Government amendment to children’s wellbeing and schools bill to replace existing guidance with statutory ban

A ban on mobile phones in schools in England is to be introduced by the government to ensure that “critical safeguarding legislation” is passed.

The government will table an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill in the House of Lords after the bill was held up by peers on opposition benches.

Greens criticise premier’s ‘extraordinary attack’ on judiciary and urge him to accept he ‘got it wrong’

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The New South Wales premier has doubled down on an anti-protest law struck down in the state’s highest court last week, defending the legislation introduced by his government as “rational and proportionate”.

But advocates for protesters charged at demonstrations restricted under the laws have criticised Chris Minns’ comments, calling them a “extraordinary attack” on the judiciary.

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated there is no need to introduce the death penalty under the Road Transport Act (APJ) for cases involving drunk or drug‑influenced driving. He explained that serious cases can already be prosecuted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, if appropriate. 

Malaysia has also abolished mandatory death sentences for several serious crimes, and the government does not plan to reinstate them. Instead, amendments to the APJ will focus on ensuring victims’ families receive compensation without lengthy civil suits. Offenders found guilty will face prison, fines, and mandatory compensation. 

Loke confirmed these amendments are being drafted with the Attorney General’s Chambers and are expected to be tabled in Parliament in June 2026. This follows a recent spate of drunk driving accidents that have tragically claimed lives.

Social media users reacted harshly to the minister’s remarks, arguing that drunk driving cases deserve tougher sentences. On X, one user noted that the elements under Section 302 differ significantly when applied to reckless driving. He further emphasised that many child victims have lost their lives due to drunk driving, underscoring the need for stricter accountability.

Following that, another commented that if the minister isn’t interested in stricter DUI laws, he should introduce a mandatory law requiring motorcyclists to have full coverage insurance, calling it another major issue in Malaysia. The user explained that when a motorcyclist is at fault and crashes into a car, their insurance often fails to cover the full cost of damages.

However, another netizen expressed understanding of the minister’s stance. They pointed out that Malaysia has already abolished the mandatory death penalty, and reintroducing it for drunk driving cases would go against current legal procedures. For now, treating drunk drivers who cause fatalities as murder cases under existing provisions remains the only viable path forward.

Regardless, stricter nighttime roadblocks could help reduce the rate of fatal accidents caused by drunk drivers. At present, the government has already enforced checkpoints at popular hotspots where such incidents are known to occur, aiming to deter offenders and improve road safety.

This article (Malaysia’s position on drunk driving: strict penalties, no death sentence) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted its blanket and unconstitutional "invisible, moving" ban on drone flights near Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other government agencies -- a ban put in place to make it more difficult to cover the activity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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Paul Quinn convicted in light of DNA evidence from 2003 attack that led to notorious miscarriage of justice

• The rape case that became one of Britain’s greatest miscarriages of justice

A man who evaded justice for more than two decades has been found guilty of the 2003 rape for which Andrew Malkinson was wrongfully jailed for 17 years.

Paul Quinn, 52, was convicted by a jury on Friday after a fresh forensic analysis found traces of his DNA on the victim.

Paul Quinn’s conviction, 23 years after the attack, exposes how a victim was repeatedly failed and an innocent man wrongly jailed

• Paul Quinn found guilty of rape

One of Britain’s most shocking miscarriages of justice began before dawn on a summer day in Salford more than 20 years ago.

A young woman had walked the darkened streets alone for about five miles when she was honked at, wolf-whistled and was so frightened she hid for a while in undergrowth.

DJ spent almost three decades working for corporation and was best known for Radio 1 show from 1985 to 2000

• Andy Kershaw – obituary

The broadcaster Andy Kershaw, best known for the BBC Radio 1 show he hosted for 15 years, has died aged 66, his family told the corporation.

His long career working for the BBC began in 1984 as host of the rock music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. He co-presented the corporation’s television coverage of Live Aid.

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A realtor has been ordered to pay a $3,600 fine after flying a drone into an active wildfire zone in British Columbia, where it distracted a helicopter pilot battling the blaze.

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Apple and Google are helping users find apps that create deepfake nude images, according to a new investigation.

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