///

Headlines : Sundaily Home News   Page 1    
21/11 2:59 pm Australian teen dies from tainted liquor in Laos; fourth suspected victim

SYDNEY : An Australian teenager died on Thursday after drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol in Laos, Thai police and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, the fourth foreign national now suspected to have died in the incident. Bianca Jones, 19, fell ill last week in Vang Vieng, a town in the Southeast Asian nation popular with foreign backpackers that is about two hours north of the capital Vientiane by road. She died on Thursday after being taken to a hospital in neighbouring ..

Thailand on November 13, police in the city of Udon Thani said. The physician who examined her said the cause of death was a methanol poisoning, from fake liquor, Phattanawong Chanphon, a police official in the Thai city, told Reuters. The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain. Australian media said Jones was the fourth foreign tourist to die after consuming the contaminated alcohol, following two Danes and an American. This is every parents worst fear and a nightmare no one should have to endure, Albanese told parliament on Thursday. All Australians offer them our deepest sympathy in this time of heartbreak. Jones friend Holly Bowles, also 19, is in critical condition in hospital, Albanese said. Spurious liquor is a problem in Laos, with the governments of Australia and Britain warning citizens to be cautious when taking drinks there. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its website.

21/11 2:43 pm Cheeky wave by youths turns into a hilarious police episode netizens cant ..

A playful roadside antic turned into an unexpected sprint for a group of young men after suddenly catching the attention of a police patrol car. The incident, shared on the Royal Malaysia Polices Instagram ( @pdrm_official ), has since gone viral, leaving netizens in stitches. ALSO READ : Msian cops kindness towards food delivery rider delights netizens The caption read: Teasing and then gone in a flash! Sergeant: Huh? Theyre gone already!? Didnt we just see someone here? Corporal: Exactly, I ..

saw them too. But many people say this place is haunted, Sergeant. Sergeant: Oh nooooo! It all began with the group standing by the roadside, seemingly enjoying the rain. One of them decided to wave his shirt at a passing police vehicle, likely as a harmless tease. However, the mood shifted when the patrol car came to a halt and reversed toward them. In a comedic turn of events, the men scattered in all directions, sprinting through the rain in a bid to avoid the officers. One mans lightning-fast run particularly stood out, adding to the hilarity of the moment. Netizens couldnt get enough of the footage, flooding the comments section with humorous remarks. One user called yusrichfx89 commented: They all turned into Sukma athletes instantly. Ive been there too, running from a teacher... thank goodness I managed to leap over a big ditch! Many couldnt stop laughing about the last guys hilarious take-off. Syafiqwahid89 commented about one of the men lagging behind, saying, The guy at the back ran faster than Usain Bolt! Knvn5757 commented: The last guy...is he running or flying? Looks like his feet are not on the ground anymore.

21/11 2:39 pm CME Group and LPGA sign two-year extension of CME Group Tour Championship

THE Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and CME Group, the worlds leading derivatives marketplace, today announced an extension of the CME Group Tour Championship and the season-long Race to the CME Globe through 2027. Since assuming title sponsorship of the LPGA Tours season-ending tournament in 2011, CME Group has consistently grown its support, becoming one of the worlds most prominent sponsors of womens sports. This title extension is yet another demonstration of CME Groups ..

long-standing support for LPGA Tour athletes. The 2024 CME Group Tour Championship will feature an enhanced total purse of US$11 million (RM46m), including a historic US$4m (RM16m) first-place prize, the largest single prize in the history of womens golf. The runner-up will receive US$1m (RM4m). CME Group is proud to build on our commitment to celebrating womens golf through the CME Group Tour Championship, which offers the largest single prize in the game and the highest prize purse on the LPGA Tour, said CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffy. We are pleased to extend our sponsorship and continue working with the LPGA and its talented athletes. For more than a decade, we have been able to help create an increasingly exciting experience for players and fans around the world, all while helping the sport grow to over 7 million women golfers. As enthusiasm for womens golf continues to grow, this partnership with the LPGA allows us to bring our brand to their increasing audience around the globe. Further extending our partnership with CME Group through 2027 marks a significant moment for the LPGA and our athletes, said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. CME Groups long-term vision and commitment have consistently propelled womens golf forward since they first partnered with the LPGA in 2011, and their continued investment in our players is a testament to their belief in the future of womens sports. The $4 million first-place prize is one of the largest single prizes across womens sports and highlights CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffys recognition of our athletes incredible talents and the value this partnership brings to CME Group on multiple levels. Were also extremely proud to be a part of CME Groups life-changing support of St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. Our partnership with CME Group has been a game-changer for the LPGA, and we cant wait to continue to work together toward further growth and impact. As part of its on-site footprint, CME Group will host its clients at the second annual Financial Face-off, a primary element of the weeks pro-am experience. Today, 24 teams representing some of the worlds leading companies will take to Tiburon Golf Club for 18 holes, playing alongside the LPGA Tour professionals from the CME Group Tour Championship field. The leading two teams at the end of the day will compete in the inaugural Financial Face-off Playoff for the win and an additional donation to St. Jude. This year, the finalists will be joined by two of the biggest names on the LPGA Tour Nelly Korda, No. 1 in the Rolex Womens World Golf Rankings and the 2024 Rolex Player of the year, and Lydia Ko, whose 2024 Olympic gold-medal performance earned her entrance into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Since 2018, CME Group has been a proud supporter of St. Jude through the Score 1 for St. Jude campaign. For every hole in one carded during the LPGA Tour season, CME Group donates $20,000 to St. Jude in support of the lifesaving mission. Through last weeks The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, the next-to-last event of the LPGA Tour season, the campaign has donated $580,000 to St. Jude on the power of 29 holes-in-one. Since 2018, CME Group has donated more than $4.5 million in total to St. Jude. Among the illustrious list of CME Group Tour Championship winners are Lydia Ko, the newest member of the LPGA Hall of Fame and a CME Group brand ambassador, and her fellow major champions Na Yeon Choi, Shanshan Feng, Ariya Jutanugarn, Cristie Kerr, Sei Young Kim, Jin Young Ko, Lexi Thompson and Amy Yang. The Race to the CME Globe has also been an integral part of the LPGA Tour calendar since 2014. In the season-long points competition, LPGA Members accumulate points in every Official LPGA Tournament to gain entry into the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. The 2024 Race to the CME Globe competition began with the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Florida and concludes with the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Fla.

21/11 2:00 pm Zii Jia secures spot in BWF World Tour finals

MALAYSIAs professional mens singles player Lee Zii Jia has qualified for the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, next month. This was confirmed by BWF in a social media post, marking Zii Jias return to the prestigious tournament after a two-year absence. This will be Zii Jias third appearance at the season-ending tournament, following the 2020 and 2021 editions. BWF also announced that Thailands 2024 Paris Olympic silver medallist Kunlavut Vitidsarn has qualified for the tournament, along ..

with womens singles players Busanan Ongbamrungphan (Thailand), Aya Ohori (Japan) and Indonesian womens doubles pair Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Amalia Chaya Pratiwi. Previously, four Malaysian pairs -- Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani, Cheng Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai -- had confirmed their participation in the tournament after securing spots among the top eight pairs in their respective categories. Only the top eight players and pairs in the BWF World Tour rankings qualify for the finals, limited to a maximum of two representatives from each country per category. The gold medallists at the 2024 Paris Olympics will automatically qualify for the tournament, even if they are not in the top eight of the BWF World Tour rankings.

21/11 1:01 pm Australia launches landmark bill to ban social media for children under 16

SYDNEY : Australias centre-left government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for social media platforms for systemic breaches. Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date. The proposals are the highest age limit set ..

by any country, and would have no exemption for parental consent and no exemption for pre-existing accounts. This is a landmark reform. We know some kids will find workarounds, but were sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement. The opposition Liberal party plans to support the bill though independents and the Green party have demanded more details on the proposed law, which would impact Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab Instagram and Facebook, Bytedances TikTok and Elon Musks X and Snapchat (SNAP.N), opens new tab. But Albanese said children will have access to messaging, online gaming, and health and education related services, such as youth mental health support platform Headspace, and Alphabets (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google Classroom and YouTube. The Albanese-led Labor government has been arguing excessive use of social media poses risks to physical and mental health of children, in particular the risks to girls from harmful depictions of body image, and misogynist content aimed at boys. A number of countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australias policy is one of the most stringent. France last year proposed a ban on social media for those under 15 but users were able to avoid the ban with parental consent. The United States has for decades required technology companies to seek parental consent to access the data of children under 13. For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online, including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told parliament on Thursday. The law would force social media platforms, and not parents or young people, to take reasonable steps to ensure the age-verification protections are in place. The proposed law will contain robust privacy provisions, including requiring platforms to destroy any information collected to safeguard the personal data of users, Rowland said. Social media has a social responsibility ... thats why we are making big changes to hold platforms to account for user safety, Rowland said. ALSO READ : Australian eyes $30m fine for social media flouting under-16s ban

21/11 7:39 am Archegos Bill Hwang sentenced to 18 years in prison for massive US fraud

