Rosmah told to enter defence over corruption charge and other news you may have missed

KINI ROUNDUP | Here are key headlines you may have missed, in brief.

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1. The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has ordered Rosmah Mansor to enter her defence for the RM187.5 million graft charge against her, and found the infamous “Can I advise you something?” recording admissible as evidence.

2. Next is Malaysiakini’s turn in the dock. The Federal Court will deliver its verdict on the contempt proceedings against the news portal and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan today.

3. Movement control order rules have been relaxed again, as the government lifts some restrictions for dining-in and vehicle capacity.

4. Lynas’ new permanent disposal facility would be situated near several Felda settlements as part of a much larger industrial waste disposal facility. It would require at least 100 years of radiological and environmental monitoring.

5. The founder of the controversial dating service Sugarbook was arrested on Wednesday. He was released after the High Court in Shah Alam rejected the police’s remand application, only to be rearrested over allegations of rape and prostitution.

6. Following Covid-19 outbreaks involving hostels for factory workers, Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said workers in housing “not suitable for human habitation” would be relocated to alternative sites, and warned those who refuse to ensure their migrant workers are vaccinated would be jailed.

7. A Health Ministry expert urged members of the public not to be picky over Covid-19 vaccines as all approved vaccines would protect against the disease and warned that immunity acquired through natural infectious could wane in a matter of months.

8. The government is beginning to introduce the use of deep throat saliva samples for Covid-19 testing in place of the more invasive nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs, after finding that it provides good performance in RT-PCR tests.

9. Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh wants attorney-general Idrus Harun to explain why the case against an online portal which posted a seditious message in her name has been categorised as "no further action".

10. Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and four other Pejuang members succeeded in being added as parties in legal action over the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's earlier decision to refuse the emergency proclamation last year.