August 17th, 2008

Battle for Permatang Pauh: Drama and tension fill the air on nomination day - NST

From the early morning traffic jam snaking kilometres down the highway to the sudden angry thunderstorm that drenched departing crowds, nomination day here lived up to every expectation…

Anwar Says He Fears Any Oath He Takes May Be Manipulated - Bernama

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said here he would not take any oath in connection with the sodomy charge he faces for fear it would be manipulated by certain quarters…

Mahathir dares Anwar to swear - The Star

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has dared Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to swear on the Quran to prove he is innocent of the sodomy charge he faces…

Man dies on flight from Malaysia - Times Of India

A 27-year-old Indian national died on board a Kuala Lumpur-Chennai Malaysian Airlines flight that landed at Chennai airport at 8pm on Saturday…

Huge turnout as Malaysia’s Anwar launches election bid - AFP

A huge crowd cheered Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim Saturday as he registered for a by-election to return him to parliament, the next step in his plan to become prime minister…

August 8th, 2008

Facts and figures about Beijing Olympics opening ceremony - Xinhua

The 29th summer Olympic Games opened in Beijing on Friday night. The following are some facts and figures about the opening ceremony…

Beijing Olympics opening ceremony timeline - Telegraph

The opening ceremony of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad begins at 8.08pm on 08.08.08. In China, eight is considered a lucky number and the date was chosen specially for its perceived good fortune…

Haze over Indonesia’s Sumatra, flights delayed - Reuters

Choking smoke from forest fires hung over parts of Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Friday, forcing a delay in flights, and prompting fears…

‘Kuaci prostitutes’ detained - The Star

Forty-five women, mostly from China, were picked up in Jalan Pudu yesterday evening during an Immigration swoop…

August 4th, 2008

SPENGLER : Israeli pre-emption better than cure

The critical mass of three Islamist states - Iran, Turkey and Pakistan - threatens to create an upheaval that can be contained only by wars of attrition. The outlook is grim, not least because the US State Department is repeating in Turkey the errors that helped bring Islamist governments to power in Iran and Pakistan. Israel is the only player with the perspicacity and power to stop the slide to regional war. (Aug 4, ‘08)

Iran heartened by India’s nuclear vote

The United States-India nuclear agreement, which has been endorsed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, represents a timely diplomatic boon for Iran, which can now point at the US’s flexible application of its nuclear policies with regard to Delhi as a reference point in Tehran’s nuclear negotiations. - Kaveh L Afrasiabi (Aug 4, ‘08)

Delhi risks a stumble at the finish line

Now that its nuclear accord with the United States has been endorsed by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, India has only the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group to win over. Any obstacles here will be made worse if Delhi insists on gaining “clean and unconditional” approval. - Sudha Ramachandran (Aug 4, ‘08)

South Korea and the US at odds

South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak and US President George W Bush will have very different agendas when the two meet this week in Seoul. Lee has to deal with rapidly deteriorating relations with North Korea, while Bush wants a greater contribution from South Korea in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. - Donald Kirk (Aug 4, ‘08)

July 20th, 2008

Amazing Real Robots Fight It Out In Japan

Two-legged robots gather for the Robo-One grand championship at Tokyo’s convention centre to decide which one is strongest in the world

The conquest of Malacca from the Malay Annals, not some glorified revised and spun Malaysian history text book - Seventh Rangers Mechanized

…Here now is a story of Fongso d’ Albuquerque. At the end of his term of office as viceroy he proceeded to Pertugal and presenting himself before the Raja of Pertugal asked for an armada…

Pure Breed Running Mongrels - Zorro Unmasked

Remember this bloke? He is often referred to as Chicken Doctor. He is the MCA guy who never won an election…

NGO Says 200,000 Pigs Moved From Port Dickson To Sepang - Bernama

A non-governmental organisation has alleged that the pig population in Kampung Tumbuk, Sepang, has risen to 600,000 although the RM100 million high-tech farm project has not started. Muslim Solidarity Movement Organisation of Malaysia…

Naked body of Chinese woman found, wrists slashed - The Star

…The woman identified as Kiang Wei, 33, believed to have been repeatedly raped, was found sprawled in a bedroom in a pool of blood at the apartment in Jalan Pasar in Pudu…

Sodomy: Chinese are not emotional - Hard-T

…”They are happy when the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index stays around 1,000. When the stock market is good, then their leader is good. When the stock market is bad, their leader is bad…

If There Is Light In Our Soul - The Stand-Up Philosopher

Is life FAIR? It should be but its not. Its more difficult to see what’s fair than what’s unfair. The current circus-like situation in the country (politically, socially, religiously and in the economy) is appalling…

Abrupt end to wild party - NST

…”This is the second such party in Kelantan. The first was last month at a hotel involving male and female youths…

PM: I’ve met with PAS leaders - The Star

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confirmed that he has personally met with ”high-level” PAS leaders three times to discuss issues relating to Islam and Malay unity…

MP Suggests Use Of Independent Prosecutors Should Anwar Be Charged For Sodomy - Bernama

…Datuk Ibrahim Ali, independent MP for Pasir Mas (Kelantan), said the prosecutors should not be those from the public service or the Attorney General’s Chambers…

Malaysia: Secret Plans Revealed To Submerge Penan Villages - Radio Utopie

A secret document accidentally posted on the internet reveals plans to build a series of massive hydroelectric dams in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, submerging the homes of at least a thousand Penan, Kelabit and Kenyah tribal people…