BRAZILIAN POLICE HUNT SANTA CLAUS WHO STOLE HELICOPTER?

RIO DE JANERIO– Brazilian police are hunting for a Sao Paulo Santa Claus who kicked off the Christmas shopping season by stealing a helicopter.

The thief rented the aircraft late Friday from an air taxi service at the Campo Marte airport in Sao Paulo for a Black Friday “surprise,” the Sao Paulo state security secretariat said on Saturday.

During the flight, the Santa forced the pilot to fly to a small farm outside of Sao Paulo city, where they were met by a third person, the secretariat said.

The pilot was tied up and the two perpetrators flew away.

After several hours, the pilot managed to escape and alert police. 

There has been no sign of the helicopter, a Robinson model 44, authorities said.

Source: – Reuters

3 KILLED, 9 INJURED IN ATTACK ON COLORADO ABORTION CLINIC

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. U.S.A. - A gunman stormed a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Colorado Springs on Friday and opened fire with a rifle in an attack that left three people dead and nine others injured, authorities said. 

The dead included one police officer and two civilians, Colorado Springs Police Chief Peter Carey told reporters about an hour after the suspect had been captured. 

• All nine surviving victims - five police officers and four civilians - were listed in good condition at area hospitals, Carney said. 

The suspect first engaged in a gun battle with police but ultimately surrendered to officers inside the building about five hours after the start of the violence which played out under a steady snowfall in Colorado's second-largest city.

A Reuters photographer at the scene saw a man in a white T-shirt with his hands cuffed behind his back being taken out of 
armored police vehicle and placed 
in an unmarked squad car.

Source: Reuters, The Star...More...

MALAYSIA SENDS CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN TO UN?

PETALING JAYA. Malaysia -  Some 181 parties including Malaysia, have sent INDCs to the UN for the COP21(UN Climate Change Conference) talks from Nov 30 to Dec 11.

Malaysia is the second last country in Asean to send its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the UN. Brunei has yet to do so.

Malaysia has sent its climate change action plan to the United Nations for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris.

In a document hosted on a UN website, the plan said Malaysia planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 45% by 2030.

"This consist(s) of 35% on an unconditional basis and a further 10% is condition upon receipt of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building from developed countries," it read on Saturday.

These details were laid out in an INDC paper, which the UN acknowledged in a Nov 27 statement.

• The document can be viewed on the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change website (http://newsroom.unfccc.int/).
• The conference aims to draft a binding global agreement on how to take care of climate change.
• United Nations data showed that Malaysia was 26th worldwide in 2012 when it came to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fuel combustion.
• It contributed to 0.62% of global emissions then, with the average Malaysian contributing 6.7 metric tons of CO2 each year.

Malaysia's INDC document said that surface mean temperature here went up by 0.14 to 0.25 Celsius every 10 years.

It added that the Government spent some RM51bil under the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011-2015) to "enhance resilience" against climate change.

One effect of climate change in Malaysia, The Star reported earlier, was that sea levels in some parts here  might  rise by 1m 
by 2100.

Source: The Star

USA USING SEX, MONEY TO INFITRATE IRAN?

DUBAI,United Arab Emirates - The United States is using sex, money and Western lifestyles to infiltrate Iran's decision-making elite, the Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday.

The remarks by Khamenei, who has the last word on matters of state, followed a wave of arrests of journalists and intellectuals by Tehran authorities over fears of Western infiltration after Iran reached an agreement with world powers over its nuclear programme.

"Two main things are used for this infiltration: money and sexual attractions. They are used to change beliefs, viewpoints and lifestyles, so that the affected person will think in the same way as an American," Khamenei said in remarks broadcast on state television.

"The main targets of this infiltration are the elites, influential people and decision-makers. This is why infiltration is such a great danger," Khamenei told a gathering attended by commanders of the Basij, IRGC's voluntary militia arm. 
The IRGC has rounded up artists, journalists and U.S. citizens as part of the crackdown on infiltration by the West.

Last week the U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee criticized Iran for the crackdown, as well as its increased use of the death penalty,a rebuke Tehran dismissed 
as "Iranophobia."

