Malaysia will cancel visa-free entry for North Koreans entering the country starting next week as diplomatic ties between the two countries fray further following the murder of Kim Jong-nam at the Kuala Lumpur airport.
North Koreans will be required to obtain a visa as of March 6 before entering Malaysia for national security reasons, state news agency Bernama reported on Thursday, citing the deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Malaysia is one of the few countries that North Koreans could visit without a visa. A reciprocal arrangement made Malaysians the only foreigners given visa-free entry to the secretive, nuclear-armed state.
The move comes two weeks after Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed at the Kuala Lumpur airport, allegedly with a toxic nerve agent.
Diplomatic ties between Malaysia and North Korea have soured since the murder, which South Korea and the US say was an assassination organised by North Korean agents.
North Korea has denied the accusations and called the allegation that the chemical weapon VX was used in killing "absurd".
North Korea tried to convince Malaysia not to perform an autopsy on Kim's body, and to release a North Korean suspect detained in connection with the murder.
A high level North Korean diplomatic delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and has held talks with members of the Malaysian cabinet to press those demands.
Malaysia has charged an Indonesian woman and a Vietnamese woman with murder. Police are also seeking to question seven others, including a senior official in the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia has insisted that laws of the country will be followed and has refused to release the body to the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, while waiting for next of kin to come forward.
The severe strain on the relationship follows decades of friendly ties between the two countries.
North Korea and Malaysia have maintained ties since the 1970s when former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad embraced the isolated state, in part to rebuff the United States.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
'Red flag' warning from watchdog over 'national crisis' in policing
The official police watchdog has said it is raising a "red flag" against the state of British policing after a damning new report found a series of failings.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found that victims are being let down, criminal cases shelved and suspects left untracked as police fail to carry out basic functions.
It also issued an unprecedented warning that a shortage of detectives and investigators amounts to a "national crisis".
"Over the last few years, HMIC has said consistently that police forces were managing well in increasingly difficult circumstances," said Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Zoe Billingham.
"Nonetheless, today, I'm raising a red flag to warn forces of the consequences of what is, to all intents and purposes, an unconscious form of rationing of police services.
"We are leading to a very serious conclusion regarding the potentially perilous state of British policing in this report."
:: How does the police force in your area rate?
But some observers have pointed out that year on year, policing budgets have been cut.
"Serving officers and retired officers have been saying for years that the cuts implemented would lead to precisely this result," said Sky News police analyst Graham Wettone.
"This is no great surprise at all. It's becoming quite a stressful situation because of the pressures involved now, there are more pressures on police officers than ever before."
The report uncovered evidence of emergency calls being downgraded in order to justify a slower response and failings in responding to vulnerable victims.
Fewer arrests were made, a large number of crimes were effectively "written off", suspects were not always pursued and inexperienced officers were left to carry out complex investigations, the review found.
HMIC said it was also warning for the first time of a national crisis in the shortage of detectives and investigators in many forces.
This is leading to excessive workloads and complex investigations are being led by those who lack appropriate experience.
In one instance inspectors saw a uniformed officer investigating rape.
Overall, one force - Durham Constabulary - was judged to be "outstanding", 28 forces were "good", 13 "require improvement" and one - Bedfordshire - was rated "inadequate".
But Bedfordshire Police's chief constable Jon Boutcher hit back at the criticism, saying: "While I welcome the inspector's comments regarding the challenges we face as a force in regards to our complex demands and lack of resources due to poor funding, it is incredibly disappointing to have been so unfairly judged."
Brandon Lewis, the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, said: "This Government has protected police funding, through the 2015 Spending Review.
"There can be no excuse for any force that fails to deliver on its obligations - those identified as inadequate or requiring improvement must take HMIC's findings very seriously and I expect to see rapid improvements."
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) found that victims are being let down, criminal cases shelved and suspects left untracked as police fail to carry out basic functions.
It also issued an unprecedented warning that a shortage of detectives and investigators amounts to a "national crisis".
"Over the last few years, HMIC has said consistently that police forces were managing well in increasingly difficult circumstances," said Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Zoe Billingham.
