Pakistani couple arrested for kissing, cuddling in Islamabad
Islamabad: A young Pakistani couple have been arrested for allegedly kissing and cuddling in a car here, a media report said on Monday. The couple, aged around 18-19 years, have been booked for ‘obscene acts’, an offence punishable with imprisonment for up to three months, or with fine, or both, The Express Tribune reported. Investigating officer Zulfiqar Ahmed said that police received a complaint yesterday that the couple were “kissing and cuddling” in a car parked in Islamabad’s city centre. Ahmed claimed that the couple were still busy kissing and cuddling when the police reached the spot. The couple were taken to the Karachi Company Police Station in Islamabad where they were booked and later released on bail, the report said. Senior police officer Muhammad Basheer also claimed that the couple were “kissing”. Young couples visiting parks and shopping centres in Islamabad are often harassed, blackmailed and extorted by police officials in the conservative Muslim-majority country, the report said. Several officials in the past have been booked for harassing and extorting young couples in public places. (PTI)
China designing spacecraft to help extend lifespan of satellites
Beijing: Chinese scientists are designing a new spacecraft that can move a de-orbitting satellite back into its intended orbit, thus extend its period of service, according to a media report here today. Engineers from the state-run China Academy of Space Technology are conducting research and development (R&D) on the proposed spacecraft, which would help bring satellites that have ran short on fuel or experienced some technical problems back to their designed trajectories, the state-run China Daily reported. The new spacecraft will be engineered to connect to a target satellite through its robotic arms and then provide attitude control assistance and push the satellite back into its proper orbit. Once it finishes the life-extension task with a satellite, the service spacecraft will undock itself with the target and autonomously fly toward the next satellite that requires its assistance, the report said, adding that the R&D of the spacecraft will take about two years to complete. Once the vehicle enters the service, it is expected to bring at least 10 years of extra operational time to multiple satellites, the report said quoting an Academy official. The vehicle will enjoy great commercial potential in the satellite industry, chief designer of the spacecraft Hu Di was quoted as saying. (PTI)
Japanese suspect steals sneakers, flees police station
Tokyo: Japanese police have launched a massive manhunt for a robbery and rape suspect who fled from a police station after reportedly stealing an officer’s sneakers. Local police said on Monday that Junya Hida fled from a consultation room at the Tondabayashi police station in Osaka after meeting his lawyer on Sunday. Police placed the 30-year-old suspect on a nationwide wanted list and deployed 3,000 officers to search for him. Police said Hida, who was not handcuffed, apparently forced open an acrylic panel that separated detainees from an area for visitors and then escaped. Police were not aware of his disappearance until nearly two hours later. Hida reportedly stole a policeman’s sneakers before escaping, leaving behind his sandals. Police told neighborhood schools to lock their windows and stay vigilant. (AP)
Hippo kills Chinese tourist in Kenya
Nairobi: A hippopotamus attacked and killed a Chinese tourist in Kenya over the weekend, according to wildlife authorities. The attack took place Saturday evening at Lake Naivasha, about 58 miles from from Nairobi, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) tweeted on Sunday. Chang Ming Chuang, 65, was with a colleague taking pictures of the hippo on the shores of the lake when the animal attacked, reports CNN. Chuang was taken to the Naivasha District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Chuang’s colleague, Wu Peng Te, 62, survived the attack with minor bruises and is recovering at the Naivasha Sopa Resort, the wildlife service said. KWS is tracking the hippo. Known as one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, hippos can snap a canoe in half with their strong jaws, according to National Geographic. Hippos kill about 500 people in Africa each year and can run at the same speed as humans for short distances when faced with danger. (IANS)