Year: 2023
- World News
Mortgage shock hits UK homeowners as interest rates surge
Mortgage rates have become a hot topic of conversation among homeowners and tenants alike, as concerns grow over the impact of rising rates on monthly payments and rental costs. Here are five key factors contributing to the current unrest. Inflation forecasts predicted a significant slowdown in price increases, but recent data has indicated that inflation may remain higher for longer…
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PM urges focus on values-based education to boost Malaysia’s global competitiveness
In a recent speech, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of raising education standards based on core values and virtues to create knowledgeable individuals with strong principles. He cited the need to draw strength from religion and instil confidence, values, and virtues in education, similar to efforts in other countries. Anwar also highlighted the importance of using the…
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Pakistan floods claim 25 lives, PM orders emergency measures
Torrential rain has caused havoc in Pakistan’s northwest regions, resulting in the collapse of houses and the deaths of at least 25 people. The districts of Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were hit by heavy rain and hail on Saturday. According to senior rescue officer Khateer Ahmed, 145 individuals were injured as trees were uprooted and…
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Umno AGM 2023: DAP fears, Najib’s freedom, and party’s blind spots
Umno, Malaysia’s grand old party, recently concluded its annual general assembly, aiming to assure its grassroots members that it will rebuild following the last general election. The party remains in power but as a weaker ally of the Pakatan Harapan political bloc, sparking unease among grassroots members. Here are three key takeaways from the Umno AGM 2023: 1. DAP remains…
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Kazakhstan forest fires claim 14 lives, 60,000 hectares scorched
A total of 14 individuals have lost their lives in devastating forest fires that have swept through northeastern Kazakhstan, marking the highest death toll from such incidents in recent years. Over the weekend, the emergency situations ministry revealed that 316 people were evacuated, and the situation was now under control, ensuring the safety of homes in the affected area. However,…
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Unabomber Ted Kaczynski dies aged 81 in North Carolina prison
The infamous “Unabomber,” Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, passed away at the age of 81 on Saturday. Kaczynski, a Harvard-educated mathematician, was responsible for a 17-year bombing campaign that claimed the lives of three people and injured 23 others. He died at the federal prison medical centre in Butner, North Carolina, according to Kristie Breshears, a spokesperson for the federal Bureau of…
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Trump rallies support amid 37-count indictment for hoarding classified documents
Donald Trump, the former US President, is scheduled to make his first public appearances since being federally indicted, addressing supportive Republican audiences in Georgia and North Carolina. He aims to rally support for his defence as he remains the frontrunner for the Republican Party nomination in 2024, despite his growing legal troubles. Trump is expected to use speeches at two…
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Report reveals suppression of pro-Palestinian activism in EU and UK
A recent report by the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) has highlighted the suppression of Palestinian activism in the European Union and the United Kingdom. The study, which focused on the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, revealed widespread restrictions on the right of assembly and freedom of expression related to criticism of Israel.…
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Sabotage team used Poland base to blow up Baltic Nord Stream pipelines
German investigators are delving into evidence that suggests a sabotage team may have utilised Poland as a base to orchestrate the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea, according to the Wall Street Journal. The two-week journey of the Andromeda, a 15-metre yacht suspected to be involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2…
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Man City claims first Champions League title, completes treble
In a historic moment, Manchester City has secured their first-ever Champions League title, defeating Inter Milan with a 1-0 victory at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium. This win marks the completion of a treble for the team, making them the second English club to achieve this feat. On Saturday, Spaniard Rodri scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute, resulting in…
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Unabomber Ted Kaczynski found dead in prison at 81
The infamous Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, aged 81, was found dead in his prison cell, according to federal officials. Kaczynski was responsible for the deaths of three individuals and injuries to 23 others during a mail-bombing campaign that spanned from 1978 to 1995. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to life without parole in 1996. The former Harvard-trained mathematician was eventually…
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Trump slams baseless indictment over mishandling classified documents
In his first public appearance since the federal indictment against him was announced, former US President Donald Trump has labelled the charges as “ridiculous and baseless.” The 37-count indictment, which was made public on Friday, accuses Trump of keeping sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago property. He has denied any wrongdoing and claimed the indictment is a result of “election interference”…
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Second arrest in search for missing County Antrim woman Chloe Mitchell
