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Botak Gang members nabbed in Kuala Kangsar

IPOH: Four members of the Botak Gang including a juvenile, believed to be responsible for at least 20 robbery cases in Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were nabbed by police in Kuala Kangsar near here on Tuesday.

300 indigenous people affected by dam projects hold protest

KUCHING: More than 300 indigenous people affected by dam projects in the state held a protest outside the International Hydropower Association 2013 World Congress conference venue yesterday.

Man with homemade air rifle arrested

BESUT: Pursuing a public tip-off on drugs activities, the district police's narcotics criminal investigation department found a man with a homemade air rifle in Kampung Gong Ubi Keling here on Monday.

Further probe into collapsed mosque's roof incident

KUALA TERENGGANU: State Public Works Department (PWD) today forwarded initial investigation report of the collapsed Kampung Binjai Kertas mosque's roof incident on Monday night to its federal headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Three people killed in road accident

TANAH MERAH: Three people including a teenage girl was killed in an accident involving two cars and a bus at Km 3 Jalan Ismail Petra here at midnight last night.

Health Ministry mulls extending out-patient operating hours

NIBONG TEBAL: The Health Ministry is contemplating on extending its out-patient service operation hours to mitigate the issue of long waiting hours at government hospitals.

China arrests 13 over protest 'rumours': police

BEIJING: Chinese authorities have arrested 13 people for Internet posts that sparked a rare protest in Beijing, highlighting tensions between officials and migrant workers, police said.

Nicol only Malaysian still in running in 2013 British Open

KUALA LUMPUR -- World No. 1 Datuk Nicol David is the only Malaysian player still in the running in the 2013 British Open squash championship being held at Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England.

Far-right writer kills himself inside Notre Dame de Paris

PARIS: A far-right writer and activist shot himself dead in front of the altar of Paris’s famed Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday, after calling for “spectacular” action to protect France’s identity.

North Korean leader sends 'special envoy' to China

SEOUL, South Korea: North Korea says that a “special envoy” for leader Kim Jong Un has left for China.

Star Wars hero's pants auctioned for US$36,100

LOS ANGELES: The pants worn by actor Mark Hamill in the first Oscar-winning “Star Wars” film went under the hammer Tuesday for 36,100, according to auction house’s website.

'Malaria parasites can talk with each other'

MELBOURNE -- Scientists here have been shocked to discover that malaria parasites can communicate with each other to replicate and improve their chances of being transmitted to other humans.

Power of US tornado dwarfs Hiroshima bomb

WASHINGTON: Wind, humidity and rainfall combined precisely to create Monday’s massive killer tornado in Oklahoma. The awesome amount of energy released dwarfed the power of the atomic bomb that leveled Hiroshima.

US missile test delayed for a day

WASHINGTON - The US Air Force delayed for a day an intercontinental ballistic missile test Tuesday because of a “range safety instrumentation issue.”

China vows continued support for Zimbabwe

HARARE -- China will continue supporting Zimbabwe in its quest to fend off international threats on its sovereignty and economic prosperity, visiting Chinese vice Premier Wang Yang said Tuesday.

US landmark bill offers citizenship path for millions

WASHINGTON - The sweeping overhaul of the US immigration system took a major step towards viability Tuesday when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 13-5 to approve a landmark bill offering a path to citizenship for millions.

Teachers credited with saving kids in Oklahoma

MOORE, Oklahoma: The principal’s voice came on over the intercom at Plaza Towers Elementary School: A severe storm was approaching and students were to go to the cafeteria and wait for their parents to pick them up.

UN urges action to end child soldiers in Myanmar

UNITED NATIONS: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Myanmar’s government has made progress in reducing the recruitment of children into the armed forces but still needs to stamp out the practice.

Man pleads guilty in Picasso vandalism case

HOUSTON: A man accused of vandalizing a 1929 Pablo Picasso painting in a Texas museum — an act that was caught on cellphone video — agreed Tuesday to a two-year prison term as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. His lawyer called his act “an artistic statement.”

2 more reports of anti-gay attacks in NYC

NEW YORK: New York City police say there have been two more reports of possible anti-gay attacks, following the killing of a gay man taunted with homophobic slurs.

Andy Carroll pulls out of England's friendlies

LONDON - Striker Andy Carroll has pulled out of England's friendly internationals against Ireland and Brazil through injury, the FA said on its website (www.thefa.com) on Tuesday.

Beckham's eldest son trains at QPR's junior academy

LONDON - David Beckham's eldest son Brooklyn has trained at the junior academy of London club Queens Park Rangers and bookmakers are already offering short odds that the 14-year-old will emulate his father by playing for England.

