The New Nation - Internet Edition

Malaysian minister quits over scandal

BBC ONLINE: Malaysian Health Minister Chua Soi Lek has announced his resignation after admitting being filmed in a sex video. The widely circulated recording showed the married father of three having sex with a female friend in a hotel room. On Tuesday, amid mounting speculation, he shocked the nation by admitting to being the man featured in the DVD. This is the latest in a series of problems for PM Abdullah Badawi, who is expected to call an election in the coming weeks. According to Malaysia's Star newspaper, the DVDs are believed to be CCTV recordings made in a hotel suite. The hotel and the date are reportedly unknown. Copies were reportedly left at various locations in Chua's home state of Johor, on Saturday "for people to pick up".

Venezuela introduces new currency

CARACAS: Venezuela launched a new currency with the new year, lopping off three zeros from denominations in a bid to simplify finances and boost confidence in a money that has been losing value due to high inflation. President Hugo Chavez's government says the new currency - dubbed the "strong bolivar" - will make daily transactions easier and cure some accounting headaches. Officials also say it is part of a broader effort to contain rising prices and strengthen the economy. "We're ending a historical cycle of t instability in prices," Finance Minister Rodrigo Cabezas said Monday, adding that the change aims to "recover a bolivar that has significant buying capacity." Prices have risen as Chavez has pumped increased amounts of the country's oil income into social programs, reinforcing his support among the poor and helping to drive 8.4 percent economic growth in 2007.