Nation

Extra RM200mil grant allocated to support small-scale entrepreneurs, says Anwar

KOTA BARU: The government has allocated an additional grant of about RM200mil to strengthen the capacity of small-scale entrepreneurs, particularly those from low-income groups, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

AseanPlus News

Tai Po fire risks went unchecked as ‘honour system’ exploited, report says

Four government bodies singled out in committee's final report on the fire, with Labour Department least at fault

Wellness

Try these three yoga exercises to ease back pain

With back pain being a common complaint, these poses may help relax those tense muscles.

Cricket

Cricket-West Indies beat Bangladesh by eight wickets to take series lead

Oct 31 (Reuters) - West Indies extended ⁠their encouraging run in red-ball cricket with an emphatic eight-wicket victory ⁠over Bangladesh in the first test in Mirpur on Saturday, chasing ‌down 170 on the fourth day to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

AseanPlus News

Train collides with bear in Japan’s Hokkaido, causing passengers to spend the night on board

Passengers of a limited express train in Hokkaido, Japan, had to spend the night on board after the service collided with a bear on the night of Oct 30.

Nation

Muar factory operator loses over RM100,000 to phone scam syndicate

MUAR: A 54-year-old factory operator lost more than RM100,000 in savings after falling victim to a phone scam involving fraudsters posing as an insurance agent, police officers and a public prosecutor.

Nation

Three-pronged approach can translate into more cruise arrivals in Penang, says PPC chairman

PETALING JAYA: Penang should strengthen its port facilities and services, introduce new international cruise routes and intensify cooperation between port operators and the tourism industry to boost its competitiveness as a cruise destination, says Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin.

AseanPlus News

Global wildlife trade involves a staggering number of more than 107,000 species, says study

More than 107,000 species are used and traded worldwide, more than double previous estimates, according to a new study that warns the true scale could be far greater due to major gaps in global monitoring data.

AseanPlus News

Hong Kong housing chief quits over Tai Po fire, accepts political responsibility

Winnie Ho says she hopes the 'deceased may rest in peace, and that their families find peace to move forward and recover from their grief soon'

AseanPlus News

In Michigan Senate race, Trump’s softer China tone gives candidates room to look elsewhere

China goes unmentioned in 37 ads reviewed by SCMP, but both candidates oppose Chinese carmakers as Ford pursues Chinese battery technology

Nation

National Reading Index to be finalised by early 2027, says Aaron

MELAKA: Malaysia is expected to establish an instrument to systematically measure reading habit levels and patterns among the public through the National Reading Index (IMK), scheduled for finalisation in early 2027.

Nation

Do not ignore medicine side effects, report it, Health Ministry urges public, healthcare personnel

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry urges the public and healthcare personnel to remain alert for possible medicine side effects and report them when they occur to help monitor medication safety.

AseanPlus News

China tests powerful AI that could one day be used on submarines

Breakthrough in China's race with the US over exploration of applying AI to military operations amid deep-sea trials in Philippine Basin

Cricket

Cricket-South Africa's Rabada fastest to 350 wickets as Australia slump to 60-7

CAPE TOWN, Oct 31 (Reuters) - ⁠South Africa's Kagiso Rabada decimated Australia's top order and became the ⁠fastest by balls bowled to reach 350 test wickets ‌on Saturday as the tourists slumped to 60 for seven at lunch, chasing 288 to win the decisive third test at Newlands. 

Nation

Govt will not go bankrupt helping the poor, says Anwar

KOTA BARU: The government will not become poor or go bankrupt by helping the less fortunate, as the real threats to the country's economy are misconduct among leaders, corruption and financial leakages, saus Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Sabah & Sarawak

Batang Lupar 2 bridge officially opens, to cut drive time between Simanggang, Betong

KUCHING: The driving time between Simanggang and Betong has been shaved by 35 minutes to under half an hour via the Sarawak Second Trunk Road (STR) network now that the Batang Lupar 2 bridge is open to traffic.

Fashion

Fashion’s plastic problem? Why shoppers are turning against synthetic fabrics

Once a wardrobe staple, polyester is now facing a backlash as shoppers embrace natural fibres for their perceived quality, status and wellness benefits.

World

Bangladesh death toll from dengue rises, unlikely to ease before December

DHAKA, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Bangladesh recorded its highest ⁠monthly dengue death toll of the year in October, with experts warning the outbreak is unlikely to ⁠ease significantly before December.

World

Taipei mayor gets angry reception at Pride after gay bar raid

(Refiles story to fix typo in ⁠first paragraph)

AseanPlus News

The Middle East conflict: Iran says fourth oil tanker hit mine, caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran Navy said Friday that a fourth oil tanker had struck a mine and caught fire while attempting to pass through an unauthorised route in the Strait of Hormuz.