Commonwealth news update

Abstract

A growing scandal over phone-hacking, alleged bribery of senior police officers and the use of convicted private investigators to obtain private information illegally enveloped Rupert Murdoch's global media empire, News Corporation. Murdoch and his son James were questioned by MPs as pressure grew in Britain, and abroad, to curb the tycoon's dominant role. Malta voted to legalise divorce. A corruption inquiry called for action against South Africa's police chief, an ally of President Jacob Zuma. Nearly 1,400 protesters were arrested and a dozen injured, including opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, as 20,000 people demanded electoral reform in Malaysia, while at least 18 people were killed during two days of public unrest in Malawi. A policeman was jailed for using a toilet reserved for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. © 2011 The Round Table Ltd.