Superstitious residents of an apartment building in China were labelled heartless by netizens, after they refused the removal of a dead man’s body via the property’s lift and staircase.
The residents were gripped by superstitious beliefs and morbid thoughts after a construction worker fell to his death from the 16th storey while working on the facade of the building in Wuhan city in China’s Hubei province on Monday (Feb 21).
The Chutian Metropolis Daily reported that the worker, who was in his 50s, landed on a patio on the third floor of the highrise building after losing his balance on the ladder.
The retrieval of his body hit a snag after the building management and residents, who feared getting bad luck, reportedly told funeral parlour workers that it would be “inauspicious” to do so from within their premises.
Global Times reported: “As staff from the local funeral parlour came to carry down the body, several property owners in nearby apartments demanded that it shouldn’t go through the stairs, elevators or the main part of the building, citing superstitious beliefs.”
Thus, the victim’s family had to call firefighters to remove his body from the outside, using a pulley to lower him to the ground.
Photo: ctdsb.net
After residents heaved a sigh of relief, netizens unleashed their fury at the apartment residents for having no sympathy for the dead man and his family in the tragic incident.
According to South China Morning Post, one netizen wondered whether the building is inhabited by people who are totally indifferent and whether their attitude reflects that of society as a whole.
That comment garnered more than 6,000 “likes”.
Some social media users also hoped the victim would return to haunt the insensitive occupants.
Thailand’s Supreme Court on Thursday reduced the sentence of a prominent former magazine editor who had been jailed for 10 years for insulting the country’s monarchy, a legal group said.
Somyot Prueksakasemsuk was found guilty of publishing two satirical articles defaming the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2010 when he was editor of an anti-establishment magazine.
The royal insult law, also known as lese-majeste, is punishable by a jail term of up to 15 years for each offence.
Somyot was given two five-year jail terms for each article and one year for an unrelated defamation conviction.
The Supreme Court had cut the royal insult sentences to three years each, the legal watchdog Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said. He will still have about 14 months to serve.
The case drew a lot of diplomatic attention and the original sentence had been strongly condemned by the European Union. “There is little reason to celebrate today because he should not have been in jail in the first place,” said Andrea Giorgetta of the International Federation for Human Rights.
In December, Thailand’s new King Maha Vajiralongkorn pardoned or commuted the sentences of up to 150,000 prison inmates, including some convicted under the lese-majeste laws.
Philippine boxing hero Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said he was “in negotiations” to face British fighter Amir Khan, after weeks of conflicting reports over his next bout.
“My team and I are in negotiations with Amir Khan for our next fight. Further announcements coming soon,” Pacquiao, 38, said on his official Twitter feed.
Pacquiao’s post follows various accounts from different sources over who he will be facing next and where the fight will be held.
Last month, Pacquiao’s American promoter Bob Arum was widely quoted as saying the Filipino would next face Australia’s Jeff Horn in April, although Pacquiao’s aides insisted nothing had been confirmed.
A business adviser of the fighter nicknamed “Pac-man” said this week that his next opponent would “most likely” be Khan in Dubai, but other aides declined to comment.
Pacquiao, the WBO welterweight champion, tweeted on February 11: “See you in UAE for my next fight. #TeamPacquiao”.
He also posted a poll on his Twitter feed asking his 108,000 followers to choose either Horn, Khan, American Terence Crawford or Briton Kell Brook as his next opponent.
The poll has since been taken down.
Pacquiao announced a brief retirement last year but made a successful comeback against Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas in November, saying he still felt like a youngster.
Pacquiao initially said he was retiring to focus on his new role as Philippine senator, after winning elections last year on the back of his sporting fame.
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Two men saved a little girl hanging from a fourth storey window of a residential building Tuesday in the city of Meizhou, south China’s Guangdong Province.
The girl was seen hanging with her head trapped on the inside of a burglar grille while her body hung outside, crying and frantically dangling her legs in the air, according to an amateur video taken by a witness at around 11:10.
After hearing loud screams, two workers rushed to the source and immediately began climbing onto the roof of a three-storey building besides the residential building.
One of them climbed over the handrails, walked towards the window where the girl was then held her up, relieving pressure. The second man climbed over the handrails, made his way towards the other two and began to cut off the burglar grille with a pair of pliers.
A witness surnamed Liu, at the same time, fetched a big quilt from his home, asking three other people to unfold it. In case she fell off, she wouldn’t fall to the ground, said Liu.
After half an hour’s effort, the girl was freed from the window. She was confirmed safe and sound.
The two men have been hailed heroes after video of the rescue circulated online.
“Everyone will do this. It’s not a big deal,” said Zhong, a rescuer. The girl’s mother reportedly had gone out for work when the incident happened, and the girl locked herself in the room.
