A volunteer from SOS Mediterranee gives a high five to migrants as they approach Italian coasts. PHOTO: AP
COPENHAGEN (AP) – The Right Livelihood Award – known as the “Alternative Nobel” – was awarded yesterday to environment activists from Kenya and Cambodia, a human right defender from Ghana and a humanitarian group that rescues migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
The 2023 laureates “stand up to save lives, preserve nature and safeguard the dignity and livelihoods of communities around the world”, the award foundation said, adding that they “fight for people’s right to health, safety, a clean environment and democracy”.
This year’s prize went to Phyllis Omido from Kenya and the groups Mother Nature Cambodia and SOS Mediterranee.
The prize winners will share a cash prize but for security reasons its size cannot be disclosed, the award foundation said. The 2023 honorary award was given to Eunice Brookman-Amissah from Ghana.
“They care for their land and each human life connected to it: be it Indigenous communities or people risking their lives to get to safety,” Head of the Stockholm-based Right Livelihood foundation Ole von Uexkull said in a statement.
The Cambodian advocacy group was cited for its “fearless and engaging activism to preserve Cambodia’s natural environment in the context of a highly restricted democratic space”, while the non-profit charity that operates in international waters north of Libya was credited with carrying out “life-saving humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea”.
Kenyan grassroots environmental activist Omido received the award “for her groundbreaking struggle to secure land and environmental rights for local communities while advancing the field of environmental law”, it said.
A volunteer from SOS Mediterranee gives a high five to migrants as they approach Italian coasts. PHOTO: AP
Members of Jellytastic Games Company. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMAN
A local game company is showcasing an edutainment game at Level Up KL, a conference for Southeast Asian Game Developers that begins today, held in conjunction with the Malaysia Digital Content Festival 2023.
Jellytastic Games Company’s JellyShop aims to help “non-digital natives” navigate the jungle of e-commerce platforms, according to the company.
The company, initially formed in the 2023 YSEALI Game Changers regional workshop, hopes to meet with relevant stakeholders to collaborate in future awareness programmes and to develop more content for the game.
The company has invited the public to playtest JellyShop, and said it also hopes to start work on JellyBank, which will focus on Internet banking.
“We hope that with our efforts, we can put Brunei on the map in the game industry,” said the company’s team lead Steventus. – Azlan Othman
Members of Jellytastic Games Company. PHOTO: AZLAN OTHMAN
A woman rides a bicycle on the street in Hanoi, Vietnam. PHOTO: AFP
HANOI (AP) – A Vietnamese climate activist was sentenced on Thursday to three years in prison on charges of tax fraud, state media reported.
Hoang Thi Minh Hong, 50, who headed the environmental advocacy group Change, which works on environment and climate issues, was also fined VND100 million by a court in Ho Chi Minh City, the state-owned Viet Nam News reported.
She is the fifth known climate or environmental activist who has been jailed in Vietnam in the past five years. “This conviction is a total fraud, nobody should be fooled by it,” said Ben Swanton of the human rights group The 88 Project, adding that it shows the law being weaponised to go after climate activists.
A woman rides a bicycle on the street in Hanoi, Vietnam. PHOTO: AFP
Hong was accused of evading taxes amounting to VND6.7 billion from 2012 to 2022, state media reported. The trial lasted half a day after Hong pled guilty.
In 2018, United States President Barack Obama described Hong as one of the young people worldwide who inspired him, and she won the Obama Foundation scholarship at Columbia University that year.
Vietnam is one of the few remaining communist single-party states that tolerate no dissent.
On September 15, Vietnam detained Ngo Thi To Nhien, the director of a think tank that works on energy issues in the country. Nhien was the sixth expert working on environmental and climate issues that authorities have taken into custody in the past two years.
President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Jim Ryan speaks during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO: AFP
TOKYO (AFP) – Sony’s gaming unit chief Jim Ryan will retire next March, the Japanese firm said on Thursday, after putting the PlayStation 5 on track to become its “most successful console yet”.
The British executive joined Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) in 1994 and held a number of senior positions before heading the division from 2019.
“I will leave having been privileged to work on products that have touched millions of lives across the world,” the 63-year-old said in a statement.
