KATHMANDU : Petitions have been filed in Nepal’s Supreme Court challenging the formation of an interim government and the dissolution of parliament following last month’s uprising. A court official confirmed on Wednesday that eleven petitions question the constitutionality of these political changes. The youth-led protests began on September 8 over a social media ban, economic hardship, and corruption allegations. These demonstrations quickly escalated into nationwide fury after security forces initiated a deadly crackdown. Two days of violence resulted in at least 73 fatalities and the burning of parliament and government offices. The unrest ultimately forced the collapse of the previous government. Former chief justice Sushila Karki received nomination as prime minister shortly after the government’s collapse. Parliament was dissolved immediately following her nomination. Court information officer Nirajan Pandey confirmed the petitions challenge both the interim government formation and lower house dissolution. Pandey stated that court procedures are currently underway to formally register these petitions. Hearings will be scheduled once the registration process completes. Political leaders from eight parties issued a joint statement calling for parliament’s reinstatement one day after its dissolution. Lawyer Dinesh Tripathi noted that Nepal’s constitution did not envision such a political situation. Tripathi expressed confidence that the court would ultimately resolve this constitutional challenge. Former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has publicly demanded parliament’s reinstatement. Oli described the parliament dissolution as unconstitutional during a recent address to his supporters. The Supreme Court building itself sustained damage during the protests from fire. The court only resumed full operations on Tuesday following repairs. Many court sections continue operating under temporary tent arrangements. – AFP

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 1 dakika

KOTA KINABALU : A senior student admitted scolding and shouting abusive words at Zara Qairina Mahathir the day before the teenager was found unconscious. The dormitory head, testifying as the 14th witness at the Coroner’s Court, said she became angry because Zara Qairina denied stealing her Malaysian flag pin. Lawyer Shahlan Jufri, representing Zara Qairina’s mother, said the witness confirmed Zara Qairina was questioned by several senior students on July 15 about alleged thefts. The witness stated she only asked about the flag pin, not about other junior students’ missing belongings. Shahlan said the witness acknowledged allowing a junior student to conduct a spot check on Zara Qairina’s locker and bag. She confirmed being in the room during the check but did not supervise it directly. The witness expressed uncertainty about whether the pin was actually found in Zara Qairina’s bag. According to Shahlan, the witness had written dormitory rules including “Do not swear even if you often hear others swearing”. Lawyer Joan Goh, representing one teenager involved, said the witness denied hitting Zara Qairina or seeing anyone else hit her. The witness stated she saw Zara Qairina walk out of the room around 12.30am but didn’t know her destination. Goh said a resident later informed the witness about seeing Zara Qairina crying in the third-floor toilet. The witness reportedly remained silent and proceeded to sleep in another room with friends. Lawyer Azhier Farhan Arisin, representing four teenagers, said the witness claimed no knowledge of events before Zara Qairina was found unconscious. The witness stated she was only awakened around 4am by a teacher. Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on July 17 after being found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory. The inquest proceedings continue tomorrow. – Bernama

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 2 dakika

ANTANANARIVO : Madagascar is adjusting to a new era of military rule following an elite army unit’s seizure of power after President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment. The CAPSAT military contingent assumed control immediately after parliamentarians overwhelmingly voted to impeach Rajoelina, who appears to have fled the island nation. The capital Antananarivo remained calm early Wednesday despite uncertainty about future developments and international expressions of concern. CAPSAT commander Colonel Michael Randrianirina became the new de facto president of the impoverished country and outlined a transition period under two years. He pledged elections within 18 to 24 months and announced plans for a committee of officers from the army, gendarmerie and police to oversee the transition. Randrianirina stated the committee would seek a consensus prime minister to form a new government during this interim period. The constitutional court validated his authority after accepting the parliamentary vote against Rajoelina. Randrianirina had been a vocal critic of Rajoelina’s administration and was reportedly imprisoned for several months from November 2023 for inciting military mutiny. The presidency denounced the power seizure as a clear act of attempted coup and insisted Rajoelina remains fully in office despite his unknown whereabouts. The United Nations expressed concern about any unconstitutional change of power while waiting for the situation to clarify. The SADC regional security body, which Rajoelina was leading, said it was particularly alarmed by reports of an attempted coup d’etat. Human Rights Watch called on military leaders to respect and protect the rights of all Malagasy people following the power change. The youth-led movement that initiated protests over water and energy shortages welcomed Randrianirina’s intervention. Rajoelina, re-elected in disputed 2023 polls, originally came to power in a 2009 military-backed coup that drew international condemnation. He resisted mounting calls to step down, stating in a Monday address from an unknown location that he was seeking solutions to Madagascar’s problems. Amid reports of French assistance for his departure, Rajoelina confirmed he was in a safe place to protect his life. – AFP