NEW YORK : Former billionaire investor Sung Kook Bill Hwang was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Wednesday over the collapse of Archegos Capital Management, which cost Wall Street banks more than $10 billion. Hwang was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan, where a jury convicted Hwang in July on 10 criminal charges including wire fraud, securities fraud and market manipulation. The amount of losses that were caused by your conduct are larger than any other losses I ..

have dealt with, Hellerstein said before announcing the sentence. Archegos March 2021 implosion took less than a week, stunning Wall Street and Hwangs lenders. The U.S. Attorneys office in Manhattan sought a 21-year prison term for Hwang - unusually long for a white-collar case - and for him to forfeit $12.35 billion and make restitution to victims. It stands among a rare class of cases that truly could be described as a national calamity, prosecutor Andrew Thomas said at the sentencing hearing before Hellerstein. Hellerstein did not reach a decision on Wednesday on whether Hwang must forfeit money or pay restitution. The sentencing hearing is expected to resume on Thursday. Before sentencing Hwang, Hellerstein asked the defendants lawyer, Dani James, how she thought Hwang compared to Sam Bankman-Fried, who was sentenced in March to 25 years in prison for stealing $8 billion from users of the now-bankrupt FTX exchange. Mr. Bankman-Fried was literally stealing from his customers, James said. I dont think thats whats happened here. Hwang had asked for no prison, forfeiture or restitution, and to remain free on bail while he appealed his conviction. James said his low risk of committing more crimes meant a lengthy prison term served no purpose. The notion that he would commit a crime in the future, its just not so, James said. Bankman-Fried denies wrongdoing and is appealing his conviction. STARTED AS FAMILY OFFICE Hwang, 60, was a protg of late hedge-fund billionaire Julian Robertson. He set up Archegos in New York as a family office in 2013, the year after his former hedge fund Tiger Asia Management pleaded guilty to wire fraud in an insider-trading case. Prosecutors accused Hwang of lying to banks about Archegos portfolio so he could borrow money aggressively and make concentrated bets on media and technology stocks such as ViacomCBS, now called Paramount Global. While Archegos eventually managed $36 billion, Hwangs borrowing helped him amass $160 billion of exposure to stocks. His downfall occurred when Hwang was unable to meet margin calls, as the prices of some of his favorite stocks began falling and various banks unloaded stocks that had backed his so-called total return swaps. More than $100 billion of market value in Hwangs stocks was wiped out. Several banks suffered losses, including Credit Suisse, which lost $5.5 billion, and Nomura Holdings. Credit Suisse is now part of UBS. Hwangs lawyers request for no punishment also cited Hwangs Christian faith and his nonprofit Grace and Mercy Foundation, which has since 2006 donated at least $600 million to combat homelessness, poverty and human trafficking, among other causes. In a statement to the court before Hellerstein announced the sentence, Hwang said he hoped the punishment would allow me to serve as much as I can given the circumstances. Hwangs lawyers have said his net worth has fallen to at most $55.3 million. Hwangs co-defendant, former Archegos Chief Financial Officer Patrick Halligan, was convicted at the same trial on three criminal charges. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27. Both chose not to testify at their two-month trial.

21/11 7:36 am US shuts Kyiv embassy citing strike threat after Ukraine fires ATACMS at ..

KYIV: The United States shut its embassy in Kyiv on Wednesday morning due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia in what Moscow described as an escalation in the war. Later, after an air raid siren in the early afternoon jangled nerves in the capital, Ukraine's military spy agency said Russia was trying to sow panic by circulating fake online messages about a massive looming missile and drone attack. The ..

enemy, unable to subdue Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. We ask you to be vigilant and steadfast, it said. A U.S. government source said the embassy closure was related to ongoing threats of air attacks. The Italian and Greek embassies said they too had closed their doors. The French embassy remained open but urged its citizens to be cautious. The U.S. State Department later said it expected the Kyiv embassy to resume normal operations on Thursday. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said that panic-inducing messages circulated today only help Russia, but warned Ukrainians to pay close attention to air raid alerts. However many brutal and treacherous attacks by Russia we have endured... it is always important to pay attention to air raid warnings, he said in his nightly video address. We have a neighbour that is insane. Zelenskiy also expressed thanks for a new $275 million U.S. military aid package announced by the State Department focusing on ammunition, drones and missiles. Ukraine on Tuesday used U.S. ATACMS missiles to attack an arms depot inside Russia, making use of newly granted permission from the outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden on the 1,000th day of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia has been signalling to the United States and its allies for weeks that if they give permission to Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory with Western-supplied missiles then Moscow will consider it a major escalation. Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place, the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs said in a statement on the embassy's website. The U.S. Embassy recommends U.S. citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced. The Kremlin said it had no comment. Russian foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said in an interview published on Wednesday that Moscow would retaliate against NATO countries that facilitate long-range Ukrainian missile strikes against Russian territory. PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATION In the early afternoon, the Ukrainian air force told people to seek shelter because of a missile threat. Senior officials told people not to ignore the alert. That came shortly before Kyiv's top military spy agency GUR issued a warning about a Russian psychological operation it said involved fake messages claiming to have been sent by the agency. A message is being spread via messengers and social networks ... about the threat of a 'particularly massive' missile and bomb strike on Ukrainian cities today, GUR said in a statement. Two Ukrainian military personnel told Reuters they received messages informing them that Russia would launch more than 300 drones and also use warships, warplanes and ground-based systems to fire missiles in a huge salvo. Reuters could not immediately determine how the messages were sent. One soldier said he received one from a friend. The war is at a volatile juncture, with nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory in Russian hands, North Korean troops deployed in Russia's Kursk region and doubts over future aid as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. On Sunday, Russia staged a massive missile and drone strike on Ukraine's national power grid that killed seven people and renewed fears over the durability of the hobbled energy network. The GUR spy agency said earlier that a Russian military command post had been successfully struck in the town of Gubkin in Russia's Belgorod region, around 168 km (105 miles) from the border with Ukraine. The statement did not specify who carried out the attack, when it took place or the type of weapon used. Ukraine has also used drones for deep strikes against targets in Russia. Bloomberg later cited a Western official as saying Ukraine had fired UK Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his office would not be commenting on reports or operational matters. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. 'PERSISTENT RUSSIAN ATTACKS' The embassy in Kyiv urged U.S. citizens in Ukraine to have reserves of water, food and other essentials such as required medications for the event of a possible temporary loss of electricity and water caused by Russian strikes. Persistent Russian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine may result in power outages, loss of heating, and disruption of municipal services, it said. On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin lowered the threshold for a nuclear strike in response to a broader range of conventional attacks. Washington said afterwards it had not seen any reason to adjust its nuclear posture. Commenting on the U.S. embassy warning about an attack, Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian Security Council's Centre for Countering Disinformation, said Russia was ready to conduct more conventional missile strikes.

21/11 7:34 am Migrant gets life sentence for Laken Riley murder highlighted by Trump

A Venezuelan migrant was convicted on Wednesday and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student whose killing became a rallying cry for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he attacked illegal immigration during the campaign. Jose Ibarra, 26, who entered the U.S. illegally, was found guilty on murder and other charges by Judge Patrick Haggard in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court. As the judge read the verdict aloud, Rileys ..

family members and friends sobbed while Ibarra sat stony-faced. Haggard heard the evidence and rendered the verdict after Ibarra waived his right to a jury trial. Trump and other Republicans often cited Rileys murder in claiming falsely that migrants who crossed the southern border illegally were responsible for a wave of violent crime, part of the president-elects argument for stricter border policies and aggressive deportations. JUSTICE FOR LAKEN RILEY! The Illegal who killed our beloved Laken Riley was just found GUILTY on all counts for his horrific crimes, Trump wrote on his social media site Truth Social. Prosecutors said Ibarra encountered Riley, 22, on a wooded trail while she was out running on Feb. 22 and killed her after she resisted his efforts to rape her. She was a nursing student at Augusta University in Athens. In victim impact statements delivered in court ahead of the sentencing, Rileys family and friends described her as a caring, selfless and devout person who loved running and was committed to serving others. Laken had a beautiful and bright future, her mother, Allyson Phillips, told the court. She was smart, hardworking, kind, thoughtful, and most importantly, she was a child of God. In her closing statement earlier on Wednesday, prosecutor Sheila Ross called the evidence against Ibarra overwhelming, including DNA under her fingernails that authorities linked to the defendant, scratches on Ibarras body and video footage of a man matching Ibarras description throwing a bloodied jacket into a dumpster soon after the murder. Defense attorneys argued that the evidence was circumstantial and could not rule out another attacker. Rileys case made national headlines in March during President Joe Bidens State of the Union address, when firebrand U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted his speech to demand that he say her name. Biden went off-script to mention Riley, whom he described as an innocent woman killed by an illegal. Republicans criticized him for appearing to mispronounce Rileys first name, while Biden later apologized for using the word illegal to refer to a person. Biden, then the Democratic nominee for president, dropped out of the race in July and was replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost earlier this month to Trump. Trump has vowed to pursue mass deportations of immigrants after he is sworn into office in January.

