Nation

Negri polls: Chong urges Chinese voters to keep parties in check

PORT DICKSON: Chinese voters should vote strategically and reject parties that have performed poorly, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.

World

Russian court confiscates 123 real estate assets belonging to Jehovah's Witnesses

MOSCOW, July ⁠31 (Reuters) - A court in the ⁠Russian capital has confiscated 123 ‌real estate assets which belonged to the Jehovah's Witnesses and transferred them to ​the Russian state, Moscow's ⁠court service ⁠said on Friday.

Nation

Negri polls: Come home to vote and reconnect with family, urges Dr Wee

PORT DICKSON: Returning home to vote at the Negri Sembilan polls is also an opportunity for outstation voters to reconnect with family, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka sentences ex-police chief to death over 2019 bombings

COLOMBO: A Sri Lanka court sentenced former police chief Pujith Jayasundara to death on Friday (July 31) for failing to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people including 45 foreigners.

Rugby

Rugby-New Zealand get rapturous reception as S.Africa tour begins in Cape Town 'home'

CAPE TOWN, July 31 (Reuters) - ⁠New Zealand are relishing the opportunity to play an old-school tour of South Africa for ⁠the first time in 30 years but are well aware of the challenge of ‌facing the four-times world champions in their own backyard.

Football

Soccer-Chelsea fined £10 million for FA rule breaches, avoid points deduction

July 31 (Reuters) - Chelsea have been ⁠fined £10 million ($13.41 million) by the English FA after admitting to multiple ⁠historical breaches of regulations, the governing body said on Friday.

Singapore

Singapore Law Society seeking to strike Pritam Singh off the rolls at disciplinary hearing

SINGAPORE: The Law Society of Singapore will be asking for Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh to be struck off the rolls when his disciplinary case is heard on Aug 13, according to a summary of upcoming court fixtures.

Arts

Boy George pulls out of West End musical after pro-Israel song backlash

The British singer was set to star as King Herod in the London musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

Cambodia

Cambodian police arrest daughter of Oknha over fatal hit-and-run

PHNOM PENH: Police have detained Sam Meychou, the daughter of an Oknha, in connection with a fatal traffic collision in Phnom Penh which she allegedly fled after crossing the centreline and hitting a motorcyclist.

Football

Soccer-Fan group calls for FIFA reform amid widespread opposition to World Cup stake sale plan

July 31 (Reuters) - ⁠Non-profit fan network Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has opposed FIFA's proposal ⁠to sell a stake in the World Cup and ‌called for reform in the world soccer body amid widespread criticism of the plan.

Indonesia

Civil groups launch petition against Indonesian military's expanding role in civilian affairs

JAKARTA: A coalition of civil society organizations (CSO) launched a petition on Wednesday (July 31) opposing the growing involvement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in President Prabowo Subianto's priority programmes, alleging this threatens democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Thailand

Thai police arrest two over case of missing Russian siblings

BANGKOK: Police arrested two men in Sa Kaeo on Friday (July 31) over the disappearance of two Russian siblings in Chonburi, after the suspects allegedly gave statements claiming that both had been killed and their bodies concealed.

Motorsport

Motor racing-U.S. Grand Prix promoter expects record crowd despite new F1 rules

July 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. ⁠Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, is set for a record ⁠crowd this year despite criticism of Formula One's new ‌rules from some fans and drivers, according to circuit founder and race promoter Bobby Epstein. 

North Korea

US, allies warn N. Korean IT workers funding country's weapons programme

WASHINGTON: The United States and 10 Asian and European allies issued an alert on Friday (July 31), warning companies against employing North Korean IT workers whose labour was generating crucial foreign currency to fund Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme.

Singapore

Jail and fine for Singapore woman who abandoned car after accident to eat with her friends

SINGAPORE: A woman who abandoned her car to have supper with her friends after crashing the vehicle in Bugis was sentenced to two weeks' jail and a S$2,400 fine on Friday (July 31).

Football

Soccer-FIFA studying impact of expanding World Cup to 64 teams for 2030 edition

July 31 (Reuters) - FIFA is studying ⁠whether to expand the World Cup from 48 to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, according to a ⁠document seen by Reuters, in a move that could reshape soccer's showpiece tournament when it celebrates its ‌centennial.

Football

Soccer-CONCACAF chief Montagliani considering FIFA presidency challenge to Infantino, report says

July 31 (Reuters) - North ⁠American football chief Victor Montagliani is "making moves" towards ⁠challenging Gianni Infantino for the FIFA presidency in ‌next March's election, The i Paper reported on Friday, citing sources.

Entertainment

HK-based M'sian model Lisa Ch'ng & TVB star Mat Yeung unveil glamorous new KL pre-wedding looks before Sunday's ceremony

The newly released photos show the couple posing in stunning outfits against some of Kuala Lumpur's most iconic landmarks.

China

US congressional group plans annual visits to China after trade trip

The fact-finding mission by members of a congressional advisory body to Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou was the first of its kind since 2019

AseanPlus News

Singapore-based investors now the top non-local buyers of Hong Kong office assets

Investors from the Lion City unseated mainland Chinese in the second quarter, seizing distressed asset opportunities amid price corrections