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 3 dakika

The measures include free tuition, laptops for students, school repairs and temple community grants.

• Free Malaysia Today
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 3 dakika

HASRAT skuad muda negara meneruskan aksi cemerlang pada perlawanan keempat Kejohanan Hoki Piala Sultan Johor (SOJC) 2025 terbantut apabila tumpas 1-4 kepada juara bertahan, Great Britain di Stadium Hoki Johor, Taman Daya pada Rabu.Kekalahan itu menyaksikan skuad Young Tigers berdepan tugas berat dalam misi wajib menang ke atas India Jumaat ini bagi merealisasikan sasaran podium pada edisi kali ini.Pada aksi berkenaan, Great Britain terlebih dahulu membuka jaringan menerusi pukulan sudut penalti Kaden Draysey pada minit ke-10.Tersentak dengan jaringan itu, pemain tengah negara, Adam Asyraf Johari kemudiannya menggamatkan stadium apabila mengikat kedudukan hasil gol padang pada minit ke-17.Bagaimanapun, kegembiraan skuad muda negara hanya bertahan dua minit apabila Great Britain yang dibimbing Jon Bleby kembali di depan menerusi gol padang Jonny Hibbitt Sturch pada minit ke-19 dan disusuli gol ketiga hasil jaringan Monty Neave pada minit ke-26.Jonny kemudiannya menggandakan jaringan peribadi menerusi gol padang pada minit ke-39 bagi melebarkan jurang gol, sekali gus mengesahkan kemenangan Great Britain.Untuk rekod, skuad Young Tigers tewas 2-7 kepada Pakistan sebelum mengikat Australia 1-1 dan menewaskan New Zealand 4-2 pada Selasa.Tempoh rehat sehari pada Khamis dilihat menjadi peluang terbaik buat skuad muda negara mengembalikan semula kekuatan fizikal dan mental sebagai persediaan berdepan India.Jumaat bakal menjadi aksi terakhir buat semua pasukan apabila Malaysia akan menutup pusingan 'round robin' menentang India pada jam 4.05 petang, sementara Great Britain akan bertemu New Zealand pada jam 6.15 petang.Dua pasukan terbaik kejohanan bakal berentap di pentas akhir pada Sabtu bagi memburu gelaran juara pada edisi kali ini.

• Sinar Harian
• 2 gün, 22 saat, 6 dakika

WASHINGTON : A senior International Monetary Fund official has described it as absolutely critical for European countries to boost growth and productivity to catch up with the United States. Era Dabla-Norris, deputy director of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs department, called on European policymakers to make smarter spending choices in an interview at the Fund’s headquarters. The IMF estimates global public debt will rise to 100% of economic output by 2029, driven largely by the world’s largest economies. The Fund’s recent Fiscal Monitor report urged countries to spend money more wisely by reallocating existing spending into growth-boosting areas like research and development. Dabla-Norris noted that advanced economies find it particularly hard to find fiscal room for maneuver due to very limited discretionary spending. She emphasised that Europe has lagged far behind the United States in economic growth, making spending reallocation absolutely critical. The IMF calculated that advanced economies could raise output by 1.5% over five to ten years by redirecting administrative overheads equal to 1% of GDP toward private investment and research. Dabla-Norris described this reallocation strategy as a winning approach for Europe that focuses on higher-return spending rather than increased expenditure. Regarding the United States, she acknowledged the world’s largest economy still maintains some fiscal space but urged policymakers to bend the debt curve to prepare for future crises. She stressed that while future shocks cannot be forecast, having fiscal space for maneuver remains crucial for all countries facing unexpected economic challenges. For China, Dabla-Norris said the country’s current expansionary fiscal stance appears appropriate for addressing flagging growth and deflationary pressures. She recommended that Chinese authorities implement social safety net reforms to shift from export-driven growth toward greater consumption-led expansion. The IMF official cautioned that excessive investment can become inefficient without proper rebalancing of economic drivers. – AFP

