Year: 2023
- World News
Diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong named Malaysia’s national unity icon
National diving champion Datuk Pandelela Rinong has recently been named a national unity icon in Malaysia, according to National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. This move is part of the ministry’s efforts to promote unity among the people by recognising leaders, artists, and sports legends who embody the values of unity and harmony. Pandelela Rinong, 29 years old and…
Read More » - World News
Dengue fever cases soar 158% in Malaysia with 34 deaths recorded
Dengue fever cases in Malaysia have risen by 158% from January to June 3, with 48,712 cases reported compared to 18,883 cases during the same period last year. The Health Director-General, Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, revealed that 34 deaths due to dengue fever complications were recorded, a significant increase from the 12 deaths reported in 2022. From May 28…
Read More » - World News
Thousands evacuated as Philippines’ Mayon volcano oozes lava
Approximately 13,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate in the north-east region of the Philippines as Mayon, the country’s most well-known volcano, continues to emit lava. Residents within the six-kilometre “permanent danger zone” have sought refuge in shelters, using lorries and buffalo-drawn carriages to evacuate. Known for its flawless conical shape, Mayon began to spew lava last week, with evacuations…
Read More » - World News
Mother dies in Amazon crash, kids survive 40 days before rescue
Four siblings were rescued from the Amazon jungle after surviving 40 days following a plane crash that killed their mother and two pilots. The children’s father, Manuel Ranoque, revealed that their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive for four days after the crash and urged them to leave and seek help. The siblings, aged 13, nine, five, and one, were airlifted…
Read More » - World News
Russian military defector reveals low morale, high losses in rare interview
A Russian military defector has given a rare interview to the BBC, revealing an army suffering heavy losses and low morale. Lieutenant Dmitry Mishov, a 26-year-old airman, sought political asylum in Lithuania after escaping from Russia on foot. He is among a small number of known cases of serving military officers fleeing the country to avoid being sent to Ukraine…
Read More » - World News
Wedding bus crash in Australian wine region kills 10, injures 20
A tragic bus accident in Australia’s Hunter Valley wine region has claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and left over 20 hospitalised. The passengers were returning from a wedding celebration at a local winery on Sunday night when the bus they were travelling in overturned on Wine Country Drive near Greta, New South Wales. Authorities are currently investigating…
Read More » - World News
Sturgeon arrested amid SNP funding probe, faces suspension calls
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is under pressure to suspend former leader Nicola Sturgeon from the Scottish National Party (SNP) following her arrest on Sunday. Sturgeon was questioned by police in connection to an investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances but was released without charge. She has maintained her innocence throughout the process. The SNP has stated that it…
Read More » - World News
Met Office issues UK-wide yellow warnings for thunderstorms, rain
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across the UK, following the hottest days of the year. Four yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place from 12pm to 9pm on Monday, covering parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of southern England and the Midlands, and most of Wales. Forecasters have warned that heavy downpours could lead…
Read More » - World News
Anwar defends subsidy restructuring, excludes Malaysia’s affluent from benefits
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently defended Malaysia’s subsidy restructuring programme, which aims to benefit targeted groups by excluding affluent households. Anwar explained that the policy shift differs from previous administrations’ proposals for a nationwide electricity tariff hike, as the increased tariff will only impact multinational companies and high-income households. “This does not burden the people as compared to the proposal…
Read More » - Thailand News
Monitor lizard’s jaw-dropping surprise visit sends Chon Buri locals in a tail spin
A giant monitor lizard shocked locals when it entered a residential property in Chon Buri province, requiring a team of local rescue officers to remove it. The reptile hid behind a water basin, where it resisted capture. This forced authorities to use some special equipment and it took three to four officers to safely restrain the animal. Yesterday, the Nong…
Read More » - Phuket News
Krabi bluebottle: Officials deny Portuguese man-o-war at Phi Phi Islands
Despite recent media reports, officials have confirmed that the dangerous Krabi bluebottle Physalia, also known as the Portuguese man-o-war, has not been found on Phi Phi Islands. Last week, Phuket lifeguards raised concerns about the presence of the venomous hydrozoan on the islands, causing alarm for tourists’ safety. However, Ratchanok Phaenoi, Chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National…
Read More » - Crime News
Jealous husband shoots wife dead in front of child after catching secret chats
A jealous husband killed his wife in front of their 7 year old son after discovering she was chatting to other men on her phone. The incident, which occurred in Chon Buri province, saw the man fire two shots at his 30 year old wife before surrendering to the police. The crime scene, a two-storey townhouse, revealed the body of…
Read More » - Business News
Bitkub’s bumpy ride: Thailand’s leading crypto exchange parent company sees sharp revenue decline amid market downturn
