THURSDAY

Two hostages rescued

Two of five Malaysian sailors held hostage by Abu Sayyaf gunmen were rescued during an operation in waters between Jolo and Pata islands in southern Philippines. The five Malaysians were abducted from their tugboat on July 18 and their Abu Sayyaf kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom of 100mil pesos (about RM10mil) which was believed to have been reduced to 30mil pesos (about RM3mil).

Annuar out of race

In a shock announcement, Tan Sri Annuar Musa withdrew from the Football Association of Malaysia presidency elections, paving the way for Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to be elected unopposed as the new president at the FAM Congress. Two other candidates – Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and FAM Integrity Committee chairman Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat – had pulled out of the race earlier.