A 20-year-old Indian worker was killed when a concrete slab collapsed on him during the demolition of a building in Singapore's Central Business District, officials said. The Fuji Xerox Towers skyscraper in Tanjong Pagar partially fell during demolition work, and the Indian worker - an employee of Aik Sun Demolition and Engineering - was discovered dead beneath the debris. After more than six hours of search and rescue efforts, rescuers discovered the worker's body. According to the media, his body was buried under 2 metres of trash. The rescue workers had to cut, break and dig through the rubble, but the weight of the concrete slab complicated efforts.
Australia names Philip Green as new envoy to India
Australia named career diplomat Philip Green as the country’s next high commissioner to India, with foreign minister Penny Wong describing the two countries as close partners working for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region. Green, a senior officer with the department of foreign affairs and trade, served recently as Australia’s ambassador to Germany. He has also served the high commissioner to Singapore, South Africa and Kenya. Green will replace Barry O’Farrell, who has played a crucial role in shaping and guiding Australia’s defence, security and trade relations with India over the past three years.
Nigerian breaks Indian’s world record
A Nigerian chef has clinched the Guinness World Record for the longest solo cooking session after a marathon 93 hours and 11 minutes cooking nonstop on her feet, the organisation confirmed. Hilda Baci, 26, who trained at the gym to stay on her feet for the four days, had said her May 11-15 bid was meant to help “put Nigerian cuisine on the map”. Guinness said she broke the previous record of 87 hours, 45 minutes set by an Indian chef in 2019.
Imran, his sister summoned in land graft probe
Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan has been summoned in a corruption case related to the purchase of over 5,000 kanals (625 acres) of land at throwaway prices through fraud in the country’s Punjab province. The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in Punjab has sent summons to Khan, his sister Uzma Khan and her husband Ahad Majeed in the Layyah land corruption case, a spokesperson of the ACE said. The 70-year-old PTI chief has been asked to appear at the ACE headquarters, while Uzma and her husband have been asked to be present themselves before the ACE DG Khan. Khan was booked in the Layyah land corruption case.
Pak to try blasphemy suspects under terrorism charges
Succumbing to the demands of a radical Islamist party, the Pakistan government has agreed to try blasphemy suspects under terrorism charges in addition to the other sections of the country’s penal code. The Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan ended its 25-day-long march protest at Sarai Alamgir, Gujrat district, after signing a pact with the PML-N-led government. Interior minister Rana Sanaullah said the government has accepted “all legitimate” demands of TLP, especially on blasphemy laws. In a 12-point deal with TLP, the government agreed to book those accused of committing blasphemy and charged with Section 295-C (use of derogatory remarks, etc, in respect of Prophet Muhammad) of Pakistan penal code under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, too.
Intel to build $25 bn chip factory in Israel
Intel is to spend $25 billion building a new computer chip factory in Israel, the latest in a string of recent investments that have shone a light on the UK’s more limited microchip ambitions. Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, confirmed the deal and described it as the largest ever international investment in the country. “[It is] a tremendous achievement for the Israeli economy: 90 billion shekels [$25 billion],” he said. The factory, in Kiryat Gat, is due to open in 2027 and is expected to employ thousands of workers. Intel has had a presence in Israel for almost 50 years and now claims to be the country’s largest private employer and exporter.
Australia senator told to resign
Australia’s main opposition Liberal Party leader asked Senator David Van to resign following allegations of sexual misconduct against him by female senators, which he has denied. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe accused Van of sexually assaulting her during the previous parliamentary term -which Van denied. Following Thorpe’s comments, former Liberal senator Amanda Stoker said in a statement that Van inappropriately touched her at a party in 2020 by squeezing her bottom twice. A third allegation has also emerged against Van, opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton told the media, without giving details.
Overloaded boat capsizes in Nigeria, toll 103
The death toll from an overloaded boat that capsized in a remote part of Nigeria’s north central region has risen to more than 100, police and officials said, in one of the worst such disasters in recent years. The wooden boat was ferrying people to Kwara state across a river from neighbouring Niger state after a wedding ceremony when it capsized. Kwara state police spokesperson said that 103 people had been confirmed dead. It was not immediately clear how many people were in the boat, but some residents put the figure at more than 200. Fearing abductions by armed gangs on the roads, many Nigerians use boats to travel. Overcrowding and poor maintenance are responsible for most boat accidents on Nigerian waterway
Army trainee kills two at firing range
An 18-year-old army trainee shot three fellow soldiers at a firing range on a Japanese army base, killing two of them, officials said. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene in Gifu prefecture in central Japan, police said. The suspect fired a rifle at the soldiers during a shooting drill at the Hino Kihon firing range, police said. The Ground Self Defence Force, Japan’s army, confirmed that two of those wounded were later pronounced dead at a hospital. Army chief of staff Gen Yasunori Morishita said the suspect joined the military in April and the three soldiers were assisting him as instructors. Morishita said he has ordered a temporary suspension of exercises involving shooting and explosives across the country while the army probes the incident.
Polish operator forced to change bus number 666
Passengers taking the highway to Hel will no longer be able to travel on bus 666 after the local public transport operator changed the number of a service travelling to the popular Polish seaside resort following criticism from religious groups. Hel is a magnet for holidaymakers who are attracted by its sandy beaches and forest trails, which bear scant resemblance to the fiery pit of eternal damnation its name evokes. Tourists and locals alike have long seen the funny side of the name and for many bus 666, referencing the “number of the beast’' which is associated with Satan, was a harmless joke. However, not everybody found it amusing.
Nigerian breaks Indian’s world record
A Nigerian chef has clinched the Guinness World Record for the longest solo cooking session after a marathon 93 hours and 11 minutes cooking nonstop on her feet, the organisation confirmed. Hilda Baci, 26, who trained at the gym to stay on her feet for the four days, had said her May 11-15 bid was meant to help “put Nigerian cuisine on the map”. Guinness said she broke the previous record of 87 hours, 45 minutes set by an Indian chef in 2019.