KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional MPs attended a three-hour briefing on the restructuring of fuel subsidies at which they were asked to support a motion on price increases which the Government will table in Parliament today.
The closed-door briefing at Angkasapuri yesterday was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Among those who conducted [...]

Researchers in the United States have discovered a new group of stem cells that can give rise to heart muscle cells, known as cardiomyocytes, according to a study published Sunday.
The new findings come on the heels of two earlier breakthroughs.
In 2006 scientists identified another cardiac stem cell — marked by the expression of a gene [...]

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has condemned oil “speculators” at a summit on the spiralling price of crude which called for greater transparency in market dealings.
Saudi output has risen to 9.7 million barrels a day (bpd), the king said, vowing to further increase production if necessary to defuse market tensions which have sent the price of [...]

When Barack Obama and John McCain want a break, Obama is more likely to hit the basketball court or cook up some chili, while McCain would prefer to eat barbecue and watch a boxing match.
The two are separated by their ethnic backgrounds, a generational gap, sports preferences and tastes in food. Neither is thought to [...]

Kedah’s Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah (centre with scarf) poses with the FA Cup-winning team on Saturday. — Pic: HASAN ISMAIL
IT was one of the better FA Cup finals in recent years as the title match between Kedah and Selangor on Saturday had speed, aggression and flashes of good football.

And Kedah proved [...]

Noraseela Khalid is making her comeback from injury.
FIVE national track and field athletes get another opportunity to qualify for the Olympics when the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix series begins in Bangkok today.

Zaiful Zainal Abidin.

But all five face significant hurdles in attempting to join Roslinda Samsu, Yuan Yufang and [...]

KUALA LUMPUR: A pay rise proposal for two top officials in a government-linked company has been shot down by the Treasury.

According to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the decision was made “not to approve” the proposal referred to the Treasury.
The prime minister was referring to the proposed salary increase for [...]

KEMAMAN: A 15-year-old student was detained by police on Friday for suspected rape.

The suspect was picked up from his house here after the victim lodged a report.
District police chief Superintendent Abdul Sani said the girl claimed that the first incident occurred at the Jabor oil palm plantation two [...]

ALOR STAR: A restaurant worker was sentenced to death by the High Court yesterday for trafficking in 1.5kg of heroin eight years ago.

Judge Datuk Wan Adnan Muhamad sentenced Tan Kok Tiong, now 59, to death after the defence failed to prove reasonable doubt.
In his judgement, Wan Adnan said he was satisfied [...]

Zainab Yakob’s granddaughter, Wan Alia Shahina Nor Jaafar, wearing a headgear which is a compulsory accessory needed for the ‘makyong’ performance.
KOTA BARU: The passing of makyong matriarch Zainab Yaakob, 85, earlier this year went unnoticed, but to many activists of the ancient art theatre, it was a great loss.

Zainab Yakob played the ‘makyong’ [...]