Top 16 players in Rolex Rankings and all five 2025 major champions headline field for the prestigious tournament in South Korea from Oct 23-26. Read full story
YANGON : Monsoon floods in a rebel-held Myanmar town on the country’s mountainous border with China have killed six people. A spokesman for the armed group controlling the area confirmed the deaths on Wednesday. The northern town of Laiza bordering China’s Yunnan province has reported flash flooding since early Monday. Muddy waist-high waters began to stream through the streets, causing widespread destruction. Laiza is a stronghold of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), which has controlled its own ethnic enclave for decades. The KIA is one of the most powerful factions in Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. “A lot of water flowed down the mountain to the river,“ said KIA spokesman Naw Bu. “The flow of water was too strong and destroyed areas surrounding the river,“ he added. “Six people were killed in the flood and 100 houses were destroyed.” Rescue operations began on Wednesday but were hampered by road blockages. “All of the roads have been damaged and the roads disappeared in some areas,“ said one resident. The resident declined to be named for security reasons. “The water rose suddenly,“ the resident added. More than 3.5 million people are currently displaced in Myanmar due to the civil war. Many are sheltering in temporary camps, leaving them exposed to extreme weather. The resident described flooding around local displacement camps as “terrible.” Some shelters were swept away, and people were wounded. Myanmar is in the midst of its monsoon season, where daily heavy rains are common. Scientists warn that hazardous weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. - AFP
BUKIT MERTAJAM : The Immigration Department (JIM) is prepared to work with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) to resolve misconduct issues among its personnel. JIM Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban stated that discussions will be held with AKPS if problematic officers at major entry points need reassignment. He clarified that AKPS now fully manages 22 key entry points, including KLIA, Johor’s Sultan Iskandar Building, and Penang International Airport. JIM officers continue to oversee daily airport operations, with AKPS handling counter arrangements while immigration staff assist in intelligence and monitoring. Zakaria assured full cooperation with AKPS to remove officers linked to misconduct if reshuffles are necessary. He spoke to reporters after leading an operation at a Simpang Ampat factory, where 307 foreign nationals were detained for immigration violations. The operation’s success stemmed from joint intelligence efforts between JIM and AKPS, with continuous disciplinary actions against errant officers. Since 2022, 147 disciplinary cases involving immigration officers have been recorded, resulting in 55 dismissals. To curb power abuse, JIM is expanding digital solutions like autogates at entry points to minimise officer-traveller interaction. During the raid, 749 foreigners were screened, with 306 Bangladeshis and one Nepalese detained for pass violations. All detainees will undergo further investigation before being transferred to the Jawi Immigration Detention Depot. – Bernama
The Indian prime minister's trip to the city of Tianjin is a further sign of a diplomatic thaw with Beijing.
Jabatan Peguam Negara (AGC) akan mempertahan badan kehakiman daripada serangan yang tidak wajar bagi memastikan integriti proses keadilan sentiasa terpelihara.
KOTA KINABALU: Despite having the autonomy to decide, Sabah Barisan-Umno will not rush into forming alliances with any party or coalition without a clear and well-defined strategy ahead of the state election, says Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin. Read full story
World Health Organization, experts still conducting research on safety and efficacy of chikungunya fever jab, senior medical officer says Read full story
LONDON : The UK charity watchdog has cleared Prince Harry of bullying allegations linked to his African charity, Sentebale. The dispute erupted earlier this year when chairperson Sophie Chandauka accused the Duke of Sussex of misconduct. The Charity Commission found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment after a months-long investigation. However, it criticised the public nature of the conflict, calling it damaging to the charity’s reputation. Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho resigned in March after trustees quit over Chandauka’s refusal to step down. Sentebale, founded in 2006, supports young people with HIV and AIDS in southern Africa. The commission noted governance weaknesses and issued an improvement plan. Sentebale welcomed the findings, while Chandauka said they confirmed her earlier concerns about mismanagement. Harry previously called the accusations “heartbreaking” and denied any wrongdoing. The dispute added to his challenges since stepping back from royal duties in 2020. The charity’s name, Sentebale, honours Princess Diana and means “forget me not” in Sesotho. Chandauka reaffirmed commitment to the founders’ vision despite recent tensions. - AFP
