AI

Report: Meta to backtrack acquisition of AI firm Manus after China block

Meta is preparing to backtrack its acquisition of AI startup Manus, the Wall Street Journal reported late Monday, after China banned the transaction citing national security concerns.

Aviation

Thai AirAsia to reduce seat capacity by about 30% as jet fuel prices bite

BANGKOK: Thai AirAsia will reduce overall seat capacity by an average of 30% between May and June due to a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices and softening mid-year travel demand, the airline said in a statement on Tuesday.

Thailand

Thai Transport Ministry moves to regulate app-based hire-car safety

BANGKOK: Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat is moving ahead with efforts to organise app-based hire cars and raise passenger safety standards, setting a four-month deadline for all driver partners to obtain a "public driving licence" and pass a strict "criminal record check".

Nation

SPAN issues 56 notices on first day of mass septic tank inspections in Penang

GEORGE TOWN: Hundreds of premises are set to be inspected as the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) cracks down on poorly maintained septic tanks in Penang, warning owners that neglect could lead to enforcement action.

South Korea

South Korean court hikes ex-first lady's graft sentence

SEOUL: A South Korean appeals court increased the corruption sentence for former first lady Kim Keon Hee on Tuesday (April 28) to four years in jail, up from 20 months, after finding her guilty of stock manipulation and bribery.

Nation

Missing senior citizen found dead in Miri

MIRI: An elderly man, who was reported missing in an orchard near a petrol station along Jalan Pintas Miri since April 23, was found dead on Tuesday (April 28).

Cambodia

Latest Kratie dolphin calf sighting brings population in Cambodia to 118

PHNOM PENH: A newborn Irrawaddy dolphin calf has been spotted at the Kampi dolphin pool in Kratie province, bringing the total number of Mekong dolphins in Cambodia to 118.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Was there a ‘waterfall’ in Hospital Ampang?

It was recently claimed that the Hospital Ampang ceiling collapsed following heavy rain, causing water to pour through "like a waterfall".

Banking

Bank Negara introduces RM5bil SME stabilisation relief facility

PETALING JAYA: Bank Negara Malaysia has announced the SME Stabilisation Relief Facility (SME SRF), a RM5bil financing facility to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including microenterprises, affected by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Japan

Iran War has 'disproportionate impact' on Asia Pacific: Australia FM

TOKYO: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Tuesday (April 28) the war in the Middle East has had a "disproportionate impact" on the Asia-Pacific region, as she vowed to work closely with Japan to "navigate global disruption."

AseanPlus News

Sarawak secures landmark win to host APAC's leading lung disease conference in 2028

Sarawak has won hosting rights for the 11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference 2028 (APRC 2028) of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

Metro News

Selangor rep calls for overhaul of public works procedures

A SELANGOR assemblyman is calling for reforms to public works procedures, citing growing frustration over infrastructure project delays in the state.

Indonesia

Riau repurposes illicit cigarettes into compost fertiliser

JAKARTA: Authorities in Riau have converted 22.2 million illicit cigarettes, confiscated in smuggling attempts from Malaysia, into compost fertilizer for farmers, the first initiative of its kind in the province.

Nation

Two directors jailed, fined RM350,000 for illegal e-waste handling in Segamat

SEGAMAT: Two company directors were sentenced to jail and fined a total of RM350,000 after pleading guilty to illegally managing scheduled waste in an industrial area here.

Nation

Two teens arrested for dancing on LRT tracks at Muhibbah station

KUALA LUMPUR: Two teenagers have been arrested following a dancing stunt on the train tracks at the LRT Muhibbah station.

Nation

Cops smash ah long activities in Cheras raid, four nabbed

PETALING JAYA: Police have busted a group linked to illegal money lending activities, believed to be operating as aggressive debt collectors, following an Ops Cantas raid in Desa Bukit Tiara, Cheras, on April 23.

Technology

AI disruption puts focus on long-term value of US equities, Goldman Sachs says

April 28 (Reuters) - AI's potential ⁠to disrupt businesses has sparked concerns over the dependency of U.S. equity valuations on long-term ⁠growth forecasts, particularly in the software sector, Goldman Sachs said.

Economy

Labuan IBFC records US$94bil in total assets in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC) recorded total industry assets of US$94 billion in 2025, up 13 per cent from the previous year, reflecting continued resilience and growth momentum across key sectors.

Nation

Senior cop remanded for soliciting ‘protection money’ from entertainment outlets

KUANTAN: A senior police officer has been remanded for five days until May 2 to assist in investigations into claims that he solicited and received bribes amounting to about RM64,000 as an inducement to protect unlicensed entertainment outlets in a district in Pahang.

Entertainment

Former ‘The Voice’ contestant Dylan Carter killed in car accident

He competed in the singing competition in 2023.