Cops bust 2 drug-smuggling syndicates, nab 7 in Tawau

POLICE busted two drug smuggling syndicates and detained seven men, including two civil servants, at two different locations around Tawau on March 20 and 21. Tawau police chief Jasmin Hussin said police seized syabu worth RM130,000 during the two raids. The seven suspects will be remanded for 14 days to assist in investigations.

China says Japanese national held for espionage

CHINA said today it was detaining a Japanese national on suspicion of espionage, after Tokyo urged Beijing to release one of its citizens. “Relevant Chinese authorities took criminal coercive measures this month against a Japanese citizen, in accordance with the law,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told a regular press briefing. 

MOE says STPM recognised internationally, ‘no’ to scrapping Form 6

THERE is no need to abolish Form Six and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said. She said Form Six, as well as the STPM examination, offered by the Education Ministry (MOE), is governed by the Education Act 1996 and is assured of its existence and continuation.

First Citizens to acquire collapsed Silicon Valley Bank

US bank First Citizens said today it has agreed to purchase much of Silicon Valley Bank, whose collapse this month sparked global fears about the sector. SVB, a key lender to the tech industry since the 1980s, became the biggest US bank to fail since 2008.

Ringgit ends higher against dollar

THE ringgit ended higher against the US dollar after moving in a tight range today due to muted trading, said an analyst.   At 6pm, the local note traded marginally better at 4.4190/4240 versus the greenback compared with last Friday’s closing rate of 4.4250/4305.