Nation

MMA backs call to restore 300-litre fuel subsidy for healthcare workers

KLANG: The 300-litre monthly fuel subsidy quota under BUDI95 for Health Ministry personnel must be reinstated, says Malaysian Medical Association, as it is an operational necessity not a privilege.

Hockey

Carolan eyes new blood as MHL kicks off ahead of Asiad

PETALING JAYA: New national hockey team head coach Brendon Carolan has the perfect opportunity to scout for fresh faces when the Malaysian Hockey League (MHL) starts next week.

Laos

Laos reports over 16,000 fire hotspots amid rising air pollution

VIENTIANE: The Lao Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported 16,395 fire hotspots nationwide in the first three months of 2026, raising concerns over worsening air quality and health risks posed by transboundary haze, as pollution across the country rise to harmful levels.

Football

Soccer-'Unbelievable' Salah can win more trophies before Liverpool exit, says Slot

April 3 (Reuters) - Manager Arne Slot hailed ⁠the impact Mohamed Salah has had on Liverpool during his nine years at the ⁠club, and is hoping the Egyptian forward will win two more trophies with ‌them before leaving.

Corporate News

PTT wins RM31.7 mil construction job, bags warehouse automation deal

PETALING JAYA: PTT Synergy Group Bhd's (PTT) wholly-owned subsidiary, Pembinaan Tetap Teguh Sdn Bhd (PTTSB) has accepted a contract from Sime Darby Property (Bukit Raja) Sdn Bhd to undertake construction and earthworks and ancillary works.

China

Chinese Politburo member Ma Xingrui under probe by anti-graft watchdog

BEIJING: Ma Xingrui, a member of China's elite Politburo, is under investigation over suspected "serious violation of law and discipline", becoming the latest senior Chinese leader to fall under the anti-graft watchdog's scrutiny

Football

Pan-gon wary of Kuching threat ahead of Malaysia Cup semis

PETALING JAYA: Selangor head coach Kim Pan-gon has his eye on several key Kuching players who could prove dangerous when the two sides clash in the Malaysia Cup semi-final first leg match at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Sunday (April 5).

South Korea

Rain, wind to shorten South Korea’s peak viewing window for cherry blossoms

SEOUL: Cherry blossoms are reaching peak bloom across South Korea this week, but rain and strong winds forecast for the weekend could shorten the viewing period, the Korea Meteorological Administration said

Technology

Moscow shoppers and travellers hit by payment system problem

MOSCOW, April 3 (Reuters) - ⁠A problem with payment systems sowed ⁠chaos on Friday for some Russian ‌shoppers, forcing the turnstiles on the Moscow metro to allow people to enter without payment and even forcing ​a regional zoo to ⁠ask visitors to use ⁠cash.

Nation

Monsoon transition bringing relief from hot spell

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is now in the monsoon transition phase from March 29 until May, with heavy rain and strong winds expected over short periods, bringing relief from the hot weather that has hit the country of late says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

Cambodia

Expats in Cambodia champion Khmer identity through traditional dress

PHNOM PENH: A multinational group of individuals has drawn widespread online attention after showcasing Khmer traditional clothing at Angkor Wat. Their move highlights what some people are calling a growing trend of foreigners actively promoting Cambodia's cultural heritage, despite some criticisms from netizens of Thailand.

Banking

Affin Bank gets Bank Negara nod for RM50mil Pheim AM acquisition

KUALA LUMPUR: Affin Bank Bhd has received approval from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) for its proposed acquisition of Pheim Asset Management Sdn Bhd for RM50mil cash.

Cycling

Royal audience rekindles hope for Velodrome Rakyat

PETALING JAYA: There may be hope yet for the Velodrome Rakyat to be restored to working condition soon, thanks to Malaysian National Cycling Federation president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill's meeting with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah at the Perak Palace on Friday (April 3).

Forex

Ringgit revisits 4.02 level against US dollar on easing energy supply concerns

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rebounded to the 4.02 level against the US dollar at the close today, as the Iran-Oman energy transit talks eased concerns over supply disruptions.

Indonesia

Indonesia to repatriate slain peacekeepers as Lebanon violence escalates

JAKARTA: Indonesia is coordinating closely with the United Nations to repatriate the bodies of three Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon last week, the Foreign Ministry has confirmed, with the remains expected to return home in the next few days.

Football

Soccer-Chelsea drop Fernandez for two games for comments on his future

April 3 (Reuters) - Chelsea have dropped ⁠their record signing Enzo Fernandez for two matches after the midfielder publicly cast ⁠doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge, manager Liam Rosenior said on ‌Friday.

Sabah & Sarawak

Cops bust 13 gambling dens disguised as family entertainment centres in Selangor, Sabah

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted 13 illegal gambling premises masquerading as licensed family entertainment centres in coordinated raids across Selangor and Sabah.

Corporate News

IJM denies prior talks on Sunway offer, reiterates rejection stance

KUALA LUMPUR: IJM Corp Bhd has clarified recent media reports on Sunway Bhd's conditional voluntary takeover offer (VTO), reiterating that the proposal was not discussed with the company prior to its formal announcement and maintaining its recommendation for shareholders to reject the offer.

World

Italy's Meloni picks new tourism minister in shake-up after referendum

ROME, April ⁠3 (Reuters) - Italy's culture undersecretary Gianmarco ⁠Mazzi was sworn in on Friday ‌as the country's new tourism minister, the latest change in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ​government after her defeat ⁠in a referendum ⁠on judicial reform.

Thailand

Thailand faces 'worst energy crisis in history' as diesel prices treble

BANGKOK: Thailand is grappling with its most severe energy crisis on record, with the government moving to seize "windfall profits" from refineries to prevent a total collapse of the country's fuel subsidy mechanism