IN case you missed it, here is a list of news handpicked by an Astro AWANI editor for the week beginning Aug 22 to Aug 28, 2016.

The top headlines for the week include major earthquakes in Italy and Myanmar, a popular preacher embroiled in a sexual misconduct allegation and a young woman killed in central Kuala Lumpur after a crane head fell on her car in a freak accident.


MONDAY, AUG 22: Justin Trudeau defends Islamic swimsuits burkini

A Muslim woman wears a burkini, a swimsuit that leaves only the face, hands and feet exposed, on a beach in Marseille, France on Aug 17, 2016. - REUTERS
A spillover from last week's brouhaha on France's ban on burkinis on its beach, the Canadian Prime Minister has stepped up to defend the usage of the swimsuit for Muslim women.


TUESDAY, AUG 23: Proton launches new Persona

The all new Proton Persona. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
Equipped with an Eco-drive mode indicator, the second-generation Persona aims to attract young executives. (PHOTOS)


WEDNESDAY, AUG 24: Strong quake hits Norcia in central Italy

A damaged house is pictured in San Lorenzo, near the Italian village of Amatrice, on August 27, 2016, three days after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the region. - AFP Photo
A strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Italy in the early hours, leaving almost 300 people dead.

RM200,000 more for Rio Olympic stars

Najib with the Rio Olympic medal winners at the KLIA in Sepang on Aug 24. - Astro AWANI/Shahir Omar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announces an additional RM200,000 reward for all Malaysian athletes who brought home medals from the Rio Olympics. (PHOTOS)

Ustaz Kazim denies sexual misconduct at his school

The social media had been abuzz with claims that several new students of the Maahad Tahfiz Datul Barakah in Perak had been subjected to sexual misconduct. - jalinanmasyarakatjsu.blogspot.my
Popular preacher Datuk Mohammad Kazim Elias denies allegations that some students in his religious school, Maahad Tahfiz Darul Barakah, had been molested.

Myanmar struck by powerful earthquake

The damage caused on a temple in the ancient city of Bagan. - Twitter
A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar, causing several temples in the ancient city of Bagan to collapse. (PHOTOS)


THURSDAY, AUG 25: Woman dies in freak accident

The scene on Jalan Raja Chulan in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday night after a crane part from a nearby construction site fell on a car.
A 24-year-old woman was killed when a part of a crane from a nearby construction site on Jalan Raja Chulan in Kuala Lumpur struck her car.


FRIDAY, AUG 26: Girl, 10, drugged, sexually assaulted, killed and dismembered. One of the suspects: Her mother.

Victoria Martens
Victoria Martens was murdered in cold blood just hours before her 10th birthday party. Three people, including her own mother, have been charged in connection with her death.


SATURDAY, AUG 27: First Malaysian infected with Zika

A file photo of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that can spread the Zika virus, among other diseases. Singapore authorities are working to carry out vector control and testing of residents with fever and rashes in Aljunied Crescent, where the victim resided, to reduce the risk of further spread. - AFP Photo
A 47-year-old woman in Singapore is believed to be the first Malaysian to be infected by the Zika virus, despite her not travelling to any Zika-affected areas recently.

An 'uneventful' #TangkapMO1 rally

The 'Tangkap Malaysian Official 1' rally held at the city centre on Saturday. - Astro AWANI/Mariah Ahmad
The ‘Tangkap Malaysian Official 1’ rally by youth activist group Gerakan Anak Muda to call for the arrest of the "Malaysian Official 1" named by the civil lawsuit by the US Department of Justice, was held in the city without any untoward incident.

SUNDAY, AUG 28: Khir Toyo takes a second wife

Dr Mohamad Khir, 51, and Christine Zanitrah, whose original name was Christine Tan before she converted to Islam last April, got married at a ceremony held in the country.
The former Selangor menteri besar weds for the second time, with 39-year-old civil servant Christine Zanitrah Abdullah.