The quintessential all-American boy of yesteryear.
Good-looking, kind-hearted, charming, lovable, loyal, polite, athletic, smart, in touch with his emotional side and perhaps just a tiny bit mischievous … all traits that make a teenage boy the perfect specimen.
But it is 2017 and a teenage boy like the “original” Archie Andrews of the Archie comic book series will never survive – or exist – in today’s real world.
Even as a fictional character original Archie would have been the one to kill off first, if not by the test audience or producers, then definitely by the critics.
Which is why the re-imagined, re-plotted and cleverly-modified version of TV’s Riverdale is such an intriguing watch, even to a hardcore loyal Archie comic book fan.
Currently screened on Netflix in Malaysia, Riverdale is a teen murder mystery series set in the seemingly sleepy town of er, Riverdale.
Almost all the characters from the comic book are in the show, although each one isn’t exactly like how they are portrayed in the books.
For example, Geraldine Grundy (Sarah Habel) is a young, super sexy woman who teaches music, while Waldo Weatherbee (Peter Bryant), is an average-built black man.
Narrated by Jughead Jones (Cole Sprouse), Riverdale begins with the death of Jason Blossom (Trevor Stines), twin brother of Riverdale High’s Queen Bee, Cheryl Blossom (Madelaine Petsch).
Actually, in the first episode, Jason was only thought to have “died” in the river from drowning.
Later, he was found washed ashore by Kevin Keller (Casey Cott) and Moose Mason (Cody Kearsley), who were in the woods for a … romp.
At the same time, Hermione Lodge (Marisol Nichols) and her daughter Veronica (Camila Mendes) are forced to leave their glitzy lifestyle in upscale New York after Hiram Lodge gets imprisoned for money laundering.
The mother-daughter duo return to their old mansion in Riverdale, where Hermione has no choice but to get a job at the kitschy retro diner Pop’s to survive.
It is interesting to note, though, that even with “no money”, the Lodge ladies still have Smithers (Tom McBeath) the butler in their employ.
As one of the characters in Riverdale said, “Archie got hot in the summer!” Photo: The Star/Asia News Network
As a new episode debuts each week – Ep.5 is out on Feb 24 – more people become suspects in Jason’s murder, even Cheryl herself.
Archie (KJ Apa) has an important detail to share about that fateful day, but coming clean to Sheriff Keller (Martin Cummins) would mean having to expose his sordid, forbidden affair with Grundy.
Yes, spoiler alert: Miss Grundy the teacher has sex with Archie the teenager in this show.
To shake things up even more, every episode also deals with issues and drama involving the teenagers and their parents that may or may not have anything to do with the murder.
So far, there’s been a slut-shaming incident, scenes of cyber-bullying, the gentrification of Riverdale, a gun-toting wannabe-survivalist-cum-nerd and the introduction of the town’s “bad guys”, one of whom is related to Jughead.
Oh, in this show, Jughead and Archie are no longer best pals. Instead, it is Archie and Betty Cooper (Lili Reinhart) who are best friends, while Veronica is not even on the redhead’s romantic radar.
Perhaps bedding an older woman has something to do with that.
Miss Grundy (Sarah Habel) getting it on with Archie. Eee. Photo: The Star/Asia News Network
What I really love about this series is that it is nothing like the comic book.
I still occasionally buy the books for the heck of it but the stories and characters – even with the addition of new characters like Kevin Keller, a gay teen – are too outdated for TV.
And when a TV show is outdated, it becomes less relevant and less engaging.
Riverdale keeps viewers intrigued because the characters and subplots are a lot more relatable, even if they do tend to be a little cliched.
Take, for instance, the female teacher having sex with a male student angle.
Although a nightmare in real life, it is also a common problem as “proven” by the shocking posts on our social media feeds every other day.
The age-old question of “who will Archie end up with? Betty or Veronica?” is not relevant in Riverdale the TV series. From left: KJ Apa, Camila Mendes and Lili Reinhart play Archie Andrews, Veronica Lodge and Betty Cooper. Photo: The Star/Asia News NetworkJughead’s famous beanie is not forgotten in the show. The character is played by Cole Sprouse. Photo: The Star/Asia News Network
So, while the idea of Archie and Miss Grundy sleeping together is (for lack of a better word) gross, an unfortunate affair like that does happen in the real world.
Also, disconnecting the TV characters from the comic book somehow made the situation easier to digest.
Well, maybe not THAT easy but you do forget about it after the initial shock.
The other thing I like about the show is the featured music.
Josie And The Pussycats is the town’s best band, made up of the mayor’s daughter Josie (Ashleigh Murray) who is a bit of a b**** at first, Valerie (Hayley Law) and Melody (Asha Bromfield).
