Muslim rebels killed eight armed employees of a local politician in a clash in the southern Philippines on Sunday, the military said. Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels opened fire at the armed security staff of a Muslim political clan at its property on Mindanao island. 'The clash left at least eight people dead, at least four injured and there are two missing on the Mangudadatu side,' Colonel Asto said, referring to the property owners who are related to Esmael Mangudadatu, governor of Maguindanao province. The clash came amid peace talks between President Benigno Aquino's government and the 12,000-member MILF, which has been waging a decades-old armed campaign that has left 150,000 people dead according to some estimates.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652582.html
Vietnam - Thousands Cheered Capture of Revered Turtle
Thousands of onlookers cheered in central Hanoi on Sunday when rescuers captured for treatment an endangered and ailing giant turtle revered as a symbol of Vietnam's centuries-old independence struggle. This is one of the most endangered animals in the world and there's very little known about it.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652576.html
Philippines - Two of Fifteen Hostages Freed
Two of a group of 15 teachers and students hostages taken by armed tribesmen in the Philippines were freed on Sunday, hours after the kidnappers failed to show for talks with the government, police said.
The abduction of the group on Saturday was part of a bid by members of the forest-dwelling Manobo tribe to secure the release of a relative held in prison while on trial over a similar mass kidnapping in 2009, officials said.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652531.html
Malaysia - Gold Bags of Cash Seized from “Dirty” Customs Officers
Gold bars and bags of cash containing up to RM600,000 (USD 200K) have been discovered in the homes of several Customs officers during raids by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Other ill-gotten stash included luxury watches and posh cars.
The MACC seized millions of ringgit from at least five of the 62 Customs officers arrested to date in a series of raids over under-declaration of duties and tax evasion. MACC investigation director Datuk Mustafar Ali said a Customs director arrested last Tuesday had millions of ringgit spread over several bank accounts. Another officer had almost RM1 million (USD 330K) in his bank acount. Two others had between RM500,000 and RM850,000, he told a press conference on Saturday.
It is learnt that investigations by a task force estimated that about RM10bil (USD 3.3B) had been smuggled out or remitted overseas.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652523.html
Myanmar Warns against Decadent Dress for New Years
Revellers who wear 'decadent' clothing during Myanmar's upcoming New Year's celebrations can face up to a month in prison, a news report said on Sunday.
The four-day festival begins April 13 and marks the traditional New Year on the lunisolar calendar that is also used in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. It's one of the few times when Myanmar's citizens can cut loose under the watchful eye of the repressive regime. Revellers in the impoverished country splash one another with water and dance in the streets, despite annual warnings of proper etiquette from the government.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_652500.html
Singapore – Yale-NUS to Open in 2013
Yale-National University of Singapore liberal arts college is finally a done deal.
On Thursday, the two universities announced that the 'Yale-NUS College', as it will be called, will open in 2013 and at a steady state admit 250 students a year. They will take up general education courses that will synthesise Western and Asian perspectives in the first two years, before going on to concentrate on a major. At the end of the four years, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or Science (Honours) awarded by NUS, but their degree scrolls will include the Yale-NUS College name.
http://www.straitstimes.com:80/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_651510.html
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