20/11 10:37 pm Malaysia Cup: Hebertys hat-trick helps JDT score comfortable 3-0 victory ..

ISKANDAR PUTERI : Heberty Fernandes hat-trick helped defending champions Johor Darul Tazim (JDT) defeat Kuala Lumpur Rovers 3-0 in the first leg of the 2024/2025 Malaysia Cup round of 16 match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here today. JDT, who played as the visiting team against the A1 Semi-Pro League, did not wait long to create the first goal through Hebertys free kick in the 26th minute. The Brazilian import strikers acrobatic strike again ripped through the KL Rovers goal three minutes ..

later thanks to Corbin Ongs pass. Continuing in the second half, Heberty wisely looked for an opportunity to complete his hat-trick with a long-range goal in the 71st minute. KL Rovers had a chance to score a consolation goal through Muhammad Izreens attempt in the penalty box, but was saved by the goalkeeper Christian Abad Amat to ensure JDT kept a clean sheet. Hector Bidoglios squad that started the match without the suspended Arif Aiman Hanapi, managed to maintain the scoreline until the final whistle to ensure a comfortable advantage ahead of the return leg action scheduled at the same venue on Nov 30. Arif Aiman has been suspended for three matches after being involved in a footbrawl with Tommy Mawat in the Super League match against Perak FC on Nov 10. The venue for the inaugural Malaysia Cup 2024/25 match was supposed to be the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras, but was changed to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium upon a request by KL Rovers. In another Malaysia Cup action tomorrow, Penang will host Kuching City at the City Stadium in Penang.

20/11 10:14 pm KBS allocated over RM400,000 for wushu sports development this year - ..

SEREMBAN : The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), through the National Sports Council (MSN), has allocated RM492,460 for the development of wushu this year, said its minister, Hannah Yeoh. She said that the allocation was implemented through the Talent and Development Programme, including grants to 14 state sports councils, coaches allowances, as well as support for competitions and event management at the state level. This is a recognition for the sport, as wushu is one of the sports with a ..

very active association in talent scouting. I hope the talent programmes and camps held this year will continue next year, she told reporters after attending the State Wushu Team Achievement Certificate Presentation ceremony in Negeri Sembilan, which was also attended by the President of the Wushu Federation of Malaysia, Chong Kim Fatt. The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, was also present at the ceremony. Hannah said that the organisation of national wushu championships has also been supported by KBS through the sports matching grant, with RM300,000 allocated for 2023, RM59,000 (community sports fund), and RM214,000 this year (five championships), along with RM180,000 for (wushu talent search) programme. She expressed pride that such allocations and assistance have yielded positive results, with the nations athletes winning various medals in several competitions, including the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games and the 16th World Wushu Championships 2023. What is interesting is that now wushu is not only participated in by the Chinese community but can also be championed by Malay exponents. This proves that the sport is a medium for unity and understanding among Malaysians, she said. She also emphasised the importance for athletes to be part of an association to ensure that their talent, training, and skills can continue to be honed, while also aiding the development of younger athletes. Hannah added that KBS welcomes athletes involvement in sports administration, including organising more courses related to sports and management, as they have a better understanding of athletes needs. Earlier, she said that todays ceremony was organised to recognise the commitment and dedication of athletes, while also serving as an inspiration for new talents interested in pursuing wushu. It is also an important platform to introduce wushu to the public, as well as recognising the efforts and support from various parties, including the state government, ministries, departments, and sports associations, she added.

20/11 4:32 pm Vivo X200 Pro and X200 launches in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA : vivo Malaysia has announced the launch of its latest flagship X series, X200 Pro and X200, in Malaysia. The vivo X200s 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto lens (developed with ZEISS) brings mobile photography to new heights. This industry-leading camera system is designed to excel in low-light and high-zoom scenarios, making it the perfect companion for any photography enthusiast. The vivo X200 Pro, in particular, boasts a 50MP ZEISS True Color Main Camera and a 50MP Ultra Wide-Angle ..

Camera, alongside its groundbreaking 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera. This powerful combination allows users to capture distant subjects with incredible detail and clarity, even in low-light conditions. Thats not all! The vivo X200 series also boasts a range of innovative features for capturing stunning photos and videos in any scenario. The upgraded Super Landscape Mode effortlessly captures breathtaking landscapes with automatic enhancements, including Atmospheric Style and Soft Style for professional-grade tones. The industry-leading 4K HDR Cinematic Portrait Video feature shoots high-quality videos with stunning clarity, even in challenging lighting conditions. Super Night Mode captures clear and vibrant photos even in low-light environments. Unparalleled Performance The vivo X200 series is powered by a cutting-edge Dual Flagship Chip setup, combining the optimised V3+ Imaging Chip with the MediaTek Dimensity 9400. This powerful combination delivers exceptional imaging capabilities and sustained performance. The Dimensity 9400, with its second-generation all-big-core CPU and 12-core GPU, ensures smooth multitasking, immersive gaming, and energy efficiency. The V3+ Imaging Chip, built on a 6nm process, offers a 30% increase in energy efficiency and further enhances imaging performance, especially for cinematic portrait videos. The vivo X200 series prioritises battery life and charging speed. The 3rd-Gen Silicon Anode Battery Technology and Semi-Solid Battery provide increased capacity and reliability, even in extreme conditions. With up to 6000mAh battery and 90W FlashCharge, you can power through your day without worry. The vivo X200 Pro even offers 30W Wireless FlashCharge for added convenience. The vivo X200 series offers a visually stunning display with a 2160Hz High-frequency PWM Dimming technology to reduce eye strain. The Funtouch OS 15 provides a smooth and responsive user interface, featuring a refreshed design, updated wallpapers, and sleek animations. Funtouch OS 15 also incorporates several AI-powered features, such as AI Note Assist and AI Transcript Assist, to enhance productivity and efficiency. Additionally, X200 series integrates Googles Circle to Search, allowing you to effortlessly search for information within images, videos, or text without switching apps. Simply circle, highlight, scribble, or tap the desired content to instantly access relevant results. A Design That Dazzles The vivo X200 series features a sleek design with an Equal-Depth Quad Curved Eye Protection Display for a comfortable grip and stunning visuals. It is available in captivating colours: the X200 Pro in Titanium and Black, and the X200 in Black and Green. Looking to get your hands on it? The vivo X200 will be available in 16GB+512GB variant at RM 3,599, whereas the vivo X200 Pro will be available also in 16GB+512GB, at RM 4,699. Pre-orders for the vivo X200 and X200 Pro have begun and will last until 22 November 2024 on vivos official website and vivo Concept Stores, with free gifts worth up to RM 1,787. For more information on the vivo X200 and X200 Pro, head on over to vivo Malaysias official pages now!

20/11 3:32 pm Russia arrests German citizen on sabotage charges: news agencies

MOSCOW : Russian authorities have arrested a German citizen in the northwestern Kaliningrad region on charges of sabotaging energy installations, news agencies quoted the FSB security service as saying on Wednesday. The man, named as Nikolai Gaiduk born in 1967, is implicated in the March 2024 explosion at a gas distribution station in Kaliningrad, the Russian region sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, the FSB said in a statement according to news agencies. A resident of Hamburg, Gaiduk ..

was detained at a border crossing in Kaliningrad, where he had returned allegedly to organise acts of sabotage on local energy infrastructure, the statement said. Half a litre of an explosive substance was seized from his car as he tried to cross into Russia, according to the FSB, with local media reporting that it was hidden in a shampoo bottle. He is alleged to have received the explosive material and orders to carry out the attack from a Ukrainian citizen living in Hamburg, according to the FSB. Since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, there has been a spike in authorities charging people with sabotage, treason and terrorism. Kaliningrad is a former German territory known as Koenigsberg that the Soviet Union seized after World War II, expelling its German population.

20/11 3:05 pm Proton secures top spot in Malaysias 100 leading graduate employers 2024 ..

PROTON has achieved a milestone victory at the Malaysias 100 Leading Graduate Employers (M100) 2024 Awards, being named the sector winner in the automotive industry and securing the title of Fastest Moving Employer for the first time. These honours highlight Proton as the top choice for fresh graduates seeking careers in the automotive industry. Key Achievements - Top Sector Winner: For the first time, Proton claimed the top spot in the automotive industry category, surpassing two other ..

original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). - Fastest Moving Employer: Proton ascended 42 spots in the M100 overall rankings, leaping from 86th in 2023 to 44th in 2024, reflecting the brands growing appeal among graduates. Protons Focus on Talent Development A major contributor to Protons success has been its Proton Young Talents (PYT) Programme, launched in 2018. The initiative is dedicated to nurturing fresh graduates and shaping them into future industry leaders. Programme Highlights: - Currently, the programme comprises 210 participants, with 72% from technical fields and 28% from non-technical fields. - Over the past seven years, 259 graduates have completed the programme, with 110 PYTs hired in 2024 alone. - The programme boasts an impressive 81% retention rate, reflecting its effectiveness in fostering talent and commitment. Recognition and Survey Insights The awards, organised by GTI Malaysia, were based on a survey of 44,924 students from 220 campus events at 169 universities across Malaysia. Respondents identified Proton as a preferred employer based on factors such as: - Leadership and Development Opportunities - Salary and Remuneration - Work-Life Balance - Job Security Notably, 85.7% of students expressed concerns about the cost of living on a graduate salary, with an expected median salary of RM3,000 to RM4,000 per month for 2024. Protons Vision for the Future Protons commitment to empowering young talent was underscored by Amran bin Mohd Tomin, Vice President of Human Capital Division: At Proton, we believe that a thriving workplace is built on a diverse and inclusive culture that empowers young talent to grow, innovate, and lead. Our recognition as the top choice for graduates is a testament to our commitment to nurturing an environment where fresh ideas and strong values come together to drive success in the automotive sector. GTI Media Managing Director, Issac Hee, lauded Protons transformation, stating: These awards highlight Protons hard work in reshaping its hiring culture and creating appealing talent development schemes. With the upcoming launch of Malaysias first domestically produced EV, many graduates are eager to be part of this historic moment. Conclusion Protons recognition as a graduate employer of choice and its forward-thinking talent initiatives cement its position as a leader in the automotive industry. As the company moves toward its historic launch of Malaysias first locally produced EV, it is poised to continue attracting top talent while shaping the future of mobility in the region.