Source: Channel News Asia

MALAYSIA SHOULD FREEZE ALL EXECUTIONS WHILE MANDATORY DEATH SENTENCE UNDER REVIEW?

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Under Malaysia’s current law, the death sentence is a must for firearms, drugs, treason and murder related offenses.

Nancy Shukri, the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said 33 prisoners were executed between 1998 to October 6 this year, while 127 inmates received lighter sentences or clemency in the same period after their pleas and petitions were considered.

However, the three professional bodies representing the country’s lawyers – Malaysian Bar, Advocates’ Association of Sarawak (AAS) and the Sabah Law Association (SLA) – said no one should be executed while the government has yet to decide on the death penalty.

• They said, the government should stop all executions of convicted drug offenders ahead of the expected review of Malaysia’s mandatory death sentence for drug-related crimes.
• “In light of the impending review of the mandatory death penalty for drug-related offences, the Government should, in the interest of justice, declare and implement an immediate official moratorium on any and all executions in such cases,” the three bodies said in a rare joint statement.
• “All of these sentences should be stayed pending the results of the review. It is unfair and unjust to carry out the death sentence when there is currently a possibility of reform which, if effected, should apply retrospectively,” said the statement signed by the Bar president Steven Thiru, AAS president Leonard Shim, SLA president Brenndon Soh.
• The three bodies said concrete action on the frequently-discussed abolition of the mandatory death penalty is “long overdue”, noting that the government had in the last five years on at least four instances made remarks on its willingness to review this punishment.

Backing the government’s efforts to scrap the mandatory death penalty, which they said was “extreme, degrading and inhumane”, the three bodies agreed that such a move would be consistent with the right to life that should be absolute, universal and inalienable regardless of the crime committed.

Moreover, there appears to be no significant reduction in the crimes for which the death penalty is currently mandatory, they said.

Source: The Malay Mail Online

US ISSUES GLOBAL TRAVEL ALERT DUE TO INCREASED TERRORIST THREATS

WASHINGTON: The United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Monday (Nov 23) warning American citizens of "increased terrorist threats" in the wake of the Paris attacks.

A massive manhunt is underway in France and Belgium for Belgian-born Salah Abdeslam(photo), suspected of playing a role in the coordinated shooting and suicide bombings of Nov 13 claimed by the Islamic State group. The US has been on heightened alert in the wake of the attacks, which killed 130 people.

"Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Daesh), Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions," said the State Department advisory, which cited recent attacks in Denmark, France, Mali, Nigeria and Turkey.

• "US citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation," it said, advising Americans to avoid large crowds or crowded places and to "exercise particular caution during the holiday season."
• Citing recent attacks in Denmark, France, Mali, Nigeria and Turkey, it also noted the threat of "lone wolf" attacks by unaffiliated persons inspired by terror groups.
• The alert, which expires on Feb 24, warned that "the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Daesh return from Syria and Iraq." It was referring to foreign fighters who return home after having fought alongside IS extremists.
• "Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets and aviation services," the alert added.

The State Department often issues individual country travel alerts, but this notice was a rare "worldwide travel alert" that comes in the wake of a series of attacks.

New "attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests," it said.

Source: - AFP

WOMAN PRESUMED DEAD FOUND LIVING IN INTERNET CAFÉ FOR 10 YEARS?

China – A woman who was presumed dead after she went missing 10 years ago has been found – allegedly spending the last decade living and playing games in Internet cafes.

The woman, known as Xiao Yun and now aged 24, left her home in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang 10 years ago after a quarrel with her parents.

Presumed dead by her family, she was finally found by police officers on Nov 20 after a routine check on an Internet cafe in the wee hours of the morning.

• Xiao Yun, who was carrying a fake identity card, was taken to a local police station for questioning where she revealed that she had been living in Internet cafes for the past decade.
•  A fan of the multiplayer first-person shooter game CrossFire, she spent her days playing the game and slept mostly in cafes and bath houses.
• She relied mostly on handouts from fellow cafe patrons and occasionally worked as a cashier at some cafes to earn additional income.
• She told the police that she had been brought up by her grandparents.

The police fined her 1,000 yuan (RM670) and after initial resistance from her, contacted her parents so they could be reunited with their long-lost daughter. 