SEREMBAN - "Geram memang geram, tapi negara kita ada undang-undang jadi saya serahkan kepada pihak berkuasa mengambil tindakan sewajarnya,"Demikian luahan Che Faizal Che Mohd, 44, bapa kepada mangsa kemalangan langgar lari yang meragut nyawa anak sulungnya, Che Wan Muhammad Aqif Mustaqim, 18, dalam kejadian di Jalan Temiang berhampiran Simpang Bukit Jong dalam kejadian pada Rabu.Menurut Che Faizal, ketika kejadian anaknya keluar rumah seawal jam 6 pagi untuk ke tempat kerja seperti biasa, namun sempat mengejutkannya sebelum bertolak."Pukul 5.30 pagi saya kebetulan tidur di luar. Dia kejut saya untuk salam, tapi salam dia lain macam. Biasanya dia akan cium tangan saya, tapi kali ini dia cuma cium tangan dia sendiri. Rupanya itu salam terakhir," katanya pada Rabu.Beliau ditemui selepas selesai urusan pengebumian anaknya, Che Wan Muhammad Aqif Mustaqim di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Maqribah Salimah Taman Zaitun Indah Sikamat sekitar jam 6 petang.Katanya, berita berhubung kehadian diterima melalui panggilan daripada pihak berkuasa yang memeriksa pemilikan motosikal terlibat dalam satu kemalangan."Dia maklum anak terlibat kemalangan dan saya terus bergegas ke lokasi kejadian. Sampai di sana, memang dia sudah tiada. Motosikal dia hancur, tayar pun tercabut," katanya yang bertugas di Jabatan Pencegahan Jenayah, Keselamatan dan Komuniti Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Seremban.Kongsinya, anak sulung daripada lima beradik itu bekerja di sebuah stesen minyak sejak Mei lalu dan sepatutnya melanjutkan pelajaran dalam bidang marin di sebuah kolej di Kemaman, Terengganu bermula 5 Oktober ini."Segala persiapan sudah dibuat, cuma tinggal nak bayar yuran. Dia pun dah rancang untuk berhenti kerja bulan September. Sebelum ini dia tolak tawaran belajar di Hulu Terengganu sebab tak minat dengan kursus ditawarkan."Namun hajat sambung pengajian itu tidak kesempaian," katanya.Dalam kejadian kira-kira jam 6.45 pagi itu, motosikal yang ditunggangi mangsa dirempuh sebuah kereta jenis Mercedes-Benz yang dipandu suspek dikenali sebagai R. Puvarasan, 28.Suspek yang mempunyai lebih 10 rekod jenayah itu dikatakan cuba melarikan diri daripada pemeriksaan polis dengan memecut kenderaan sebelum hilang kawalan dan. merempuh mangsa.Che Faizal mengakui timbul rasa marah dan dendam atas apa yang berlaku, namun menyerahkan sepenuhnya kepada pihak berkuasa untuk mengambil tindakan."Memang ada marah, memang ada dendam, tapi kita ada undang-undang. Bila suspek ditangkap nanti, biarlah mahkamah yang tentukan hukuman," katanya.
WASHINGTON : The leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the United States will meet for a peace summit in Washington on August 7-8, the Armenian government’s press office confirmed. Baku and Yerevan, long-time adversaries, have fought two wars over the disputed Karabakh region, with Azerbaijan reclaiming control in a swift 2023 offensive. “On August 7-8, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, will visit the United States of America,“ the press office stated. Pashinyan will participate in a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the visit. The talks aim to “promote peace, prosperity, and economic cooperation in the region,“ according to the Armenian government. Additionally, Pashinyan will hold a separate bilateral meeting with Trump to strengthen ties between Armenia and the US. Both former Soviet republics had agreed on a draft peace deal in March, but Azerbaijan has since demanded amendments to Armenia’s constitution regarding Karabakh. Previous negotiations in the UAE in July failed to produce a breakthrough, raising hopes for progress in the upcoming Washington talks. - AFP
LIVERPOOL forward Darwin Nunez is reportedly close to sealing a transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, with the deal potentially facilitating the Reds’ push for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak. Signed for 75 million euros in 2022, Nunez has struggled for consistency, scoring 40 goals in 143 appearances across three seasons. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports Al Hilal will pay an initial 53 million euros for the 26-year-old Uruguayan. His playing time was expected to drop following the arrivals of Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. The sale could raise Liverpool’s total transfer earnings this window to nearly 200 million euros, following the exits of Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Newcastle are said to value Isak at 150 million pounds, which would break the British transfer record. Harvey Elliott has also attracted interest from RB Leipzig, though Liverpool are holding out for 45 million euros. If completed, Nunez would join a high-profile Al Hilal squad that includes Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Aleksandar Mitrovic. The club recently reached the Club World Cup quarter-finals under Simone Inzaghi. – AFP