He said he was finding it “increasingly difficult to reconcile living in Europe and working in North America”.
President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment Jim Ryan speaks during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. PHOTO: AFP
Group CEO Kenichiro Yoshida called Ryan “an inspirational leader… never more so than in overseeing the launch of PlayStation 5 in the midst of the global COVID pandemic.”
PlayStation 5 “is on track to become SIE’s most successful console yet,” he said in a statement.
Sony shares fell 1.45 per cent on Thursday following the announcement, albeit in a falling market.
After its launch in 2020, production of the PlayStation 5 was hit by the global shortage of semiconductors in the wake of the pandemic.
But sales took off and by the end of July this year, Sony had sold a whopping 40 million units.
Ryan’s departure “is quite surprising”, said analyst Serkan Toto from Kantan Games, calling his tenure “a little bit short”.
Group chief operating and finance officer Hiroki Totoki will be interim CEO of SIE from April 1 until a permanent successor is found, Sony said.
The choice will be vital for Sony since while the PS5 “is going very well at the moment, the problem is that the entire gaming industry is moving very, very quickly”, Toto said.
Sony announced last year its intention to speed up the release of games for smartphones and PCs and to increase its presence in online games – known as “live services” – which aim to keep people playing as long as possible while paying for additional content.
In fierce competition with Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony under Ryan has spent heavily on buying games studios. In 2022, it bought Bungie, makers of Halo and Destiny, for USD3.6 billion.
Sony has also invested in Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, and bought a stake in Japan’s FromSoftware, the company behind Elden Ring and Dark Souls.
Ryan was also on the forefront of Sony’s fight to prevent Microsoft’s mammoth takeover of Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty and Candy Crush, for USD69 billion.
But the acquisition, which will make Microsoft the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, is finally set to close after a tough battle with competition regulators.
“(There is a) shift in the gaming industry right now, especially for Sony, and with Microsoft just completing the Activision merger,” Toto said.
“So I think that it would be better for PlayStation with Ryan on top for the next one to three years when the industry is going through that shift.”
From the chilling supernatural to gripping personal journeys, get ready to immerse yourself in acaptivating blend of genres and narratives that will keep you turning the pages.
This month’s line-up of books promise an eclectic mix of stories that will transport you to haunted Victorian houses, enchanting orchards and dark mysteries.
Here’s a look at eight book releases this month including a small town transformed by dark magic after eating strange apples, a former cult member who returns home, and a soldier who journeys across the lawless post-Civil War frontier for revenge.
THE SEPTEMBER HOUSE BY CARISSA ORLANDO
Married couple Margaret and Hal have just bought a stunning Victorian house at a bargain.
The only problem is that it’s haunted, especially every September when blood drips down the walls and the spirits of the former residents appear, terrified of what lurks in the basement.
For the most part, Margaret has it under control and follows a set of rules to put up with the ghosts. She accepts the house as it is and insists on staying.
But her husband has had enough and when he disappears, their daughter Katherine comes to visit in the worst month of the year.
PHOTO: ENVATO
BLACK RIVER ORCHARD BY CHUCK WENDIG
In the town of Harrow is an orchard with seven peculiar trees, bearing magical apples so red they are almost black. Not only are they delicious and addictive, the apples grant strength and vitality to whoever takes a bite.
Upon making this miraculous discovery, the people of Harrow quickly become obsessed with the apples, and their personalities begin to change for the worse. The ones who aren’t swayed by the apples are forced to figure out how to stop this strange phenomenon.
HOLLY BY STEPHEN KING
Detective Holly is approached by Penelope Dahl to find her missing daughter. With her partner unwell and herself meant to be on leave in the midst of coming to terms with her own mother’s death, Holly is initially reluctant to accept the case but eventually relents.
As she digs deeper into her investigation, Holly discovers the case is linked to a pair of serial killers with a gruesome motive.
BLACK SHEEP BY RACHEL HARRISON
Growing up, Vesper Wright was taught not to question anything around her. At the age of 18, Vesper left her dysfunctional family and has never looked back, having been told that the community would not accept her return once she left.
Now in her mid-20s, Vesper receives a wedding invitation from her cousin. Despite the possibility of it being a trap, Vesper takes the risk and makes the decision to return home where she learns a terrifying secret behind her family and herself.