20/11 3:02 pm Government bolsters EV charging infrastructure development with key ..

THE Malaysian government continues to support the growth of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, offering various incentives despite the absence of specific provisions in the 2025 Budget. Key Incentives for Charging Site Operators (CPOs) The Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) highlighted several incentives available to encourage the development of EV charging stations: Green Investment Tax Allowance (GITA): - CPOs meeting the eligibility criteria can benefit from a ..

100% Investment Tax Allowance for five years. - This allowance allows deductions of up to 100% of statutory income annually. Income Tax Exemption for Manufacturers: - Companies producing EV charging equipment are granted full income tax exemptions on statutory income from 2023 to 2032. EV Growth Projections - By 2030, the government anticipates at least 400,000 electrified vehicles on Malaysian roads, spanning passenger and commercial vehicles. - As of September 30, 2024, the total sales volume of electrified vehicles (including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles) stood at 33,319 units. - The estimated total for 2023 was 35,723 units, accounting for 4.12% of all vehicle sales. Private Sector Investments in EV Charging Infrastructure MITI reported significant investments by major companies to support EV charging bay (EVCB) expansion: - Gentari (a Petronas subsidiary) and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) are committed to spending approximately RM76 million by June 2024. - These investments, combined with efforts from 30 other active CPO companies, aim to build more EVCBs across Malaysia, increasing accessibility for EV users. Impact on EV Adoption This collaborative effort between government incentives and private sector investments aims to boost consumer confidence, encouraging more Malaysians to adopt EVs. The expanded infrastructure and financial support are expected to drive the transition toward sustainable transportation and support Malaysias environmental goals. The ongoing development reflects Malaysias strategic vision for a greener future, ensuring that the country remains competitive in the global EV market.

20/11 2:48 pm Mini plant Oxford resumes production of Mini Cooper convertible

MINI PLANT OXFORD, the historic home of the Mini brand, has resumed production of the Mini Cooper Convertible for the first time since 2 . The convertible now joins the Mini Cooper 3-Door and Mini Cooper 5-Door, establishing Oxford as the production hub for the entire Mini Cooper family. A New Era for the Mini Convertible The relaunch of the fourth-generation Mini Cooper Convertible, announced last month, brings a refreshed design inside and out alongside an advanced digital experience. ..

Integrated UK Manufacturing Production of the Mini Convertible involves contributions from three UK-based BMW Group facilities: - BMW Group Plant Swindon: Responsible for body pressings and sub-assemblies. - BMW Group Plant Hams Hall (North Warwickshire): Manufactures the advanced four-cylinder petrol engines. - Mini Plant Oxford: Handles body shell production, paintwork, and final assembly. The Mini Convertible Legacy Since its debut in 2004, the Mini Convertible has been a distinctive member of the Mini family: - First Generation (20042008): Produced at Mini Plant Oxford, with 160,000 units built. Known for its retro design and chrome roll-over arches. - Second Generation (20092 ): Also built at Oxford, with 165,000 units produced. Featured updated Cooper styling and retained the signature drop-down hinged boot. - Third Generation (20162023): Temporarily produced at VDL Nedcar in the Netherlands, with 150,000 units built to accommodate production of the Mini Clubman at Oxford. Mini Plant Oxford: A Storied Legacy One of the worlds oldest automotive production facilities, Mini Plant Oxford celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2023. The plant accounted for over 20% of UK car manufacturing that year and has been in continuous operation since 1913. As the Mini Cooper Convertible returns to its birthplace, it continues a tradition of innovation and craftsmanship that has defined the brand for decades. With its blend of heritage, modernity, and iconic open-air driving, the Mini Convertible remains a standout in its class.

20/11 2:44 pm BYD celebrates 30th anniversary with Historic 10-millionth NEV milestone

BYD , the global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs) and power batteries, achieved a monumental milestone by rolling off its 10-millionth NEV from its Xiaomo Production Base in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone. This achievement, marking the companys 30th anniversary, highlights BYDs commitment to sustainable transportation and reinforces its standing as a global automotive leader. Pioneering NEV Production BYD is the first automaker globally to produce 10 million NEVs, a feat ..

achieved through a rapid acceleration of production. The company took 15 years to manufacture its first 5 million NEVs but achieved the next 5 million in just 15 months. This milestone underscores BYDs strategic focus on NEVs and its leadership in sustainable development. The 10-millionth vehicle, a DENZA Z9, was ceremoniously presented to Mr. Feng Ji, the Founder and CEO of Game Science, known for the critically acclaimed game Black Myth: Wukong. Engineering Excellence at BYD Mr. Wang highlighted the integral role of engineering in BYDs achievements, describing the companys engineering culture as its backbone. The soul of BYDs engineers is the soul of our company, he stated. This commitment to engineering excellence was explored in The Soul of Engineers, a book by Qin Shuo, a prominent Chinese financial journalist. The book delves into BYDs internal culture, based on interviews with nearly 100 of the companys executives and employees. Future Vision and Strategic Roadmap Looking ahead, BYD unveiled the BYD Basic Guidelines, a framework encapsulating its foundational principles, historical insights, and future strategies. The company plans to invest 100 billion yuan in developing intelligent automotive technologies, integrating artificial intelligence to enhance its entire vehicle lineup. This investment will propel BYDs competitive edge, ensuring it remains a frontrunner in global technological innovation while fulfilling aspirations for sustainable and intelligent mobility. Commitment to Sustainability BYDs achievements reinforce its dedication to sustainable development and its vision of creating a better future through advanced mobility solutions. As the company continues to expand its technological frontiers, it is well-positioned to strengthen its reputation as a world-class high-tech enterprise. The 30th-anniversary celebration not only commemorates BYDs remarkable past but also sets the stage for an innovative and sustainable future.

20/11 2:16 pm TARCians Empower Seniors with Digital Skills

Have you ever found yourself repeatedly explaining to your parents and grandparents how to use technology, only to have them forget the steps soon after? It is a common challenge many of us face, highlighting the growing digital divide between generations. To bridge the digital divide, a group of final-year advertising students from Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) came up with a possible solution. Their initiative, Golden Seniors Connect, is a ..

ground-breaking project designed to empower seniors with essential digital literacy skills. Golden Seniors Connect focuses on educating seniors to use six vital Google tools Search, Calendar, Maps, Translate, Photos and Lens which are instrumental in finding information, managing schedules, preserving memories and breaking language barriers. One way the students plan to do this is by working with a group of senior influencers to be part of several key activities planned for the project and are featured in the projects Instagram channel, @goldenseniorsconnect. This includes an educational miniseries six short videos of the senior influencers and young people using Google Tools through fun and engaging storylines. Among the senior influencers, 61-year-old Ramlah Ali, fondly known as Kak Ramlah, demonstrated how to use google lens and she shared, Being part of Golden Seniors Connect has been truly eye-opening. I agreed to become a senior influencer because I believe in the message we're sharingthat learning and growing never stops, no matter your age. For instance, using tools such as Google Translate has helped me improve my English, and it is incredible how technology can make life easier for seniors. I hope other seniors will know about this project and be encouraged to give technology a try, she said. Another influencer Choi Sua Lin, 80 years old shared, Thanks to my granddaughter, Ive learned to use Google Photos to upload and share moments with my family. I enjoy revisiting these memories whenever I have timetechnology has truly brought us closer together. Besides working with senior influencers, the students will also be partnering with centres comprising senior members to provide them with hands-on experiences on how to use Google tools so as to enhance their daily lives. Lai Ee Shen who leads the project shared why the team wanted to do a project focusing on seniors. Digital literacy is crucial for senior citizens because it enables them to stay connected with their loved ones, access essential services, and participate more fully in society. We recognise the growing digital divide between younger generations and seniors, as some of us have experienced first-hand with our own grandparents. Lai shared on managing the project with the team. Preparation for the project took about 9 weeks, and it involved researching, planning, and collaborating with various stakeholders, including senior influencers and tech-savvy youths, as well as executing our ideas for the production of the video. One of the notable challenges is interacting with the seniors as they are not familiar with the many functions of digital technology, especially those in Whatsapp and Google tools. Another challenge, seeking suitable seniors to be the influencers for the project but it was quite a fun experience interacting with quite a number of seniors in the selection process. In addition, we also had to ensure that the message was clear and impactful, and we had to develop the right initiatives for the community to understand and act upon them. The process required creativity, empathy, and a deep understanding of how to effectively communicate across generational lines, she explained. Lai also noted that the project had the potential to continue evolving, with new topics and areas of interest being explored for future videos. Since there is no end date set for the project, the team can focus on expanding the content to cover more relevant themes that will benefit the senior community. Theres plenty of room for others to join in and bring fresh perspectives as well, she added.

