Trump says damage from Iran strikes severe despite “inconclusive” intelligence

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the damage to Iranian nuclear sites from American missile strikes over the weekend was severe, even as he acknowledged that the available intelligence on the matter was inconclusive. His comments followed reports by Reuters and other media outlets on Tuesday revealing that the U.S. Defense...

NATO commits to higher spending sought by Trump and mutual defence

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -NATO leaders on Wednesday backed the big increase in defence spending that U.S. President Donald Trump had demanded, and restated their commitment to defend each other from attack. While Trump got what he wanted at the brief summit, tailor-made for him, his NATO allies will be relieved that he committed to the fundamental...

All students with 10As, including A-, in SPM 2024 will get matriculation spots

PETALING JAYA: All students who achieved 10As and above in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination will be granted a place in the matriculation programme, regardless of race and background, says the Education Ministry. In a statement Wednesday (June 25), the ministry said that the Cabinet had agreed that all students with 10As and above,...

Appointments to senior police posts a reflection of force’s trust, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The appointment of individuals to senior leadership roles in the Royal Malaysia Police reflects the force's confidence in their credibility and capability, says Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail. The Inspector-General of Police described the responsibility as a trust that must be upheld to strengthen the department's operations and ensure the nation's overall well-being and...

Putin will not go to BRICS summit in Brazil due to ICC arrest warrant, Kremlin aide says

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to next week's BRICS summit in Brazil because of an outstanding arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday. The ICC issued the warrant in 2023, just over a year after Russia launched its full-scale...

Fire safety in schools inadequate, says Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR: Fire safety measures in many schools remain inadequate, raising concerns about the protection of students, teachers, and school staff, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said urgent action is needed to address long-standing gaps in fire safety compliance across educational institutions nationwide. "Several recurring issues, including malfunctioning fire...

Bursa Malaysia higher at midday

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended today’s morning session firmer amid improved sentiment and risk appetite following the development of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. At 12.30 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 6.38 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 1,520.67 from Tuesday’s close of 1,514.29 The FBM KLCI, which opened 4.38 points firmer...

MACC proceeds with asset forfeiture of Daim’s UK properties

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been authorized to proceed with the forfeiture of assets belonging to the late finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, his family, and his proxies in the United Kingdom. Chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki announced at a press conference that UK counterparts have filed for similar action following Malaysia's request. "On...

Malaysia’s trade in services up 14.6% to RM497.4bil in 2024

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s total trade in services rose by 14.6 per cent to RM497.4 billion last year from RM434.0 billion in 2023, contributing 25.8 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices. In a statement today, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said exports of services grew by 24.6 per cent to RM242.9...

Man dies in accident involving two heavy vehicles

BATU PAHAT: A man died on the spot in an accident involving a heavy vehicle and a medium-duty truck along the North-South Expressway on Wednesday (June 25) near here. Ayer Hitam fire station chief Mohamed Shamin Mohamed Salikin said the incident took place at KM79.9 of the Ayer Hitam stretch (southbound) at 8.58am. He said six firemen...