasmore said he had discussed with Vietnam's ambassador how to fast-track the process of fingerprint identification and DNA testing, but said identification would take time.

Driver charged as more Vietnamese feared dead among 39 UK truck victims

An Indonesian palm oil executive has been arrested for allegedly ordering the killing two activist journalists who were mediating a land dispute between his company and local residents, police said Saturday.

Maraden Sianipar's body was found last week in a ditch near a palm plantation in Labuhan Batu in North Sumatra province.

Police found the remains of his colleague, Maratua Siregar, in the same area a day later. Both had been stabbed multiple times.

On Saturday, North Sumatra authorities said they had arrested businessman Wibharry Padmoasmolo for allegedly masterminding the plot by paying nearing $3,000 to four men to commit the killings.

Padmoasmolo owns a firm that produces palm oil,&nbsp;a widely used vegetable oil found in everything from soap to chocolate,&nbsp;which was in a dispute with locals that the two victims were advocating for, police said.

The killings were aimed at stopping the pair's involvement, according to authorities, who added that Padmoasmolo has denied owning the firm under questioning.

In all, five people have been arrested in connection with the murder plot and police said they're still searching for several more suspects still at large.

"We are looking for the three, while the five other suspects have been detained for further questioning," said North Sumatra police chief Agus Andrianto.

Victims Sianipar and Maratua worked together for a local online news portal before going freelance in 2017.

A friend of Siregar said they had recently become known for their activism in land disputes,&nbsp;a common source of conflict across the resource-rich Southeast Asian archipelago.

The friend said Siregar was active in an organisation that advocated for residents in the dispute.

Many cases of violence against journalists in Indonesia go unsolved, according to the Independent Journalists Alliance, which has reported at least two dozen cases this year alone.

Indonesia is ranked 124th out of 180 countries on the 2019 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

An Indonesian palm oil executive has been arrested for allegedly ordering the killing two activist journalists who were mediating a land dispute between his company and local residents, police said Saturday.

An Indonesian palm oil executive has been arrested for allegedly ordering the killing two activist journalists who were mediating a land dispute between his company and local residents, police said Saturday. Maraden Sianipar's body was found last week in a ditch near a palm plantation in Labuhan Batu in North Sumatra province. Police found the remains of his colleague, Maratua Siregar, in the same area a day later. Both had been stabbed multiple times. On Saturday, North Sumatra authorities said they had arrested businessman Wibharry Padmoasmolo for allegedly masterminding the plot by paying nearing $3,000 to four men to commit the killings. Padmoasmolo owns a firm that produces palm oil, a widely used vegetable oil found in everything from soap to chocolate, which was in a dispute with locals that the two victims were advocating for, police said. The killings were aimed at stopping the pair's involvement, according to authorities, who added that Padmoasmolo has denied owning the firm under questioning. In all, five people have been arrested in connection with the murder plot and police said they're still searching for several more suspects still at large. "We are looking for the three, while the five other suspects have been detained for further questioning," said North Sumatra police chief Agus Andrianto. Victims Sianipar and Maratua worked together for a local online news portal before going freelance in 2017. A friend of Siregar said they had recently become known for their activism in land disputes, a common source of conflict across the resource-rich Southeast Asian archipelago. The friend said Siregar was active in an organisation that advocated for residents in the dispute. Many cases of violence against journalists in Indonesia go unsolved, according to the Independent Journalists Alliance, which has reported at least two dozen cases this year alone. Indonesia is ranked 124th out of 180 countries on the 2019 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.

Indonesian palm oil executive arrested over journalist killings

At least four people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported.

The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 30 kms&nbsp;northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news.

"Orinda homicide update - four fatalities, several injuries," the Contra Costa County sheriff's office tweeted early Friday.

Three people were killed and nine others wounded in a Halloween party south of Los Angeles late Tuesday, local media reported.

At least four people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported. The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 30 kms northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news.

At least four people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported. The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 30 kms northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news. "Orinda homicide update - four fatalities, several injuries," the Contra Costa County sheriff's office tweeted early Friday. Three people were killed and nine others wounded in a Halloween party south of Los Angeles late Tuesday, local media reported.

Four killed in Halloween shooting in California

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