20/11 2:01 pm Sunway University ranks number one private university in ASEAN

PETALING JAYA: Sunway University has been ranked as the number one private university in ASEAN in the AppliedHE Private University Ranking ASEAN 2025. The rankings were unveiled during the inaugural AppliedHE Xchange: Recognising Excellence, Diversity, and Impact, held from 17 to 19 Nov 2024. This international event the first of its kind in Malaysia gathered academic professionals, thought leaders, and industry experts to discuss the role of higher education in shaping an inclusive, diverse, ..

and impactful global landscape. Being ranked as ASEANs leading private university by AppliedHE is an honour and reflects the commitment of our staff to quality education and research. We are inspired to continue our mission to nurture future leaders who are well-prepared to make positive contributions in their communities and beyond, said Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, commented. The AppliedHE University Rankings focus on key parameters that drive student success and societal contribution, including teaching and learning quality, employability, research impact, and community engagement. Sunway Universitys outstanding performance across these dimensions reflects its commitment to preparing students for meaningful roles in society and in the global workforce. This achievement underscores Sunway Universitys unwavering commitment to excellence in quality education and research, establishing it as a leader in higher education within the ASEAN region.

18/11 12:35 am Disgraced Singapore oil tycoon to be sentenced for fraud

SINGAPORE : The founder of a failed Singapore oil trading company will be sentenced Monday for cheating banking giant HSBC out of millions of dollars in one of the countrys most serious cases of fraud. Lim Oon Kuin, better known as O.K. Lim, was convicted in May in the case that dented the city-states reputation as a top Asian oil trading hub. His firm, Hin Leong Trading, was among Asias biggest oil trading companies before its sudden and dramatic collapse in 2020. State Courts Judge Toh Han Li ..

was due to sentence Lim at 2:30pm (0630GMT) Monday. State prosecutors are seeking a 20-year jail term for the octogenarian businessman, saying this is one of the most serious cases of trade financing fraud that has ever been prosecuted in Singapore. The defence is seeking seven years imprisonment, playing down the harm caused by Lims offences and citing his age and poor health. The businessman faced a total of 130 criminal charges involving hundreds of millions of dollars, but prosecutors tried and convicted him on just three -- two of cheating HSBC, and a third of encouraging a Hin Leong executive to forge documents. Prosecutors said he tricked HSBC into disbursing nearly $112 million by telling the bank that his firm had entered into oil sales contracts with two companies. The transactions were, in fact, complete fabrications, concocted on the accuseds directions, prosecutors said, adding that his actions tarnished Singapores hard-earned reputation as Asias leading oil trading hub. Unprecedented turmoil Lim built Hin Leong from a single delivery truck shortly before Singapore became independent in 1965. It grew into a major supplier of fuel used by ships, and its rise in some ways mirrored Singapores growth from a gritty port to an affluent financial hub. The firm played a key role in helping the city-state become the worlds top ship refuelling port, observers say, and it expanded into ship chartering and management with a subsidiary that has a fleet of more than 150 vessels. But it came crashing down in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic plunged oil markets into unprecedented turmoil, exposing Hin Leongs financial troubles, and Lim sought court protection from creditors. In a bombshell affidavit seen by AFP in 2020, Lim revealed the oil trader had in truth... not been making profits in the last few years -- despite having officially reported a healthy balance sheet in 2019. He admitted that the firm he founded after emigrating from China had hidden $800 million in losses over the years, while it also owed almost $4 billion to banks. Lim took responsibility for ordering the company not to report the losses and confessed it had sold off inventories that were supposed to backstop loans.

18/11 12:09 am Malaysian calls out passengers on train to Butterworth for not offering ..

ONE of the commonly practised etiquette when it comes to taking the public transport is to offer your seat to elderly passengers, pregnant women, or individuals with disabilities. However, seat hogging remains a major issue on our MRT and LRT. One particularly frustrated Malaysian even took to social media app Threads recently to share his observation where passengers on the train were not offering their seats to the elderly passengers. In his post , @hazwan3495 questioned why no passengers had ..

offered their seat to the elderly folks who where standing right in front of them. Is there no one who wants to offer their seat to the elderly passengers who are right in front of them? He also included a photo of the packed train, which he added was heading from Padang Besar to Butterworth. His post has since attracted a lot of attention from netizens, who shared that they have witnessed similar incidents occur on public transports. ALSO READ: Man notorious for taking up seats and eating in LRT strikes again True indeed, the other day I took the KTM to Ipoh, with my four-year-old child. The young people, including the strong-looking men, just ignored us. They could have easily offered me a seat since I had a child, but I had to make my child sit on the floor because it was so packed. Poor thing, she couldnt stand for long. Not a single one of these young people offered a seat, shared mieszms. A few netizens also advised @hazwan3495 to check first as sometimes the elderly passengers would refuse the seats as they were getting off the train soon. Its better if you ask first. There have been times on the train when we offered seats to the elderly, but they didnt want to take it, either because they were getting off soon or their stop was next. We posted pictures on Thread without knowing the full story isnt right either, said cik_ainiza.

18/11 11:38 am The Growing Concern of Childhood Vision Problems in Malaysia

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 19 million children worldwide under the age of 15 suffer from visual impairment, with 1.4 million facing irreversible blindness. Many of these cases could have been prevented through early intervention. In Malaysia, it is estimated that 12.5% of children experience vision problems, which, if left unaddressed, can significantly affect their development and educational success. The most common vision issue among children is myopia ..

(short-sightedness). Studies show that myopia affects 9.8% of Malaysian 7-year-olds, with the rate increasing to 34.4% by age 15. Without proper management, myopia can progress to more severe eye conditions, such as retinal damage, glaucoma, or retinal detachment. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing long-term complications. Another condition, amblyopia, or lazy eye, affects 7.53% of children in Malaysia. This condition, often caused by uncorrected refractive errors and squint, leads to reduced vision in one or both eyes, and can have a significant impact on daily activities like reading and writing. Additionally, children commonly experience vergence and accommodation problems, which can affect the ability to focus and align the eyes properly. Up to 36% of children are estimated to suffer from these issues, often undetected by traditional vision screenings. The rise of digital learning and increased screen time has exacerbated these problems, leading to a higher incidence of eye strain and other vision issues among children. Approximately 80% of a childs learning occurs through vision, making clear eyesight essential for academic achievement. Recent research shows that children with poor vision learn only half as much as their peers with normal or corrected vision. Additionally, children who receive corrective eyewear early in life are likely to earn 78% more over their lifetime than those who never had their vision corrected. Good vision is not only essential for learning but also for motor skill development and social interactions. Poor vision can hinder a childs physical development and self-esteem, especially for those with conditions like amblyopia. If left undiagnosed and untreated, these issues can have long-lasting consequences on a child's overall well-being and future opportunities. To address vision problems, children are recommended to undergo vision screenings at least once between the ages of 3 and 5. These screenings typically involve the use of visual acuity charts and other screening tools. Children who fail these tests are referred to optometrists for further comprehensive eye examination. In Malaysia, optometrists are qualified professionals regulated by the Malaysian Optical Council, and they must complete at least 4 years of specialized training to practice. However, despite the importance of regular eye care, many children do not receive the eye examinations they need. Research reveals that 72% of parents do not practice annual comprehensive eye exams for their children. A common misconception is that passing an initial eye exam means no further testing is required. For many families, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, financial constraints and limited access to eye care services further contribute to the problem. To overcome these barriers, a multi-faceted approach is needed. Solutions include: - Public awareness campaigns to educate parents about the importance of regular eye exams, even if a child has passed their first test. - Ensuring affordable and accessible pediatric eye care services for all children, especially in underprivileged communities. - Integrating vision screenings into school health programs to catch vision issues early. - Parental education on recognizing the signs of vision problems and understanding the ongoing nature of vision care, even for children who do not report issues. - By implementing these strategies, we can help ensure early detection and treatment of vision problems, providing children with the opportunity for better health, learning, and future success. Author: Baqiatul Sabiqi Assfi bin Rahmat Department of Optometry and Visual Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University

18/11 10:39 am Ringgit advances as domestic optimism offsets US rate concerns

KUALA LUMPUR : The ringgit extended its gains on Monday, buoyed by optimism over Malaysias domestic outlook, which offset concerns about the direction of US interest rates. At 8.03 am, the local currency rose to 4.4680/4780 against the US dollar, up from Fridays close of 4.4715/4780. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said Malaysias third-quarter economic data indicated the economy was on track for stronger growth this year. He added that political ..

