Technology

Samsung unveils AI-powered TV lineup with prices starting from RM6,399

Electronics giant Samsung unveiled its 2026 artificial intelligence (AI)-powered lineup of 4K smart TVs at a media event today (May 18).

Nation

Over half of Kedah's padi fields now at ploughing stage, says Mat Sabu

SERDANG: More than 50% of padi fields in Kedah, including areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), have entered the ploughing stage despite reports that nearly 90% of farmers had yet to begin planting for the first season.

Sabah & Sarawak

Phones belonging to Zara Qairina and mother among those analysed, court told

KOTA KINABALU: The mobile phones belonging to the late Zara Qairina Mahathir and her mother, Noraidah Lamat, were among 15 mobile phones analysed by police Computer Crime Investigation Unit analyst Asst Supt Mohd Zaidi Abu Hassan.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Did a group of men set off flares from a moving 4WD vehicle?

Flares are often used for distress signalling, deployed only when there is imminent danger to a person or property.

Badminton

Big blow as Pearly still sidelined, misses home Masters with Thinaah

PETALING JAYA: It is still no go for doubles shuttler Pearly Tan after injury ruled her out of the Malaysian Masters alongside M. Thinaah.

Nation

District police chief in Sarawak under investigation for sexual harassment

KUCHING: An officer in charge of a police district (OCPD) in Sarawak is being investigated over allegations of sexually harassing a female officer.

Nation

Johor JPJ seizes 44 luxury vehicles

JOHOR BARU: The Johor Road Transport Department (JPJ) has seized 44 luxury vehicles in a statewide operation conducted at several strategic locations.

Nation

Home Ministry seeks RM4.3mil to upgrade GOF 3rd Battalion Camp

TAPAH: The Home Ministry will submit an application for a financial allocation of about RM4.3mil to upgrade facilities at the General Operations Force (GOF) 3rd Battalion Camp in Bidor.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah STAR reps urged to clarify stance after Kaamatan event with Warisan's Shafie

KOTA KINABALU: Two Sabah STAR assemblymen have been advised to clarify their participation in a recent Kaamatan event in Keningau where Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was present.

AseanPlus News

‘Are you still hiring?’: K-pop king G-Dragon gifts flats to long-serving staff, sparks online buzz

Known for his exceptional loyalty, the pop icon has developed a strong bond with his long-term team

Corporate News

TNB launches Malaysia's first battery energy storage system connected to national grid

DUNGUN: The Santong Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, with a capacity of 100 megawatt (MW)/400 MW-hour (MWh), developed by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), is the first BESS system in the country to be connected to the national grid.

Nation

Nothing earthshaking about UEC 'recognition' in current form, says ex-MCA chief

JOHOR BARU: The Madani government has merely provided a limited pathway into a handful of public universities rather than genuinely recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), says Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Nation

Country's GDP expected to grow due to high foreign investment, says Finance Ministry

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is expecting positive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth due to the inflow of foreign and domestic investments that remain strong, in addition to high demand for the artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and the semiconductor sectors that continue to drive the economy, says Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

World

Norway joins EU's Baltic Sea Region cooperation amid greater security focus

OSLO, May 18 (Reuters) - ⁠Norway said on Monday it has ⁠joined the European Union's Strategy for ‌the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR), which aims to coordinate work around common challenges, including security aspects.

India

India directs state-run banks, insurance firms to cut costs, shift to EVs

NEW DELHI: India's finance ministry directed state-run banks, insurers and financial institutions on Monday (May 18) to implement cost-cutting measures, including sharp curbs on travel and a phased transition to electric vehicles, according to an order reviewed by Reuters.

World

Revised Iranian proposal to end war shared with US, Pakistani source says

ISLAMABAD, ⁠May 18 (Reuters) - Pakistan ⁠has shared with ‌the U.S. a revised proposal from Iran ​to end ⁠the conflict ⁠in the Middle East, ⁠a ‌Pakistani source told ⁠Reuters on Monday, as ​peace ‌talks appeared to ⁠remain ​stalled.

Japan

Japan arrests Americans over stunt at baby monkey Punch's zoo

TOKYO: Two American nationals were arrested in Japan after a stunt in which one entered the monkey enclosure at a zoo where a baby macaque named Punch became a global internet sensation this year, police said Monday (May 18).

Technology

Commonwealth Bank of Australia names Mary-Anne Williams as chief AI scientist

May 18 (Reuters) - Commonwealth ⁠Bank of Australia on Monday appointed ⁠Mary-Anne Williams as its chief AI scientist ‌in what the bank said would be the first such role at an Australian lender.

World

Putin faces 'very difficult choices' in Ukraine as sanctions bite, Estonia's spy chief says

TALLINN, May 18 (Reuters) - Russian President ⁠Vladimir Putin has few good options in Ukraine with his armed forces unable to advance significantly on the battlefield while Western sanctions are ⁠chipping away at his resources, Estonia's foreign intelligence chief has said. 

Thailand

Thailand ransom raid: Four police officers detained in Chinese abduction case

BANGKOK: Four police sergeants and one civilian have been arrested in Sa Kaeo after five Chinese nationals were allegedly detained and held for ransom inside a house in Wang Sombun district in eastern Thailand.