‘Torpedo’ found on east coast beach raises concern, says UMT oceanographer

KUALA TERENGGANU: An oceanography expert from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) said the recent discovery of a torpedo-shaped metallic object on Seberang Takir Beach, Kuala Nerus has raised "a little concern", regarding the possibility of the projectile and its function. UMT pro vice-chancellor (strategy, performance and corporate) Prof Ts. Dr Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir said torpedo-shaped marine...

Pope Francis was so close to death that doctors considered ending treatment

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis came so close to death at one point during his 38-day fight in hospital against pneumonia that his doctors considered ending treatment so he could die in peace, the head of the pope's medical team said. After a breathing crisis on February 28 that involved Francis nearly choking on his vomit,...

MDA bans online sale of optical devices, contact lenses

KUALA LUMPUR: The Medical Device Authority (MDA) has banned the online sale of optical devices and contact lenses on e-commerce platforms to protect the health and safety of users' vision. Chief executive Dr P. Muralitharan stated that optical devices and contact lenses are regulated under the Medical Devices Act 2012 (Act 737) and must meet all...

Sultan of Pahang tells state govt to take immediate action on coastal erosion

KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has urged the state government to take immediate and serious action to address coastal erosion to safeguard the well-being and interests of the people. His Royal Highness expressed deep concern over the worsening erosion, particularly in the Padang Api-Api area along the Pekan-Nenasi road, where...

Govt allocates RM1.5bil to accelerate MSME digitalisation nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has announced a RM1.5bil fund to accelerate the digitalisation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, with the goal of boosting business competitiveness. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said the fund, supported by government agencies and private sector partners including financial institutions, digital banks, peer to peer (P2P) lending platforms, and local...

White House mistakenly shares Yemen war plans with a journalist at The Atlantic

WASHINGTON: Top Trump administration officials mistakenly disclosed war plans in a messaging group that included a journalist shortly before the U.S. attacked Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, the White House said on Monday, following a first-hand account by The Atlantic. Democratic lawmakers swiftly blasted the misstep, saying it was a breach of U.S. national security and a violation...

Barisan chairman, not Bung, has final say on candidates, says Shahelmey

KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has the final say on the coalition's candidate for seats in any election, says Sabah's Umno embattled Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. The Sabah Deputy Chief Minister said that Barisan's election writ for candidacy is signed by the Barisan chairman, as such the question...

16 international flights cancelled at Bali airport due to yet another Mt. Lewotobi eruption

BALI (Vietnam News/ANN): Bali island’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport reported the cancellation of 16 international flights in a single day following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Flores district, East Nusa Tenggara of Indonesia. According to General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, as of 4pm on March 21...

Singapore Chinatown attack: Woman charged after she allegedly used chopper to assault victim

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): A woman was handed an assault charge on March 21 over her alleged role in an attack in Chinatown earlier this week. Chinese national He Longfeng, 36, is accused of using a chopper to attack another person at the ground floor of People’s Park Complex at around 8.45pm on March 19. In earlier...

South Korean govt approves emergency grants for wildfire-hit regions

SEOUL (Bernama-Yonhap): The South Korean government has approved special financial grants to support recovery efforts in Sancheong and two other regions affected by wildfires, acting President Choi Sang Mok announced during a disaster control meeting. "We will urgently provide a special disaster and safety grant of 2.6 billion won (US$177.4 million) to the three wildfire-affected regions,”...