"Nonetheless, today, I'm raising a red flag to warn forces of the consequences of what is, to all intents and purposes, an unconscious form of rationing of police services.
"We are leading to a very serious conclusion regarding the potentially perilous state of British policing in this report."
:: How does the police force in your area rate?
But some observers have pointed out that year on year, policing budgets have been cut.
"Serving officers and retired officers have been saying for years that the cuts implemented would lead to precisely this result," said Sky News police analyst Graham Wettone.
"This is no great surprise at all. It's becoming quite a stressful situation because of the pressures involved now, there are more pressures on police officers than ever before."
The report uncovered evidence of emergency calls being downgraded in order to justify a slower response and failings in responding to vulnerable victims.
Fewer arrests were made, a large number of crimes were effectively "written off", suspects were not always pursued and inexperienced officers were left to carry out complex investigations, the review found.
HMIC said it was also warning for the first time of a national crisis in the shortage of detectives and investigators in many forces.
This is leading to excessive workloads and complex investigations are being led by those who lack appropriate experience.
In one instance inspectors saw a uniformed officer investigating rape.
Overall, one force - Durham Constabulary - was judged to be "outstanding", 28 forces were "good", 13 "require improvement" and one - Bedfordshire - was rated "inadequate".
But Bedfordshire Police's chief constable Jon Boutcher hit back at the criticism, saying: "While I welcome the inspector's comments regarding the challenges we face as a force in regards to our complex demands and lack of resources due to poor funding, it is incredibly disappointing to have been so unfairly judged."
Brandon Lewis, the Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, said: "This Government has protected police funding, through the 2015 Spending Review.
"There can be no excuse for any force that fails to deliver on its obligations - those identified as inadequate or requiring improvement must take HMIC's findings very seriously and I expect to see rapid improvements."
Government's Brexit bill defeated in Lords
The Government has been defeated over its Brexit bill in the Lords, with peers demanding protection for EU citizens in the UK.
A total of 358 voted for a Labour amendment to the bill to trigger Article 50, with 256 voting against.
It called for unilateral guarantees for approximately 3.5 million people from the bloc living in Britain.
In an attempt to head off the defeat, Amber Rudd had written a letter assuring peers that EU citizens would be treated with the utmost respect.
Labour, Lib Dem and some crossbench peers had said they felt a unilateral statement of support was necessary to remove the insecurity many felt ahead of Brexit.
Many who spoke in the debate preceding the vote said they had received many letters from people worried about the effects on their families.
Earlier, the Government's spokesman on Brexit in the Lords, Lord Bridges of Headley, had made an impassioned plea for the amendment to be defeated.
He said: "The status of EU nationals is one of the most emotive issues created by this debate. The lives of over four million people who have chosen to make this country their homes.
"I'd like to make two core points. First... between now and the date of exit, nothing will change for EU nationals living in the UK.
"Any EU citizen who is exercising EU treaty rights or has the right to remain, continues to have those rights to remain. There is no need to apply for a document to prove this.
"An EU national who has been here for five years, does not have to apply for a document to prove their right to be here permanently.
"The bill to repeal the European Communities Act (the Great Repeal Bill) will not be used to change our immigration system. This will be done through a separate immigration bill.
"After we have left the EU, the UK will continue to be bound by and observe the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights), which, in accordance with Article Eight, and appropriate case law, will protect EU nationals' rights to ... their private and family life.
"So... nothing will change for any EU citizen... without this parliament's approval."
He went on to remind the house that the issue of the long-term rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens throughout the bloc will be dealt with early in the forthcoming Article 50 negotiations.
The bill will now have to return to the Commons where ministers will have to use their majority to overturn the amendment.
If they succeed it would then 'ping pong' back to the Lords, although it is unlikely peers would force a second vote.
However, the process could delay the bill.
Theresa May is understood to be planning to trigger Article 50 around 15 March and has long had a deadline of the end of March.
A total of 358 voted for a Labour amendment to the bill to trigger Article 50, with 256 voting against.
It called for unilateral guarantees for approximately 3.5 million people from the bloc living in Britain.
