Add source Login
18 national athletes to sit for SPM after 2025 SEA Games in Thailand

18 national athletes to sit for SPM after 2025 SEA Games in Thailand

ALL 18 national athletes competing in the 2025 SEA Games will sit for their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations after the regional sporting event concludes. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh confirmed that 17 government school candidates will take their SPM exams at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil following the games. One private candidate will submit a direct application to the Examination Board, with the Ministry of Education coordinating the process. “The National Sports Council has discussed with the Ministry of Education to finalise the schedule where they will compete first and then 17 candidates will sit for the SPM exam at MSN,“ she said at a press conference today. Hannah emphasised her ministry’s commitment to ensuring all 18 athletes can focus on representing Malaysia while not missing their crucial examinations. The National Sports Council will collaborate with the Education Ministry’s Examination Board to facilitate the athletes’ exam process. The 2025 SEA Games will be held from December 9-20 in Thailand across three regions: Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla. SPM examinations are scheduled to run from November 3 to December 23 this year. Contingent chief de mission Nurul Huda Abdullah had previously expressed concern about the scheduling conflict between the games and examinations. Hannah was speaking at the launch of the AEON Credit SIC Racing MSI team featuring national rider Muhammad Hakim Danish, who will make his Moto3 debut at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix from October 24-26. – Bernama

Dutch far-right leader Wilders resumes campaigning after terror threats

Dutch far-right leader Wilders resumes campaigning after terror threats

THE HAGUE : Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders announced his return to campaigning on Wednesday after suspending public appearances due to jihadist-inspired threats. Wilders confirmed his campaign restart on social media platform X as the Netherlands approaches October 29 elections. Belgian authorities arrested three individuals last week for allegedly planning terrorist attacks against political figures using drone-mounted explosives. The anti-Islam politician halted campaigning after learning he was targeted alongside Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. Wilders cancelled several high-profile television and radio debates but pledged to resume media appearances. His Freedom Party shocked Dutch politics by winning the 2023 elections and forming a fragile four-party coalition. That coalition government collapsed earlier this year following immigration disputes initiated by Wilders himself. Current polls show Wilders’ PVV leading but many voters remain undecided two weeks before the election. All other mainstream parties have ruled out coalition partnerships with Wilders again. The far-right leader has lived under constant police protection for twenty years due to numerous death threats. Wilders expressed on X that he no longer remembers the feeling of personal freedom after decades of security measures. He noted the profound personal and family impact of continuous security that outsiders struggle to understand. A Green-left coalition led by former European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans trails behind the PVV in polling. Centre-right CDA party under rising star Henri Bontenbal also competes in the fragmented political landscape. The second-place finisher on October 29 will likely provide the next prime minister as parties distance themselves from Wilders. Immigration dominates campaign discussions with protests against asylum-seeker centres sometimes turning violent. Netherlands’ persistent housing crisis and high living costs also rank highly among voter concerns. Forming a new coalition government will require months of negotiation regardless of the October 29 outcome. – AFP

Edisi keempat Global Sumud Flotilla dijangka berlepas ke Gaza bulan depan - Mapim

Edisi keempat Global Sumud Flotilla dijangka berlepas ke Gaza bulan depan - Mapim

