Internet

Goodbye ‘Geeky Hunk’? Gmail users can now change their usernames.

Users who have been saddled with now-cringe email handles since the mid-2000s can now change them without losing any data under a policy Google announced on Wednesday.

Nation

Customs Dept foils 3.3kg heroin smuggling attempt at KLIA2

PUTRAJAYA: An attempt to smuggle 3.3kg of heroin worth nearly RM266,000 was foiled at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 in February.

Vietnam

Vietnam mulls cutting taxes on selected petroleum products to zero

HANOI: Vietnam's Ministry of Finance has proposed reducing the value-added tax (VAT) and environmental protection tax on kerosene and mazut (a high-sulphur, low-quality heavy fuel oil that is typically produced as a residual product of petroleum) to zero in an effort to lower costs for citizens amid tensions in the Middle East, local media outlet VnExpress reported Thursday (April 2).

Nation

DOE D-G, deputy arrive in court to face corruption charges

KUALA LUMPUR: The Director-General of the Department of Environment (DOE) and its Deputy Director-General have arrived at the Sessions Court to face graft charges in connection with an investigation into electronic waste management on Friday (April 3).

Thailand

Bangkok’s soft-soil basin could amplify earthquake shaking by three to six times

BANGKOK: Bangkok's underlying soft-soil basin could dramatically intensify earthquake shaking and extend how long tremors last, making the capital more vulnerable than previously assumed, according to the director of Earthquake Research Centre of Thailand.

Forex

Ringgit opens higher against US$ on softer NFP view

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar in early trade on Friday, as markets positioned for a softer US non-farm payrolls (NFP) reading, weighing on the greenback and lending support to regional currencies.

Markets

Cautious bounce on Bursa Malaysia amid cloudy outlook

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI rose cautiously on Friday following a mixed performance on Wall Street as US President Donald Trump offered no concrete resolution in his recent televised speech on ending the Middle East conflict.

World

Myanmar's junta chief set for parliamentary vote on presidential bid

April 3 (Reuters) - Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing ⁠faces a parliamentary vote on Friday on his bid to become the country's president, as he seeks to ⁠formalise his grip on political power five years after his coup against an elected government. 

World

South Korea, France to upgrade ties as Macron trip overshadowed by Middle East crisis

SEOUL, April ⁠3 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to upgrade relations between ⁠the countries to a "global strategic partnership," Korea's Blue House said in a statement on Friday. 

World

Cuba to free 2,010 prisoners from island jails in 'sovereign gesture'

HAVANA, April ⁠2 (Reuters) - Cuba on Thursday said it would free more than ⁠2,000 prisoners from the island's jails, according to state-run ‌media, the second time this year its communist-run government has announced a prisoner amnesty amid talks with the administration of U.S. president Donald Trump.

Family

These Malaysians share the painful experience of stepping away from family

More than just an impulsive choice, family estrangement is often a gradual decision and holds a lot of emotion for the person going through it.

Social media

US government requests for social media user data are soaring

US government requests for user data from technology companies has skyrocketed by 770% in the past decade, a new research report has concluded.

Entertainment

Actors Glenn Yong & Eric Lay detail paranormal experiences filming at Batu Caves

The pair stars in 'Kong Tao' – a Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand horror co-production.

World

Trump sacks attorney general, replaces with ex-personal lawyer

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday after months of strained relations and named his former personal lawyer to serve as the acting chief of the Justice Department.

STARPICKS

Celebrating the world’s unique cultures

IN a world that craves connection, the true joy of travel lies in discovering what makes each culture distinct. Beyond landmarks and landscapes, it is the traditions, artistry and stories of people that leave the deepest impression.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Were chainsaws originally invented to aid childbirth?

If you've ever watched a classic horror movie, there's a good chance a chainsaw is involved.

Technology

Analysis-Under global spotlight, Australia plays hardball on social media ban

SYDNEY, April 3 (Reuters) - Since Australia banned children from using social ⁠media in December, lawmakers from Spain to Malaysia have expressed interest in following suit, while U.S. courts have found tech firms negligent toward young users.

STARPICKS

Set sail in style across Asia

STARDREAM Cruises continues to elevate cruising across Asia with a wide range of experiences across its StarCruises and Dream Cruises brands.

Corporate News

Trading ideas: Sunway, TNB, Cypark, UEM Edgenta, DKSH, Dialog, MN, Bintai, No Hsin, NexG

KUALA LUMPUR: Here is a recap of the announcements that made headlines in Corporate Malaysia.

STARPICKS

Shaping the next generation of cybersecurity experts

IN an era where cyberattacks can cripple hospitals, disrupt economies and compromise national security within minutes, cybersecurity expertise is mission-critical.