■ Australia
Defector to testify in US
A Chinese defector granted asylum in Australia has flown to the US to testify to a Congressional human rights committee, the Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday. Middle-ranking diplomat Chen Yonglin (陳用林) abandoned his post at China's consulate in Sydney in May and asked for asylum, claiming he would be persecuted if he returned home because of his sympathy for the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which Beijing brands as an evil cult.
■ Malaysia
Traffic hall of shame set up
Malaysia has set up an online hall of shame where the public can post images of traffic offenders as part of a campaign to instill discipline and safety on roads. The Web site, www.panducermat.org.my, was launched Tuesday and will be used to catch offenders who usually get away because of a lack of enforcement, the transport minister said.
■ Hong Kong
Court rejects tenant's suit
Hong Kong's top court yesterday quashed a legal objection that stalled a US$3.85 billion privatization of the territory's housing authority shopping malls and car parks. A lone public housing tenant left hundreds of thousands of investors fuming when she challenged the sell-off and forced the government to scrap the privatization in December. Thousands of cheques had to be sent back to investors as Lo Siu-lan, 67, forced the government to shelve the sell-off pending her legal hearings. The High Court and the Court of Appeal both rejected court cases against the sell-off by Lo and the final door of her appeal process closed yesterday when the Court of Final Appeal also rejected it.
■ Australia
Women killed Aborigine boy
Two Australian women were jailed for life on Tuesday after pleading guilty to torturing and murdering a 14-year-old Aboriginal boy who they believed broke into their house, local media reported. The Western Australia Supreme Court sentenced Derrin Bardsley, 34, and Rebecca Papalii, 42, after they admitted to helping "hogtie," beat and kill Aborigine Cleon Jackman at a house in Perth in May 1999. Another person, James Stapleton, is already serving a prison term for the boy's murder. Prosecutor Phil Urquhart told the court the murder was a racially motivated, cowardly and gutless attack on the teenager.
■ Thailand
Monks stop Bangkok traffic
Thousands of Buddhist monks and other anti-alcohol campaigners brought Bangkok's notoriously slow traffic to a halt yesterday as they protested against plans to list Thailand's biggest brewer. Up to 10,000 anti-alcohol demonstrators caused traffic congestion which stretched to suburbs 10km from the city center, police said, as they demanded the Stock Exchange refuse to list Thai Beverage PCL, maker of Chang Beer. "The Thai bourse will become the market of sin," said one placard held by chanting monks in orange robes as laymen waved Thai national flags.
■ India
Baby girl marries dog
A baby girl in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal was married to a dog "to ward off the evil eye" after she grew teeth at six months. Six-month-old Disha was wedded to her canine groom, Pomi, on Monday at a Hindu ceremony at Polba village in Hooghly district of West Bengal, Indo-Asian News Service reported. The infant's family feared that she may be under the spell of evil spirits after she sprouted teeth well before they were due. Disha's father Kamalendu Bandopadhayay, who works at the local court, was advised by some priests to conduct the marriage ceremony to ward off the evil eye. The dog, Pomi, whose wedding outfit comprised a garland of fresh flowers, is likely to be looked after by his new "in-laws."
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