World

Merz under pressure as two more German states go to the polls

SCHWERIN, Germany, Sept 20 (Reuters) - German voters ⁠went to the polls on Sunday in two state elections that look likely to heap more pressure on struggling Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose future has been in the balance ⁠since the far right's triumph in another regional vote this month.

Japan

Bear gets on fishing boat, dozes off before falling into sea in Japan's Miyagi

MIYAGI, Japan: A bear climbed aboard a moored tuna fishing boat via its gangway and appeared to have dozed off before falling overboard and disappearing into the sea in the northern Japanese city of Shiogama, Miyagi Prefecture, local police said Sunday (Sept 20), Kyodo News Agency reported.

South Korea

Shark sighting leads to crowds at Busan port in South Korea

SEOUL: A shark sighting in Busan on Sept 18 has put the local authorities on alert, but residents are flocking to the port to catch a glimpse of the animal rarely seen on the South Korean city's coastline.

Nation

Opposition will play up Najib issue, but voters care about broader concerns, says Khaled

KOTA TINGGI: The issue surrounding former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should not be viewed in isolation when considering the factors that could shape the next general election, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

World

Macron and Carney to meet in French Atlantic archipelago in signal to Trump

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - ⁠President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon for talks with ⁠Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday, weeks after President Donald Trump posted an image ‌showing the islands covered by the US flag.

World

Ukraine launches biggest Moscow drone attack as Russia votes

MOSCOW, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine launched ⁠what Moscow's mayor called the biggest drone attack yet on the Russian capital on Sunday, as Russians voted on the final day of a parliamentary election ⁠that President Vladimir Putin has cast as a test of support for the war in Ukraine.

Brunei

Cultural performance to celebrate 35th anniversary of China-Brunei ties held in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A cultural performance by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe in cooperation with disabled artists from Brunei was held here on Friday (Sept 18) to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Brunei.

Nation

Mandatory equity rules risk forcing small tuition centres to close, says Lee Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to require tuition centres to comply with equity rules, including mandatory Bumiputera ownership, warrants careful consideration and timely action, says social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

AI

The liftoff scenario that terrifies AI doomsayers

"Recursive self-improvement" is the idea that artificial intelligence could learn to build and train itself, creating exponential new progress – and risk.

Living

7 common air fryer mistakes to avoid

Some mistakes can lead to health risks so it is worth checking some of the common pitfalls of using an air fryer - and how to avoid them.

Cambodia

Cambodia launches US$30mil initiative to reduce e-waste in five years

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's Ministry of Environment has launched a US$30- million initiative to improve electronic waste management and accelerate the country's transition to a circular economy, according to a joint press release on Saturday (Sept 19).

Nation

Najib remains in Kajang Prison pending RM50mil payment

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak remains in Kajang Prison as he and his legal team study the conditions attached to his conditional pardon, including the payment of a RM50mil fine before he can be transferred to house arrest.

Nation

GOF seizes 6,000 saplings from Thailand in Rantau Panjang

KOTA BARU: A total of 6,000 Pandan coconut and honey guava saplings believed to have been smuggled from Thailand were seized along with a lorry in a raid at Kampung Gual Tok Deh, Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, on Saturday (Sept 19).

Other Sports

Games-IOC chief Coventry gives thumbs-up to Asian Games accommodation despite criticism

NAGOYA, Japan, Sept ⁠20 (Reuters) - International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry threw her weight behind ⁠the beleaguered Asian Games organisers on Sunday, saying she was impressed ‌with the athletes' accommodation in Nagoya despite criticism from some competitors.

Myanmar

Clashes break out in central Myanmar; local residents flee to safety, with casualties reported

YANGON: Clashes broke out in Shwe Laung Village, Ottwin Township, Taungoo District, Bago Region, east of the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, on the morning of September 15, forcing local residents to flee to safer areas and casualties were also reported in the clashes.

Nation

Education Ministry proposes Cabinet review of tuition centre ownership rules

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry will propose a review of the ownership structure requirements for tuition centres at the Cabinet meeting next week.

Sabah & Sarawak

Bukit Sim-Sim slope in Sandakan gives way again, 100m from previous boulder fall site

SANDAKAN: A 150m section of Bukit Sim-Sim gave way on Saturday (Sept 19) night, barely 100m from the site of last year's giant boulder fall.

Laos

Lao province disciplines and expels Party members for regulatory violations

VIENTIANE: Huaphan inspection authorities in the mountainous north-eastern province have disciplined 120 Party members and officials over violations of Party regulations and State law during the past five years, including 45 who were expelled from the Party.

Nation

Man, woman found dead inside car at Taman Inang Sari

ALOR GAJAH: A local man and woman were found dead inside a car at Taman Inang Sari here

Nation

Bangladeshi man sent for psychiatric evaluation after causing ruckus at KLIA Terminal 1

SEPANG: A Bangladeshi man was sent to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation after causing a public disturbance at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.