Latest

South Korea

Rain, wind to shorten South Korea’s peak viewing window for cherry blossoms

SEOUL: Cherry blossoms are reaching peak bloom across South Korea this week, but rain and strong winds forecast for the weekend could shorten the viewing period, the Korea Meteorological Administration said

Technology

Moscow shoppers and travellers hit by payment system problem

MOSCOW, April 3 (Reuters) - ⁠A problem with payment systems sowed ⁠chaos on Friday for some Russian ‌shoppers, forcing the turnstiles on the Moscow metro to allow people to enter without payment and even forcing ​a regional zoo to ⁠ask visitors to use ⁠cash.

Nation

Monsoon transition bringing relief from hot spell

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is now in the monsoon transition phase from March 29 until May, with heavy rain and strong winds expected over short periods, bringing relief from the hot weather that has hit the country of late says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Cambodia

Expats in Cambodia champion Khmer identity through traditional dress

PHNOM PENH: A multinational group of individuals has drawn widespread online attention after showcasing Khmer traditional clothing at Angkor Wat. Their move highlights what some people are calling a growing trend of foreigners actively promoting Cambodia's cultural heritage, despite some criticisms from netizens of Thailand.

Banking

Affin Bank gets Bank Negara nod for RM50mil Pheim AM acquisition

KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank Bhd has received approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for its proposed acquisition of Pheim Asset Management Sdn Bhd for RM50mil cash.

Cycling

Royal audience rekindles hope for Velodrome Rakyat

PETALING JAYA: There may be hope yet for the Velodrome Rakyat to be restored to working condition soon, thanks to Malaysian National Cycling Federation president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill's meeting with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah at the Perak Palace on Friday (April 3).

Forex

Ringgit revisits 4.02 level against US dollar on easing energy supply concerns

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rebounded to the 4.02 level against the US dollar at the close today, as the Iran-Oman energy transit talks eased concerns over supply disruptions.

Indonesia

Indonesia to repatriate slain peacekeepers as Lebanon violence escalates

JAKARTA: Indonesia is coordinating closely with the United Nations to repatriate the bodies of three Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon last week, the Foreign Ministry has confirmed, with the remains expected to return home in the next few days.

Football

Soccer-Chelsea drop Fernandez for two games for comments on his future

April 3 (Reuters) - Chelsea have dropped ⁠their record signing Enzo Fernandez for two matches after the midfielder publicly cast ⁠doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge, manager Liam Rosenior said on ‌Friday.

Sabah & Sarawak

Cops bust 13 gambling dens disguised as family entertainment centres in Selangor, Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted 13 illegal gambling premises masquerading as licensed family entertainment centres in coordinated raids across Selangor and Sabah.

Corporate News

IJM denies prior talks on Sunway offer, reiterates rejection stance

KUALA LUMPUR: IJM Corp Bhd has clarified recent media reports on Sunway Bhd's conditional voluntary takeover offer (VTO), reiterating that the proposal was not discussed with the company prior to its formal announcement and maintaining its recommendation for shareholders to reject the offer.

World

Italy's Meloni picks new tourism minister in shake-up after referendum

ROME, April ⁠3 (Reuters) - Italy's culture undersecretary Gianmarco ⁠Mazzi was sworn in on Friday ‌as the country's new tourism minister, the latest change in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ​government after her defeat ⁠in a referendum ⁠on judicial reform.

Thailand

Thailand faces 'worst energy crisis in history' as diesel prices treble

BANGKOK: Thailand is grappling with its most severe energy crisis on record, with the government moving to seize "windfall profits" from refineries to prevent a total collapse of the country's fuel subsidy mechanism

Corporate News

YTL Cement takes control of Cepco with RM103.8mil stake

KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Cement Bhd has emerged as the controlling shareholder of Concrete Engineering Products Bhd (Cepco), following an acquisition of shares worth RM103.8mil

North Korea

North Korea's Kim pets puppies, kittens at Pyongyang pet shop

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un petted puppies and kittens with his delighted daughter as they toured a new Pyongyang housing district, state media said Friday (April 3).

Arts

Weekend for the arts: Alya Hatta exhibition, 'Architecture Of Devotion' collection

A list of arts and culture events to check out in the Klang Valley this weekend and beyond

Philippines

Seven injured after part of ceiling at Manila airport collapses

MANILA: A section of the ceiling at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1's arrival extension area collapsed in Manila on Good Friday (April 3).

Corporate News

Nextgreen secures RM50mil working capital facility from Bank Rakyat

PETALING JAYA: Nextgreen Global Bhd (NGGB) accepted a RM50mil working capital financing facility from Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Bhd.

World

Exclusive-US upends global supply program for malaria and HIV amid warnings of gaps

NAIROBI/LONDON, April 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. is ⁠upending the way it delivers medical supplies for diseases such as HIV and malaria to lower-income countries, according to seven sources and an internal email, risking a second dislocation ⁠of life-saving services in just over a year.

Nation

Immigration Dept cripples 'Geng Ashraf' migrant smuggling syndicate, 30 detained

PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has crippled a migrant smuggling syndicate known as "Geng Ashraf" following a raid on a house used as a transit point in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.