Nation

Penang undersea tunnel case: Project advanced to RFP stage despite challenges in feasibility studies, detailed design

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite facing major challenges in feasibility studies and detailed design, the Penang state government advanced the Penang undersea tunnel project to the request for proposal (RFP) stage, the Sessions Court heard.

Corporate News

Bumi Armada net profit almost doubled to RM633.99mil in FY24, declares 1 sen dividend

KUALA LUMPUR: Bumi Armada Bhd's net profit almost doubled to RM633.99 million in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024 (FY2024), against RM332.05 million in the previous year.

Nation

Almost 900 underaged marriages registered under Syariah courts from 2022 to 2024, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 881 underaged marriages were registered under the Syariah courts from 2022 to 2024, says Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.

AI

OpenAI unveils technology for ‘natural conversation’

After this release, OpenAI's technology may, like a human, spend a significant amount of time thinking about a question before answering, rather than providing an instant response.

South Korea

S. Korean police summon Japanese woman for kissing BTS member Jin without consent

South Korean police said Friday (Feb 28) they are summoning a Japanese woman for questioning over allegedly kissing Jin, a member of the K-pop supergroup BTS, without consent during a free hug event last year.

Indonesia

Banda Aceh 'shariah police' to tighten patrols for Ramadan

BANDA ACEH: The Banda Aceh Public Order Agency and Wilayatul Hisbah (Satpol PP WH), or "shariah police", plans to intensify monitoring during Ramadan to prevent violations of Islamic law under a mandate from the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, according to the agency's duty chief.

World

Pope is resting after another peaceful night, Vatican says

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis, who has been hospitalised for two weeks battling double pneumonia, has spent another peaceful night and is now resting, the Vatican said on Friday.

Cycling

Motorcycling-Injured Martin must not rush return, says Bagnaia

(Reuters) - Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin should be in no rush to return to racing after undergoing surgery to repair fractures in his left foot and left hand following a heavy crash during training in Spain, Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia said.

Nation

April 7 mention date for comedian Along Cham's drug case

SEPANG: A Magistrate's Court here has set April 7 for next mention of the drug case involving comedian Along Cham, whose real name is Muhammad Nizamuddin Ahmad.

World

Russia says it foiled Ukrainian assassination plot against senior Putin-linked Orthodox priest

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Friday it had foiled an attempt by Ukraine's military intelligence service to assasinate Tikhon Shevkunov, a senior priest in Russia's Orthodox Church.

India

India builds world's longest LPG pipeline to cut costs, mishaps

India's state-run refiners will fully commission the world's longest liquefied petroleum gas pipeline by June, a key development that will sharply cut fuel transportation costs and help prevent deadly road accidents.

Analysis

From advising political leaders to Changi prison

ONE of Malaysia's most intriguing figures in business and politics is at the final stage of his quest to appeal a 36-year prison sentence in a Singapore court.

Singapore

Billionaire Ong Beng Seng set to plead guilty in Singapore on April 2

SINGAPORE: Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng (pic) is set to plead guilty to two charges linked to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau's (CPIB) investigations into former transport minister S. Iswaran.

Markets

Wawasan Dengkil aims to raise RM27mil in IPO, focused on large-scale projects

KUALA LUMPUR: Wawasan Dengkil Holdings Bhd, en route to its ACE Market listing on March 25, expects to raise RM27.01 million from its initial public offering (IPO) to focus on expanding presence in large-scale projects. 

Laos

Subregional initiatives should align with Asean’s broader visions: Lao foreign minister

VIENTIANE: Stronger alignment between sub-regional initiatives and Asean's broader strategic vision is needed, envisaging that closer cooperation will enhance trade, infrastructure, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability.

Internet

Thailand taps Baidu to ease Chinese tourists’ safety worries

Thailand's tourism authority is partnering with a unit of China's search engine giant Baidu Inc to enhance the nation's image as a safe travel destination and calm tourists unnerved over viral news about an alleged kidnapping of a Chinese actor.

Arts

Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival is taking the arts on tour

For its 10th anniversary, Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival is bringing the magic of the performing arts to small towns and big cities.

Family

After birth: Addressing the necessity of postpartum care

Why comprehensive postnatal care is crucial for mothers who just gave birth.

Fashion

Comeback chic: Past trends like bell-bottoms and boho looks have returned

Fashion loves a good comeback story. As trends cycle, what has once fallen out of popularity can make a big return. This is seen in the return of trends from the 1990s and 2000s.

Family

Women-owned studios are transforming Chicago’s wellness scene

How placing community above competition allows these workout facilities to help people maintain their fitness.