Hong Kong will not pursue legislation criminalising insults to civil servants, the government has said, noting the lack of overseas examples for such a law and that existing regulations already covered the act. The Civil Service Bureau also said the enactment of a domestic national security law was already effectively safeguarding security and social stability and the current administrations would focus on economic development. A letter sent to lawmakers on Thursday, which stated the administration would not draft the law during its current term, puts to rest, at least for now, a years-long discussion, amplified by the anti-government protests in 2019. Police groups and some legislators had pushed for laws during the social unrest that would ban insults against officers, with suggestions that it could also be broadened to cover
Category Archives: SECURITY
Feb
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – The United States has issued a stop order on funding for the Kenya-led Haiti Multinational Security Support Mission, plunging the UN-backed campaign into a funding crisis. The United Nations (UN) confirmed the funding freeze, with AFP quoting Stéphane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, as saying the move would impact USD 13.3 million in pending aid. “We received an official notification from the US asking for an immediate stop work order on their contribution,” Dujarric told AFP. The development, which aligns with former President Donald Trump’s radical approach to cutting foreign aid, comes just a week after President William Ruto reassured that the US had committed to supporting Kenya’s efforts to tackle gangs in the Caribbean nation. “I am very proud that even President Trump, under
Feb
Asha Patel BBC News, Nottingham Nottinghamshire Police Valdo Calocane, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was given a hospital order in January 2024 after admitting manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility Triple killer Valdo Calocane was not forced to take his anti-psychotic medication because he did not like needles, a major review of his NHS care has revealed. The NHS England report identified numerous failings that show “the system got it wrong” with Calocane, who stabbed to death Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates in Nottingham in June 2023. It laid out how Calocane, who has paranoid schizophrenia, had no contact with mental health services or his GP for about nine months prior to the killings – and was discharged after failing to engage with them. Mr Webber’s
Feb
In a stunning proposal, President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. will “take over” the Gaza Strip, “level the site” and rebuild it, after earlier saying Palestinians living there should leave. “They instead can occupy all of a beautiful area with homes and safety, and they can live out their lives in peace and harmony” in other areas or countries, he said at a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out,” he said. “Create an economic development that
Feb
The Learjet 55 crashed after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport. January 31, 2025, 8:46 PM A small plane crashed in Philadelphia on Friday, officials said, with a fiery explosion observed upon impact. The incident occurred near the Roosevelt Mall in northeast Philadelphia. The Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. There is no word yet on injuries or deaths. Speaking at a news conference shortly after 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said officials could not yet provide a number of fatalities. “So right now we’re just asking for prayers,” she told reporters. She said several homes and vehicles were impacted by the crash. People run after a small plane crash was reported in northeast Philadelphia, Jan. 31, 2025.
Jan
Fourteen figure skaters — including some young athletes called the “rising stars” of the sport — are among the victims of the first major commercial plane crash in the United States since 2009, officials said. The Skating Club of Boston was devastated by the crash, according to Doug Zeghibe, the club’s CEO and executive director, who said six of the victims were from the Boston club, including two coaches, two teenage athletes and two moms of athletes. “Our sport and this club have suffered a horrible loss with this tragedy,” Zeghibe said. “Skating is a tight-knit community where parents and kids come together six or seven days a week to train and work together. Everyone is like family. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.” Jinna Han
Jan
(FILES) A local resident walks past the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Lagos office in Lagos on September 24, 2024. (Photo by Olympia DE MAISMONT / AFP) Junta-led countries Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso have officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States. They officially exited West Africa’s main political and trade group on Wednesday after more than a year of diplomatic tensions. The withdrawal has shaken ECOWAS, which many consider to be the continent’s most important regional group and this year marks its 50th anniversary. While its leadership said in a statement that the group would “keep ECOWAS doors open” to the three countries, their departure has left the organisation’s future uncertain. The rupture was sparked by the July 2023 coup in Niger, after military
Jan
The Kwahu Traditional Council has reiterated that there is no dual paramountcy within the Kwahu Kingdom, following the destoolment of the former Kwahumanhene, Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, and the installation of his successor. In a statement issued by the Council, the Akyeamehene of Kwahu, Nana Asiedu Kwabeng IV, stressed that Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II was formally removed from office on 19th October 2024 after violating the sacred oath he swore as Omanhene that “he will not eat red oil and smear our white cloth in it.” His actions, according to the Council, had “soiled our cloth with red oil that he has eaten.” Events leading to destoolment The statement said the destoolment process was triggered by a petition submitted to the government by Mr. Collins Darkwah Aboagye on September 12
