Japan

Shinzo Abe’s shooter ‘deserves life in prison’; Japan prosecutors demand Nara court to put Tetsuya Yamagami in prison for good

TOKYO: Prosecutors on Thursday (Dec 18) sought life in prison for the man charged with fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nara City in July 2022.

Technology

Russian ban on Roblox stirs debate about limits of censorship

MOSCOW, Dec 18 (Reuters) - A Russian ban on U.S. gaming platform Roblox has fuelled debate among some children and parents about censorship and the utility of bans in a world where children can bypass limits with a few clicks.

Entertainment

Amy Schumer announces divorce from husband Chris Fischer

The Emmy Award winner married the chef in February 2018.

Living

Herders pivot to an unusual city life as conflict grips Africa's Sahel region

The sprawling conflict in the Sahel, a vast semi-arid stretch south of the Sahara desert, has sent thousands of herders to safer areas on the fringes of Abidjan.

Corporate News

Sunway Construction unit inks RM570mil data centre job from US-based tech firm

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Construction Group Bhd (SunCon) said its wholly-owned subsidiary Sunway Construction Sdn Bhd (SCSB) has secured a contract, valued at about RM570mil from a multinational technology corporation based in the US for core and shell package works for the development of a data centre in Johor.

Nation

Mall reverses pet-friendly policy but says park remains open to animals

PETALING JAYA: Sunway Square Mall has reversed its much-talked-about pet-friendly policy, saying pets are no longer allowed inside its enclosed indoor areas in compliance with a Selangor government directive.

Corporate News

MMC Port, Nize Technology to develop transformation, smart port blueprint

KUALA LUMPUR: MMC Port Holdings Bhd and Shanghai-based NIZE Technology Co Ltd have collaborated to develop a comprehensive digital transformation and smart port initiative blueprint.

Nation

No age limit on Non-Workplace Accident Scheme, Dewan Negara told

KUALA LUMPUR: The Non-Workplace Accident Scheme (SKBBK), introduced under amendments to the Employees' Social Security Act 1969, does not impose an age limit on employee coverage.

Corporate News

Advancecon unit bags RM19.33mil earthworks job in Kuala Selangor

KUALA LUMPUR: Advancecon Holdings Bhd said its wholly-owned subsidiary Advancecon Infra Sdn Bhd has been appointed by Damai Jaya Realty Sdn Bhd as the contractor for proposed earthworks for the proposed industrial development in Ijok, Kuala Selangor, in Selangor.

Badminton

Badminton-An dominates, Yamaguchi battles through in season finale

Dec 18 (Reuters) - South Korea's An Se-young dominated Tomoka Miyazaki 21-9 21-6 at badminton's World Tour Finals in Hangzhou on Thursday to continue her chase for a second title at the season finale.

Corporate News

CTOS Digital units dispose of 26% stake in Experian Information Services for RM80mil

KUALA LUMPUR: CTOS Digital Bhd said two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Enfo Sdn Bhd and CTOS Insights Sdn Bhd, have entered into a sales and purchase agreement with Experian (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for the proposed disposal of their entire 26% stake in Experian Information Services (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for RM80mil cash.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Does a rabbit’s diet consist mainly of carrots?

WHEN you think of a bunny eating a carrot, what comes to mind?

Thailand

Thai foreign minister does not reject foreign mediation, calls for neutrality in resolving Thailand-Cambodia conflict

BANGKOK: Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the Foreign Minister of Thailand, during his visit to Japan from Dec 18-20, said he was open to discuss the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border conflict.

Nation

Website blocks target illegal content, not media organisations, says Fahmi

KUALA LUMPUR: Website access blocks imposed by the government do not involve media organisations, but are confined to content that clearly violates the law, such as gambling and pornography, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Cricket

Cricket-Lyon roars on return to Ashes stage in Adelaide

ADELAIDE, Dec 18 (Reuters) - After an upsetting omission from the second Ashes test in Brisbane, spinner Nathan Lyon was all smiles on Thursday as he celebrated his recall to the Australian XI with a two-wicket burst that launched a day of pain for England at Adelaide Oval.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sarawak free tertiary education scheme to continue beyond 2026, says Abang Johari

KUCHING: The Sarawak state government will continue the Free Tertiary Education Scheme beyond 2026, says Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Nation

Labuan ferry terminal jetty upgrade expected to be completed by April 2028

KUALA LUMPUR: The upgrading project for the Labuan Vehicle and Passenger Ferry Terminal Jetty, a vital link between the federal territory and Sabah as well as Brunei, is scheduled for full completion on April 6, 2028.

Nation

Thai man charged with trafficking drugs worth RM11mil

JITRA: A Thai man has been charged in the Magistrate's Court here with trafficking 331kg of drugs worth almost RM11mil into the country.

World

Ukraine says 180,000 consumers were left without power after Russian overnight attack

KYIV, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Around 180,000 consumers were left without electricity supplies across five Ukrainian regions after a Russian attack overnight, Ukraine's acting energy minister Artem Nekrasov said on Thursday.

World

Russia sentences Briton who fought for Ukraine to 13 years in prison camp

MOSCOW, Dec 18 (Reuters) - A British man who fought for Ukraine against the Russian army has been sentenced to 13 years in a maximum security prison camp after being convicted of being a paid mercenary, Russian prosecutors said on Thursday.