Bitkub Online (BO), the parent company of Thailand’s top cryptocurrency exchange Bitkub, experienced a 48% year-on-year drop in revenue last year, attributed to the downturn in the crypto market. Client investments also saw a significant 65% decline compared to the previous year. The financial statement published on BO’s website revealed a net profit of 341 million baht in 2022, marking…
Read More » - Business News
Thailand banks team up for digital revolution: Collaboration to launch retail CBDC
The Bank of Thailand is collaborating with three payment service providers, Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), and 2C2P (Thailand) Co, to develop and launch its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). The new financial infrastructure aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of financial transactions while reducing costs. The testing of the retail CBDC is scheduled to…
Read More » - World News
Man charged with murder of missing Chloe Mitchell, 21, in Ballymena
Charges have been filed against a 26-year-old man in connection to the murder of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman who disappeared earlier this month in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Additionally, a 34-year-old man faces charges for assisting offenders. The two men are scheduled to appear in Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A murder investigation commenced after human remains were uncovered on…
Read More » - World News
Malaysian Haj pilgrim dies in Makkah, country introduces ATMs in Holy Land
A Malaysian Haj pilgrim, aged 57, passed away due to heart failure on June 4 in Makkah. The woman from Raub, Pahang, died at the Tabung Haji (TH) Treatment Centre, according to Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Head of the Malaysian Haj Delegation. Her funeral prayers were held at Masjidil Haram (the Grand Mosque) after the Zohor (midday)…
Read More » - World News
Malaysia opens seven clinics to tackle male fertility issues
In an effort to address fertility issues among men, Malaysia’s Health Ministry has established seven specialised clinics focusing on men’s health and well-being. The clinics include three subfertility clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang, and four Nur Sejahtera Clinics (KNS) in Jalan Raja Laut, Melaka, Dungun, and Sarawak. Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Raj Munni Sabu…
Read More » - World News
Sturgeon released pending probe into SNP’s £660k referendum donations
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, has been released without charge pending further investigations following her arrest in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the SNP’s funding and finances. Sturgeon was questioned by detectives and later released from custody. In a statement, she expressed certainty of her innocence and described the situation as “shocking and deeply distressing.” Police have been…
Read More » - World News
Farmer crashes into petrol station shop after mistaking accelerator for brake
A 69-year-old farmer sustained minor injuries after mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, causing his car to crash into a convenience store at a petrol station in Jalan Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The incident took place yesterday evening when the farmer, Jaafar Yusof, was leaving the station after refuelling his Hyundai Sonata. Melaka Tengah district police chief Christopher…
Read More » - World News
Mysterious intrusion: Hotel guest’s chilling encounter leaves her shaken in San Jose (video)
A woman guest at a hotel in San Jose, California suffered an unnerving experience while chilling in her room. To her surprise, the woman, Debra, witnessed an unusual device sliding under her room door. The quick-thinking traveller managed to leap off her bed and grab the instrument before it reached the door handle. She then sought help from the hotel…
Read More » - World News
Myanmar worker killed in stabbing, three foreigners arrested in Malaysia
A factory worker from Myanmar tragically lost his life after being stabbed by a colleague during an argument at a house in Butterworth, Malaysia. Seberang Perai Utara district police chief Mohd Asri Shafie announced that three foreign individuals have been arrested and are currently being held in remand for seven days in connection to the murder. Two coworkers of the…
Read More » - World News
Malaysia’s tobacco control bill sent to parliamentary committee for review
The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill has been referred to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for further review after its first presentation in the Dewan Rakyat. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that the decision was made due to several recommendations from engagement sessions held with government and non-governmental stakeholders that required additional consideration. Dr Zaliha explained,…
Read More » - Business News
Chevron Thailand’s gas game-changer: Boosting domestic supply and breaking free from costly imports
Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production aims to boost domestic gas supply to reduce the Thai government’s reliance on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with plans to increase petroleum production in the Gulf of Thailand. The US-based company was granted a licence to explore and produce petroleum at Block G2/65, an area of 15,030 square kilometres in the gulf, under…
Read More » - World News
Man turns 1,700-baht online auction chair into 3 million baht jackpot after designer discovery
In an extraordinary turn of events, Los Angeles resident Justin Miller unknowingly discovered a highly valuable Danish designer chair while browsing an online auction site. He bought it for just 1,700 baht (US$49) and sold the item for an astounding 3 million baht (US$86,500) to an eager collector. Miller stumbled upon an online auction listing featuring the broken-down, leather-covered chair,…
Read More » - Thailand News
Mysterious red light in sky sparks panic and intrigue in social media (Video)