Jan
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday she had been placed under judicial investigation following a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court. Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed last week and flown home by an Italian state aircraft just days after being detained in the northern city of Turin under an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and rape. The ICC has demanded an explanation, saying it had not been consulted over the decision to let him go. Meloni said in a message posted on social media that she had been placed under investigation by Rome’s chief prosecutor, Francesco Le Voi, for allegedly aiding and abetting a crime and misuse of public funds. She is under no
Jan
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, said Hoorzook was released on condition that he report to the Sandton Police Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 6am and 5pm. He was also ordered to refrain from interfering with investigations or witnesses and share his live location with the investigating officer. Hoorzook faces multiple charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act, including six alternative counts of contravening Section 4(1)(f)(ii) of the Act. Gunya said additional charges include contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act and the Firearms Control Act after failing to secure firearms as prescribed by law. Police said his arrest comes after a lengthy and meticulous investigation that started in May 2018 when the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the
Jan
A female security guard working at Hercules Clinic in Pretoria was shot and injured during an attempt by robbers to access a nearby store on Sunday night. City of Tshwane’s MMC for health Tshegofatso Mashabela said the clinic was open on Monday after the crime scene had been comprehensively investigated by the police. She said on Tuesday the guard who had been admitted to hospital had been discharged and was recovering at home. “The damage at the clinic includes a broken ceiling and a detached air-conditioning unit — physical manifestations of a deeper threat to our community’s wellbeing. These acts of vandalism and violence target the core of our public health infrastructure,” Mashabela said. She said the community must take ownership of its precious infrastructure. “Hercules Clinic
Jan
Nurse claims officers were drunk during JAY JAY BANDA escape By Christopher Miti A nurse from Chipata Central hospital has testified in the Chipata Magistrates’ Court that some officers that were guarding former Petauke Central Member of Parliament EMMANUEL BANDA at the time he escaped from the facility appeared drunk. Testifying in a matter where five police officers and correctional service officers are jointly charged with Mr. BANDA’s wife LOMBE CHALI for aiding his escape, CAROL DAKA, a registered nurse said one of the officers was failing to walk as a result of being drunk. She said at some point she even told the officers to stop making noise. Ms. DAKA said at the time that Mr BANDA escaped; she heard a loud bang in his ward. She said when
Jan
“I’m safe and protected, surrounded by family and friends, and feeling better with each passing day,” Levy wrote. By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 28, 2025 19:18 Updated: JANUARY 28, 2025 19:24 Naama Levy hugs her family after release from Hamas captivity, January 25, 2025 (photo credit: GPO) Released hostage, Naama Levy thanked IDF troops and the Israeli public for its support during her time in Hamas captivity in a post on social media on Tuesday. “I want to thank the IDF soldiers and all the people of Israel. Even in captivity, I saw how you were fighting for me! Thank you, everyone; I love you,” Levy, who was kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base on October 7, wrote. “I’m home. After 477 days, I’m finally home,” she wrote. “I’m safe
Jan
The city of Nagano in northern Japan is on high alert following a fatal stabbing near its main railway station last Wednesday, which left one person dead and three others injured. Despite the arrest of a suspect on Sunday, authorities are concerned about potential copycat attacks due to a series of threats. While acts of violence in Japan are still relatively rare, there has been a concerning increase in recent years, with one academic indicating it could point to deeper issues like isolation and mental health struggles. However, increased vigilance by schools and authorities reflects a growing awareness of these dangers. The Asahi newspaper reported that police and local education authorities received some email and phone threats, which they do not believe were sent by the alleged assailant, 46-year-old Yusuke
Jan
A teenager who stabbed two teachers and a pupil told police officers the attack was “one way to be a celebrity” as all eyes would be on her, a court has heard. The girl, who cannot be named, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday charged with three counts of attempted murder at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Carmarthenshire, in April last year. She admitted to the triple stabbing of Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and a pupil during morning break time at her school, but denied attempted murder. The jury also heard that the teenager shouted she was “going to kill” people in the school. The teenager repeatedly said “I’m going to kill you” as she first stabbed assistant head Ms Elias, and again when she attacked a pupil, the court heard.