In tornado's wake, rain hampers relief efforts

MOORE, Oklahoma — Torrential rains hampered rescue and relief efforts Tuesday in this Oklahoma City suburb reeling from one of the worst tornadoes in the United States in recent years.

Police deny photo of Adam Adli being handcuffed was taken at the Jinjang police station

KUALA LUMPUR : Police yesterday rubbished the claims over a photo of student activist Adam Adli being handcuffed, which has been circulating on the Internet, was taken at the Jinjang police station where the latter is currently being remanded.

Epileptic woman who stayed alone found dead

SANDAKAN : Concerned villagers broke down the front door of an ailing woman's house near here today, when she failed to emerge from the wooden building over the past three days.

Mother and two-month-old baby died in after ramming into an electric pole

BOTA : A mother and her baby died, while another was seriously injured, when their car skidded into a trench after ramming into an electric pole here today.

Police solved Pakistani murder

REMBAU : Police investigator's persistence led to the discovery of the body of a Pakistani national in Kampung Legung Ulu in Kota here more than a month he was reported missing by the same man who had murdered him.

Jeruk Pak Ali eyes Mecca market

BATU KAWAN : Pak Ali Food Industries Sdn Bhd targets to sell its fruit pickles in Mecca, Saudi Arabia by year-end.

Malaysia to work hard for UN security council seat

PUTRAJAYA : Leaving no stone unturned, Malaysia will work hard to secure a seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the term 2015-2016, which would enable the country to play a part in international security issues.

Thai police seize record 4.49 million meth tablets

BANGKOK: Thai police have seized 4.49 million methamphetamine pills found in an apartment in the largest meth bust ever in Bangkok.

Thailand urged to explore edible insect market

BANGKOK: Researchers say Thailand is showing the world how to respond to the global food crisis: by raising bugs for eating.

EC sets up team to probe indelible ink issue

KUALA LUMPUR : The Election Commission (EC) today set up a special team to find out why the indelible ink used to mark voters in the 13th general election could be easily removed, said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

Apple's Cook to face Senate questions on taxes

WASHINGTON: A Senate panel says Apple Inc. is avoiding paying billions of dollars in U.S. taxes, but the world’s most valuable company says it is complying with the laws and pays “an extraordinary amount” in taxes to the U.S. government.

Reports: Iran bars 2 top figures from June ballot

TEHRAN: Iranian news websites have boosted speculation that election overseers have barred two prominent but divisive figures from next month’s presidential ballot.

Shukri Ahmad appointed second infantry commander

GEORGE TOWN : Second Infantry Division Commander Major-General Datuk Azizan Md Delin today officially handed over duties to his successor, Major-General Datuk Shukri Ahmad.

Philippines boosts military to resist 'bullies'

MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday announced a $1.8-billion military upgrade to help defend his country’s maritime territory against “bullies”, amid an ever-worsening dispute with China.

South Africa: Winnie Mandela forced auction flops

JOHANNESBURG: An auction to pay off a debt of Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife failed to take place because no one would open her home to the sheriff.

Syrian opposition groups say Assad must go

MADRID: Syrian opposition groups meeting in Spain say they oppose all negotiation with President Bashar Assad’s government unless it is aimed at his giving up of power.

Minister invites Pakatan to contribute ideas on urban well-being

KANGAR: Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan has invited Pakatan Rakyat to contribute ideas in addressing issues related to his ministry.

Group: More Afghan women jailed for 'moral crimes'

KABUL: An international rights group says the number of Afghan women and girls jailed for “moral crimes” has risen dramatically in the past 18 months.

Bulgaria: Socialist elected as parliament speaker

SOFIA, Bulgaria: Bulgaria’s newly seated parliament has elected Socialist Mihail Mikov as its speaker during what is proving to be a turbulent stretch in the economically struggling country’s politics.

Gay marriage in Britain ’could lead to lesbian queen’

LONDON: The debate in Britain over legalising gay marriage took a surreal turn on Tuesday after a senior politician said it could result in a lesbian queen giving birth to an heir by artificial insemination.

Four killed, one injured in a head-on collision

PONTIAN: Four people were killed while a woman suffered serious injuries when the Proton Waja they were in was involved in a head-on collision with a factory bus at Kilometer 66.5 Jalan Pontian-Batu Pahat, near the Sekolah Kebangsaan Api Api here, early today.

18 pupils suffer food poisoning after drinking milk

MALACCA: Eighteen pupils of a school in Telok Mas here were rushed to a clinic for suspected food poisoning after drinking free milk today.

RM 4.6 mil generator for Ulu Tembeling

JERANTUT : Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has allocated RM4.6 million to instal a 580-kilowatt generator to provide electricity supply to Ulu Tembeling.