stability and unwavering appetite for reforms bolstered the nations appeal as an investment destination. At the same time, traders and investors are wary about whether Trump will proceed with his significant tariff and tax cut agenda. Such policies appear inflationary, which could explain why the Fed chairman raised doubts last week about the monetary easing measures. As such, we foresee the dollar-ringgit trading in a narrow range as markets navigate the uncertainties until the US President-elect is inaugurated on January 20 next year, he said. Nevertheless, Mohd Afzanizam noted the ringgit could see a correction, given its oversold position. On Friday, Bank Negara Malaysia governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour announced a 5.3 per cent gross domestic product growth for the third quarter. He also welcomed Malaysias removal from the US currency manipulation watch list, reaffirming the ringgits market-driven status. The ringgit traded mostly higher against a basket of major currencies. It strengthened against the British pound to 5.6368/6494 from 5.6573/6656 at Fridays close and rose vis--vis the euro to 4.7066/7171 from 4.7224/7292. However, it weakened against the Japanese yen to 2.8936/9003 from 2.8774/8818. The local unit showed mixed performance against ASEAN currencies. It strengthened against the Philippine peso to 7.60/7.63 from 7.61/7.63, rose against the Indonesian rupiah to 281.4/282.2 from 281.6/282.2, and gained vis--vis the Singapore dollar to 3.3284/3361 from 3.3330/3381. Conversely, it slipped against the Thai baht to 12.8383/8789 from 12.8307/8541.

18/11 10:21 am New York auction records expected for a Magritte... and a banana

NEW YORK : With a Magritte painting estimated to sell for nearly $100 million, drawings by pop artist Keith Haring and... a rather gnarly banana, New Yorks auction houses will try this week to shake up a stale market. The sale of Magrittes Empire of Light (LEmpire des lumieres), which will go under the hammer Tuesday night at Christies, will surely be one of the high points of the autumn season, which will see hundreds of works sold -- and hundreds of millions of dollars spent. The seminal 1954 ..

work is one of a series of paintings from the Surrealist master depicting the interplay of shadow and light. Its estimated price is $95 million, which would easily shatter the previous record for a Magritte, $79 million in 2022. Christies is hoping that with the Magritte and a celebrated 1964 painting of a gas station by the 86-year-old American pop artist Ed Ruscha, it can reinvigorate an art market that has slowed since 2023. The auction house -- which is controlled by Artemis, the investment holding company owned by the Pinault family -- said sales totalled $2.1 billion in the first half of 2024. That is down for the second straight year, after a peak of $4.1 billion in 2022, as the world emerged from the coronavirus pandemic. Correction The current market correction, which began in 2023 with global geopolitical unrest, high inflation and interest rates affecting collectors, has spilled into 2024, Bank of America said in a note. Less marquee estate property in the May sales potentially also dampened bidders confidence and enthusiasm. For Max Carter, the vice chairman for 20th and 21st century art at Christies, our market is very much defined, certainly now, by supply more than demand. And this season, we happen to have all of the great estate material, all the great discretionary sales, and we feel very optimistic, Carter said. Sothebys is hoping to make a tidy profit from the sale of private collections, like that of Sydell Miller, a beauty industry mogul who died this year and whose Florida home reputedly looked like a museum. The auction house is hoping the collection will generate $170-205 million in sales, including one of Claude Monets celebrated paintings of Water Lilies (Nympheas), which is expected to rake in more than $60 million alone. Sothebys, owned by French-Israeli billionaire Patrick Drahi, is also selling a series of 31 crayon drawings done by Haring in the 1980s in blank advertising spaces in the New York City subway system. And one of the highlights of the week will be a fresh banana taped to a wall, a provocative work by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. The debut of Comedian at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2019 sparked controversy. This is its third iteration -- the first two were eaten, according to Sothebys website. This time, the auction house believes the work, a commentary on what qualifies as art, could go for $1-1.5 million. The buyer will receive a certificate of authenticity and instructions about how to replace the fruit when it goes bad.

18/11 7:42 am England rout Ireland to earn Nations League promotion in Carsley farewell

LONDON : England clinched Nations League promotion with a 5-0 rout of Ireland as Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored their first international goals to bring a successful end Lee Carsleys reign. Shrugging off a lacklustre first half performance, England ran riot after the break at Wembley on Sunday to secure the victory they needed to return to League A. Three goals in the space of five minutes and 36 seconds did the damage in Carsleys last game before ..

Thomas Tuchel takes over on an 18-month contract from January 1. Harry Kane, back in the team after being dropped to the bench for Thursdays win against Greece, opened the floodgates with a penalty conceded by Ireland defender Liam Scales, who was sent off for a second booking. Newcastle winger Gordon, Atletico Madrid midfielder Gallagher, West Ham forward Bowen and Southampton defender Harwood-Bellis all netted for the first time in an England shirt. Englands stylish show ensured first place in Group B2, after five wins from six matches under Carsley. Carsley, who will return to his previous role as England Under-21 manager, plans to speak with former Bayern Munich boss Tuchel to talk through the players the German will inherit for next years World Cup qualifiers. And the 50-year-old, who replaced Gareth Southgate following the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, will be able to deliver a largely glowing review of Englands strength in depth after handing out eight debuts since September. Nine of the stars called up by Carsley withdrew from the squad amid suggestions they had been persuaded by their club managers to avoid risking injuries during a busy time of the season. England captain Kane had said he was unhappy about the amount of withdrawals. But the stay-aways, including Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were not missed as Carsley steered England out of the Nations League second tier before handing the reins to Tuchel. England goal spree Jeers for both national anthems before kick-off provided an antagonistic backdrop to a match between two countries with a troubled political history. The enmity in the stands was a stark contrast to the tepid fare on the pitch as England found it impossible to prise open Irelands massed defence in the first half. But the Irish have never won at Wembley and last beat England in the 1988 European Championship, so perhaps it was no surprise they wilted after the interval. Having failed to muster a shot on target in the first half, England finally started their goal spree in the 53rd minute. Picked out by Kanes lofted pass, Bellingham was set to shoot from close range before Scales tripped the Real Madrid midfielder. Scales was given his marching orders and Kane converted the penalty in typically assured fashion. Gordon doubled rampant Englands advantage three minutes later with a goal with deep Tyneside roots. Tino Livramento was making his first England start and the Newcastle right-back marked the occasion with an assist as his deflected cross reached Magpies team-mate Gordon, who volleyed home from seven yards. Gallagher put the result beyond doubt in the 58th minute, poking home from virtually on the goal-line after Marc Guehi flicked on a cross. Bowen struck with his first touch after coming on, steering in a fine finish from the edge of the area in the 76th minute. Harwood-Bellis met Bellinghams cross with an emphatic header three minutes later as England gave Tuchel a welcome glimpse of the vast array of talent at his disposal.

18/11 7:36 am Dutch plan nice adios for Nadal at Davis Cup retirement party

MLAGA : Netherlands Davis Cup team plan to gatecrash Rafael Nadals retirement party by giving him a nice adios. Spanish superstar Nadal will call time on his iconic career at the Davis Cup Finals on homeground in Malaga this week, hoping to sign off with a fifth title in the competition to add to his 22 Grand Slam triumphs. However, the Dutch will not be swayed by sentiment or the huge support and goodwill which will accompany 38-year-old Nadal into retirement when the two teams meet in the ..

quarter-finals on Tuesday. Its amazing that it might be the last match that Nadal plays and we hope to give him a nice adios, Dutch team captain Paul Haarhuis told a news conference on Sunday. Its the Davis Cup, anything can happen. We want more than being in the quarter-finals so we are going to have to play well and thats what we focus on. The Dutch have had plenty of experience facing Spanish players this year. Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof lost to Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in doubles at the Paris Olympics. Botic van de Zandschulp then sent Alcaraz crashing to a shock second round loss at the US Open. Rafa retiring here of course brings something special to the occasion, said van de Zandschulp. Im really looking forward to the tie. It will be something special. Lets see how the madness is going to be.

17/11 9:46 pm Harimau Malaya coach Vicente not panicking despite missing key players for ..

HARIMAU MALAYA head coach Pau Marti Vicente is not worried despite losing several key players ahead of their second international friendly against India at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad, India tomorrow. Thats because he believes the national team has many other players capable of shouldering the responsibility when they take on world number 125 India. We know that a player like Arif Aiman (Mohd Hanapi) is very good because his style of play is (of) international (level). However, we also ..

have other talented players and will ensure proper preparations are made for the tie against India. These friendly matches are very important as preparation for two different tournaments, and our main focus is on the match in front of us before we start thinking about other tournaments, he told the pre-match press conference in Hyderabad today. A Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) media statement recently said that three key players - Arif Aiman, Muhammad Feroz Baharudin and Matthew Davies - had been released to play in the Malaysia Cup, which starts next week, after receiving a request from their club Johor Darul Tazim (JDT). Vicente said although Malaysia defeated India 4-2 in the Merdeka Football Tournament last year, the situation this time is way different and that result should not be used as a yardstick. We beat India last year, but now their team is stronger, and this will be a big challenge for us. For sure tomorrows match will be interesting, and we hope to record a victory to improve our world ranking, he said. He added that despite the short preparation time, he has managed to draw up a strategy that will hopefully prevent India from exacting revenge. India are a good team and they are also looking for a win after many matches, we have to be ready (to face their challenge), he said. On Thursday (Nov 14), Vicentes men defeated Laos 3-1 in their first international friendly at the PAT Stadium in Bangkok.

