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.

Nation

Three held as Kelantan cops bust burglary gang

KOTA BARU: Police have busted a burglary gang with the arrest of three men believed to be responsible for 13 cases in the district, involving estimated losses of RM404,400.

Brunei

Bruneian paddlers claim podium finish in Sabah regatta

BANDAR BEGAWAN: Brunei's Lela Cheteria team produced an impressive showing at the Kinabalu International Dragon Boat Regatta after advancing to the final of the Masters 45-and-above category at Teluk Likas, Sabah. The 11th edition of the regatta was held over last weekend.

World

Prabowo says Indonesia will build defence capability further as Air Force receives Rafale jets

JAKARTA, May 18 (Reuters) - Indonesia ⁠will continue to build up its defence capabilities amid an uncertain ⁠geopolitical situation, President Prabowo Subianto said on Monday as he ‌officially handed over six Rafale fighter jets and other military hardware to the Indonesian Air Force.

AI

Jury to decide fate of Musk's blockbuster suit against OpenAI

Deliberations begin Monday in the blockbuster trial pitting Elon Musk against AI giant OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, whom Musk accuses of abandoning the company's founding mission.

Nation

Appeals court upholds ex-lecturer's 30-year jail term for murdering guard, discharging firearm

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has upheld the 30-year jail term imposed on a former college lecturer for murder and discharging a firearm during a bank robbery four years ago.

World

Belarus holds nuclear weapons drills

May 18 (Reuters) - Belarus, which ⁠hosts Russian nuclear weapons, said on Monday its ⁠armed forces had begun training on how to ‌deploy them in the field.

Cambodia

Cambodia urges people to be vigilant over Ebola

PHNOM PENH: The Cambodian government has urged the public to take precautionary measures against Ebola, although the kingdom has not detected any case of the virus so far, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Monday (May 18).

Nation

Speaker’s Office confirms receipt of Rafizi's, Nik Nazmi's resignation letters

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat Speaker's Office has confirmed that it has received formal notification of the vacancies for the Pandan and Setiawangsa parliamentary seats.

Laos

Laos, New Zealand strengthen partnership as foreign ministers hold talks

VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and New Zealand have agreed to strengthen cooperation in education, trade, environmental protection, tourism, UXO clearance and other key areas, reaffirming the growing partnership between the two nations.

Nation

School's decision to shut main gate every morning helps curb truancy, says Melaka exco man

JASIN: The Melaka government has defended a school's decision to shut its main gate at 7.30am each day, saying the move is aimed at tackling worsening truancy among students.

Nation

Video of Zara Qairina cycling was authentic, Coroner's Court told

KOTA KINABALU: The Coroner's Court here was told on Monday (May 18) that a video recording showing Zara Qairina Mahathir riding a bicycle last year was authentic and had not been altered in any way.

Entertainment

Siranudh Scott’s sexual allegation against brother sparks online debate

Siranudh 'Psi' Scott has accused his elder brother Sunit 'Pi' Scott of sexual abuse, prompting a public denial and a wider family dispute.

Myanmar

Three Ethiopians arrested in Myanmar telecom fraud crackdown

YANGON: Myanmar authorities said three Ethiopian nationals were arrested during ongoing investigations into online scam operations near Myawady in Kayin State.

Sabah & Sarawak

Keep respecting diversity to maintain harmony, Deputy CM tells Sabahans in Kaamatan message

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans should always respect peace, cultural diversity, the land and agricultural resources to continue living in harmony and prosperity, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam

World

Conservatives win election in Spain's Andalusia, but need far right to govern

MADRID, May 18 (Reuters) - ⁠The conservative People's Party won the election in Spain's southern Andalusia region but ⁠lost its absolute majority, results showed on Monday, forcing it to forge an ‌alliance with far-right party Vox to remain in power. 

Vietnam

Vietnam receives first cargo of Congo Djeno crude for Nghi Son refinery

HANOI: Vietnam's state energy firm Petrovietnam has received its first cargo of Djeno crude oil from Republic of the Congo for the country's largest oil refinery, the company said.

Philippines

Philippine police brace for protests as Senate starts Sara Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on alert for possible protests as the Senate convenes as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, May 18.

Nation

100MW Dungun smart energy bank boosts grid stability, supports national agenda, says DPM Fadillah

DUNGUN: The Santong battery energy storage system (BESS) project, with a capacity of 100MW/400MWh and developed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), marks a significant step in strengthening electricity grid stability and supporting Malaysia's energy transition agenda, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.