Police have arrested a second individual in connection with the disappearance of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman from County Antrim. Mitchell, considered a high-risk missing person, was last seen in Ballymena between the evening of June 2 and the early hours of June 3. Her brother, Phillip Mitchell, has expressed his devastation and urged anyone with information to come forward.…
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Teen charged with attempted murder at £41,325-a-year Devon boarding school
A teenage boy, aged 16, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder following a violent attack at Blundell’s School, a boarding school near Tiverton in Devon. The incident resulted in two students being hospitalised, with one in critical condition and the other in a stable but serious state. The accused, who cannot be named due to his age,…
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Third Tory by-election looms as ally of Boris Johnson resigns
A third by-election has been triggered for the Tories as Nigel Adams, an ally of Boris Johnson, announced his resignation, adding to the political challenges faced by Rishi Sunak. Adams did not provide a reason for his immediate departure, which followed the resignations of Boris Johnson and Nadine Dorries earlier on Friday. In a statement, Johnson criticised a Partygate report…
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Second arrest in Chloe Mitchell disappearance case, Antrim search continues
Following the disappearance of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell from Ballymena in County Antrim, a second man has been arrested. The Police Service of Northern Ireland continues to search for Mitchell, who has been categorised as a high-risk missing person. She was last seen by her family on the evening of June 2 and was later captured on CCTV in the early…
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Ex-PC jailed for on-duty sexual assault, betraying police values
A former police officer has been imprisoned for sexually assaulting a colleague while on duty. The incident involving Archit Sharma, previously attached to the North Area Command Unit, occurred on December 7, 2020, and was described as a “betrayal” by a high-ranking officer. After an investigation, Sharma was charged on July 28, 2021, and subsequently convicted of sexual assault at…
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Terminally ill couple found dead in Shropshire summer house
A terminally ill couple, Robert Lloyd, 84 years old, and Patricia Lloyd, 80 years old, were found deceased in their summer house in Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Police discovered them at their Newbrook Drive residence on June 1, around 11pm. The couple has since been formally identified. Their daughter, Sarah Davies, expressed that they would be “greatly missed by…
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Teen charged with attempted murder after Devon school assaults
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following alleged assaults at Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon. The incident left two teenage boys, both students at the independent school, and an adult staff member injured. The two students are currently in hospital, with one in a…
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Manchester City clinch historic treble with Champions League victory
Manchester City secured their first-ever Champions League title and completed a treble with a 1-0 victory against Internazionale. Midfielder Rodri scored the winning goal from 15 yards in the 68th minute at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, marking a remarkable season for Pep Guardiola’s team. They had already claimed last season’s Premier League title, outpacing nearest rivals Arsenal, and…
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Annuar Musa joins PAS with 3,000 new members, confirms Takiyuddin
Pertubuhan Muafakat Nasional (MN) president and former Umno member Tan Sri Annuar Musa has officially become a member of PAS, according to the party’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan. In addition to Annuar, PAS has also welcomed 3,000 new members who joined the party recently. Takiyuddin confirmed Annuar’s membership during a premier rally in Negeri Sembilan, stating that many have…
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Malaysia’s PAC investigates £1.12bn navy ship project progress amid controversy
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) conducted a working visit and proceeding to assess the progress of the second generation littoral combat ships (LCS) owned by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The visit took place at the Boustead Naval Shipyard, Lumut Naval Base in Perak, where three witnesses testified on the LCS project’s progress. The witnesses included Datuk Dr Shahrazat Ahmad,…
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Comedian Jocelyn Chia slammed for mocking MH370 tragedy and Malaysia
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has criticised Singaporean comedian Jocelyn Chia for making insensitive and offensive jokes about Malaysia and the MH370 tragedy. He emphasised that no rational person could accept such derogatory and insulting humour, even in the name of freedom of speech. “We hope it is an isolated case, the Singapore government has issued a public apology and…
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7-year-old girl drowns in Tanjung Sepat water park pool
A tragic incident occurred at a water theme park in Tanjung Sepat, Banting, where a seven-year-old girl drowned in a pool. The Kuala Langat district police chief, Ahmad Ridhwan Mohd Nor, reported that a passerby discovered the unconscious victim at 1.28pm. According to the police chief, the young girl was playing in the pool with her eight-year-old sister when the…
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Umno General Assembly ends, aims to invigorate party for nation’s success
The 2023 Umno General Assembly concluded recently, with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressing optimism that the event would rejuvenate the party’s delegates and members in their efforts to build a successful nation. The Deputy Prime Minister took to Twitter to share his delight at the assembly’s productive discussions and debates on the party’s future direction. Ahmad Zahid emphasised that…