17/11 8:39 pm Womens ACT: Malaysia end round-robin campaign with win over Thailand

THE national hockey team ended their round-robin fixtures in the 2024 Womens Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) with a 2-0 win over Thailand at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in India today. Malaysia went ahead through a Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar penalty corner goal in the 41st minute before Nur Iman Adawiyah Mohd Suhaimi doubled their lead with a field goal in the 53rd minute. Coach Nasihin Nubli Ibrahims charges, however, will have to wait and see if they have qualified for the semi-finals as they are ..

currently in third place in the six-team standings with six points from five matches. This is our second win but we did not play as well as we should have (and there is a need) to maintain certain aspects, like our fitness and strength (because) we are still far behind some of the Asian giants. Hopefully, the players know that they need to work harder if they want to consistently be placed among the best in Asia, he said. Malaysias semi-final hopes hinge on South Korea losing to China or Japan going down to India in the other two matches later today. India currently top the standings with 12 points, followed by China (nine points). Japan are in fourth spot with five points, South Korea fifth with four points and Thailand are rock bottom with one point. Only the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals while the bottom two teams will slug it out in the fifth-sixth placing playoff. Malaysia had previously edged South Korea 2-1 and lost three matches - 2-1 to Japan, 4-0 to India and 5- to China. In last years edition, Malaysia finished fifth after beating Thailand 1-0 in Ranchi, India.

17/11 8:31 pm Suteepat defends Taiwan Glass Taifong Open

SUTEEPAT PRATEEPTIENCHAI became the first player to successfully defend a title on the Asian Tour in seven years when he claimed the US$400,000 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open in Chinese-Taipei today after the closest of finishes. The Thai golfer backed up his breakout star status by making a birdie on the final hole at Taifong Golf Club to beat his young compatriot Runchanapong Youprayong by one. He birdied the par-five 18th after chipping to two feet while Runchanapong, playing with him in the ..

final group, missed his four from 10 feet moments earlier. Suteepat shot a four-under-par 68 to finish 22-under, while Runchanapong returned a 69. This means so much, I am very happy, and excited, said Suteepat, who started the day sharing the lead with Runchanapong. I made a bogey on six and that made me really angry. It fired me up and then I started making birdies. He actually birdied the next three holes and made another on 11 and was two ahead at that point before Runchanapong impressively drew level with birdies on 15 and 17. The victory, which earned him a cheque for US$72,000 and moved him to fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, continues a remarkable run of form particularly on this golf course and in this country. Two years ago he was playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), and won the Order of Merit thanks to three wins in Indonesia and a second-place finish here in Taifong when it was the ADTs season-ending tournament. A year later he went one better in Taifong, when the event was played on the Asian Tour for the first time, while two months ago he was victorious in the Yeangder TPC, also in Chinese-Taipei. Added the 31-year-old: Even my caddie said when I play here, I always have a chance. Suteepat is also the first player to defend the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open, and he is virtually assured of becoming the first foreigner to win the Taiwan PGA Merit list. Just two events remain on the Taiwan circuit where he has also been playing this year. In addition, the win gives him a three-year exemption on the Asian Tour. Runchanapong, just 23-years old and in his second season in the pro game, found a fairway bunker off the tee on the last and wasnt able to reach the green in two like Suteepat, although he hit a brilliant third in close. I thought that last putt was left edge but when I putted it didnt move at all. It was a mis-read, he said. I have never been in this position on the Asian Tour before, so it definitely feels very special to come second. I am happy, thought I handled the pressure well even though I did not have my A game. Indias S.S.P. Chawrasia was the last player to defend a title when triumphed in the Hero Indian Open in 2017. Chinese-Taipeis Hung Chien-yao and Chonlatit Chuenboonngam from Thailand closed with 68s to tie for third, four behind the champion. Thailands Danthai Boonma and Jack Thompson from Australia fired 70s and finished another two strokes back. The Asian Tour heads to the Link Hong Kong Open next week at Hong Kong Golf Club, one of three big money events in a row that will bring the season to a thrilling climax. Its followed by the International Series Qatar and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. All three are also part of The International Series. Scores after round 4 of the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open being played Taifong Golf Club, par-72, 7,302-yard course (am - denotes amateur): 266 - Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) 67-63-68-68. 267 - Runchanapong Youprayong (THA) 64-68-66-69. 270 - Hung Chien-yao (TWN) 68-64-70-68, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (THA) 67-67-68-68. 272 - Jack Thompson (AUS) 64-65-73-70, Danthai Boonma (THA) 65-72-65-70. 274 - He Chin-hung (TWN) 68-72-67-67, Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (IND) 68-69-69-68, Lee Chieh-po (TWN) 68-69-67-70. 275 - Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (THA) 67-69-71-68, Tanapat Pichaikool (THA) 70-67-70-68. 276 - Kosuke Hamamoto (THA) 72-70-68-66, Justin Quiban (PHI) 67-72-65-72. 277 - Shahriffuddin Ariffin (MAS) 67-67-74-69, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 69-68-69-71. 278 - Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND) 69-74-69-66, Chen Guxin (CHN) 72-69-66-71, Liu Yung-hua (TWN) 69-66-71-72. 279 - Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 71-71-68-69, Kazuki Higa (JPN) 70-71-69-69, K.P. Lin (TWN) 68-72-70-69, Yeh Chia-yin (TWN) 69-69-71-70, Berry Henson (USA) 68-68-72-71, Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA) 69-68-71-71, Huang Yi-tseng (TWN) 67-72-67-73. 280 - Justin Warren (AUS) 70-69-71-70, Wang Wei-hsuan (TWN) 72-65-72-71, Kao Teng (TWN) 69-69-70-72, Minhyeok Yang (KOR) 71-67-70-72, Tomoyo Ikemura (JPN) 67-69-71-73. 281 - Ahmad Baig (PAK) 72-69-70-70, Chen Yi-tong (TWN) 70-67-73-71, Shen Wei-cheng (TWN) 71-67-74-69, Hsieh Chi-hsien (TWN) 70-67-72-72, Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 70-68-71-72. 282 - Jonathan Wijono (INA) 74-68-67-73. 283 - Liu Yanwei (CHN) 73-66-73-71. 284 - Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA) 72-70-69-73, Su Ching-hung (TWN) 73-70-68-73, Galven Green (MAS) 68-68-74-74, Lu Wei-chih (TWN) 67-74-69-74, Karandeep Kochhar (IND) 71-71-70-72, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 68-70-75-71, Matt Killen (ENG) 70-72-71-71, James Leow (SGP) 73-68-73-70, Khalin Joshi (IND) 70-72-72-70, Sean Ramos (PHI) 74-69-73-68. 285 - Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (THA) 73-70-68-74, Settee Prakongvech (THA) 69-70-74-72, Liu Yen-hung (TWN) 74-68-71-72. 286 - Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 72-69-74-71, Tsai Tsung-yu (TWN) 68-74-74-70, Zach Murray (AUS) 69-73-76-68. 287 - Poom Saksansin (THA) 69-70-72-76, Ho Yu-cheng (TWN) 70-72-70-75. 288 - Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70-68-75-75, Prom Meesawat (THA) 72-71-71-74, Hung Chao-hsin (TWN) 68-73-74-73, Chen Wei-sheng (TWN) 75-68-74-71, Carlos Pigem (ESP) 73-70-75-70. 289 - Manav Shah (USA) 67-75-71-76, Lion Park (KOR) 70-73-70-76, Jared Du Toit (CAN) 66-75-76-72. 290 - Yeongsu Kim (KOR) 71-70-72-77, Hsieh Tung-hung (TWN) 72-65-77-76, Natipong Srithong (THA) 69-72-74-75. 291 - Charngtai Sudsom (THA) 72-70-70-79. 292 - Aaron Wilkin (AUS) 71-71-76-74. 293 - Lai Chia-i (TWN) 70-72-71-80.