In an attempt to head off the defeat, Amber Rudd had written a letter assuring peers that EU citizens would be treated with the utmost respect.
Labour, Lib Dem and some crossbench peers had said they felt a unilateral statement of support was necessary to remove the insecurity many felt ahead of Brexit.
Many who spoke in the debate preceding the vote said they had received many letters from people worried about the effects on their families.
Earlier, the Government's spokesman on Brexit in the Lords, Lord Bridges of Headley, had made an impassioned plea for the amendment to be defeated.
He said: "The status of EU nationals is one of the most emotive issues created by this debate. The lives of over four million people who have chosen to make this country their homes.
"I'd like to make two core points. First... between now and the date of exit, nothing will change for EU nationals living in the UK.
"Any EU citizen who is exercising EU treaty rights or has the right to remain, continues to have those rights to remain. There is no need to apply for a document to prove this.
"An EU national who has been here for five years, does not have to apply for a document to prove their right to be here permanently.
"The bill to repeal the European Communities Act (the Great Repeal Bill) will not be used to change our immigration system. This will be done through a separate immigration bill.
"After we have left the EU, the UK will continue to be bound by and observe the ECHR (European Court of Human Rights), which, in accordance with Article Eight, and appropriate case law, will protect EU nationals' rights to ... their private and family life.
"So... nothing will change for any EU citizen... without this parliament's approval."
He went on to remind the house that the issue of the long-term rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK citizens throughout the bloc will be dealt with early in the forthcoming Article 50 negotiations.
The bill will now have to return to the Commons where ministers will have to use their majority to overturn the amendment.
If they succeed it would then 'ping pong' back to the Lords, although it is unlikely peers would force a second vote.
However, the process could delay the bill.
Theresa May is understood to be planning to trigger Article 50 around 15 March and has long had a deadline of the end of March.
Union warns of 'nightmare' 1,100 job cuts at Ford in Bridgend
The GMB has criticised US car giant Ford as being a 'nightmare' following concerns that more than a thousand jobs could be at risk at the company's Bridgend plant.
Unions, who have been in talks with bosses at Ford this afternoon, say their worst case scenario has come true - that the company will cut 1,100 workers over a five year period, eventually leaving just 600 workers on the site.
It follows the firm's decision to cut investment in the Dragon engine project, announced in September, that would have seen the south Wales plant produce its new generation of petrol engines.
Contracts with Jaguar are also due to end in the coming years, and unions say Brexit has not helped the situation.
GMB union official Jeff Beck told Sky News: "The nightmare for our members at Bridgend has unfortunately come true.
"This is a real kick in the teeth for our hard-working members at the Ford plant as well as their families and the community as a whole."
Ford has told Sky News the Bridgend plant must fulfil its commitment in terms of delivery, quality and the cost of the products it manufactures.
It also said that just like other Ford plants around the world, winning new contracts depends on the plant's efficiency and global competitiveness.
It did not however confirm or deny the unions' claims about potential job cuts.
The Unite and GMB unions say that today's meetings mean workers are "one step closer to strike action in defence of their jobs".
One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told me he wanted assurances from Ford, and said he could not understand how a company that sells so many cars in the UK could let down its workforce.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey told Sky News: "Brexit is clearly a factor here.
"So I appeal again to the Westminster government and Theresa May to make it categorically clear without delay that there will be tariff-free access to the single market and customs union, because the uncertainty the UK's automotive sector is enduring is having damaging real-life consequences now, before talks have even begun."
The Prime Minister and Wales' First Minister, Carwyn Jones, have said they are seeking assurances from Ford to ensure the plant in Bridgend remains part of the company's "success" in Britain after leaving the European Union.
Unions, who have been in talks with bosses at Ford this afternoon, say their worst case scenario has come true - that the company will cut 1,100 workers over a five year period, eventually leaving just 600 workers on the site.
It follows the firm's decision to cut investment in the Dragon engine project, announced in September, that would have seen the south Wales plant produce its new generation of petrol engines.
Contracts with Jaguar are also due to end in the coming years, and unions say Brexit has not helped the situation.