WELLNESS BY NATHAN HILL
Jack and Elizabeth have been together even since they hit it off in college, and are now husband and wife struggling with parenthood. As an adjunct art professor, Jack finds his work unfulfilling and his financial situation leaves much to be desired. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s work revolves around placebo effects marketed as treatment despite the questionable ethics.
Unlike their idealistic younger selves, the two are forced to face reality including their broken dreams and bitter childhood memories while doing their best to mend their simmering relationship.
THE RIVER WE REMEMBER BY WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER
As the townspeople gather to celebrate Memorial Day in honour of its fallen heroes, a wealthy landowner is found floating in a river with a gunshot wound.
Sheriff Brody Dern who is also a war veteran, is tasked to investigate the case. But rumours quickly spread and Noah Bluestone, a war veteran who has just returned home with his wife, is accused to be the killer despite the lack of evidence.
PHOTO: ENVATO
ROUGE BY MONA AWAD
As a child, Belle often received harsh comments from her mother about her skin.
This leads to Belle’s obsession with skincare, and she now follows a strict routine day and night without fail.
When her estranged mother passes away, Belle returns to California for the funeral and discovers her mother has left behind an overwhelming amount of debt.
A woman in red claims to have answers to her mother’s death, and Belle finds herself drawn to a mysterious lavish spa that her mother used to frequent, unveiling secrets behind her mother’s obsession with beauty.
CHENNEVILLE BY PAULETTE JILES
After recovering from a severe injury, union soldier John Chenneville returns home to find his sister and her family have been murdered. In pursuit of revenge, John journeys deep into Texas amidst the violent and lawless post-Civil War era.
Along the way, John encounters people who treat him with kindness, and another who threatens to arrest him if he successfully executes his revenge. – Aqilah Rahman
The Supreme Court building. PHOTO: BORNEO BULLETIN
The Supreme Court building. PHOTO: BORNEO BULLETIN
Many people assume that legal proceedings are strictly off-limits to the general public.
Many people wonder whether they can attend court hearings as public spectators, often assuming that these legal proceedings are strictly off-limits to the general public.
However, this is not the case.
Courts are indeed accessible to members of the public who wish to observe the proceedings.
Attending court hearings as a public spectator is an opportunity to gain insight into the legal system and its workings.
It allows individuals to witness the administration of justice first-hand, promoting transparency and accountability within the legal process.
However, attending court cases without a legitimate reason might be seen as intruding into other people’s affairs, especially when case updates are readily available through public announcements and newspapers like the Bulletin.
The Bulletin, with its rich history of court reporting dating back to the establishment of conventional courts in the country, provides invaluable insights into courtroom proceedings.
To bring these experiences to the public, who better than one of the Bulletin’s own reporters, Fadley Faisal? With over two decades of reporting on cases ranging from criminal to civil, the courtroom reporter has learned the ins and outs by closely observing lawyers, judicial officers, and their daily interactions.
COURTROOM ETIQUETTES
To truly appreciate the significance of attending court sessions, one must understand that it should always be driven by a legitimate purpose. This purpose is often intertwined with the specific cases one is attending.
For instance, individuals attending court may be witnesses, assisting the prosecution as victims, or, naturally, suspects who are required to be present during legal proceedings. However, this list is by no means exhaustive.
Moreover, it’s important to acknowledge the role of law students pursuing their Latin Legum Baccalaureus (LLB) degrees.
They too can often be found in the courtroom, diligently observing cases to enhance their understanding of the legal system and its practical application.
PROPER BEHAVIOUR IN COURT
Even when you are in the public gallery of the court, it’s important to dress appropriately. If you’re worried about the courtroom’s temperature, consider bringing a sweater or jacket with you.
Visitors are expected to adhere to a certain dress code, which includes wearing smart attire such as long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Individuals dressed inappropriately, wearing slippers, or sporting short pants may be asked to leave the courtroom premises.
In the dominion of courtroom attendance, particularly during criminal cases, spectators typically occupy the public gallery. This designated seating area, situated in the front row on either side upon entering the courtroom, serves as the vantage point for those observing proceedings.
