10 killed in Sweden’s worst mass shooting
Orebro, Feb 5: Sweden’s worst mass shooting left at least 11 people dead, including the gunman, and at least five seriously wounded at an adult education center west of Stockholm. The gunman’s motive hadn’t been determined by early Wednesday as the Scandinavian nation – where gun violence at schools is very rare – reeled from an attack. Officials said on Wednesday that three women and two men, all with gunshot wounds, underwent surgery at Orebro University Hospital. All were in serious but stable condition after being admitted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Jonas Claesson, regional director of health and medical services, said that two of the gunshot victims were in intensive care Wednesday. All of the victims are over age 18, officials said. (AP)
One dead in shooting at Ohio cosmetics warehouse
New Albany, Feb 5: One person has died and five others were wounded in a shooting on Tuesday night at a cosmetics warehouse in Ohio, officials said. The victims have been transported to hospitals and the suspect is no longer believed to be at the building, said Josh Poland, a spokesperson for the city of New Albany. New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones described the shooting just before 11 p.m. as a “targeted type of attack” and said officials don’t believe the suspect poses a general threat to the public. (AP)
Rapper starts jail term for promoting ill will in S’pore
Singapore, Feb 5: Indian-origin Rapper Subhas Nair on Wednesday began his six-week jail term for attempting to promote ill will among racial and religious groups through online posts in multi-ethnic Singapore. The 32-year-old Singaporean, whose full name is Subhas Govin Prabhakar Nair, appealed against his conviction and sentence before Justice Hoo Sheau Peng over two days starting last year. The High Court had dismissed his appeals, the Channel News Asia reported. For attempting to promote feelings of ill will between racial or religious groups, Nair could have been jailed up to three years, fined or both. (PTI)
Law for maintaining racial harmony
Singapore, Feb 5: Singapore’s parliament has passed the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill and accompanying constitutional amendments. Key provisions in the bill include a “Restraining Order” regime, a community-based approach to addressing racial incidents, and safeguards to prevent race-based entities from becoming tools of foreign influence. (IANS)