US-based iGate fires CEO after sex harassment claim

MUMBAI : US-based outsourcer iGate says it has fired chief executive Phaneesh Murthy, one of India’s best-known IT businessmen, for failing to report a relationship with an employee, the second such case he has faced.

Pigeon sale yields world record for feathered Bolt

BRUSSELS : Lightning fast pigeon Bolt, with a name and pedigree to match, has become the world’s most expensive racing bird with his Belgian breeder selling it for 310,000 euros (400,000) to a Chinese businessman.

Macau hosts Asia's largest gaming expo

MACAU : Casino industry leaders met in the world’s biggest gambling hub of Macau on Tuesday for the Global Gaming Expo Asia, a three-day fair of gambling innovations at the glitzy Venetian Macau hotel.

Hundreds seek damages in Japan nuclear crisis

TOKYO : Hundreds of residents and evacuees from just outside Fukushima say they have been unfairly denied full compensation despite high radiation levels in their area caused by Japan’s 2011 nuclear disaster.

Badminton: China crush arch rivals Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR : Defending champions China trounced arch rivals Indonesia 5-0 to top Group A of the Sudirman Cup on Tuesday, declaring they are ready to face anyone in Thursday’s quarter-finals.

Singaporean who knocked down policeman gets seven days

JOHOR BARU: A Singaporean was sentenced to seven days’ jail and fined RM5,000 by the magistrate's court today for ramming into a policeman on a motorcycle on Monday afternoon.

Chinese boat's captain beaten by North Koreans

BEIJING : Gunmen wearing North Korean military uniforms released a Chinese fishing boat Tuesday after holding its crew for two weeks, beating up the captain and stealing the vessel’s fuel, the boat’s owner said.

China factory blast leaves 13 dead, 20 missing

BEIJING : A blast which ripped through an explosives plant in China has left 13 people dead and another 20 missing, an official said Tuesday, compounding the country’s poor industrial safety record.

The Lancet publishes special issue on women

KUALA LUMPUR : The Lancet has published a specially-theme dissue ahead of the three-day, 3rd Global Women Deliver Conference scheduled to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), beginning May 28.

George Town crime index increases

GEORGE TOWN : The crime index at the northeast district of George Town has increased by about 9 per cent in the first four-and-a-half months this year compared to the same period last year.

Home and defence ministries to outline new initiative for Blue Ocean Strategy

KUALA LUMPUR : The Home and Defence Ministries are drawing up a new initiative to strengthen the National Blue Ocean Strategy(NBOS), Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Syria, Israel exchange fire over border

DAMASCUS: Syria said Tuesday it destroyed an Israeli vehicle that crossed the ceasefire line in the Golan Heights overnight, while the Israeli military said gunfire from Syria had hit an Israeli patrol, damaging a vehicle and prompting its troops to fire back.

Syria says destroys Israeli vehicle on its territory

BEIRUT: Syria said its troops destroyed an Israeli vehicle that crossed into its territory from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Tuesday and warned that any attempt to violate its sovereignty would meet “immediate and firm retaliation”.

Malaysian Airports record 9.98 per cent increase in passenger traffic

IPOH : Malaysian airports have recorded a 9.98 per cent increase in passenger traffic to reach 23.95 million from January to April this year compared to the corresponding period last year.

UTM research shown mangosteen usage in cosmetic products could have a skin-tanning effect

JOHOR BARU: A Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) research team has found that mangosteen usage in cosmetic products could have a skin-tanning effect, although it is widely believed to help in whitening the skin.

USM produces pig DNA detection kit

GEORGE TOWN: A team of researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has invented an innovative technology product that can detect the existence of pig Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) in food products.

Found: A python wrapped on lamp post

SHAH ALAM : Residents around Persiaran Kuala Langat, Section 28, were shocked to see a huge python wrapped around a street light pole near Sekolah Menengah Alam Megah 2, here, today.

Seven new faces in Negri Sembilan state executive councillors

SEREMBAN : Seven new faces were among the 10 Negri Sembilan state executive councillors announced by the Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan here today.

18-year old dies in crash

KLANG: An 18-year old youth died after crashing his high-powered motorcycle at 15.4km of the North Klang Straits Bypass around 8.20am this morning.

Duo convicted for assault and causing death

JAILED: No right to take someone’s life, judge tells accused who kicked Nigerian student

PKA suit will go for trial at the High Court

PUTRAJAYA: Port Klang Authority's (PKA) suit over the rectification of a sales and purchase agreement for the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project against Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) will finally go for trial at the High Court.

Two brothers and a friend freed of murdering policeman

JOHOR BARU: The High Court yesterday acquitted two brothers and a friend charged with murdering a policeman, then 25, four years ago.

