George Town, Malaysia • Investigative Reporting

（Malaysia）Three transgender individuals from Seremban were shopping at Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur on October 12, 2015, when a man approached them, soliciting sexual services. After the three refused his request, the man falsely accused them of stealing his wallet. In reality, the wallet had fallen Read moreto the ground and was immediately recovered.

"The three women reported that they were forced to strip and were subjected to insults and even physical assault during their detention," they said.

Although bail was technically available, the religious authorities imposed harsh conditions. They stipulated that only "cisgender men"—individuals whose lived experience aligns with their birth-assigned gender—were eligible to post bail for transgender individuals.

Malaysia's sodomy laws are not applied equally. They are enforced selectively and systematically to discredit and persecute LGBTQ+ individuals. Under Section 377 of Malaysia's Penal Code, sodomy is punishable by caning and up to 20 years of imprisonment. Victims are whipped with bamboo canes that have been split, creating razor-sharp edges that cut into the skin like knives. The punishment is gruesome, leaving permanent scars.

In addition to Section 377, Section 377A ensures that no homosexual individuals escape prosecution by criminalizing acts of "gross indecency" between men, punishable by up to two years in prison. The vague wording allows for prosecution of any erotic interaction between two men. While the law explicitly targets male homosexual behavior, lesbian individuals also face discrimination.

The 2006 U.S. State Department Country Report on Malaysia noted that these anti-homosexuality laws "exist and are enforced." It further highlighted that religious and cultural taboos against homosexuality are widespread. Additional evidence points to severe, systemic slander, discrimination, and persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in Malaysia, which remain shocking and appalling.

Malaysia is one of the few countries that imposes sanctions on individuals whose gender identity differs from their biological sex. These legal and institutional restrictions severely suppress the rights of transgender individuals. This article will focus on the real-life experiences of transgender individuals in prison, particularly those incarcerated for cross-dressing. Through in-depth interviews, it aims to uncover their experiences, challenges, and encounters during imprisonment, as well as how their gender identity impacts the process of serving their sentence.

Gombe, Nigeria • Finance

Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Luggerewo who appreciates the budget office for ensuring that the right things have been done also appreciates Media and staff of house for their contributions said alots of ommissions have observed during the budget depends exercise and have been clarified.

The house Read morecommittee chairman of appropriation Ali Baba Manu also disclosed that the budget exercise was hitch free adding that the budget affects indigene direct as the house is working with medium frame work expenditure  which should be the economic outlook for the year 2025.

Ali Baba Manu also said all the exchange rates, inflation, price of crude oil per barrel and other factors that sum up the income of the state which will determine the expenditure of the state have been considered by critical look at the submissions of all the MDAs in order to come up with the workable figures at the end of the exercise.

Aishatu Abdulkadir of the house of assembly service commission who depends the budget of her office on the last day of the exercise said the commission suffered lack of training of staff of the house of assembly and inadequate funds to run the affairs of the commission which is expected to be addressed in the fisical year of 2025.

The Gombe state house of assembly also form part of the last office to appear before the committee as the clerk to the house Hajiya Rukayyatu Adamu Jalo commended the state governor Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahya for awarding the contract of befitting house of assembly comflex saying when completed the activities of the Gombe state house of assembly will be improved.

Reports Indicated that during the four days of the budget depends exercise all the MDAs were ask to submit their complaints and observations to the budget office of the ministry of finance for consideration by the appropriation  committee before the end of the week.

Gombe, Nigeria • Politics, Breaking News, Travel

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gombe State Branch, has bestowed an Award of Excellence on Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and outstanding contributions to the development of the state.

The award presentation was the highlight of the Branch Read moreLaw Week, held at the multipurpose hall of Matrix International School, Gombe.

Speaking at the event, the NBA Gombe Branch Chairman, Barr. Benjamin Sati, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s sterling performance, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and water expansion projects. 

The association also lauded his commitment to sustaining and completing projects initiated by previous administrations, a rare hallmark of continuity in governance.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya, represented at the ceremony, reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the rule of law and support for the justice sector.

 He emphasized that the state government will continue to promote a harmonious relationship with the judiciary and the legal community to ensure the protection of citizens' rights and the entrenchment of good governance.

The ceremony drew the attendance of several dignitaries, including the State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Sadiya Mohammed; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar; and former Minister of Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung, among others.