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Vietnam

Vietnam tightens controls after nearly 300 tonnes of diseased pork 'enter' schools

HANOI: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will establish inspection teams to carry out thematic checks on slaughtering activities and veterinary control nationwide after nearly 300 tonnes of diseased pork entered the market, including supplies to school kitchens in Hanoi.

World

Trump says U.S. strongly considering NATO exit, Telegraph newspaper says

LONDON, April ⁠1 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump ⁠said he was strongly ‌considering pulling the United States out of NATO after allies failed to back ​U.S. military action against ⁠Iran, according ⁠to an interview with Britain's Daily ⁠Telegraph.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia surges as Middle East tensions show signs of easing

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia joined a global rally on Wednesday, tracking gains across regional markets after US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end within two to three weeks.

South Korea

Jailed ex-South Korea president Yoon received US$790,000 in inmate funds: Data

SEOUL: Jailed former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol received more than 1.2 billion won (US$790,000) in inmate funds during roughly eight months of detention, local media reported, citing Justice Ministry data.

Thailand

Billionaires step in as Thailand battles rising living costs

BANGKOK: Thailand is turning to its billionaire-led conglomerates to help contain rising living costs, underscoring both the urgency of inflation pressures and the outsized role of big business in the country's economy.

Nation

Oil shock to hit businesses with higher costs and weaker cash flow, says group

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian businesses are bracing for higher costs, tighter cash flow and a weaker outlook over the next six months as global oil shocks ripple through the economy, according to the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM).

Nation

Fire breaks out in Kuala S'gor illegal dump, Bomba tackling blaze

PETALING JAYA: A fire involving a pile of domestic waste measuring, with two active hotspots identified, broke out at an illegal dumping site at Batu 14, Kampung Serdang, Kuala Selangor.

Nation

GOF busts illegal plastic factory in Sungai Siput, owner arrested

IPOH: The General Operations Force (GOF) arrested a factory owner and seized about RM8.5mil worth of plastic waste, materials and machinery at an illegal plastic processing factory in Sungai Siput.

Nation

Consultant remanded over alleged RM4mil false claims

PUTRAJAYA: An account service provider from a business management consultancy firm has been remanded for allegedly submitting documents containing false particulars involving travel claims amounting to about RM4mil.

Corporate News

Zecon appoints Mohamad Morshidi as chairman

PETALING JAYA: Zecon Bhd has announced the appointment of Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani as its new chairman.

Driverless vehicle

Wuhan police: Chinese robotaxis stall in apparent 'malfunction'

A string of self-driving robotaxis owned by Chinese internet giant Baidu stalled in central China, stranding passengers after an apparent "system malfunction", police said Wednesday.

Asia & Oceania

Summer bookings in Cyprus affected by West Asia situation

Conflict cools early summer tourist interest in Cyprus, Greece and Turkiye.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah Tourism Board sets up crisis response unit amid global uncertainties

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is setting up a crisis response unit for industry players amid global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, especially in the Middle East.

Nation

Fomca urges Malaysians to spend prudently in face of rising costs

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians should brace for a "more difficult" period of rising costs driven by global energy turmoil and to tighten their belts by prioritising essential spending, says the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca).

Nation

Man killed after car skids and crashes into road divider near Sungai Besar

PETALING JAYA: A man was killed after the car he was driving skidded, crashed into a road divider and overturned in an accident at Kampung Belia 2, Sungai Panjang, Sungai Besar, Selangor on Wednesday (April 1).

Nation

Azam Baki shareholding probe: Findings will be made public once investigations conclude, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: The findings of the investigation into Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's share ownership will be made public once all related probes are fully completed, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Football

Soccer-'The World Cup curse' - Italy sheds tears after missing out again

ROME, April 1 (Reuters) - ⁠Italians woke up angry and disillusioned on Wednesday after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the ⁠third time in a row by losing a playoff to Bosnia and Herzegovina, prolonging a sporting nightmare for ‌the soccer-mad country.

Nation

Govt withdraws appeal over Pastor Koh's classified report

PUTRAJAYA: The government has withdrawn its appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to grant Pastor Raymond Koh's family access to a classified report.

Business

Airwallex secures regulatory approval to expand payment services in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Airwallex said on Wednesday it has received approval from Malaysia's central bank for licences to carry out e-money issuance, currency exchange and remittance services, allowing it to offer a full suite of payment services in the country.

Nation

Ban on foreign credit card use for RON95 purchase at pumps now in effect

KUALA LUMPUR: The restriction on the purchase of RON95 petrol using foreign credit and debit cards at self-service terminals at petrol stations is being enforced in stages nationwide from Wednesday (April 1).