Hindu priest arrested in S’pore
Singapore: The chief priest of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple was arrested on charges of “criminal breach of trust”, according to police.
The Sri Mariamman Temple had lodged a police complaint after finding out that some gold ornaments, which were in the custody of the priest, had gone missing, the temple said in a statement on Saturday. During an audit, it was discovered that the gold ornaments were missing, the temple said, according to Channel News Asia. The temple did not mention the name of the chief priest in its statement. (PTI)
One dead after ferry sinks
Bangkok: A ferry sank off the Thai island of Koh Samui, leaving at least one person dead and four others missing, officials said on Sunday.
The ferry was carrying 12 crew members and four passengers when it sank in stormy conditions Saturday night after leaving Koh Samui’s port, according to a statement on the Surat Thani Public Affairs Department Facebook page. Nine people were rescued near the sunken vessel by rescue workers. Two more were found hours later near a nearby deserted island. (AP)
UK MP held on suspicion of rape
London: A former UK minister and sitting Conservative Party lawmaker, who has not been named as he is yet to be charged, is out on bail after being arrested on suspicion of rape.
According to The Sunday Times, the allegations of rape against the parliamentarian were made by a former employee who alleges that the lawmaker assaulted her, forced her to have sex and left her so traumatised that she had to go to hospital.
“On Friday, July 31, the Metropolitan Police Service received allegations relating to four separate incidents involving allegations of sexual offences and assault,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. (PTI)
6.4 quake jolts Philippines
Manila: An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale jolted Maguindanao province in southern Philippines on Sunday, authorities said.
The Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology (Phivolcs) said the quake, which struck at 1.08 a.m., hit at a depth of 543 km, about 13 km southeast of Cotabato City, reports Xinhua news agency.
Phivolcs said the quake was also felt in the towns of Alabel, Kiamba and Malungon in Sarangani province, Tupi in South Cotabato province, General Santos City and Koronadal City. The institute said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, will trigger aftershocks but will not cause damage. (IANS)