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 6 dakika

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Germany and France on Wednesday signed an implementation agreement for a satellite-based early warning system called Odin's Eye, which is meant to significantly improve Europe's ability to detect missile launches. Read full story

• StarBiz
• 2 gün, 22 saat, 9 dakika

KUALA LUMPUR - Mahkamah Sesyen di sini hari ini diberitahu dua lot tanah di Bandar Tanjung Pinang, Pulau Pinang tidak akan terlepas secara salah sehingga menyebabkan kerajaan negeri itu mengalami kerugian sekiranya tiada persetujuan awal antara Lim Guan Eng dengan dua ahli perniagaan.Penguasa Kanan Bahagian Siasatan Cawangan Ibu Pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM), Zulhilmi Ramli berkata, dua ahli perniagaan itu ialah Pengarah Urusan Ewein Zenith Sdn Bhd (EZSB), Datuk Ewe Swee Kheng dan Pengarah Consortium Zenith Construction Sdn Bhd (CZCSB) Datuk Zarul Ahmad Mohd Zulkifli.Zulhilmi berkata, berdasarkan siasatannya, Ewe berjumpa dengan bekas Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang itu pada 2011 untuk bertanyakan mengenai tanah kerajaan yang boleh diteroka."Tertuduh memaklumkan kepada Ewe bahawa beliau akan mencari satu projek negeri yang cara pembayarannya kepada kontraktor projek adalah melalui pertukaran tanah... apa yang perlu Ewe lakukan adalah berurusan dengan kontraktor tersebut untuk menjual tanah pada syarikat Ewe."Inilah yang berlaku dalam kes ini… Lot 702 tersebut sememangnya diperoleh oleh Ewe... berkaitan bayaran jualan tanah Lot 702, siasatan mendapati CZCSB menjual tanah tersebut kepada EZSB dengan harga jualan dipersetujui iaitu RM133 juta," katanya ketika membacakan pernyataan saksi pada perbicaraan kes rasuah Guan Eng membabitkan projek pembinaan jalan-jalan utama dan terowong dasar laut di Pulau Pinang.Saksi pendakwaan ke-38 itu berkata, mengikut perjanjian jual beli, EZSB perlu membayar kepada CZCSB sebanyak 60 peratus (RM79.8 juta) dahulu dan bakinya (RM53.2 juta) akan dibayar selepas pembangunan City of Dream (COD) di atas tanah tersebut siap.Zulhilmi, yang juga pegawai penyiasat kes itu, berkata, jika tiada perjanjian awal antara Ewe, Zarul Ahmad dan Guan ENg, maka lot tanah 702 dan 713 tidak akan terlepas secara salah kepada Ewe, dan Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang tidak akan mengalami kerugian."Lebih memelikkan, Ewe berani membuat bayaran seawal November 2013 kepada syarikat Zarul Ahmad walhal tiada sebarang kepastian syarikat Zarul Ahmad akan mendapat lot tanah 702," katanya.Selain itu, beliau berkata, pada 6 Oktober 2013, perjanjian awal untuk projek pembinaan tiga jalan utama dan terowong Pulau Pinang ditandatangani antara kerajaan negeri yang diwakili Lim dengan Zarul Ahmad, yang juga Pengerusi Consortium Zenith Bejing Urban Construction Group Sdn Bhd (CZBUCG)."CZBUCG juga membuat perjanjian lantikan sebuah syarikat bagi menjalankan projek kajian dan seterusnya pembinaan tiga jalan utama dan terowong Pulau Pinang ini... dalam perjanjian awal, projek dimulakan dengan kajian kebolehlaksanaan bernilai RM305.88 juta dan sebagai bayaran, sebahagian daripada dua lot tanah iaitu Lot 702 atau 713, Bandar Tanjung Pinang ditawarkan."Saya juga mengambil kira pihak BUCG daripada awal lagi menjangkakan kesukaran akan dihadapi berhubung kajian pembinaan terowong dasar laut untuk projek link ketiga sebagaimana mesyuarat pada 10 Mei 2011," katanya.Mengikut pertuduhan pindaan pertama, Guan Eng, 64, didakwa sebagai Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang ketika itu menggunakan kedudukan beliau untuk menerima RM3.3 juta dengan membantu syarikat milik Zarul Ahmad dilantik melaksanakan Projek Pembinaan Jalan-Jalan Utama dan Terowong di Pulau Pinang bernilai RM6,341,383,702 antara Januari 2011 dan Ogos 2017 di Pejabat Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang.Bagi pertuduhan pindaan kedua, Ahli Parlimen Bagan itu didakwa meminta suapan 10 peratus daripada keuntungan yang akan diperoleh daripada Zarul Ahmad sebagai upah bagi membantu syarikat milik ahli perniagaan itu dilantik untuk projek sama berhampiran Hotel The Gardens, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City di sini antara 12.30 tengah malam dan 2 pagi pada Mac 2011.Beliau turut berdepan dua pertuduhan menyebabkan dua lot tanah milik kerajaan Pulau Pinang bernilai RM208.8 juta dilupuskan kepada syarikat pemaju berkaitan projek terowong dasar laut di negeri itu yang didakwa dilakukan di Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Negeri Pulau Pinang, Komtar pada 17 Februari 2015 dan 22 Mac 2017.Perbicaraan kes di hadapan Hakim Azura Alwi bersambung 29 Oktober ini. - Bernama