JUDGMENT: Four charged with Banting murders to know their fate Thursday

SHAH ALAM : T. Thilaiyalagan who is one of the accused in the Banting murder trial did not know or meet any of the four victims before the alleged incident.

Leptospirosis victims cannot forget Lubuk Yu incident

MARAN: The recent fatal case of leptospirosis in Baling, Kedah has evoked painful memories among the people here whose family members died of the bacterial infection three years ago.

China says North Korea released detained sailors

BEIJING: North Korea released 16 Chinese fishermen and their boat Tuesday, Beijing said, demanding an explanation after the kidnapping by armed attackers heightened strains between the neighbours.

China factory blast leaves 33 dead and missing

BEIJING: A blast at an explosives plant in China has left 13 people dead and another 20 missing, state media said Tuesday, compounding the country’s poor industrial safety record.

5.3 magnitude earthquake jolts Eastern Caribbean Island

PORT OF SPAIN : An earthquake of 5.3degrees on the Richter scale jolted several Eastern Caribbean islands withoutcausing damage or casualties, the Seismic Department of the University of theWest Indies reported Tuesday.

Restructuring education and higher education ministry to be ready within a month

PUTRAJAYA : The restructuring exercise for both Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry is expected to be ready within a month.

South Korea reports first human case of tick-born virus

SEOUL : South Korea has reported the first confirmed case of a person infected with a tick-born virus in the country following reports of deaths in China and Japan, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said, citing the state-run disease control agency report on Tuesday.

Federal Court will determine RTD's action before transferring ownership of used vehicles

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court will determine whether the Road Transport Department (RTD) must physically inspect vehicles or only peruse documents before transferring ownership of used vehicles.

CAUGHT: Job seeker detained in connection with discovery of human embryo

KOTA BARU: Police detained a woman in her 20s after the discovery of a human embryo in a toilet bowl at a workers' hostel at Jalan Kebun Sultan, on Sunday.

Plus urges motorists to follow TTA school holidays

KUALA LUMPUR : PLUS Expressways Berhad (Plus) advised motorists to follow its North-South Highway Travel Time Advisory (TTA) for Wesak Day and school holidays until June 9 to avoid unnecessary congestion.

3 Hezbollah fighters die of wounds from Syria

BEIRUT: Activists say three members of Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group have died after being wounded in fighting for a key Syrian town.

Proton Preve waiting for champion 'Qari' and 'Qariah'

KOTA BARU : The 56th National Al-Quran Recital Competition here on June 10-14 offers a Proton Preve each to the champion 'qari' (men's) and 'qariah' (women's).

Vietnam's population reaches over 88.5 mil

HANOI: As of April 1, 2012, Vietnam's population reached 88.5 million people, an increase of 915,000 people over the previous year, local Tuoi Tre newspaper reported on Tuesday, quoting latest released statistics data.

Four charged for polling day mischief

JOHOR BARU: Four men, aged between 27 and 45, were charged in the magistrate's court yesterday with causing mischief and obstructing a public servant on duty outside the votes counting centre for the Gelang Patah polls on May 5.

Family of US scientist walks out of coroner's inquiry

SINGAPORE: The family of a US scientist found hanged in Singapore last year walked out of a coroner’s inquiry into their son’s death Tuesday, saying they had “lost faith” in the proceedings.

Worst drought in decades brings crisis of unprecedented proportions, says Namibian president

WINDHOEK: President Hifikepunye Pohamba says the drought being experienced in Namibia this year is the worst in decades and is more serious than the floods which devastated the northern and northeastern parts of the country over the past few years.

MCA will not budge from its decision

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will not budge from its decision not to accept any government post or submit to pressure for an immediate leadership change following its poor performance in the recently concluded 13th general election (GE13).

Mosque's roof collapsed after Isyak prayers

HULU TERENGGANU: It was minutes after finishing their Isyak prayers last night at the mosque in Kampung Binjai Kertas here in Kuala Berang that the people outside were startled by the booming sound of the roof collapsing.

Death toll in Turkish balloon crash reaches 3

ANKARA, Turkey: Officials say another Brazilian tourist has died of wounds sustained after a hot air balloon crashed to the ground, raising the number of tourists killed to 3.

Chua Soi Lek lambasted party veterans

Kuala Lumpur: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek yesterday lambasted party veterans who called for his resignation.

10 Afghan police killed in latest violence: officials

KABUL: Ten police officers have been killed in Afghanistan, by a roadside bomb in the west of the country and during fighting in the south, officials said Tuesday.

Myanmar Muslims jailed for killing Buddhist monk

MEIKHTILA, Myanmar: A court in Myanmar sentenced seven Muslims to terms ranging from life to two years in prison Tuesday for the killing of a Buddhist monk during sectarian violence that is posing a serious challenge to President Thein Sein’s reformist government.