In case you missed it, here is a list of news handpicked by an Astro AWANI editor for the week beginning March 7 to March 13, 2016.

Among the top headlines are the Cabinet terminating former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's appointment as the adviser to Petronas and a piece of debris, suspected to be from the missing flight MH370 was found in Mozambique.

Here are the news highlights.


MONDAY, MARCH 7:

1MDB audit report to be declassified after PAC tables findings

The final audit report on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) will be declassified once the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tables its findings on 1MDB in Parliament, said PAC chairman Datuk Hasan Arifin.

He said Auditor-General Tan Sri Ambrin Buang told a PAC meeting today that this was provided for under the Official Secrets Act 1972.



TUESDAY, MARCH 8:

Daish's attempt to kidnap Najib, Zahid, Hishammuddin foiled

The nation's security forces have succeeded in curbing and thwarting several attempts by the Daish militant group to kidnap the country's leaders including the Prime Minister, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that besides Datuk Seri Najib Razak, he and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had also been the targets.


WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9:

Total solar eclipse darkens skies in Indonesia

A total solar eclipse swept across the vast Indonesian archipelago on Wednesday, witnessed by tens of thousands of sky gazers and marked by parties, Muslim prayers and tribal rituals.

The moon began to move between the Earth and sun at 6:19 am (2319 GMT Tuesday), and about an hour later direct sunlight was entirely blocked out in western parts of the country, authorities said.



THURSDAY, MARCH 10:

MACC confirms RM2.6 bil donation to Najib came from Saudi royals - Azalina

he Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that the RM 2.6 billion in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s account was a private contribution from the Saudi royals.

This was confirmed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.


Possible MH370 debris arrives in Malaysia for analysis

A piece of debris found in Mozambique arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for initial investigations into whether it came from missing flight MH370 before being taken to Australia for deeper analysis, officials said.

Department of Civil Aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman confirmed to AFP that the one-metre long (three-foot) object was in Malaysia.


FRIDAY, MARCH 11:

Tun Dr Mahathir terminated as Petronas adviser

The Cabinet terminated Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's appointment as the adviser to Petronas on March 11.

This follows the former premier's action in cooperating with the Opposition in signing a 'Citizen's Declaration' on March 4 which called for the resignation of Datuk Seri Najib Razak as Prime Minister.

'Highland Towers baby' to meet firefighter who rescued her

The Fire and Rescue Department is seeking to reconnect a woman they rescued as a baby during the Highland Towers tragedy in December 1993.

According to local media reports, Nur Hamidah, 23 is a caregiver attached with the Indonesian National Nurses Association and residing in Jakarta.

It all started after Hamidah shared a picture on Facebook of herself as a toddler who survived the tragedy.


SATURDAY, MARCH 12:

No more new recruitment of foreign workers - Zahid

The government has decided to stop the recruitment of new foreign workers with immediate effect, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

However, he said the decision, which was made at a Cabinet meeting yesterday did not involve the domestic help or maid sector.

Ahmad Zahid said employers who wanted to hire foreign workers should recruit the existing foreign employees in the country including those whose permits had expired.

Another suspected MH370 debris found in Mozambique

A South African teenager claimed he might have found another piece of debris belonging to Flight MH370 which disappeared from radar two years ago.

According to foreign media reports, Liam Lotter, 18, told South Africa's East Coast Radio Newswatch on Thursday that he found a "shiny" and "curvy" piece of metal, with "holes on the side", on a sandbank when he was on holiday with his family in Mozambique last December.


SUNDAY, MARCH 13:

Six including a child, drown in boats collision in Tuaran

Six women including a child were drowned when their boat collided with another boat along the Serusup river near Penimbawan, late last night.

It is understood that the victims were all from Kampung Serusup and were on their way back from a wedding function.

The victims were identified as Salomah Maid, Aziah Maidin, Ainol Hasnam, Nurul Azda and five-year-old Norkasih Salim.

AG's Chambers to decide action against Australian duo

The Attorney General Chambers will decide on the appropriate action to be taken against the two Australian nationals arrested for trying to breach the security control of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last night.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the duo who claimed to be journalists from the Australia Broadcasting Corporation would also be investigated.