A mysterious red light hovering in the sky has been captured on video, leaving residents in Ratchaburi Province on edge. Authorities have been called to investigate the source of the phenomenon, shared on Facebook, while villagers are curious to discover if the supernatural may be the cause. A video clip on Facebook featuring a floating red light in the sky…
Read More » - World News
Thousands of subreddits go dark protesting Reddit’s API changes
Between June 12 and June 14, a vast number of Reddit communities, known as subreddits, are going dark in protest of the planned API changes that could potentially put an end to many third-party applications. Reddit, often referred to as the “front page of the internet,” is one of the top 20 most popular websites with approximately 430 million monthly…
Read More » - World News
George Soros hands $25bn empire control to son Alexander
Philanthropist and billionaire George Soros has decided to entrust his 37-year-old son, Alexander, with the control of his philanthropic and financial empire, worth US$25bn. A spokesperson for Soros, a significant supporter of liberal and democratic initiatives, confirmed the plan following its initial report by the Wall Street Journal. Previously, Soros, who is now 92, did not want any of his…
Read More » - World News
Ofsted reforms insufficient, says sister of teacher who died post-downgrade
The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after her school received a downgrade from Ofsted has stated that the recently announced inspection system reforms are insufficient. Ruth Perry, former headteacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading, passed away in January. The school was rated “good” in every category except leadership and management, where it was deemed “inadequate.”…
Read More » - World News
Anwar orders transfer of minor infrastructure projects from JKR to district offices
In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that minor infrastructure projects, such as repairs of dilapidated schools currently overseen by the Public Works Department (JKR), will be transferred to other departments or district offices. This decision aims to reduce the workload of JKR, which is responsible for implementing development projects and maintaining infrastructure for various ministries, departments, statutory…
Read More » - Thailand News
Dengue fever outbreak hits 3-year high, nearly 20,000 affected, 15 deaths
A recent warning from Thailand’s government deputy spokesperson, Trisuree Trisaranakul, has alerted the public to the rapidly growing dengue fever outbreak. With nearly 20,000 reported cases and 15 deaths in the past five months, the epidemic reached its highest level in three years. Citizens are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their children during the rainy season from…
Read More » - World News
Covid inquiry: Bereaved families demand government accountability
Lobby Akkinola has experienced a range of emotions since his father Femi’s death in April 2020 due to Covid-19. The 60-year-old key worker’s passing left Lobby searching for answers and questioning why his father was left vulnerable to the virus. This led him to join thousands of other bereaved families in demanding a public inquiry into the handling of the…
Read More » - World News
Health Ministry to table bill targeting smoking products for public health
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 is set to be tabled today in the Dewan Rakyat by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The bill, which includes amendments and suggestions to cover both conventional and new smoking products, aims to address the growing issue of smoking, particularly among young people. Dr Zaliha stated that the bill still…
Read More » - World News
Malaysia needs action plan to retain talent amid planter shortage
Malaysia is urged to develop an action plan to retain existing talents and attract a new generation of planters, as the industry faces a potential shortage of skilled professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighted the issue at the 10th International Planters Conference 2023, noting that some planters have retired or are seeking opportunities in other countries. Fadillah, who also…
Read More » - World News
PAS open to all members contesting in six state elections
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has stated that all party members, including Muafakat Nasional President Annuar Musa, are eligible to become candidates in the six states facing elections this year. The party is yet to finalise its list of candidates, but Takiyuddin expects a decision to be made next week. “Any PAS member has the right to be a candidate and…
Read More » - World News
Anwar Ibrahim emphasises musyawarah culture for civil servant input
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of ‘musyawarah’ or deliberation in Malaysia, stating that it is essential to provide civil servants with the opportunity to express their opinions when determining the nation’s course. Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly, Anwar highlighted the crucial role civil servants play in making deliberations more meaningful and effective. Anwar, who also…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bear horror: Man loses eye in villagers’ forest foraging encounter
A man lost his eye when a group of villagers in Chanthaburi province were attacked by three large bears while foraging for forest produce. The incident, which occurred around 2.30pm yesterday, left Uthai, a 41 year old man, seriously injured with deep facial lacerations and his right eyeball missing. Multiple authorities collaborated to trek five hours to rescue the victim…
Read More » - Thailand News
Bangkok governor urges universities to join citywide cleanup efforts
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt recently participated in a Big Bangkok cleanup event at Swuniplex retail plaza on Asokemontri Road, organised by Srinakharinwirot University. The event saw the involvement of university lecturers and students, Watthana district office executive officials, and representatives from various networks and agencies. During his address, Chadchart praised the university for being a role model in environmental maintenance…
Read More »
