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Football

Soccer-Chelsea appoint Alonso as manager seeking stability after turbulent spell

LONDON, May 17 (Reuters) - Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as ⁠their new manager on a four-year contract starting in July, the Premier League club said on Sunday as they tasked the Spaniard with ⁠reviving their fortunes after a turbulent and trophy-less season.

Badminton

Zi Yu-Noraqilah fall short in China Masters final

PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles pair Low Zi Yu-Nuraqilah Maisarah Ramdan fell short in their bid to capture the China Masters title after losing to Japan's Sumire Nakade-Miyu Takahashi on Sunday (May 17).

Nation

Cabinet approves RM10bil E-ART project to ease Johor Baru traffic

JOHOR BARU: The Cabinet has approved the RM10bil Elevated Autonomous Rapid Transit (E-Art) project to ease traffic congestion in Johor Baru, says Anthony Loke.

Thailand

Makkasan police charge only train driver so far over fatal bus crash

BANGKOK: Makkasan police have charged only the freight train driver so far in the latest development following the deadly train-bus collision near Airport Rail Link Makkasan, as investigators continue gathering evidence to determine whether other people should also face legal action.

Nation

Boycotting polls will only weaken voters’ voice, says Dr Chua

JOHOR BARU: Voters should not boycott elections or spoil their ballots out of frustration, as doing so would only weaken their ability to influence the country's political direction, says Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Nation

Pakatan ready to contest all 36 Negri Sembilan seats, says Loke

JOHOR BARU: Pakatan Harapan is prepared to contest all 36 seats in Negri Sembilan in a tit-for-tat move against Barisan Nasional's decision to go solo in the Johor state election.

Sabah & Sarawak

Departures from GRS must strengthen, not weaken our resolve, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: Leaders quitting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has only strengthened the coalition's resolve, not weakened it, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Pakistan

Pakistan makes fresh bid to revive US-Iran talks

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi (pic) landed in Tehran on a previously unannounced two-day visit, which diplomatic sources said was linked to Pakistan's continuing efforts to revive the stalled Iran-US peace process after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's latest response to American proposals.

Nation

Johor sees 100,920 new voters ahead of state polls

JOHOR BARU: The number of new voters in the state has increased by 100,920, bringing the total number of voters statewide to 2,717,495 compared with the previous state elections four years ago.

Japan

'Geek' hangout to tourist draw: Japan's maid cafes

TOKYO: "Master, mistress -- welcome home!" exclaims the smiling young woman in a French maid's costume, as customers pass through the looking glass into a unique Japanese world with oodles of quirkiness, cuteness and cake.

Nation

Pakatan must not to be complacent in Penang stronghold, says Chow

JOHOR BARU: Penang Pakatan Harapan chairman Chow Kon Yeow has reminded the coalition not to be lulled into complacency by its dominance in the state over the past two decades but should instead to prepare for a tougher fight in the 16th General Election (GE16).

Brunei

Brunei warns of possible low water pressure and disruption during water tank cleaning

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Public Works Department (JKR) announced scheduled cleaning works for several water tanks in the Belait and Tutong districts later this month, which may result in low water pressure in affected areas.

Nation

Rafizi, Nik Nazmi to lead Parti Bersama Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad are set to take the helm of Parti Bersama Malaysia, marking a significant shift for the minor political outfit.

Nepal

Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 32nd time

KATHMANDU: A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd time on Sunday (May 17), an official said, smashing his own record set last year.

World

Nepali Sherpa scales Mount Everest for a record 32nd time

KATHMANDU, May 17 (Reuters) - ⁠A renowned Nepali Sherpa guide scaled Mount Everest for the 32nd ⁠time on Sunday, an official said, smashing his own record set ‌last year.

Cambodia

Hiding in plain sight: Foreign scammers detained at Cambodia's Prince Plaza

PHNOM PENH: Phnom Penh authorities raided two locations in Phnom Penh's Prince Plaza Centre, on Norodom Boulevard in Tonle Bassac, following suspicions of clandestine technology-based fraud.

Fashion

When is a shoe not a shoe? When fashion takes liberties to rethink its very form

Fashion is coming up with unusual creations that challenge what shoes are supposed to look like.

Animals

A new study on mice discovers that mammals cannot be cloned infinitely

There is a limit on how many times a mammal can be cloned before suffering "mutational meltdown", Japanese scientists have discovered, after making 1,200 clones over two decades that started off with a single mouse.

South Korea

Korean couple's quarrel over money ends in husband's murder

SEOUL: A 62-year-old woman has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder of her common-law husband, with whom she lived for 30 years.

Rugby

Rugby-All Blacks hopeful Tangitau sidelined for season by Achilles

May 17 (Reuters) - Otago ⁠Highlanders winger Caleb Tangitau has had ⁠his hopes of an All Blacks call-up ‌shattered by an Achilles injury that will sideline him until the end of the season.