Month: June 2023
- World News
Malaysia seeks to improve ‘Allah’ usage directive with Islamic scholars
The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) recently held a meeting with Islamic scholars and religious teachers in an effort to develop a proposal aimed at improving the administrative directive on the use of the word ‘Allah.’ This move comes in response to the order issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on June 5,…
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Sarawak Dayak National Union seeks answers on Iban alphabet, native language institution
The Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) is seeking answers from the Sarawak state government regarding two proposals it submitted 14 years ago. The proposals included the adoption of the Iban alphabet in the education system and the establishment of an institution dedicated to the development of native Sarawak languages. SDNU president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom stated that after successfully…
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20,000 Man City fans in Istanbul for Champions League showdown
Istanbul is preparing to welcome an influx of 20,000 Manchester City supporters, as the team gears up to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final this Saturday night. The Turkish authorities are relieved that the city does not appear to be overwhelmed by football fans, and English police officers are optimistic that the chaos experienced during last year’s…
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Partygate aides among honourees in Johnson’s resignation list
The resignation honours list of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been released, revealing nominations for political aides involved in the partygate scandal. Martin Reynolds, who earned the nickname “party Marty,” has been awarded a Companion of the Bath (CB). Reynolds gained notoriety for inviting people to “socially distanced drinks” in the Number 10 garden during the first national lockdown…
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Boris Johnson resigns, avoiding career-ending suspension and by-election
In a surprising turn of events, Boris Johnson announced his resignation on Friday, effectively putting an end to his political career. Despite hints of a possible comeback in his resignation statement, it seems unlikely that Johnson will return to the political stage. Some MPs may call for his return if the Conservatives underperform in the next general election, but the…
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Umno Women and Youth wings embrace former rivals for Malaysian stability
Sections of Umno Youth and Women leaders in Malaysia have announced their readiness to work alongside former rivals within the national unity government, putting aside years of hostility for the sake of the country’s political stability. Leaders from the party’s Women and Youth wings spoke about the importance of this collaboration during this year’s Umno general assembly. As Malaysia gears…
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Disney’s Hotstar offers free mobile streaming of cricket tournaments in India
Hotstar, owned by Walt Disney Co, has announced that it will provide free streaming of cricket tournaments in India on mobile devices, following the success of rival JioCinema’s similar strategy in the cricket-loving nation. The streaming platform will offer the Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup tournaments at no cost to users, aiming to make the matches accessible…
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Pakistan targets 6.54% deficit with $50.45bn budget to unlock IMF funds
Pakistan’s finance minister has announced a budget deficit target of 6.54% of economic output for the upcoming fiscal year, starting July 1. This figure is slightly lower than the current year’s revised estimate of 7%. The budget aims to satisfy the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure the release of bailout funds for the crisis-stricken country, which is due to…
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South Korea summons China’s ambassador over ‘senseless’ US tilt accusation
South Korea’s foreign ministry has called on China’s ambassador, expressing concerns over comments made by the diplomat that accused Seoul of favouring the United States over China. This comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing escalate in the battle for global influence. On Friday, South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin cautioned Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming about his “senseless…
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US bans Chinese printer maker Ninestar, chemical firm over Uighur abuse links
In a move to combat human rights abuses in China, the US has imposed a ban on imports from Chinese printer manufacturer Ninestar Corp and chemical company Xingjang Zhongtai Chemical Co Ltd. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused these companies of participating in business practices that target China’s Uighurs and other persecuted groups. Ninestar, which claims to…
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Blinken’s delayed China trip aims to mend strained US relations
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is reportedly planning a visit to China this month in an effort to mend the tense relationship between the two nations. According to unnamed US officials, Blinken is expected to arrive in Beijing on June 18 for discussions with high-ranking Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Qin Gang and potentially President Xi Jinping. US…
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Newcastle secures £25m annual shirt deal with Saudi-backed Sela
Newcastle United has inked a lucrative multi-year shirt sponsorship agreement with Saudi events management firm Sela, following the lifting of a temporary ban on owner-related commercial deals. The sponsorship, reportedly valued at £25 million annually, comes as both organisations experience rapid growth. Sela is supported by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also owns an 80% stake in Newcastle…
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Boris Johnson resigns as MP, citing Partygate probe as reason
Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has resigned from his position as a Member of Parliament, citing a parliamentary investigation into the “Partygate” scandal as the reason for his departure. The 58-year-old announced his resignation on Friday, causing an immediate by-election in his constituency and putting pressure on his successor, Rishi Sunak. The parliamentary inquiry was…
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US accuses Iran of aiding Russian drone factory near Moscow
The US government has accused Iran of assisting Russia in establishing a drone manufacturing facility near Moscow, indicating a deepening of their defence collaboration. According to a statement by White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, US intelligence has discovered that Iran has supplied material support for the plant, which could become operational early next year. Furthermore, US officials…
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Serbians demand interior minister resignation amid anti-violence protests
A wave of anti-government sentiment has swept through Serbia, with tens of thousands of citizens taking to the streets in Belgrade for the sixth time since May 3. This public outcry has been fueled by a perceived culture of violence, which many believe is responsible for the deaths of 18 individuals in two mass shootings. The protesters are calling for…
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Breaking Bad actor Mike Batayeh dies aged 52 from sudden heart attack
US actor and comedian Mike Batayeh, best known for his role in the hit series Breaking Bad, has passed away at the age of 52. His family informed TMZ that he died in his sleep on June 1 at his Michigan home, following a heart attack. Batayeh had no known history of heart problems, and his family described his passing…
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Officer rescues kidnapped woman after spotting ‘help me’ plea during traffic stop
A woman in South Carolina was rescued from her alleged kidnapper after mouthing “help me” to a police officer during a traffic stop. The incident occurred on 28 May when Officer Kayla Wallace stopped a white Jeep for running a red light. The distressed female driver informed Wallace that the male passenger, Collins Bates, 29 years old, had abducted her…
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Trump faces prison over classified files, obstructing investigation
Former US President Donald Trump faces criminal charges for the second time in recent months, this time concerning his handling of classified files after leaving the White House. Thousands of documents, including around 100 marked as classified, were seized in an FBI search at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago last year. Legal experts suggest that Trump, who plans to run for…
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Ex-Trump aide charged over national security document mishandling
A former aide to ex-President Donald Trump, Walt Nauta, has been charged alongside Trump for the alleged mishandling of national security documents. Nauta, a US Navy veteran, served as a White House military valet during Trump’s presidency and later became his assistant at his Florida mansion after Trump left office. Nauta is facing six charges, including conspiracy to obstruct justice,…
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Backpack hero thwarts knife attack in Annecy, praised by Macron
A young man who has been hailed as a “hero with a backpack” in French media attempted to stop a knife attack in Annecy that left four children seriously injured. Henri, 24 years old, was captured on video chasing the suspect and using his bag to fend him off. As a Catholic pilgrim, he has been travelling around France visiting…
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Annecy knife attack: Child victims show positive recovery signs
Emmanuel Macron, the French President, has expressed optimism about the condition of child victims of a knife attack that took place in Annecy on Thursday. During his visit to the town, he mentioned that a young British girl had awoken after surgery, and a Dutch toddler was also said to be recovering. The suspect, a 31-year-old Syrian man with refugee…
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Ukrainian flood survivors rescued amid Russian occupation and destroyed bridges
The quaint southern Ukrainian village of Kardashynka, situated in the marshy lowlands of the Dnipro River’s eastern bank, remains under Russian occupation. Although the city of Kherson was liberated last November, destroyed bridges have prevented villagers from crossing the river. However, this week, amidst catastrophic floods, some villagers managed to make the journey as they were rescued. Maryna and Valentyna,…
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Ukraine’s counter-offensive escalates as Russian dam destruction causes floods
Ukraine’s long-awaited counter-offensive against Russian forces may have begun, as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently confirmed in a video interview. For weeks, Ukraine has been carrying out “shaping operations,” which involve long-range artillery and missile attacks on crucial Russian logistical targets. Small Ukrainian units have now moved towards Russian fortifications in southern Ukraine, southeast of Zaporizhzhia, indicating a possible shift…
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Mirror publisher apologises to actress Nikki Sanderson in hacking case
Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) has issued a court apology to former Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson for using private investigators to gather stories about her. The apology was made during Sanderson’s ongoing High Court case against the publisher, where she is seeking damages for 37 articles published in the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and People newspapers between 1999 and 2009.…
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Teen dies in e-bike collision with ambulance after police pursuit
A tragic accident in Salford has left a 15-year-old boy dead after his e-bike collided with an ambulance. Saul Cookson was being followed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) traffic officers when his e-bike crashed into a North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) vehicle. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has launched an investigation into the incident. Saul’s mother, Emma Frendo,…
