MANILA - A TRUCK contracted by the UN's World Food Programme to deliver aid in the strife-torn southern Philippines has been ambushed, leaving one person dead, the agency's country head told AFP on Monday.

KUALA LUMPUR - A NATIONAL debate on whether to scrap the use of English to teach math and science has reached a deadlock, an official said on Monday, deepening a political headache for the government as it strives to make Malaysian students internationally competitive.

Protracted discussions among the government, teachers, parents and political activists ended last week with no clear solution, said Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong.

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S King Bhumibol Adulyadej swore in prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's new cabinet on Monday, urging ministers to bring peace and order after months of political turmoil.

The widely revered 81-year-old monarch delivered a short speech on national television on the responsibilities of the ministers who were unveiled on Saturday.