Nation

Automatic PERKESO deductions a must under gig workers law, says Steven Sim

KUALA LUMPUR: Gig economy platform providers or employers must automatically deduct Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) contributions from workers' earnings under the Gig Workers Bill, says Steven Sim.

World

Indonesian teen's diary and online trail reveal path to Jakarta mosque blasts

JAKARTA (Reuters) -An Indonesian student suspected of carrying out a bomb attack at his school mosque in Jakarta wrote of feeling isolated in his 42-page diary and drew inspiration from a Telegram group glorifying white supremacist attacks, according to new details from police.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah polls: EC issues over 22,000 postal ballots

KOTA KINABALU: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a total of 22,881 postal ballots to all eligible voters for the 73 constituencies in Sabah, says its secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus.

Technology

We can now track individual monarch butterflies. It’s a revelation.

Scientists used tiny new sensors to follow the insects on journeys that take thousands of miles to their winter colonies in Mexico.

Nation

Carlsberg Golf Classic celebrates its finale at world-class stage

KUALA LUMPUR: Carlsberg Golf Classic (CGC), the country's most celebrated and longest-running amateur golf tournament series, concluded its 32nd edition with an exhilarating finale at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) West Course, offering participating golfers a world-class stage of the recently concluded LPGA Championship tournament.

Technology

Google DeepMind to open new AI research lab in Singapore

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Google DeepMind said on Wednesday it is opening a new artificial intelligence research lab in Singapore that will focus on collaboration with governments, businesses, and academic institutions across Asia. 

Laos

Laos accelerates infrastructure upgrades to boost growth

VIENTIANE: The Lao government continues to advance infrastructure development, particularly road upgrades and the rapid repair of damaged routes, to facilitate transportation and tourism and support national socio-economic growth.

Nation

Thunderstorm, strong wind warning issued for Perak, Selangor and Sabah until 1pm Nov 20

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm, heavy rain and strong wind warning in three states until 1pm Thursday (Nov 20).

Nation

Three dead after two lorries and car crash in Kulai

KULAI: Three people were killed in a crash involving two lorries and a car here.

Myanmar

SpaceX cuts off 2,500 Starlink devices at Myanmar scam centres

SpaceX has cut service to more than 2,500 Starlink internet devices at Myanmar scam centres, a company executive said on Wednesday October 22, after AFP revealed that their use had exploded in the illicit industry.

Vietnam

Vietnamese gov't warns of potential flu outbreak

HANOI: Vietnam's Ministry of Health has warned of a potential flu outbreak after the country logged up to 11,000 cases of seasonal influenza per month over the past three months, a sharp rise from the mid-year figures, local media VnExpress reported Tuesday (Nov 18)

Technology

Elon Musk, Jensen Huang to talk AI at US-Saudi investment forum

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will take part in a discussion on advances in artificial intelligence and technology at a U.S.-Saudi Arabia investment forum in Washington on Wednesday, according to a document seen by Reuters.

World

Russian drones hit Kharkiv, injuring 32 people, Ukrainian officials say

KHARKIV, Ukraine (Reuters) -Russian drones struck apartment buildings in Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, injuring 32 people, including two children, sparking fires and forcing dozens of residents to flee their homes, regional officials said.

Philippines

Philippines, Palestine mark first ministerial visit

MANILA: Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday (Nov 18) welcomed Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin here, marking the first visit by a Palestinian foreign minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1989.

Markets

Asia markets wobble toward Nvidia earnings test

SINGAPORE: Asian markets struggled to make headway on Wednesday as a bout of nerves over AI valuations held back investors ahead of an earnings update from chip titan Nvidia.

Indonesia

Indonesia hit by deadly landslides, floods amid heavy rainfall

JAKARTA: A wave of weather-related disasters swept across Indonesia in the past week, striking at least nine provinces and triggering landslides, floods and destructive winds, the national disaster agency said on Tuesday (nOV 18).

Nation

Malaysia remains a net creditor nation, says PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to maintain its position as a net creditor country, supported by strong external resilience and sizeable non-reserve foreign currency assets held by Malaysian corporates and financial institutions, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nation

Bukit Aman stepping up efforts to strengthen integrity, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman is intensifying efforts to develop its Organisational Anti-Corruption Strategy, aligned with the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, in a bid to strengthen integrity, governance and anti-graft initiatives within the force.

South Korea

South Korean military to launch adjustment programme for multicultural recruits in 2026

SEOUL: The South Korean military plans to introduce an adjustment programme in 2026 for multicultural service members who face difficulties communicating in Korean, the Defence Ministry said on Nov 18, as concerns mount over linguistic barriers and uneven support across units.

AI

The hot new Dubai restaurant run by an AI chef

On a slow afternoon a few years ago, Dubai restaurateur Ahmet Oytun Cakir was in his office considering menu inspiration. Then the hospitality veteran, whose empire includes the popular hangouts BohoX and rove, had a brainstorm: He'd turn to ChatGPT.