Upon stepping into the courtroom, one of the foremost considerations is the presence of the judicial authority figures. Magistrates, judges or justices of the high courts are commonly found seated at the primary bench, situated at the opposite end of the room, and clearly in command of the session.
As a mark of respect, it’s customary for individuals to bow or acknowledge the judicial officer before taking their seats.
Additionally, mobile phones must be diligently switched off or set to silent mode to maintain the decorum of the courtroom.
When arriving early and once more upon the entrance and exit of the judge or magistrate, it’s expected to rise and offer a bow or nod as a sign of courtesy. This level of respect is fundamental in fostering a sense of decorum within the courtroom.
Before entering the courtroom, it’s crucial to ensure that electronic devices, including mobile phones, are either powered off or set to “silent” mode to prevent any potential disruptions.
For those attending a hearing or meeting within the court, consulting the notice board is a helpful practice. It provides information regarding the specific courtroom or chamber where your case or matters of interest will be addressed.
Moreover, when near courtrooms or chambers, maintaining a soft-spoken demeanour is vital to avoid any undue interference with the ongoing court proceedings.
Members of the public attending a court hearing should adhere to the principle of sitting quietly and refraining from disrupting the proceedings. This practice aligns with the overarching ethos of courtroom decorum.
While most court proceedings, both civil and criminal, are generally open to public observation, it’s important to heed any specific notifications indicating otherwise.
Furthermore, when infants and young children accompany spectators, it’s essential to ensure their supervision and attentiveness throughout the proceedings.
It’s also important to note that the audio, video or still recording of court proceedings is strictly prohibited, serving as a safeguard to protect the integrity and privacy of the legal process.
ROLES AND DYNAMICS IN THE COURTROOM
In the intricate theatre of the courtroom, various actors and their distinct roles come together to ensure the smooth functioning of justice.
At the heart of courtroom logistics, we find the clerks and interpreters. They shoulder the responsibility of managing all essential court documents required during the trial.
Beyond paperwork, they play a pivotal role in aiding both the defendant and witnesses in grasping the intricacies of the proceedings and responding to the questions posed.
Central to many courtroom dramas, the defendant is the individual accused of committing an offence. During the trial, the defendant occupies a specific area known as the dock.
It’s important to note that the defendant, while in the dock, is generally not permitted to engage in direct communication with witnesses. Exceptions arise during cross-examination, particularly when the defendant chooses to represent themselves.
Magistrates and judges wield significant authority within the courtroom. Their primary function is to make critical determinations regarding the defendant’s guilt or innocence. Furthermore, they decide the appropriate penalties in accordance with the law.
Addressing them with the utmost respect, magistrates are referred to as “your honour”, while judges are addressed as “my lord”.
Witnesses, often key players in courtroom narratives, provide essential testimony. Positioned in the witness dock, they respond to questions posed by various parties involved in the trial.
Their accounts serve as crucial pieces of the puzzle in establishing the facts of the case.
Acting on behalf of the prosecution, the prosecutor is a legal professional tasked with the responsibility of proving the defendant’s guilt.
This task is accomplished by presenting compelling evidence and skilfully examining witnesses. Through their line of questioning, the prosecutor seeks to shed light on what was seen, heard, or experienced by the witness.
While the courtroom’s inner workings are typically open to the public, spectators play a more passive role.
They are encouraged to sit quietly at the back of the court, observing the proceedings with respect and restraint. This practice underscores the importance of maintaining decorum in the courtroom, allowing justice to take centre stage.
In a nutshell, each participant in the courtroom ecosystem plays a unique and indispensable role in ensuring the pursuit of truth and justice. Understanding these roles enriches our appreciation of the intricate dance that unfolds within the hallowed halls of the courthouse. – Rizal Faisal
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform at Wrigley Field in Chicago, United States. PHOTO: AP
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023 tour will be postponed until 2024, citing doctor’s advice.
The Boss, who last week celebrated his 74th birthday, is “steadily recovering” from peptic ulcer disease, a press release read. “Out of an abundance of caution”, the remainder of this year’s tour has been pushed to next year.
