News In Brief

Singapore to get 2 new subs
Afp, Singapore

Singapore, which has Southeast Asia's most modern military, said yesterday it was acquiring two new submarines from German defence contractor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
In a statement, the defence ministry said it signed a contract to acquire two "Type 218SG" submarines, which are projected to be delivered in 2020.

Indonesian energy minister quizzed in graft scandal
Afp, Jakarta

Indonesia's anti-corruption agency questioned the energy minister as a witness in a bribery scandal yesterday, in a case that could further damage the president's ailing party ahead of polls.
Jero Wacik, the minister for energy and mineral resources, was quizzed by Corruption Eradication Commission officials at the agency's office in Jakarta in relation to a bribery case against Rudi Rubiandini, the former chief of Indonesia's main energy regulator, who was arrested in August for allegedly accepting kickbacks.

Bus ravine plunge kills 10 in Pakistan's Kashmir
Afp, Muzaffarabad

At least 10 people were killed yesterday when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in Pakistan's Kashmir region, close to the disputed border with India.
The bus travelling from the garrison city of Rawalpindi to the frontier town of Forward Kahuta, fell down the 150 metre (500 foot) slope early in the morning.

Japan set to pass secrets law despite growing disquiet
Afp, Tokyo

A controversial state secrets bill is expected to become law in Japan this week despite objections from a broadening coalition who say the legislation is being rushed through parliament.
An opinion poll released yesterday showed increasing disquiet among voters over a law that would dramatically ramp up punishments for people convicted of giving away state secrets -- an elastic category that can be expanded by ministers or bureaucrats to cover a wide range of information.