Johor caretaker chief minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the launch of the zone’s master plan need not wait until the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat at the end of the year, prompting a swift rebuttal from Economy Minister Akmal Nasir.

The U1 robot can hold conversations and even be customised to resemble loved ones or celebrities. UBTech is targeting single people and those aged over 60, positioning the lifelike android as a companion to help combat loneliness.

The West Papua National Liberation Army shot dead American pilot Nicholas F Gosselin and set his plane on fire after it landed in the Yahukimo region of Highland Papua province.

The jolt struck at a depth of 120km, around 58km west of Tobelo.