HOUBI : Taiwanese orchid grower Lee Tsang-yu has seen US tariffs on his seedlings jump from zero to 20% since the start of Donald Trump’s trade war. The 61-year-old farmer remains resilient despite the economic challenges. Lee is expanding into Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil while reducing US shipments. “The US is such a huge market, we can’t pull out, and we won’t,“ said Lee, whose company operates four large greenhouses in Houbi. Taiwan is one of the world’s top orchid producers, with Phalaenopsis orchids dominating exports. The island’s orchid exports hit NT$6.1 billion (US$204 million) in 2024, with NT$2 billion going to the US. Most growers initially absorbed Trump’s 10% tariff, said Ahby Tseng of the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association. But the new 20% levy is unsustainable, he added. Taiwan’s main US competitor, The Netherlands, faces a lower 15% tariff. The five-point difference is significant, Tseng noted. Passing costs to consumers is difficult as buyers may switch to other flowers. Stockpiling orchids isn’t feasible since the plants continue growing. Lee worries more about declining US consumer spending than tariffs. “Since late May, we’ve cut US shipments by 15%,“ he said. Lee remains optimistic that new markets will offset losses over time. Taiwanese orchids last longer than Dutch ones, giving them an edge. “Trump won’t be president forever,“ Lee added. - AFP
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah-based major road infrastructure construction player Azam Jaya Berhad has received a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from the Transport Ministry for a RM120.9mil contract to upgrade Tawau Airport. Read full story
MELAKA FC owner Datuk Nur Azmi Ahmad remains optimistic about his team’s Super League prospects despite operating on a budget of under RM6 million. He said the club’s unified salary structure is a core strength, ensuring player confidence and preventing wage issues. “Salary issues won’t arise as we have a clear payment plan, and players have agreed to the terms,” he said. Players are paid twice monthly, with some receiving early disbursements even before signing full contracts. This dependable system has attracted experienced players, including former national team members. Nur Azmi made the remarks during the launch of Melaka FC’s 2025 home (red) and away (light blue) kits, officiated by Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam. The club has retained K. Devan as head coach and manager, relying on his leadership to steer the squad. Despite financial constraints, Nur Azmi believes the team can challenge stronger sides. “A top-six finish would be an achievement given the Super League’s tough competition,” he said. The squad features former national and U-23 players, as well as Grade C and D imports brought in through foreign club partnerships. These collaborations allow for player replacements if performance expectations are not met. – Bernama
PETALING JAYA – Selepas lapan bulan tertangguh, Konsert Tsumawi 20 Mawi World Live In KL yang sepatutnya berlangsungnya pada 25 Januari lalu akhirnya dibatalkan secara rasmi. Menurut penganjurnya, Showtag Asia, pembatalan solo Mawi atau Asmawi Ani, 44, tersebut dilakukan atas beberapa faktor yang tidak dapat dielakkan. “Dengan berat hati, kami ingin memaklumkan bahawa Konsert ... Read more The post 8 bulan tertangguh, konsert Mawi dibatalkan appeared first on Kosmo Digital .
COLOMBO : Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption authorities arrested a former minister from the influential Rajapaksa family on Wednesday. Shasheendra Rajapaksa, nephew of ex-presidents Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was detained over alleged illegal compensation claims. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) stated he coerced officials into paying for damages on state-owned land. “He misused state land, claimed compensation he was not entitled to, and committed the offence of corruption,“ CIABOC said in a statement. This marks the first Rajapaksa arrest since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government took office in September 2024. The government had pledged to investigate corruption linked to the Rajapaksa family’s rule. Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis in 2022, leading to Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ousting amid mass protests. Shasheendra’s cousins, Namal and Yoshitha Rajapaksa, are also facing money laundering charges. Yoshitha claimed funds came from a gem gift, but the elderly relative could not verify the source. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s brother-in-law, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, was charged for losses at SriLankan Airlines. Basil Rajapaksa, another brother and former minister, is also embroiled in money laundering allegations. - AFP
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