News in Brief -(17-1-2019)

Malaysia will not host any
more events involving Israel
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16: Malaysia's foreign minister said Wednesday that the government will not budge over a ban on Israeli athletes in a para swimming competition and has decided that the country will not host any events in the future involving Israel. Malaysia, a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, is among the predominantly Muslim countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. — AP
Polish parliament honours slain
Gdansk mayor with prayer
WARSAW, Jan 16: Polish lawmakers have paid respects to the popular mayor of Gdansk, who died after being stabbed by an ex-convict with a grudge. Parliament members stood on Wednesday for a minute of silence and prayed for Pawel Adamowicz, who died on Monday after being stabbed while onstage at a fundraising event the evening before. — AP
Caravan of Honduran migrants
makes first border crossing
AGUA CALIENTE, Jan 16: The latest caravan of Honduran migrants hoping to reach the US has crossed peacefully into Guatemala, under the watchful eyes of about 200 Guatemalan police and soldiers. About 500 people, including dozens of children, lined up to show their documents to a first line of unarmed security personnel at the Agua Caliente border crossing Tuesday night. Riot police formed a second line to contain any possible disturbance. — AP
Brazil relaxes gun ownership law
BRASILIA, Jan 16: Brazil is the world's murder capital but the new president says he's determined to change that. The new far-right president believes arming his population will decrease crime. Jair Bolsonaro has signed a decree relaxing gun ownership laws. But the decision may have had a negative effect with accusations of human rights violations and the rate of homicides rising by five percent over the same period in 2017.—Al Jazeera