EC tells Ambiga: Don't come to us, we are powerless - ask BN!

So, the cat is out of the bag. Finally, the Election Commission has admitted it has to shadow the BN government's wishes although Prime Minister Najib Razak insists that the EC is independent.

“The EC is not an enforcement agency; it is only a management body for elections. The best we can do is to propose relevant laws to the Attorney-General’s Chambers. But ultimately it is the government of the day, which obtained majority votes, which has the final say," EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

"If the government decides that voting age is 21 years old, whatever proposal we send to the A-G’s Chambers can never go to Parliament."

Cops to come clean on Bersih rally

IGP Ismail Omar vows to reveal the findings of the special committees tasked with probing allegations of police brutality. The videos will also be made public.

KUALA LUMPUR: Investigations into allegations of police brutality during the July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally are almost completed and the findings, including videos, will be made public soon, said Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar.

He said as soon as the six special committees formed to look into the various allegations have submitted their reports, he will make the findings public.

Najib to come under Scorpenes torpedo fire this Thursday

For over two years, Parisian prosecutors, led by investigating judges Francoise Besset and Jean-Christophe Hullin, have been gingerly investigating allegations involving senior French political figures and the sales of submarines and other weaponry to governments all over the world. French news reports have said the prosecutors have backed away from some of the most serious charges out of concern for the political fallout.

The investigators are following a paper trail that would bring to the forefront corruption involving both French and Malaysian officials. And even though the investigations will not look into the murder of translator and former lover of Razak Baginda - Altantuya - the murder would definitely be on the minds of all following the case.

Shanna Bukhari Hopes to Become First Muslim to Represent Great Britain as Miss Universe

She knows she faces fierce competition from other models desperate to represent Great Britain at the Miss Universe contest. For Shanna Bukhari, 24, is hoping to make history by becoming the first Muslim to represent Great Britain at the beauty pageant.

But Shanna Bukhari also faces another battle – against religious zealots who have told her she should “rot in hell.” And she is hoping to send out a message that beauty competitions should not be off limits to Muslim women. Miss Bukhari, from Manchester, said: ‘I want other girls from Muslim communities to feel they can do this. There is so much more to it than looking pretty and as the competitions adapt, so must we. My family are right behind me and I have had support from many others on Facebook – including friends who wear head scarves – after I set up a campaign.’

She has agreed, like all other competitors, to take part in the swimsuit section of the contest but says there are some who have reacted with fury to the idea. She said: ‘Three men wrote that they would not support me because what I was doing was sinful. They said I should rot in hell which is pretty shocking. But they contradict themselves by going out clubbing, drinking and smoking.’

She added: ‘I have had amazing support  from the Asian/Pakistani community right across the UK and they want me to do well. Miss Bukhari was born in Blackburn and studied English literature at Bolton University. Her brothers and sisters and her parents all support her bid for the title. She got through to the British final after qualifying from Miss Universe Asiana, a competition for Asian women living in the UK. The winner of Miss Universe GB at the ICC Birmingham on May 1 will go on to the final in Sao Paulo on September 12.

For more information, please click here