Tuesday April 28, 2009

By Alistair Bell and Jonathan Lynn

MEXICO CITY/GENEVA (Reuters) - A new virus has killed up to 149 people in Mexico and the World Health Organization moved closer on Monday to declaring it the world's first flu pandemic since 1968 as the illness spread further in the United States and Europe.

The WHO raised its pandemic alert level to phase 4 over the deadly swine flu virus, indicating a significant increased risk of a pandemic, a global outbreak of a serious disease.

Tuesday April 28, 2009

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The Government will issue up to nine new banking and insurance licences until 2011 and allow foreigners to own up to 70% equity in the country’s Islamic banks, investment banks and insurance companies.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the liberalisation package, comprising six thrusts, was aimed at enhancing Malaysia’s linkages with international economies.

World health officials Sunday stepped up the battle against a new swine flu blamed for dozens of deaths in Mexico, as the US declared a public emergency amid signs the disease was spreading.

The United States will screen visitors arriving from infected areas, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said, as 20 cases were confirmed in five states.

Wednesday April 22, 2009

By RACHEL LAU

KUALA LUMPUR: Try keeping the television switched off for a week - that is the challenge from a consumer group to Malaysians in a bid to enhance family values and ties.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) has organised a one-week campaign themed “Turn Off the TV”, encouraging parents to switch off their TV sets and spend time with their children by doing more beneficial activities.

2009/04/24

PETALING JAYA: They may be too young to understand why they would not be allowed to watch TV for a week, but 25 children at a kindergarten are willing to give it a try.

The children even have plans for their no-TV days.