Showing posts with label CHINA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CHINA. Show all posts

Oscar Pistorius 'suicide risk' - psychologist's report

Oscar Pistorius has post-traumatic stress disorder and is at risk of suicide, according to a psychologist's report submitted at his murder trial.
The report, read by his defence lawyer, said he was mourning his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
On Monday, the court heard that he was not suffering from a mental disorder when he shot Ms Steenkamp.
He denies murder, saying he killed her by mistake when fearing there was an intruder in the house.
The prosecution says the Olympic athlete deliberately killed Ms Steenkamp, a model and law graduate, after the couple had an argument.

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Both prosecution and defence have accepted the findings of the psychologist's report. The BBC's Andrew Harding, who was in court, notes that both sides can interpret its findings favourably.
Two reports - one by a psychologist and another by three psychiatrists - were drawn up after a month of tests to evaluate the athlete's state of mind.
The prosecution on Monday noted that the psychiatrists' report said Mr Pistorius, 27, was capable of distinguishing between right and wrong and so should bear criminal responsibility for his actions.
Oscar Pistorius in court (02/07)Oscar Pistorius was on Tuesday described as an "astute businessman"
Defence lawyer Barry Roux on Wednesday quoted the second evaluation as saying that Mr Pistorius, a double-amputee, has a history of feeling insecure and vulnerable, especially without his prosthetic legs.
"Should he not receive proper clinical care, his condition is likely to worsen and increase the risks for suicide," Mr Roux quoted the report as saying.
It also said he did not show signs of narcissism or explosive rage, which is usually seen in men who are abusive to their partners.
The court has previously heard that Ms Steenkamp had sent the athlete a message saying: "I'm scared of you sometimes."
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At the scene: Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Pretoria
Another defence witness has described Oscar Pistorius as anxious and vulnerable. Professor Wayne Derman, who has known the athlete and treated him for six years testified about his "exaggerated response" when in uncomfortable situations - the "fight or flight" response.
With the case coming to an end, two reports were pitted against each other, with each side quoting favourable excerpts.
A report by a psychologist in the panel found that Mr Pistorius showed no signs of an explosive temper, narcissism or abusive behaviour, while a report by the three psychiatrists concluded that he could distinguish right from wrong.
Both, however, agreed that he did not suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, discrediting the testimony of a previous defence expert, which had led to the month-long, court-ordered evaluation.
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Final defence witness Wayne Derman, professor of sports and exercise medicine at the University of Cape Town, is currently testifying.
Earlier, Mr Pistorius' manager was cross-examined, with prosecutor Gerrie Nel concentrating on the sprinter's reported rows with roommate Arnu Fourie and his love life.
On Tuesday, Peet van Zyl said Mr Pistorius had become a "global icon" at the 2012 London Olympics and could have increased his income five or six times.
He competed in both the Paralympic and Olympic games.
Mr van Zyl said the athlete was also an "astute businessman" and there were a lot of opportunities for him because of his raised profile.
Our correspondent says that as he sat in the dock, Mr Pistorius must surely have contemplated the future outlined by Mr van Zyl - a future now utterly transformed.
Mr van Zyl is among the last defence witnesses to be called.
Our correspondent understands that the prosecution may then ask the psychologist who assessed Mr Pistorius over the past month to give evidence.
The defence team has said Mr Pistorius was suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Mr Pistorius says he fired multiple shots into a toilet cubicle where Ms Steenkamp was, while in a state of panic.
File photo: Oscar Pistorius (right) and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp pose for a picture in Johannesburg, 7 February 2013Mr Pistorius says he mistook his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder
Mr Pistorius and Ms Steenkamp, 29, had been dating for about three months before the shooting.
He has often displayed his emotions during the trial, including breaking down in tears in court.
There are no juries at trials in South Africa, so the athlete's fate will ultimately be decided by the judge, assisted by two assessors.
If found guilty of murder, Mr Pistorius, who went on trial on 3 March, could face life imprisonment. If he is acquitted of that charge, the court will consider an alternative charge of culpable homicide, for which he could - if convicted - receive about 15 years in prison.

