Indonesia’s Anak Krakatoa volcano erupts, spews huge ash column

INDONESIA’S Anak Krakatoa volcano erupted today, belching a column of ash more than 3km into the sky, officials said. The volcanic island emerged from the sea at the beginning of the last century from the crater formed after the 1883 eruption of Mount Krakatoa – one of the deadliest and most destructive in history.

Penang Customs seize 1.4kg of heroin

BUTTERWORTH: The Penang Customs Department has foiled a drug trafficking attempt to a foreign country after seizing 1.4kg of drugs worth over RM132,000. Read full story

Give unity govt a chance to fulfil pledges, Zahid says

GIVE the unity government a chance to prove its worth to fellow Malaysians, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today. He said although there were grouses about the current administration not being a “game changer” by fulfilling pledges, he was still optimistic it could be achieved.

China inflation stays low as growth sputters

CHINESE inflation came in flat again last month, official figures showed today, as the country’s economy sputters owing to softening demand and falling exports, leading to calls for a rate cut and a bigger government stimulus. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2% on-year, from 0.1% in April, the National Bureau of Statistics said.