With tourists away, Mt Fuji barrier taken down in Japan

TOKYO: A barrier erected in Japan to block a popular view of Mount Fuji has been taken down -- for now -- after succeeding in discouraging unruly tourists, a town official said on Tuesday (Aug 20). Fujikawaguchiko put up the large screen in May after residents complained about streams of mostly foreign visitors causing problems while...

Singapore PM congratulates new Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he is certain that Thailand will continue to progress and prosper under the leadership of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Wong, in a letter on Tuesday (Aug 20), congratulated Paetongtarn on her appointment as Thailand’s prime minister, and said both countries enjoyed strong ties. He said: “Singapore and Thailand share longstanding and...

Large-scale tax operation launched in the Klang Valley

CYBERJAYA: Over a thousand Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) and Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) officers will descend on thousands of Klang Valley businesses to ensure tax compliance as part of Ops Metro 2024.LHDN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Abu Tariq Jamaluddin said the joint operation, which began yesterday, will see officers from both agencies working...

Durian seller dies after suffering electric shock in Kota Belud fire

KOTA KINABALU: A durian seller died after falling unconscious from an electric shock while trying to escape a burning hut in Kota Belud district on Tuesday (Aug 20). The 67-year-old, identified as Latihim Baling Kok, was said to have touched live wires as she was fleeing the hut. Sabah Fire and Rescue Department station chief for Kota...

No job losses at KTMB arising from train leasing deal with China, says Anthony Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: Those working under KTM Bhd (KTMB) will continue to work and maintain the 62 train sets acquired following the leasing deal with China, says Anthony Loke. The Transport Minister gave the assurance that no one in KTMB will lose their jobs due to the leasing deal between Malaysia and China. “This is something that has...

Najib’s 1MDB charge ‘defective’

KUALA LUMPUR: There has never been evidence that showed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was at AmIslamic Bank Bhd to commit the crime he is accused of, the High Court here was told. Najib’s lead counsel Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah submitted that the prosecution never showed evidence that the former Pekan MP was...

Missing fisherman found clinging to jerrycans near Pulau Tiga

KOTA KINABALU: A fisherman literally clung to empty jerrycans to stay afloat for over 24 hours after his boat capsized off Labuan. Ramlee Mahroff, 46, drifted some 68km from Labuan to near Pulau Tiga off Sabah’s southwestern Kuala Penyu district. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) eventually found and rescued him. He went fishing in Tanjung Aru...

Paetongtarn thanks Anwar for partnership, looks forward to advancing Thailand-Malaysia ties

BANGKOK: Newly appointed Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (pic) on Monday (Aug 19) expressed her resolve to work closely with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to advance Malaysia-Thailand bilateral relations. In a post on X, Paetongtarn thanked Anwar for his congratulatory message on her appointment and highlighted the long-standing friendship between the two nations...

India PM Modi to visit Ukraine, weeks after rebuking Putin in Moscow

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ukraine, the foreign ministry said on Monday (Aug 19), his first trip to the war-torn country since its conflict with Russia and about a month after he met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Details of the trip will be shared later in the day, the foreign ministry...

Japan to begin trial removal of nuclear debris from Fukushima reactor

TOKYO: The operator of Japan's stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant said on Monday (Aug 19) it will send a probe inside a battered reactor this week for a trial removal of radioactive debris. Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) aims to retrieve a tiny sample of the estimated 880 tonnes of radioactive debris that is believed to...