Earlier this month, Springsteen announced that he would be postponing all of his September 2023 dates while he was treated for symptoms related to the disease, which causes ulcers to form in the stomach or small intestine that can cause heartburn, nausea and stomach pain.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band perform at Wrigley Field in Chicago, United States. PHOTO: AP
Those postponed shows included stops in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Albany and Syracuse in New York, Pittsburgh, Washington, and shows in Connecticut and Ohio.
The newly postponed shows include Canadian dates and a West Coast run of Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Rescheduled concerts will be announced this week and will take place at the original venues.
Peptic ulcer disease can be dangerous, leading to bleeding and emergency situations such as perforation of the ulcer through the stomach. Typical treatment uses common drugs called proton pump inhibitors, such as Prilosec, which can help heal the ulcers within four to six weeks. People who are treated “recover completely from peptic ulcer disease”, Dr Lawrence Kosinski of the American Gastroenterological Association told AP.
“Thanks to all my friends and fans for your good wishes, encouragement, and support,” Springsteen said in a short statement. “I’m on the mend and can’t wait to see you all next year.”
News of Springsteen’s illness first emerged in May of this year, when he postponed three dates.
Springsteen’s 2023 tour, his first in six years, kicked off on February 1 in Tampa, Florida, before 20,000 fans who mostly stood through the 28-song arena show that included staples like Born to Run, Glory Days, Rosalita, Promised Land and Backstreets.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Former Manchester United player Jesse Lingard could be the next Premier League star to join the Saudi Arabian league.
The England international, who is a free agent, is training with Saudi club Al-Ettifaq after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the last season.
Al-Ettifaq is coached by Liverpool great Steven Gerrard and signed England midfielder Jordan Henderson in the offseason.
“I’ve watched him for many years so I’m aware of the talent,” Gerrard told Al Arabiya’s sports programme FilMarma. “Jesse is out of a club at the moment, he is not contracted, so he’s free to train with anyone else. So he’s coming to use our facilities, he’s coming to train with our players, to maintain his fitness.
“Jesse knows there’s an opportunity for him to try to convince us to come to the club.”
Jesse Lingard. PHOTO: AP
The Saudi league has embarked on a spectacular spending spree this year by luring some of football’s biggest stars to the oil-rich kingdom.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema and Sadio Mane have made the move from Europe’s biggest leagues, and a slew of other top players have followed suit.
The 30-year-old Lingard graduated from United’s academy and left the club in 2022. He signed a one-year contract with Forest and has been a free agent since that deal expired.
Lingard has also trained with West Ham this season. He had a successful loan spell at the London club in 2021.
Emergency services at the scene near the Whitgift shopping centre after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death, in Croydon, south London. PHOTO: AP
LONDON (AP) – A 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death while on her way to school just south of London on Wednesday morning, and a 17-year-old male suspect was arrested in connection with her death, police said.
The Metropolitan Police said that officers were at the scene at around 8:30am, around two minutes after receiving reports that the girl was stabbed in Croydon, a busy residential and business district just south of London.
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain said that police vehicles, paramedics and an air ambulance were dispatched, but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.
Around 75 minutes later, Brittain said that a 17-year-old male suspect who may have known the victim was arrested near Croydon.
Emergency services at the scene near the Whitgift shopping centre after a 15-year-old girl was stabbed to death, in Croydon, south London. PHOTO: AP
Brittain said the suspect, who wasn’t identified, was in custody and added that police weren’t searching for anyone else in connection with the killing based on the information they had.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare, and I know the officers who responded this morning, along with our emergency service colleagues, are devastated at the victim’s death,” he said near the scene of the stabbing.
“This is an emotion I share and I know people across Croydon will be feeling the same,” he said.
A white forensic tent was erected within a police cordon at the scene.
Stabbings involving young people aren’t uncommon in London, but it is relatively rare for such incidents to involve girls.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that he was “heartbroken” by the death.
The Met’s top police officer Mark Rowley, who spent about an hour at the scene, said the “senseless murder of a 15-year-old girl on her way to school is impossible to comprehend”.
The girl, who hasn’t been named, was a student at the Old Palace of John Whitgift School, a private girls’ school in Croydon.
The school expressed its shock at the “senseless and tragic death of our much-loved and valued friend and pupil”.