The trio did an awesome updated take on Sugar, Sugar, the theme track to The Archie Show cartoon from the 1960s.
The song was “originally” performed by The Archies band, but that’s probably never going to happen in Riverdale (thankfully).
By the way, Robin Givens plays the town’s mayor, while Luke Perry – once upon a time famous for playing TV’s hottest teen bad boy Dylan McKay – is now Fred Andrews, Archie’s balding, divorced dad.
Look out for a grim-faced, puffy Skeet Ulrich, too, a handsome actor who everyone thought was going to be a big deal 15 years ago.
A new episode of Riverdale is released every Friday on Netflix.
TOKYO – Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito turned 57 on Thursday saying he is ready to become emperor after his father Akihito, who could abdicate as soon as next year, and that like him, he will be an emperor who “shares the pain and joy of the people”.
A government panel is debating how to allow the 83-year-old Akihito, who has had heart surgery and prostate cancer treatment, to step down after he said in August that he feared age might make it hard for him to fulfil his duties.
The last time an emperor abdicated was in 1817 and current law does not allow it.
In January, media reports said the government was considering steps that would allow Akihito to abdicate and for Naruhito to ascend the throne on Jan. 1, 2019. The government could submit a special abdication law to parliament as early as this spring.
Naruhito told reporters he was “profoundly moved” when Akihito suggested he would like to step down.
“I accept the emperor’s thinking with sincerity and will bear it in mind all the time as I carry out my duties,” Naruhito said.
He added that he would continue in the footsteps of Akihito, who has worked hard to heal the wounds of World War Two, waged in the name of his father, Emperor Hirohito.
“As a symbol of the state and the people of Japan, I will share their pain and their joys, praying for their happiness,” Naruhito said.
The prince, who married former diplomat Masako Owada, has one daughter, 15-year-old Aiko, who is not allowed to ascend the throne because female inheritance is not permitted. Naruhito is followed in the succession by his brother, Prince Akishino, and Akishino’s 10-year-old son, Hisahito.
Photos of the family released to commemorate Naruhito’s birthday show him sitting formally with Masako and Aiko, who appears to be very thin.
An Imperial Household Agency spokesman said there was nothing special to announce about Aiko’s health, but the Crown Prince touched on a period last autumn when Aiko was absent from school for some six weeks. “For a time she was unwell, which caused some worry, but thanks to support from her mother, she has now returned to her usual school life,” Naruhito said.
The two women who allegedly smeared poison on Mr Kim Jong Nam’s face knew they were part of a premeditated attack, Malaysian police have said, disputing reports that the duo were duped into a supposed prank on the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told a press conference yesterday that they rehearsed the attack in two downtown malls, Pavillion and Suria KLCC, before executing it at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Feb 13.
“We strongly believe it is a planned thing, and they have been trained to do that. It is not something like just shooting a movie or a play thing,” he said of the alleged assassination of Mr Kim, who died on the way to hospital that day.
He said the two women were given the liquid by four North Korean men, suspects who have since fled to Pyongyang.
The Indonesian woman, Siti Aisyah, 25, is said to have attacked first, followed by the Vietnamese woman Doan Thi Huong, 29, who allegedly smeared a liquid on Mr Kim’s face.
“(They) wiped the face of the deceased and after that they went away and were instructed to clean their hands. They knew it was toxic,” he said.
Asked if the four men were “masterminds” of the attack, Tan Sri Khalid said: “They are heavily involved. That is why I requested the North Korean Embassy’s assistance to trace them and hand them over to us.”
The police chief added that footage of the incident showed one of the women, likely Doan, moving away after the attack, with her hands held up away from her body, “towards the washroom”.
“So she knew very well that it was toxic and she had to wash her hands,” he said.
In leaked closed-circuit television footage of the incident, two women are seen sneaking up on Mr Kim and reaching up to his face, one resembling Siti Aisyah from the front and another taller woman resembling Doan from the back.
It was also reported that the two women and four men were spotted at KLIA2 the day before the attack.
But Doan’s father has said his daughter “could never kill a person”.
“My daughter is meek, and I can’t believe she would ever kill anybody. She must have been duped by somebody,” Mr Doan Van Thanh, 64, told Kyodo News in an interview near his house in Nghia Hung, Vietnam.
Photo: AsiaOne
According to him, his daughter had been working in Hanoi, and he saw her during Chinese New Year at the end of last month.
A neighbour also described the suspect as “very nice, the kind of person who could not even kill a chicken”.
The two women, who were picked up last week, had their remand extended yesterday for another week.
Police have also remanded a North Korean man, Ri Jong Chol, 46, who has been in Malaysia on a work visa since 2013. A fourth suspect, Siti Aisyah’s Malaysian boyfriend Muhammad Farid Jalaluddin, 26, has been released on police bond.