17/11 8:16 pm Super Typhoon Man-yi batters Philippines most populous island

MANILA : Super Typhoon Man-yi pummelled the Philippines most populous island on Sunday, with the national weather service warning of flooding, landslides and huge waves as the storm sweeps across the archipelago nation. Man-yi was still packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometres (115 miles) per hour, with gusts reaching 305 kph, after making its first landfall late Saturday on the lightly populated Catanduanes island. More than 1.2 million people fled their homes ahead of Man-yi, ..

including several thousand in the capital Manila, as the weather forecaster warned of a life-threatening impact from the powerful storm, which follows an unusual streak of violent weather. Man-yi uprooted trees, brought down power lines and smashed flimsy houses to pieces after hitting Catanduanes in the typhoon-prone Bicol region. No deaths have been reported, but there was extensive damage to structures on Catanduanes, civil defence chief Ariel Nepomuceno said. Man-yi remained a super typhoon as it hit heavily populated Luzon -- the countrys economic engine -- forecasters said, warning of a potentially dangerous situation in Aurora province. I saw roofing sheets flying off the houses around our building. Branches were being torn off trees, said Julius Fabianes, a rescuer with the Aurora disaster agency in Baler town. The weather service forecast significant weakening as Man-yi traversed the mountainous island. But it said severe flooding and landslides were expected as Man-yi dumped intense to torrential rain over provinces in its path. Forecasters also warned storm surges reaching more than three metres could swamp vulnerable coastal communities, including in Manila. Panganiban municipality in the northeast of Catanduanes took a direct hit from Man-yi. Photos and a drone video shared on the Facebook page of Mayor Cesar Robles showed fallen power lines, damaged and destroyed buildings, and trees and corrugated iron sheets strewn on the roads. So strong Pepito was so strong, I have never experienced a typhoon this strong, Robles said in a post, using the local name for Man-yi, as clean-up efforts got underway and people returned home. Mother-of-three Marissa Cueva Alejandro, 36, who grew up in Catanduanes and sheltered with a relative during Man-yi, said typhoons were getting stronger. Before, we would only experience (typhoon) signal number three to four, but now typhoons are getting as strong as signal number five, she said, referring to the weather services five-tiered wind warning system. Man-yi is the sixth storm in the past month to batter the archipelago nation. At least 163 people died in the previous storms, which left thousands homeless and wiped out crops and livestock. Climate change is increasing the intensity of storms, leading to heavier rains, flash floods and stronger gusts. About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Southeast Asian nation or its surrounding waters each year, killing scores of people, but it is rare for multiple such weather events to take place in a small window. Resorts deserted The weather forecaster has hoisted its highest and second-highest typhoon signals over a wide band of provinces stretching from Luzons east coast, where Man-yi made its second landfall, across to the western side of the island where it will exit. Around 2,000 people were in emergency evacuation shelters in Dipaculao municipality in Aurora province. Others have stayed home to protect their property and livestock, or because they were sceptical of the warnings, said Geofry Parrocha, communications officer of the Dipaculao disaster agency. Some of our countrymen are really hard-headed. They do not believe us until the typhoon arrives, Parrocha told AFP. Tourists emptied from coastal resorts ahead of the typhoon. Our facilities are deserted, said Irene Padeo, reservation officer of the LSirene Boutique Resort in Baler town in Aurora, as Man-yi neared. Our outdoor items have all been packed and taken indoors. We tied down all the rest. On its current trajectory, Man-yi will cross north of Manila and sweep over the South China Sea on Monday. Man-yi hit the Philippines late in the typhoon season -- most cyclones develop between July and October. This month, four storms were clustered simultaneously in the Pacific basin, which the Japan Meteorological Agency told AFP was the first time such an occurrence had been observed in November since its records began in 1951.

17/11 6:58 pm Indian police battle Maoist rebels, five killed

RAIPUR : Indian security forces have killed five Maoist rebels in jungle clashes, an officer said Sunday, as security forces seek to quash the decades-long insurgency in the resource-rich central regions. Gun battles took place in the Abujhmad forests of Chhattisgarh state on Saturday, taking the toll of the conflict in 2024 to around 200, one of the highest in years. More than 10,000 people have died in the insurgency against the Maoists -- known as the Naxalite movement, who say they are ..

fighting for the rights of marginalised indigenous people. In the gun battle five Maoists have been killed, senior police officer P. Sunderraj told AFP, adding that two of the rebels were women. The clash took place in regions bordering Kanker and Narayanpur, with police seizing rifles and ammunition from the corpses. Two officers were wounded in the clash. Indias government has warned the insurgents to surrender, with Amit Shah, the interior minister, saying in September that he expected the rebellion to be defeated by early 2026. The Naxalites, named for the district where their armed campaign began in 1967, were inspired by the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong. They demanded land, jobs and a share of the regions immense natural resources for the local people, and made inroads in a number of remote communities. India claimed to have confined the insurgency to about 45 districts in 2023, down from 96 in 2010. Authorities have pumped in millions of dollars for new investments in local infrastructure projects and social spending.

17/11 5:17 pm Russia launched 120 missiles, 90 drones in massive strike on Ukraine: ..

KYIV : Russia launched around 120 missiles and 90 drones in a massive combined air strike on Ukraines energy infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday. The enemys target was our energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine. Unfortunately, there is damage to objects from strikes and falling debris, he said in a statement on social media.

17/11 5:09 pm Sivasangari loses Malaysia Cup final to Amina Orfi

PETALING JAYA : National squash ace and tournament top seed S. Sivasangari lost the Malaysia Cup final to World No. 10 Amina Orfi of Egypt in the womens final at The Curve Mall, here, today. The 17-year-old Amina beat the home favourite 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 8-10, 11-6 in 88 minutes. Amina won US$9,025 (RM40,323) following her victory while world No. 9 Sivasangari settled for US$5,700 (RM25,467) in prize money. ALSO READ : Sivasangari reaches Malaysia Cup final with ruthless win Sivasangari had ..

earlier stormed into the womens final with a commanding straight games victory over Scotlands world No. 28, Georgia Adderley.

16/11 9:33 pm Iranian press divided over envoys reported meeting with Musk

TEHRAN : Iranian media on Saturday was divided over a reported meeting between Tehrans ambassador to the United Nations and tech billionaire Elon Musk -- unconfirmed by Iranian authorities -- with some describing as positive while others called it treason. The New York Times reported on Friday that Musk, who is a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, met earlier this week with Irans ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani. The Times cited anonymous Iranian sources describing the ..

encounter as positive, though neither the Trump transition team nor Irans UN mission immediately confirmed the meeting. The Iranian mission stated that it had no comment. Iranian media outlets, particularly those aligned with the reformist party that supports President Masoud Pezeshkian, largely described the meeting in positive terms. The Ham Mihan reformist daily noted that the strategy of the Iranian diplomatic team is on target and has elicited a reciprocal and positive response from the American side. Sazandegi, another reformist outlet, interpreted the meeting as an indication of Iran engaging in secret diplomacy with the United States. While it portrayed it as a positive development, it nonetheless stressed that it should not be exaggerated. Musk has been tipped as the co-chair of Trumps proposed Department of Government Efficiency. The Shargh newspaper from the same political camp suggested that the encounter reflects the result of Donald Trumps active diplomacy. In contrast, the ultraconservative Kayhan daily criticised the reported meeting as naivety or treason against Iran, slamming Trump for exiting the Iran nuclear deal. The paper said Trump must pay damages to Iran for violating the nuclear agreement, which was signed in 2 between Iran and Western powers. The deal gave Iran relief from economic sanctions in exchange for controls on its nuclear programme, which Iran has consistently maintained is for peaceful purposes. The conservative Jomhuri Eslami newspaper stated that the interaction can be viewed as the beginning of a new path in Irans foreign policy, though it did not name Musk, instead describing him as Trumps representative. In the weeks leading up to Trumps re-election, Iranian officials have signalled a willingness to resolve issues with the West. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, countries that severed ties with Iran have used the Swiss embassy in Tehran and the Sultanate of Oman to communicate with the Islamic republic.

16/11 9:27 pm US airline says plane apparently hit by gunfire on Dallas runway

WASHINGTON : Southwest Airlines said one of its planes was apparently hit by gunfire while preparing for takeoff at an airport in the US city of Dallas on Friday. The plane taxied safely back to the terminal at Dallas Love Field after a bullet apparently struck the right side of the aircraft just under the flight deck, the airline said in a statement. The incident happened as the crew was preparing for takeoff, it said. No one was injured and the plane has been removed from service, the airline ..

added. The incident happened at around 8:30 pm Friday (0230 GMT Saturday), with the flight headed from Dallas, Texas to Indianapolis, Indiana. The Federal Aviation Administration said the Southwest Airlines flight was taxiing for takeoff when it was reportedly struck by gunfire near the cockpit. The plane returned to the gate where passengers disembarked the Boeing 737-800, it added in a statement.



Reformasi     >>



Bersih 'D' rating: 'This is only UPSR', Anwar aims for .. - Mkini
PARLIAMENT Govt can perform better over time, says PM.
Kroni     >>



Business : Value Of Malaysian Business Ventures In .. - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysianbusiness ventures in Vietnam haveexceeded US$13 billion (US$1=RM4.47) in value, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Tabloid     >>



Nampak macam duit biasa tapi tak ramai tahu wang .. - Mdateline
Siapa sangka wang kertas RM50 keluaran tahun 2007 ini boleh dijual dengan harga ratusan ringgit. Menurut Pengarah Trigometric Auctions, Hann Boom, sekeping wang kertas RM50 ... Baca Artikel Penuh
Tech     >>



Developers look ahead to new features coming in .. - Star
Google has launched a first test version of Android 16, aimed at developers. It introduces several noteworthy new features, notably in the fields of music and health. Read full story