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Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list rewards allies with peerages and knighthoods
Boris Johnson’s resignation honours list has been released, with some of his closest allies, including Priti Patel and Jacob Rees-Mogg, receiving peerages and other awards. The list was published just hours before Johnson stepped down as an MP. Simon Clarke and Rees-Mogg were both knighted, while Patel was made a dame. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and London Assembly member…
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Boris Johnson resigns as MP amid Partygate report controversy
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his immediate resignation as a Conservative MP following receipt of an advance copy of the Partygate report. The MP-led Privileges Committee investigated whether Johnson misled Parliament regarding lockdown-breaching parties at Downing Street. In response, Johnson accused the inquiry of attempting to “drive me out” and claimed the process was “the very definition of…
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Arrest made in search for missing 21-year-old Northern Ireland woman
Authorities in Northern Ireland are intensifying their search for Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman who has been missing for a week. Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in Ballymena town centre, County Antrim, on June 3. A 26-year-old man has been arrested in Lurgan, County Armagh, and is cooperating with the investigation. Mitchell is now considered a high-risk missing person,…
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Boris Johnson resigns as MP, blaming ‘anti-democratic’ privileges committee
In a surprising move, Boris Johnson has resigned as an MP, citing the Privileges Committee’s investigation into his statements about Downing Street parties as the reason for his departure. He accused the committee, chaired by Harriet Harman, of showing “egregious bias” and using the proceedings against him to drive him out of parliament. The cross-party Commons committee, which began its…
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Backpack hero saves children in French park stabbing rampage
A 24-year-old man has been praised as the “backpack hero” for confronting a suspect who had stabbed a British girl and five others in a French park, using his bag as a shield. Henri, who was on a nine-month Catholic pilgrimage around France’s cathedrals, acted on instinct to protect the children present during the attack. Four children, aged between 22…
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Nadine Dorries resigns as MP, triggering Mid Bedfordshire by-election
Nadine Dorries, former Conservative minister and close ally of Boris Johnson, has declared her resignation as an MP, effective immediately. Dorries, who previously served as the culture secretary, stated that it had been an honour to serve in Mid Bedfordshire and that it is now time for someone else to take over. The Tories currently hold a 24,000 majority in…
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Boris Johnson resigns as MP, claims witch hunt forces departure
In a surprising move, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his immediate resignation as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, a position he has held since 2015. Johnson claims that he is being “driven out” of politics by the Privileges Committee, which he accuses of using proceedings against him to force him out of Parliament. In a lengthy statement,…
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Boris Johnson quits as MP, triggering by-election
Boris Johnson has revealed his decision to resign as an MP, effective immediately, following the receipt of a report investigating whether he lied to MPs about partygate. In a scathing statement, the ex-prime minister claimed that the privileges committee was intent on using the proceedings against him to force him out of parliament. As a result, Johnson informed his association…
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Penang achieves 47% progress in 5 years towards 2030 Vision goals
Penang has made significant progress in its five-year plan after launching the Penang 2030 Vision, with 47% of the 210 projects and programmes implemented. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow stated that the state government would continue to work towards making the Penang 2030 Vision a reality, with a focus on digital transformation, resilience, efficient data usage, and meeting the needs…
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Anwar urges journalists to initiate ideas, elevate Malaysia’s democratic capabilities
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised the crucial role journalists and the media play in Malaysia, stating that they have a responsibility to not only report accurate news but also to guide and initiate ideas for nation-building. He encouraged media practitioners to freely express their views and provide constructive criticism to the country’s leadership for improved governance. Anwar expressed his…
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Turkey’s first female central bank governor signals shift to conventional policies
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has appointed Hafize Gaye Erkan, a former US-based bank executive, as the first female governor of the country’s central bank. The move signals a potential shift towards more conventional economic policies under Erdogan’s administration. Erkan, 41 years old, is a former co-chief executive officer of the First Republic Bank and holds a Princeton education. Erdogan…
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Pakistan aims for $50bn budget to tackle economic crisis, unlock IMF funds
Pakistan’s government is set to present its annual budget, focusing on the nation’s precarious economic situation and the upcoming national elections. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar plans to propose a budget exceeding 14 trillion rupees (US$50bn), aiming for a 3.5% growth and a reduction in inflation to 21% from a record 38%. The government also hopes to generate over 9 trillion…
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