Author - James Lim

A British sea monitoring agency says another vessel has been hijacked near Somalia

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Another vessel has been hijacked near the coast of Somalia, a British sea trade monitoring agency said Friday, raising more concerns that Somali pirates are active again, nearly a decade after they caused chaos for international shipping. A dhow trading vessel was seized by heavily armed people near the town of Eyl...

In Mexico, piñatas are not just child’s play. They’re a 400-year-old tradition

ACOLMAN, Mexico -- María de Lourdes Ortiz Zacarías swiftly cuts hundreds of strips of newsprint and colored crepe paper needed to make a piñata, soothed by Norteño music on the radio while measuring pieces by feel. “The measurement is already in my fingers,” Ortiz Zacarías says with a laugh. She has been doing this since she was...

Tunisians vote in local elections on Sunday to fill a new chamber as economy flatlines

TUNIS, Tunisia -- Butter and milk shortages. Political party boycotts. Ongoing prosecutions of the president’s critics. This is the environment in which Tunisians will head to the polls on Sunday for the country's first local elections since President Kais Saied wrote a new constitution that voters approved last year. Voting will determine the composition of a new National Council of...

Prague university shooting: 14 killed, 25 wounded

At least 14 people were killed and 25 were injured in a shooting at Charles University in Prague on Thursday, according to Prague's head of police. The suspect -- a 24-year-old student at the university -- died by suicide, according to police. His body was found at Charles University's faculty of the arts, the Prague head...

‘Pray for us’: Eyewitnesses reveal first clues about a missing boat with up to 200 Rohingya refugees

PIDIE, Indonesia -- Their screams and sobs could be heard from the ailing boat soon after it emerged into view amid the vastness of the Andaman Sea. Crowded on board were tiny babies and children, alongside mothers and fathers begging to be saved. The passengers were ethnic Rohingya Muslims who had fled surging gang violence and rampant...

Mali recalls its envoy in Algeria after alleging interference, deepening tensions over peace efforts

Malian authorities say the West African nation has recalled its ambassador in Algeria after accusing it of interference in its internal affairs by meeting rebel leaders from northern Mali BAMAKO, Mali -- Mali recalled its ambassador in Algeria after accusing it of interference in its internal affairs by meeting rebel leaders, officials said Friday, deepening diplomatic...

Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 could send 240 million PCs to landfills – report

(Reuters) - Microsoft Corp's plan to end support for Windows 10 operating system could result in about 240 million personal computers (PCs) being disposed, potentially adding to landfill waste, Canalys Research said. The electronic waste from these PCs could weigh an estimated 480 million kilograms, equivalent to 320,000 cars. While many PCs could remain functional for years...

‘Long time no see’: HK actor Tony Leung happy to be back in Malaysia

Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai received a warm welcome from hundreds of Malaysian fans after making an appearance at The Exchange TRX on Friday (Dec 22). The 61-year-old, along with director Felix Chong and producer Ronald Wong, are currently in town to promote their upcoming film The Goldfinger, which will be hitting cinemas on...

85% of households in Peninsular Malaysia will not be affected by electricity tariff adjustments

PETALING JAYA: The seven million domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia will not be affected by the electricity tariff adjustments from Jan 1 to June 30 2024, says the Energy Commission. This translates to 85% of domestic users in Peninsular Malaysia. “Therefore, some 99% or 8.2 million domestic users will continue to enjoy subsidies from the government. However,...

I want winners, not survivors

PETALING JAYA: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky wants more from the back-up shuttlers in the national team. Without specifying any players, Rexy believes his charges need to aim to win more titles instead of just being satisfied with improving their rankings. “Our back-up players need to adopt a winning mentality rather than just think about surviving in...