Nation

Mediation centre to streamline legal process under consideration

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysia Mediation Centre (MMC) under the Legal Aid Department is being mulled to strengthen out-of-court dispute resolutions, reduce case backlogs and lower legal costs for the public.

Nation

INTERACTIVE: Kedah gets the brunt of the hot weather

A total of 368 high temperature alerts were issued so far this year in Malaysia, mostly involving areas in Kedah due to a local weather phenomenon that brings clear skies and little rainfall to northern states.

Nation

First Madani Mart opens in cost-cutting push

KUANTAN: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the first Madani Mart retail outlet in the country as part of the government's initiative to help ease the cost of living.

Insight

Burnout at the top

Over a meal, a successful business owner with hundreds of employees casually mentioned that he sometimes takes a two-hour drive back to his hometown just for lunch.

Star Biz7

From risk-off to selective positioning

Rising tensions in the Middle East are rippling through global financial markets, but a tentative improvement in investor sentiment is beginning to take shape.

Star Biz7

Gulf luxury car profits under siege

A laser-engraved bonnet inspired by Arabian architecture and a matching wood-trim interior are among the luxuries Rolls-Royce featured in a one-off Phantom Arabesque model commissioned by a Dubai customer it showcased in February before the Iran war.

Insight

The folly of Trump’s war

Are we slipping into World War Three (WWIII)? After eight decades of peace after the end of WWII, we are now in the throes of a four-year-old Ukrainian war and an escalating Israel-US-Iran conflict that flared last June for 12-days, and turned serious on Feb 28.

Star Biz7

Energy crunch singes New Delhi street stalls

Outside New Delhi's main bus terminus, a cluster of food stalls set up under makeshift canopies has been selling pan-fried flatbreads, comforting stews and hot tea to weary travellers for decades.

Star Biz7

Airbnbs top US$6,000 in World Cup rush

The biggest winners from this year's World Cup are poised to be those able to rent out their properties, especially in the tri-state area.

Nation

Solemn reflection on Good Friday

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Tears welled up among parishioners as a man portraying Jesus walked slowly through the crowd, drawing the faithful into the pain, compassion and sacrifice of Good Friday at the Minor Basilica of St Anne.

Star Biz7

Aussie bonds rally faces sentiment test

Australia's debt market is on track to hit record post-pandemic bond sales this quarter, driven by higher rates and its safe investment appeal, but the boom now faces a critical test as the war in the Middle East tightens the deals pipeline.

Star Biz7

Oil & war — the big woes

Battered financial markets enter the second quarter (2Q26) significantly exposed to the impact of war, which could prompt a bigger retreat for equity markets. However, a hefty selloff in bonds could yet tempt buyers back.

Star Biz7

A time of carbon reckoning

Malaysia's National Climate Change Bill may be designed as an environmental law, but in economic terms its first visible impact could arrive in the form of electricity tariffs.

Insight

Time to wean off protectionism

The recent kerfuffle surrounding BYD's investment in Tanjung Malim has elicited different opinions on the auto industry in Malaysia.

Insight

Cash wins in March — just ask Buffett

If Warren Buffett is happy for Berkshire Hathaway to load up on more cash, who needs to search for another safe haven?

Star Biz7

A winner in medals

To many, medals and awards are treasured keepsakes from childhood that often stir up pride in past achievements, or evoke memories of milestone moments.

Star Biz7

Winners and losers in carbon-priced climate

The move towards carbon pricing is unlikely to produce immediate winners and losers among investors, but it will gradually widen the gap between companies prepared for a low-carbon operating environment and those still dependent on older, emissions-heavy business models

Badminton

Ee Wei can stomach any challenge that comes her way now

PETALING JAYA: Reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei skipped last year's Asian Championships following a disappointing showing at the All-England, which led to a temporary split between the pair.

Insight

Funds without borders

This is a dated argument. Malaysian funds, both private and public, ought to have larger overseas exposure to avoid competing for the same investment ideas in the domestic market.

World

Roundup: White House seeks 1.5 trillion USD in defense spending in 2027 budget proposal

WASHINGTON, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The White House Office of Management and Budget on Friday released its 2027 budget proposal, which would raise defense spending to 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars while reducing funding for domestic programs.