Nation

Barisan considering Bung Moktar’s son as Kinabatangan candidate, says Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is considering fielding Naim Kurniawan, the son of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as its candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election scheduled for January next year, says its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Nation

Trapped by debt: Man's struggle with loan sharks leads to job loss, hardship

JOHOR BARU: A RM500 loan has turned the life of a 38-year-old man here into turmoil, as he has lost over RM16,650, his job and his peace of mind.

Nation

EAIC uncovers disciplinary breaches involving Environment Dept officers, findings referred to MACC

PETALING JAYA: An Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) investigation into conflict of interest allegations involving Environment Department officers has uncovered disciplinary breaches by personnel based in Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya.

Vietnam

Danang to invest in airports to boost tourism and development

DANANG: The central city of Danang has proposed an investment of US$10 billion to upgrade the current international Chu Lai Airport to serve increasing demand due to tourism, investment and logistics growth through 2050.

Corporate News

Gamuda secures new Aussie projects, taking order book to a record RM46bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Gamuda Bhd's orderbook has hit a record high of RM46bil following the announcement of several new contracts to its Australian portfolio.

Nation

Govt to seek forfeiture of funds linked to Ilham Tower

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has applied at the Sessions Court to forfeit funds held in bank accounts belonging to Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and an individual under investigation in connection with the case involving former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Nation

Decomposed body discovered by riverbank in Johor Baru

JOHOR BARU: The decomposed body of a man was found by the riverbank close to an apartment near here.

Singapore

Singapore extends part-time re-employment grant until December 2027

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday (Dec 18) that it is extending a grant for employers offering part-time re-employment, flexible work arrangements and structured career planning for senior workers by two more years owing to continued demand.

Nation

Kelantan JPJ issues over 200 summonses in three-day joint op

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued 210 summons notices during a cross-border special operation involving three east coast states from Monday to Wednesday (Dec 15 to 17).

Markets

Japan's Nikkei ends at 3-week low on tech selloff over AI-business outlook

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average ended at a three-week low on Thursday, pressured by heavyweight tech stocks as investors weighed the outlook for artificial intelligence and data centre businesses.

Arts

Rome's new Colosseum metro train station reveals ancient treasures

For the price of a metro ticket, travellers can access the station's underground museum holding 350 ancient objects

Indonesia

Riau’s viral humpback dolphin found dead in local river

JAKARTA: An Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) that recently went viral after its unusual appearance in the Batang Lubuh River in Riau's Rokan Hulu regency has been found dead, raising concerns over habitat degradation and environmental pollution.

Nation

More illegal bases along Sg Golok to be demolished within two weeks

KOTA BARU: Police expect at least 50 illegal bases along Sungai Golok on the Kelantan-Thailand border to be demolished by the end of this month.

Smartphones

One Tech Tip: Tis the season to unplug and enjoy the holidays IRL

The Christmas holiday season is a time to step back from the busy pace of modern life and connect with our nearest and dearest instead of screens, apps and chatbots.

Animals

Sick ants will sacrifice themselves to save the colony, says study

Sick young ants release a smell to tell worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony from infection, scientists said recently.

Family

Swedes say 13 is too young for criminal responsibility

The Swedish government's plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 faces opposition from majority of authorities and organisations consulted.

Fashion

Antony Price, fashion visionary behind Duran Duran’s iconic looks, dies at 80

British designer Antony Price, famed for dressing Duran Duran, David Bowie and Bryan Ferry, is remembered for his glamorous, technically assured fashion creations.

Myanmar

Myanmar declares a 'zero tolerance' policy for cyberscams. But the fraud goes on

YANGON: It looked like a turning point in the global fight against scams. Myanmar's military leadership, under growing international pressure, vowed to wipe out the industrial-scale cyberscam centers that have taken root in the country.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Can you wear thick make-up for your MyKad photo?

A VIRAL TikTok video has sparked a heated debate about MyKad photo guidelines after a woman claimed she successfully obtained her new identity card whilst wearing heavy make-up, coloured contact lenses and thick false eyelashes reminiscent of international rap star Nicki Minaj.

Nation

DVS investigating death of animals found in abandoned vet clinic

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor Veterinary Services Department (DVS) has launched an investigation into the reported death of neglected animals at an abandoned veterinary clinic in Damansara Damai.