Habibie's firm to build luxury homes on Batam

BATAM • The company of former Indonesian president B.J. Habibie, who ruled the country from 1998 to 1999, is set to built luxury apartments worth a total of US$1 billion (S$1.42 billion) on Batam.

The project, featuring 11 towers of apartments, offices, hotel rooms and a hospital on a 9ha plot, aims to attract buyers from Indonesia's neighbours, particularly Singapore.

JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Aquino orders efforts to aid peace process

MANILA • Philippine President Benigno Aquino has ordered special efforts to ensure a peace agreement with Muslim rebels is implemented even after his term ends in June, his spokesman said yesterday.

Congressional leaders say they are unlikely to pass the peace Bill before his term ends. But Mr Aquino has ordered "consultation and meetings with the stakeholders" to facilitate the peace process, Mr Herminio Coloma said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

India rape case: 3 men sentenced to death

KOLKATA (India) • An Indian court has given three men the death penalty for raping and killing a 20-year-old woman, in a case that sparked protests against the state government of West Bengal and led to calls for greater safety for women.

Three other men involved in the 2013 attack were sentenced to life imprisonment, while two of the nine men charged were acquitted and one died in jail.

REUTERS