• Sinar Harian
• 2 gün, 22 saat, 13 dakika

BRUSSELS : The European Union is pushing to have a new system of anti-drone defences fully operational by the end of 2027. Officials stated this initiative is part of a broader effort to ward off threats from Russia. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen first proposed creating a “drone wall” to counter Moscow last month. This proposal followed an incident where NATO jets shot down Russian unmanned aircraft in Polish airspace. The initial focus was on strengthening the EU’s eastern border states. The plan has since been expanded after mysterious drones alarmed several countries further west. Officials revealed that Brussels wants the project, now named the “European Drone Defence Initiative”, to begin initial operations by the end of 2026. The goal is for the system to be fully functioning by the end of 2027. This initiative is one of several flagship EU projects to be unveiled by the European Commission. A roadmap aimed at preparing the bloc for a potential attack by Moscow by 2030 will be presented on Thursday. Alongside the drone proposal is a broader programme called “Eastern Flank Watch”. This programme is designed to bolster air defences along the EU’s border closest to Russia. EU defence ministers are expected to hold preliminary discussions on the roadmap on Wednesday evening. Officials hope that EU leaders will give their backing at a summit scheduled for next week. The EU intends to utilise Ukraine’s war-tested expertise to incorporate low-cost capabilities for tackling drones. However, the two-year timeline to complete the project is considered ambitious. So far, the EU has not provided a concrete estimate for the cost of the drone project. Von der Leyen’s initial “drone wall” proposal was met with some scepticism from countries including Germany. It also sparked concerns that Brussels might be encroaching on NATO’s responsibilities. Germany and France are hesitant about the EU’s executive taking a central role in military planning. Military planning is traditionally the preserve of individual member state governments. Countries in the southern part of the bloc have also advocated for the drone initiative not to focus solely on eastern nations. Von der Leyen confirmed earlier this month that the drone initiative would be broadened. She indicated it could also help address other issues such as illegal migration. – AFP

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 14 dakika

Saksi yang juga ketua bilik asrama bertindak demikian kerana Zara Qairina Mahathir nafi curi pin bendera yang ditemukan dalam beg miliknya.