GMB union official Jeff Beck told Sky News: "The nightmare for our members at Bridgend has unfortunately come true.
"This is a real kick in the teeth for our hard-working members at the Ford plant as well as their families and the community as a whole."
Ford has told Sky News the Bridgend plant must fulfil its commitment in terms of delivery, quality and the cost of the products it manufactures.
It also said that just like other Ford plants around the world, winning new contracts depends on the plant's efficiency and global competitiveness.
It did not however confirm or deny the unions' claims about potential job cuts.
The Unite and GMB unions say that today's meetings mean workers are "one step closer to strike action in defence of their jobs".
One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told me he wanted assurances from Ford, and said he could not understand how a company that sells so many cars in the UK could let down its workforce.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey told Sky News: "Brexit is clearly a factor here.
"So I appeal again to the Westminster government and Theresa May to make it categorically clear without delay that there will be tariff-free access to the single market and customs union, because the uncertainty the UK's automotive sector is enduring is having damaging real-life consequences now, before talks have even begun."
The Prime Minister and Wales' First Minister, Carwyn Jones, have said they are seeking assurances from Ford to ensure the plant in Bridgend remains part of the company's "success" in Britain after leaving the European Union.
Royal Mail's delivery targets may be changed due to Black Friday rush
Ofcom is considering altering the rules on delivery targets for Royal Mail because of the impact of Black Friday.
Royal Mail is exempt from the targets in December when volumes are much higher because of Christmas but Black Friday now means there is also a peak in November.
The postal firm missed its target of delivering 93% of first class mail within one day in the last financial year but was not issued with a fine by Ofcom.
That was because of "circumstances beyond Royal Mail's control", including the surge in online deliveries around Black Friday, the US discounting day that has taken hold in the UK in recent years.
Ofcom said: "We are now considering whether any changes to the rules are needed to reflect these shifting online shopping habits.
"However, Ofcom expects Royal Mail to hit the delivery targets it is set."
It did not say what the changes might be.
But possible options might include: extending the December exemption into November; shifting the whole month-long window back so that it starts and finishes a bit earlier; or setting targets in a different way.
Royal Mail targets include the 93% benchmark for next-day first class delivery and for 98.5% of second class mail to be delivered within three working days.
The proposal by Ofcom comes days after it was announced that stamp prices were to increase by 1p or 2p from later this month.
It was announced as the regulator concluded a review of Royal Mail and its universal service obligation and decided the current framework for regulation would be extended from 2019 to 2022.
Ofcom said it had decided not to impose new controls on prices but it would tighten the rules about how it sells wholesale services to rival operators.
Jonathan Oxley, Ofcom competition director, said: "We know people value the universal postal service and we will continue to ensure that it remains effective.
"Our review has shown that current rules are generally working well for companies and households.
"Royal Mail still has room to improve. So we'll keep a very close eye on all aspects of the company's performance, and step in if we need to protect consumers from high prices."
Royal Mail said it was reviewing Ofcom's statement and would respond in due course.O
Royal Mail is exempt from the targets in December when volumes are much higher because of Christmas but Black Friday now means there is also a peak in November.
The postal firm missed its target of delivering 93% of first class mail within one day in the last financial year but was not issued with a fine by Ofcom.
That was because of "circumstances beyond Royal Mail's control", including the surge in online deliveries around Black Friday, the US discounting day that has taken hold in the UK in recent years.
Ofcom said: "We are now considering whether any changes to the rules are needed to reflect these shifting online shopping habits.
"However, Ofcom expects Royal Mail to hit the delivery targets it is set."
It did not say what the changes might be.
But possible options might include: extending the December exemption into November; shifting the whole month-long window back so that it starts and finishes a bit earlier; or setting targets in a different way.
Royal Mail targets include the 93% benchmark for next-day first class delivery and for 98.5% of second class mail to be delivered within three working days.
The proposal by Ofcom comes days after it was announced that stamp prices were to increase by 1p or 2p from later this month.
It was announced as the regulator concluded a review of Royal Mail and its universal service obligation and decided the current framework for regulation would be extended from 2019 to 2022.
