Thailand

‘Heartbroken’ but holding on to hope: Families searching desperately for victims of Bangkok bar fire

BANGKOK: A television news live streaming left Suwanna Saeteaw, 38, frozen in place. Among rows of belongings recovered from victims of the deadly Bangkok blaze sat a mobile phone she instantly recognised as belonging to her 25-year-old sister, Jarawee Sermsiri.

Sabah & Sarawak

Niah National Park trails closed temporarily after lightning strike sparks fire

KUCHING: The trails at Niah National Park have been temporarily closed after a lightning strike caused a fire on Monday (July 13).

Football

Soccer-Argentina's war veterans urge fans to focus on football ahead of England match

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, ⁠July 13 (Reuters) - An Argentine war veterans federation called on soccer supporters to focus ⁠on football ahead of their World Cup semi-final against England rather than ‌use the match as a platform to push sovereignty claims over South Atlantic islands.

Nation

Johor won't allow state to be base for ideologies against the law, says MB

JOHOR BARU: Johor will not allow any parties to use the state as a base to promote ideologies or movements that are against the law, sovereignty and interests of Johor and Malaysia, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

Markets

Asia markets choppy as threat of Trump Hormuz levy spooks traders

SINGAPORE: Stocks swung between gains and losses and oil hit a one-month high in early Asian trading on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said the U.S. was reinstating its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and would collect a 20% fee on cargo traversing the Strait of Hormuz.

Nation

Govt eyes RM50.7bil drone industry, 100,000 high-value jobs by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is hoping to turn Malaysia's drone sector into a RM50.7bil industry by expanding the use of the technology across public services, says the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

Social media

Meta appeals landmark jury verdict that found it to blame for social media addiction for young users

Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has appealed the verdict of a landmark social media addiction lawsuit in Los Angeles, challenging the jury's determination that the company designed its platforms to hook young users without concern for their well-being.

Hormones and Kids

When puberty needs to be paused

Some girls might begin puberty at too early an age, impacting their future growth and emotional well-being.

Living

Study: Politics affects our choice of partner

Many people searching for a partner use dating apps where they describe themselves, often noting their political affiliation there too – which could be making it harder to find someone, say scientists.

World

Russian missiles strike Kyiv, but no casualties, Ukrainian officials say

July 13 (Reuters) - Russian ⁠forces attacked the Ukrainian capital ⁠Kyiv with missiles early on Tuesday, ‌triggering fires in widely separated districts of the city, senior officials said.

Nation

Bill to separate AG, Public Prosecutor roles enters second reading

KUALA LUMPUR: The Constitutional Amendment Bill to separate the powers of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor has been scheduled for the second reading on Tuesday(July 14).

Nation

Malaysia’s defence buying independent of power blocs, says Khaled Nordin

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is not dependent on a single power bloc or specific supplier for its defence procurement, says Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin.

Nation

Ministry targets 30% onion self-sufficiency by 2030 under RM31.5mil program

KUALA LUMPUR: The national onion self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) is set to rise from 0.1% in 2024 to 30% by 2030 under the RM31.5mil Shallot Industry Development Program, says the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

Letters

Oral health: The missing link in healthcare

From DR NEDUNCHELIAN VENGU, Dental surgeon, of Kuala Lumpur

Forex

Ringgit opens higher vs dollar amid uncertainties in West Asia

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Tuesday, amid uncertainties in the Strait of Hormuz, which lifted global crude oil prices, an analyst said.

Markets

FBM KLCI holds at 1,700 as oil supply fears cast cloud over global economy

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI edged towards the 1,700 psychological resistance amid a surge in crude oil prices as the US said it would reinstate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, casting fresh energy supply fears.

Technology

Pentagon pauses cyber audit rule blamed for supplier exits

WASHINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - ⁠The Pentagon is suspending the next phase of a cybersecurity certification ⁠program for defense contractors, backing off a compliance requirement that industry ‌executives had warned was pushing small suppliers out of military work and narrowing competition in the defense supply chain.

Letters

Withdraw vastly inadequate Freedom of Information Bill 2026

From the Centre for Independent Journalism, Article 19, Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism and 11 other civil society organisations

Football

Soccer-Senegal team doctor 'trained as a gynaecologist', federation president says

July ⁠13 (Reuters) - Senegal's team doctor lacked the specialist background needed to support ⁠the squad during the World Cup in North America, the ‌president of the country's football federation said on Monday, as the governing body took stock of a disappointing campaign.

AI

Claude just got its own Spotify Wrapped. Here’s what it reveals about how you use AI

You can now quantify how much you're oversharing with Claude – and learn other helpful info as well.