Siti Aisyah’s mother, who spoke to The Straits Times last week in Serang, in Indonesia’s Banten province, said she believes her daughter is innocent and hopes that the Indonesian government will help the youngest of her three children.
“She is not the type of person who could do what she has been accused of,” said Madam Benah, 50.
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2017-02-15 09:27:54
Photo Gallery
Half-brother of N Korean leader assassinated in Malaysia
A North Korean man carrying a passport that identifies him as Kim Chol, 46, is attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 at around 9am.
CCTV footage leaked later showed that he walked to a clinic in KLIA2 on his own accord, but died en route to hospital.
FEB 14
Reports first emerge in South Korea that Mr Kim Jong Nam has been poisoned by two female assassins in Malaysia.
FEB 15
Malaysian police arrest Vietnamese woman Doan Thi Huong, 28, at KLIA2 as she plans to fly out.
Police detain a Malaysian believed to be the boyfriend of the second woman suspect.
FEB 16
Based on the man’s information, police arrest Indonesian woman Siti Aisyah, 25.
FEB 17
North Korean Ambassador Kang Chol says Malaysia is “colluding with hostile forces” after police turn down Pyongyang’s demands not to conduct an autopsy and to hand over the body.
Police arrest a North Korean national, Ri Jong Chol, who has a work visa from a Malaysian healthcare medication company.
FEB 19
Police release images of four North Korean men caught on airport CCTV who are suspects.
FEB 20
Foreign Minister Anifah Aman says Mr Kang’s allegations “are culled from delusions, lies and half-truths”.
Malaysia recalls its ambassador to North Korea and summons Mr Kang to its Foreign Ministry to explain his harsh words.
Mr Kang, in a second outburst, wants his country to be allowed to join probe, citing “grave human rights abuses”.
Prime Minister Najib Razak says he has “absolute confidence” in Malaysia’s police and doctors, who “are very, very professional”.
CCTV footage of the attack leaks online.
FEB 21
Health officials say preliminary observation from post-mortem shows that the victim had no puncture wounds and did not die of a heart attack.
Mr Kang says the victim “fainted from a heart attack”, and calls it a “natural death”.
FEB 22
Police want to interview a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy, and an employee of national airline Air Koryo.
Police say the two women knew they were poisoning the victim.
Mr Kang says if poison was used, why did the two women not die as they used their hands to smear the chemical on the victim’s face.
Police say there was an attempt to break into the morgue where the body of the victim is held.
shannont@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on Feb 23, 2017. Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.
British media speculation surrounding a possible transfer of Manchester United and England skipper Wayne Rooney increased as United manager Jose Mourinho said he would leave the decision up to the player if he chose to head for a Chinese Super League club before the Chinese transfer window slams shut next Tuesday.
At a news conference early this week, Mourinho said he was leaving the decision up to Rooney, doubling down on a statement made in January that he would not stand in the player’s way.
“You have to ask him. Of course, I can’t guarantee (he will stay),”Mourinho said at a news conference on Tuesday.
“What I can guarantee is that if one day Wayne leaves the club, it is not because I want him to leave the club. I would never push a legend of this club to another destiny.”
The 31-year-old England international, Manchester United’s leading goal-scorer of all time, has become increasingly marginalised at United, having started just three of the club’s 12 fixtures this year, leading several Chinese clubs to believe the player could be tempted by a big money offer.
Media reports claim a move to China could see Rooney more than double his current 300,000 pound (S$528,301) weekly wage and earn 32 million pounds annually.
Both Beijing Sinobo Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande are linked with England’s all-time top scorer, while on Wednesday, Tianjin Quanjian manager Fabio Cannavaro confirmed the club made an approach for the player but it was rejected.
Beijing Sinobo Guoan attempted to lure Rooney to China before. In November, the club’s honorary chairman Luo Ning confirmed team representatives met with Rooney’s agent Paul Stretford in the summer of 2016.
“We indeed made an approach for Rooney at the beginning of the season but he’s informed us that he wants to stay in Manchester United,”Luo Ning told Beijing broadcaster Sports Night Talks.
“Rooney says he’ll keep playing in the Premier League as long as his health allows. We even met with his agent.”
Should he leave United, Rooney would join a growing number of high profile football players opting to play in China.
In January, Argentine striker Carlos Tevez moved to Shanghai Shenhua where he earns a reported 615,000 pound weekly wage, while Shanghai SIPG bought Brazil star Oscar in a 60 million pound transfer.
Following these large deals, a spokesperson for China’s General Administration of Sport said the governing sports body is considering a cap on spending to stop clubs “burning money” to entice elite players to the CSL.