Ofcom said it had decided not to impose new controls on prices but it would tighten the rules about how it sells wholesale services to rival operators.
Jonathan Oxley, Ofcom competition director, said: "We know people value the universal postal service and we will continue to ensure that it remains effective.
"Our review has shown that current rules are generally working well for companies and households.
"Royal Mail still has room to improve. So we'll keep a very close eye on all aspects of the company's performance, and step in if we need to protect consumers from high prices."
Royal Mail said it was reviewing Ofcom's statement and would respond in due course.O
Woman, 99, has dream of being arrested come true
Police in the Netherlands have helped a 99-year-old woman's dream come true… by letting her spend time in a jail cell.
Annie had told an officer that one of her final wishes was experiencing prison from an inmate's perspective.
Despite lacking the criminal requirements to get locked up, police in Nijmegen were happy to help - and the pensioner was seen beaming as she was put in a cell.
To add a little authenticity to proceedings, Annie was also handcuffed for her brief time in the clink.
On Facebook, the force described it as "a day to remember".
Locals have praised the police for helping Annie tick the item off her rather unusual bucket list.
Hopefully, any other wild life ambitions will keep her on the right side of the law.
Annie had told an officer that one of her final wishes was experiencing prison from an inmate's perspective.
Despite lacking the criminal requirements to get locked up, police in Nijmegen were happy to help - and the pensioner was seen beaming as she was put in a cell.
To add a little authenticity to proceedings, Annie was also handcuffed for her brief time in the clink.
On Facebook, the force described it as "a day to remember".
Locals have praised the police for helping Annie tick the item off her rather unusual bucket list.
Hopefully, any other wild life ambitions will keep her on the right side of the law.
Saudi King Salman packs 460 tonnes for nine-day trip
It's hard to travel light for anyone but especially tough if you're a royal. Just ask the king of Saudi Arabia.
He's arrived in Indonesia as part of a rare royal tour of Asia with nearly 460 tonnes of luggage and an entourage of 1,500 people, according to Indonesian officials.
Had King Salman been flying with a commercial airline he'd have needed 23,000 bags to split his gear into typical 20kg suitcases. On Easyjet that would have led to a £690,000 bill for excess baggage.
Thankfully for the king his official jet was on hand to take him to Halim airport in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
Several other jets carrying his entourage and equipment also arrived in the country.
Among his baggage were Mercedes limousines and special escalators and lifts to help the 81-year-old descend from his plane.
His visit to Indonesia is the first by a Saudi royal in 47 years and comes as the world's biggest oil importer looks to diversify its economy.
He was greeted at the airport by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo and a guard of honour before being escorted to the presidential palace in Bogor.
Tens of thousands of people lined the route to the palace as part of the official welcome.
The two countries are expected to sign 10 agreements during the three-day visit, in areas such as religion, education and science.
The king will then spend a further six days on holiday with his entourage in Bali.
King Salman has already visited Malaysia and is due to visit Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives next.
He's arrived in Indonesia as part of a rare royal tour of Asia with nearly 460 tonnes of luggage and an entourage of 1,500 people, according to Indonesian officials.
Had King Salman been flying with a commercial airline he'd have needed 23,000 bags to split his gear into typical 20kg suitcases. On Easyjet that would have led to a £690,000 bill for excess baggage.
Thankfully for the king his official jet was on hand to take him to Halim airport in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.
Several other jets carrying his entourage and equipment also arrived in the country.
Among his baggage were Mercedes limousines and special escalators and lifts to help the 81-year-old descend from his plane.
His visit to Indonesia is the first by a Saudi royal in 47 years and comes as the world's biggest oil importer looks to diversify its economy.
He was greeted at the airport by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo and a guard of honour before being escorted to the presidential palace in Bogor.
Tens of thousands of people lined the route to the palace as part of the official welcome.
The two countries are expected to sign 10 agreements during the three-day visit, in areas such as religion, education and science.
The king will then spend a further six days on holiday with his entourage in Bali.
King Salman has already visited Malaysia and is due to visit Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives next.
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