Syria chemical weapons moved to US ship in Italy

A ship carrying deadly material from Syria's chemical weapons programme has docked in Italy, in the final phases in the destruction of the arsenal.
Danish vessel Ark Futura arrived at the port of Gioia Tauro with a cargo that includes mustard gas and components of the nerve agents, VX and sarin.
The material is being transferred to a US naval vessel for eventual neutralisation at sea.
Syria agreed to the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile last year.
The deal - backed by the UN and brokered by the US and Russia - was struck amid the threat of US air strikes, triggered by a sarin gas attack on a rebel-held suburb of Damascus.
Security cordon
The latest shipment marks the closing phases in the operation to destroy Syria's toxic arsenal.
The Danish vessel docked on Wednesday morning, accompanied by Italian coast guard ships and a military helicopter.
Its cargo is being transferred amid tight security, with access roads to the port sealed off.
Ark Futura at Gioia Tauro - Courtesy Italian Fire ServiceThe Ark Futura docked next to the US vessel MV Cape Ray
Ships at Gioia Tauro - Courtesy Italian Fire ServiceThe two ships were connected by a ramp as cranes began lifting containers from one to the other
Italian emergency workers at Gioia TauroItalian authorities have been keen to dispel concerns over the safety of the operation
Cranes have been seen lifting large containers on to the US navy ship, MV Cape Ray, in an operation that is expected to last 20 hours.
During hydrolysis, the chemical agents are broken down with hot water and then further neutralised with sodium hydroxide - also known as caustic soda or lye.
The BBC's Rome correspondent, Alan Johnston, says this process will only begin after the American ship has steamed far out to the sea - because of its hazardous cargo.
Any remaining waste is expected to be buried on land, in purpose-built facilities.
Italy's Environment Minister, Gian Luca Galletti, said on Twitter that he was proud of his country's "contribution to international security", adding that the operation at Gioia Tauro was transparent and environmentally safe.
However, a trade unionist at the port told AFP he was concerned about the transfer. "This is not a routine operation, it's a military operation and we are very worried," Domenico Macri said.
"If there's an accident, a container breaks or falls, the substances which would come out could do serious damage," he said.

China bans Xinjiang officials from observing Ramadan fast

Several government departments in China's far western region of Xinjiang have banned Muslim staff from fasting during the month of Ramadan.
One department website said that civil servants cannot "take part in fasting and other religious activities".
The move comes amid tightened security in the region which has been hit by a growing number of violent attacks.
Authorities blame separatist Muslim Uighurs, but Uighur leaders deny they are behind the attacks.
Activists have accused Beijing of exaggerating the threat from Uighur separatists to justify a crackdown on the Uighurs' religious and cultural freedoms.
Increasing tensions
State-administered Bozhou Radio and TV University said on its website that the fasting ban applied to party members, teachers and young people.
Policewomen from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team run in formation during a graduation performance as members of an anti-terrorist patrol team in Xinjiang (June 2014) China has been accused of suppressing the cultural and religious freedoms of Uighurs
Uighurs in China's Xinjiang region (June 2014)Most members of the Uighur ethnic minority are Muslim
"We remind everyone that they are not permitted to observe a Ramadan fast," it said.
Similarly a weather bureau in western Xinjiang was reported by the AFP news agency to have said on its website that the ban was "in accordance with instructions from higher authorities".
The BBC's Martin Patience in Beijing says that this is not the first time that China has restricted fasting in Xinjiang.
Map
But our correspondent says that with Beijing blaming extremist Uighurs for growing violence, the ban is likely to be seen by many Muslims as an attack on their religion, further increasing tensions.
Among those imposing a ban are a commercial affairs department and a government hospital which got Muslim staff to sign a written pledge that they would not fast.
State-run newspapers have in addition been running editorials warning about the health dangers of fasting.
Many Uighurs say that the suppression of their cultural and religious freedoms is fuelling the unrest in the region and attacks elsewhere in China.
Last month 13 assailants were killed in an attack on a police station in the restive province.
 
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