• Free Malaysia Today
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 18 dakika

PETALING JAYA – Polis sedang mengesan seorang remaja perempuan berusia 14 tahun yang hilang selepas kali terakhir dilihat di Tiara Apartment, Jalan Damar SD15/6, Bandar Sri Damansara pada Sabtu lalu. Ketua Polis Daerah Petaling Jaya, Asisten Komisioner Shamsudin Mamat berkata, pihaknya menerima laporan kehilangan mangsa pada 14 Oktober kira-kira pukul 4.50 petang. Orang hilang dikenali ... Read more The post Remaja perempuan 14 tahun hilang di Sri Damansara appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

• Kosmo Online
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 19 dakika

TEMERLOH : The Anti-Bullying Tribunal Bill being drafted by the government will cover all educational institutions nationwide, not just schools under the Ministry of Education. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the tribunal’s jurisdiction will extend to private schools and educational institutions responsible for children and adolescents under 18. “If they are under 18, the provisions will be aligned with the Child Act 2001,“ she told reporters after attending the Pahang-level Anti-Bullying Town Hall. She added that cases involving individuals above 18 years would fall under a different segment. The definition of bullying under the proposed tribunal will encompass physical, emotional, mental, social, online, and verbal forms. “This definition is crucial to determine the types of cases that fall within the tribunal’s jurisdiction,“ Azalina explained. She emphasised that the tribunal would function as a platform for recovery and rehabilitation rather than a criminal court imposing punishment. “If it’s bullying, it must occur more than once and be continuous to be classified as bullying,“ she said. Azalina noted the tribunal would resolve cases more quickly, confidentially, and effectively without conventional judicial processes. “Otherwise, perpetrators might take advantage of the situation, knowing that court cases can take a long time,“ she added. The bill is now in its final stages and expected to be tabled to the Cabinet at the end of this month. It is scheduled for its first reading in Parliament this December. – Bernama

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 22 dakika

Anutin dijadualkan melawat Vientiane atas jemputan rakan sejawatannya dari Laos, Perdana Menteri Sonexay Siphandone.

• Astro AWANI
• 2 gün, 22 saat, 25 dakika

KOTA KINABALU: A senior student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Datu Mustapha, Papar, told the Coroner's Court here on Wednesday that she scolded and shouted at Zara Qairina Mahathir with abusive words, the day before the teenager was found unconscious. Read full story

• StarBiz
• 2 gün, 22 saat, 26 dakika

KOTA BHARU : A man in his 50s has been arrested for allegedly stealing dozens of books from two libraries in the district. Kota Bharu police chief ACP Mohd Rosdi Daud said the suspect was detained at 12.05am yesterday by officers from the Criminal Investigation Division. Police seized 15 books belonging to a state agency library during the arrest. The arrest followed a police report lodged on October 13 by a 31-year-old assistant publication officer who discovered missing books from the state library. “The complainant was alerted by a colleague who informed him about books being sold on Facebook, suspected to have been stolen from the library,“ Mohd Rosdi said in a statement. CCTV footage review showed an unidentified man concealing books inside his clothing before leaving the location. The suspect has been remanded for five days until Saturday to assist investigations under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft within a building. On the same day, police received another report regarding book theft at a private library in the district. “The complainant, a 40-year-old operations and welfare officer, reported that several books had gone missing on October 4,“ he said. “The suspect has admitted involvement in this case as well. Police have not ruled out the possibility that he is connected to several other cases involving the theft of reading materials around Kota Bharu.” – Bernama

• theSun
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 26 dakika

Several students attending a religious class in a surau nearby also sustain minor injuries.

• Free Malaysia Today
• 3 gün, 6 saat, 28 dakika