April 5, 2026
World
World
ROME, April 5 — The former seaside summer residence of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini has been sold for €1.2 million and is now owned by the local council, municipal officials confirmed.
JOHOR BAHRU, April 5 — The government will soon establish the Orange Economic Council to boost Malaysia’s creative industry, which is viewed as a key contributor to economic growth amid the ongoing global energy crisis.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the council will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, with the Communications Ministry acting as one of its secretariats and playing a leading role in its formation.
He added that several committees will be set up, and the ministry has been directed to fast-track the council’s establishment, particularly in light of current global challenges.
Fahmi spoke to reporters after attending the appointment ceremony of the advisory panel chairman for the Johor National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi).
The orange economy — covering sectors such as film, music and animation — contributed 6.8 per cent to Malaysia’s GDP in 2024.
He noted that the sector could be further strengthened through Nadi centres, which provide infrastructure and high-speed internet to support digital and creative activities. Currently, there are 1,098 centres nationwide with about 1.9 million members, including 101 centres in Johor serving around 200,000 members.
A new Nadi centre in Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said appointment letters for chairmen of Madani Communities in Johor will be issued in mid-April. Earlier, he presented letters to 26 Nadi advisory panel chairmen in the state.
These appointments are expected to boost community participation, improve programme coordination, and ensure initiatives are better aligned with local needs. — Bernama
