Fama says hot weather improving agriculture yield

THE heat wave sweeping the country has helped farmers improve their crop yields, but the long-term effect of the situation is yet to be known, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) acting director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri said. He said this weather, which is expected to last several months, is being monitored by the Agriculture and Food […]

WHO warns against using artificial sweeteners

ARTIFICIAL sweeteners, used to replace sugar in a vast range of products, do not help in losing weight and can have serious health effects, according to the World Health Organization. The United Nations’ health agency released new guidelines yesterday advising against using so-called non-sugar sweeteners (NSS).

14 people to be tried over French teacher’s beheading

A TOTAL of 14 people are set to face trial in France over the beheading of a teacher by an Islamist extremist in 2020, a crime that shocked the country, legal documents obtained by AFP showed on today.   The most serious charges – complicity in a terrorist murder – are being pressed against two friends […]

Ringgit closes lower against dollar

THE ringgit slipped further to end marginally lower against the US dollar today amid cautious sentiment over the global growth outlook, said an economist.  At 6pm, the local note fell to 4.4975/5005 versus the greenback from yesterday’s closing rate of  4.4960/4985. 

Japan, China ministers make first call on defence hotline

JAPAN and China used a new military hotline for the first time today, their defence ministries said, following years of negotiations to set up the communication channel. Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada held a 20-minute call with his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu, Tokyo’s ministry said in a statement.