Soldier killed as separatists ambush military in Indonesia’s Papua

ARMED separatists ambushed a group of Indonesian soldiers searching for a kidnapped New Zealand pilot in the Papua region, killing at least one, the army said today. Indonesia’s military said the group was scouring the remote, hilly Nduga district yesterday when gunmen opened fire, leaving at least one soldier dead.

MMEA nabs 2 men, seizes 901kg of cooking oil in Tawau

A CARGO boat carrying 901 kilogrammes (kg) of Ibu brand cooking oil that exceeded the allowed quota of 500kg, led to the seizure and arrest of two men by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in the waters of Tawau, yesterday. Tawau MMEA director Maritime Captain Shahrizan Raman said that his team was conducting Op […]

Saudi Arabia transfers more Aramco oil shares to wealth fund

SAUDI Arabia has put a second four-percent chunk of shares of the Aramco oil giant, worth tens of billions of dollars, under the control of the country’s sovereign wealth fund, state media said today. The move, part of a campaign to open up the oil-rich kingdom’s economy, follows a transfer last year of four percent […]

Fahmi wants public more involved in digital economy

THE people need to take advantage of government facilities and get involved in the digital economy to alleviate poverty, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said. He said facilities such as the Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) mean the people have no excuse not to work towards ending poverty.

Putin applauds ‘strengthening’ role of church amid conflict

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin marked Orthodox Easter Sunday by applauding the “strengthening” role of the church for society and youth, while the country’s top bishop supported the offensive in Ukraine. “I would like to express my profound gratitude for your tireless and selfless work in preserving the enduring historical, spiritual, moral and family values, by […]

Peat soil fires causing health problems to Bachok villagers

PEAT soil fires in and around Kampung Beris Lalang and Kampung Beoh, Bachok burning for the past three weeks, have caused numerous health concerns among the local communities. Villagers in Kampung Beris Lalang and Kampung Beoh are afraid of opening windows in their houses for fear of debris or dust coming into their houses.

Sivakumar suspends private secretary as corruption scandal deepens

HUMAN Resources Minister V. Sivakumar has suspended his private secretary along with two special functions officers following their arrest by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) during an investigation into migrant worker approvals. There has been no comment so far from the minister or his senior staff on the matter.