Her mother told the Qianjiang Evening News that she had not changed her phone number since Xiao Yun left home, in the hope that she would contact her.

“I have a stubborn personality and a short temper, so I used to scold her. But it’s been 10 years and now she’s an adult. I will never scold her again,” she said.

Source:– The Straits Times/Asia News Network

FRENCH ARMY CHIEF SEES NO FAST VICTORY AGAINST ISIS?

PARIS: France's army chief of staff Pierre de Villiers(photo), chief said on Sunday he sees no short term military victory in the fight against Islamic State as Paris intensifies its strikes on targets in Syria following the deadly attacks in the French capital.

President Francois Hollande has called for a grand coalition, including the United States and Russia, to eradicate Islamic State in Syria, and is due to meet with Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin next week.

Islamic State, also known as Daesh, claimed responsibility for the worst violence in France since World War Two, in which 130 people were killed in bombings and shootings. The group said the assaults were in retaliation for Paris' involvement in U.S.-backed air strikes in Iraq and Syria.

"There will be no military victory against Daesh in the short term," Pierre de Villiers, chief of staff of armed forces, told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche in an interview published on Sunday.

"In the military, we are used to the long term but people ... want fast results. In Syria and Iraq, we are in the heart of that paradox. Everybody knows that in the end this conflict will be resolved through diplomatic and political channels."

• Hollande will travel to Washington to speak with Obama on Tuesday and then head to Moscow to meet with Putin to discuss how their countries' militaries might work together.
• Russia and Western countries are divided over Syria. Moscow is supporting President Bashar al-Assad while the West says he should leave power to end Syria's civil war.
• De Villiers said he had spoken to his Russian counterpart by phone to discuss their countries' ships with regard to Syria but added that France had not "at this stage any coordination of strikes or identification of targets in consultation with the Russians, even if we have the same enemy Daesh."
• Since the Nov. 13 Paris bombings and shootings, French war planes have launched their biggest raids in Syria to date, including hitting Islamic State's stronghold in Raqqa.

In the space of three days, some 60 bombs were dropped as training camps or command centres were targeted last week, de Villiers said.

"I honestly think that we seriously hurt them," he said.

De Villiers added that France currently has some 34,000 soldiers deployed in France and abroad. 
On Monday, Hollande said he would avoid cuts to defence spending before 2019.

Source:- Reuters

AT LEAST 27 DEAD AS GUNMEN SEIZE MORE THAN 100 AT MALI HOTEL

BAMAKO, Mali - Suspected militant gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Mali's capital on Friday (Nov 20), firing automatic weapons and seizing more than 100 guests and staff in a hostage-taking that left at least 27 people dead.

Special forces staged a dramatic floor-by-floor rescue at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, according to local television and security sources, to end the nine-hour siege.

The assault, which France has said was likely masterminded by notorious Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar(photo), added to fears over the global militant threat a week after the Paris massacre that left 130 people dead.
Malian television broadcast chaotic scenes from inside the hotel as police and other security personnel ushered bewildered guests along corridors and across the main lobby.

Malian security sources said at least 27 hostages had been killed, adding that French special forces had been "participating in operations alongside Malians".

"The hostage-taking is over. We are in the process of securing the hotel," a Malian military source said, as civil protection officers removed the victims in orange body bags.

Two US special forces troops who happened to be at the nearby US embassy for meetings assisted in the rescue of six Americans.

Source: Channel News Asia...More...

GROUP URGE ACTION OVER TURTLE EGGS ISSUE IN SABAH, EAST MALAYSIA?

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, East Malaysia -  The Sabah Wildlife Department has been urged to investigate and take action again those responsible for the “turtle eggs issue”, regardless of their position.

New photos surfaced recently purportedly showing consumed turtle eggs on the plates of Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Beluran Umno chief Datuk James Ratib plates at an event on Aug 29.

Earlier this month, photos went viral on social media of a plate of unconsumed turtle eggs on the table at the dinner in Sandakan.