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Malaysia launches women-focused technical and vocational training programme
The Malaysian government has announced plans to launch a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme specifically designed for women. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the programme, proposed by Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad, will be implemented in partnership with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka and the RISDA-owned Kolej Universiti Agrosains Malaysia. An initial intake of 15,000…
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Malaysia’s ambassador proposes fixed 5-year parliamentary term for stability
Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, has proposed amending the Federal Constitution to establish a fixed five-year term for Parliament. In an interview with Astro Awani, he stated that this change would prevent attempts to overthrow the government, as has occurred in the past. Nazri mentioned that he had discussed the issue with Prime…
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Trump faces 37 counts over mishandling classified documents
The former US president, Donald Trump, is facing significant legal challenges as he is indicted on 37 counts of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate. This comes on the heels of his New York indictment, where he was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. These legal issues pose serious consequences for Trump, but their impact on…
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Ukraine advances near Bakhmut amid heavy fighting; Russian attack kills three in Odesa
Heavy fighting continues in the eastern region of Donetsk as Ukrainian forces advance towards the city of Bakhmut, which fell to Russian control last month. Despite Moscow’s claims that Kyiv’s forces have made no progress on the front lines, Ukraine’s east military command spokesperson, Serhiy Cherevaty, announced on Saturday that their forces had advanced 1.2 kilometres near Bakhmut within the…
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Annecy stabbing: Syrian man charged with attempted murder of six
A man has been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing incident in the French Alpine town of Annecy, which left six people injured, including four children. The suspect, a 31-year-old Syrian national identified as Abdalmasih H, remained silent during his 48 hours in police custody and when facing magistrates. The victims are no longer in life-threatening condition, according to…
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Boris Johnson quits Parliament amid lockdown party investigation
The political landscape in the UK has been shaken by the abrupt resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson from his role as a Member of Parliament. The 58-year-old politician cited a “stitch-up” by his adversaries as the reason for his departure, as he faces an investigation by a cross-party committee over allegations of lying to Parliament about lockdown-breaching parties…
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Parking firm loses case over £160 fine due to lack of Welsh translation
A parking company, Simple Intelligent Parking Ltd, has lost a civil case against a motorist who requested a parking fine in Welsh. Elysteg Llwyd Thomas from Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd, was initially issued a £60 fine in English. She responded that she would pay the fine once the company provided all correspondence bilingually, including a copy of the fine. The company…
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Yacht capsize survivors seek legal action against Carlton Fleet
Legal action is being planned by passengers who narrowly escaped death when the yacht Carlton Queen capsized during a diving trip in the Red Sea. The survivors, including British, Belgian, Swiss, and German nationals, do not believe the vessel was seaworthy, as it had been visibly listing to one side after leaving Egypt. The boat’s size had been increased during…
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Loch Ness water levels hit 32-year low, raising environmental concerns
Water levels in Loch Ness and the River Ness have sparked concerns as they reached their lowest point in 32 years last month, according to data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa). The Ness fishery board has expressed alarm over the persistently low levels, suggesting that water stored for hydro-power could be utilised to alleviate the situation. SSE Renewables,…
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Brighton hospital probed over 40 alleged negligence-linked deaths
Sussex Police have launched an investigation into allegations of medical negligence at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, East Sussex. The claims, which span a period of five years from 2015 to 2020, involve potential failings in neurosurgery and general surgery. The hospital trust has confirmed its full cooperation with the investigation. While the exact number of deaths being…
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Double murder arrest in Newhaven as man and woman found dead
Sussex police have apprehended a 64-year-old man from Brighton in connection with the murder of a 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman in Newhaven. The victims were found in a property on Lewes Road just after 7pm on Friday. The authorities have stated they are not seeking any other suspects in relation to the case. A section of the graveyard…
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UK braces for 31C heatwave and thunderstorms, hotter than Marrakech
As the United Kingdom braces for soaring temperatures that could reach 31C on Saturday, thunderstorm warnings have been issued for much of the country. The rising heat may result in the hottest day of 2023 so far, but it could also bring torrential rain, hail, and gusty winds. Forecasters have warned of “really balmy nights on the way,” with temperatures…
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