• Citing evidence based on four new photos posted by user Deadturtle Sabah in the comments section of the Walai Penyu Resort Libaran Facebook page, several NGOs and research organisation Danau Girang Field Centre said the authorities must take necessary action.
• “We are asking the Sabah Wildlife Department if they will charge the guests of the dinner for consuming, and the owner of the restaurant for serving eggs of a Totally Protected species,” they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

“Nobody should be above the law. We look forward to hearing the results of the department’s investigation into the matter,” said the representatives of Borneo Rhino Alliance, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, HUTAN, Kudat Turtle Conservation Society, Land Empowerment Animals People, PACOS, Reef Guardian, Sabah Environmental Trust, Sabah Shark  Protection  Association and 

Sabah EPA.

• They pointed out that a boatman was arrested recently following the seizure of 3,000 turtle eggs on a pump boat and that the Wildlife Department has stated the suspect would be charged under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment.
• The groups said it was alarming that endangered species were being traded or killed in Sabah despite stringent laws, such as the case of two sun bears highlighted in the media just a few days ago.
• “We cannot stay silent and allow this to go on and on. The public needs to voice their concern and the enforcement authorities need to do their job,” the groups added.
• They added that regardless of where the eggs were from, such as from a neighbouring country, it was illegal to possess, sell or consume them.

Ismail Sabri has denied consuming the eggs, while Ratib said he did not know what type of eggs had been served. 

On Thursday, the minister once again rebutted accusations against him, urging people not to assume that he ate the eggs just because they were served at the dinner.

“In these new images, there is indication that the personalities in question did indeed consume turtle eggs. This is not acceptable at all,” the groups said.

Source: The Star

DAVID BECKHAM NAMED PEOPLE’S SEXIEST MAN ALIVE?

Retired English soccer star David Beckham, an international celebrity both on and off the field, was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive," on Tuesday.

"It's a huge honour," Beckham, 40, told People of being handed the title on its 30th anniversary. "I'm very pleased to accept."

The soccer legend and husband of pop star and fashion designer Victoria Beckham has long been known for his chiseled good looks. He has been featured in advertisements for Pepsi, Adidas, and modeled underwear for Giorgio Armani, but the sportsman and father of four told People he has never thought of himself as "an attractive, sexy person."

• "I mean I like to wear nice clothes and nice suits and look and feel good, but I don't ever think of myself that way," he said.
• Beckham's wife, Victoria, 41, was supportive of his new title, he said.

"I would hope that she feels this way about me all the time anyway," he told People.

Beckham, although retired, is the first athlete to receive the distinction from the magazine. The only other man not from the performing arts to be named was John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1988.

Winners in recent years have included last year's choice Chris Hemsworth, singer Adam Levine and Canadian Ryan Reynolds.

Mel Gibson was the first to receive the honour, in 1985.

Source: CBC

MILITANTS BEHEADED MALAYSIAN CAPTIVE IN JOLO, PHILIPPINES

MANILA, Philippines -  A small al Qaeda-linked Islamist militant group has executed a Malaysian businessman held captive since May on the southern Philippine island of Jolo, the Malaysian government said on Wednesday.

The Philippine military earlier said it was investigating credible intelligence reports that Abu Sayyaf militants had beheaded Bernard Then on Tuesday.

On his Facebook page, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said he was shocked and sickened at the killing and demanded the perpetrators be brought to justice. 
Asked by Reuters if the man was beheaded, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed  would 
only say his death was "violent".

• Philippine Brigadier-General Alan Arrojado, army commander on Jolo, said the Malaysian was killed in the town of Indanan.
• While the execution is far to the south of the capital Manila, where world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama are attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, it is a reminder of the security challenges small Islamist groups still pose to the Philippines.
• Jolo is a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf, a group known for bomb attacks, kidnappings and beheadings. It frequently seeks ransom in return for freeing hostages.
• The businessman and a Malaysian woman were abducted in May from a Chinese seafood restaurant in a coastal town in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah, on Borneo island, and taken to Jolo.
• Last week, Abu Sayyaf freed the woman after reports a ransom was paid for her release.

Arrojado said an earlier intelligence report indicated Abu Sayyaf planned to behead the man if a ransom was not paid.

In September, Abu Sayyaf kidnapped two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipino from an upscale beach resort in the southern Philippines. 
They have demanded 1 billion pesos (14 million pounds) for each of the captives.

Source: Channel Asia