SHAH ALAM - Edisi keempat Misi kemanusiaan konvoi bantuan Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) dijangka berlepas ke Gaza pada pertengahan atau penghujung bulan November ini.Presiden Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Mapim), Muhammad Azmi Abdul Hamid berkata, GSF akan menggunakan pengalaman terdahulu bagi mempersiapkan konvoi dengan strategi lebih kemas untuk menembusi sekatan barisan pertahanan tentera Zionis."Kita sedang merancang untuk masuk ke perairan Gaza menjelang Ramadan ini... oleh itu, kita sasarkan paling lewat konvoi bantuan ini perlu memulakan perjalanan sama ada pada pertegahan atau penghujung bulan depan."Kita juga akan mengadakan perbincangan di peringkat antarabangsa bagi mengkaji semula tiga siri konvoi terdahulu yang terkandas akibat dipintas tentera Israel, dan merangka strategi memecah kepungan mereka," katanya kepada pemberita di Ibu Pejabat Mapim di sini pada Rabu.Beliau berkata, setakat ini, saiz armada yang terlibat masih sama iaitu 1,000 buah bot dan kapal dari seluruh dunia yang dimuatkan dengan pelbagai jenis bantuan sebelum bergabung di Laut Mediterranean.Muhammad Azmi berkata, konvoi itu juga bakal disertai beberapa kumpulan antaranya dari perairan Gibraltar, Barcelona, Tunisia, Itali, Turkiye dan memasuki Palestin melalui perairan Gaza secara berasingan.Beliau juga berkata, pihaknya telah mengadakan pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim bagi membentangkan cadangan menghantar 200 kontena berisi barangan keperluan ke Gaza melalui laluan darat iaitu pintu Rafah."Setelah perbincangan dibuat, kita perlu desak (Presiden Mesir) Abdel Fattah al-Sisi untuk membuka pintu sempadan Rafah bagi membolehkan semua kontena itu dibawa masuk," katanya.Terdahulu, Muhammad Azmi menerima kunjungan Presiden Institut Akhbar Malaysia, Datuk Yong Soo Heong di Ibu Pejabat Mapim di sini bagi memeterai memorandum persefahaman.Perjanjian itu antara lain ialah bagi menjalin kerjasama strategik jangka panjang dalam usaha memperkukuh peranan media terhadap isu-isu kemanusiaan sejagat dan memperluas kefahaman berhubung konflik kemanusiaan global. - Bernama

Saman fitnah: Ahli perniagaan peroleh injunksi terhadap Caprice

Saman fitnah: Ahli perniagaan peroleh injunksi terhadap Caprice

KUALA LUMPUR - Mahkamah Tinggi di sini pada Rabu membenarkan permohonan seorang ahli perniagaan iaitu Datuk Seri R Jeyenderan untuk mendapatkan injunksi inter-parte dalam saman fitnahnya terhadap penyanyi rap, Caprice.Hakim Roslan Mat Nor turut memerintahkan Caprice, atau nama sebenarnya Ariz Ramli, membayar RM8,000 sebagai kos kepada Jeyenderan dalam tempoh dua minggu.Mahkamah kemudian menetapkan 1 Disember ini sebagai pengurusan kes.Terdahulu, mahkamah mendengar hujahan peguam V Muniandy, Fiona Aurelia Culas dan Muhammad Afiq Yahawa yang mewakili ahli perniagaan itu serta peguam Muhammad Amar Shaaruddin, yang mewakili Caprice.Pada 5 Ogos lepas, Mahkamah Tinggi membenarkan injunksi ad-interim yang dimohon Jeyenderan terhadap Caprice dan memerintahkan defendan agar segera memadan semua hantaran berunsur fitnah terhadap plaintif daripada akaun Instagram beliau, yang dimuat naik pada Julai.Injunksi ad interim adalah perintah sementara yang diberikan oleh mahkamah sebelum perbicaraan penuh atau permohonan injunksi utama diputuskan manakala permohonan injunksi inter-parte pula membolehkan mahkamah mendengar hujahan kedua-dua pihak.Jeyenderan, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif sebuah syarikat perkapalan, telah memfailkan saman itu pada 21 Julai lepas mendakwa defendan pada 10 Julai telah memuat naik beberapa hantaran di Instagram termasuk gambar serta video dirinya, yang didakwa mengaitkan beliau dengan aktiviti jenayah, gengsterisme dan ancaman bersenjata tanpa bukti yang sahih.Berdasarkan pernyataan tuntutan, plaintif berkata, hantaran berunsur fitnah tersebut adalah bertujuan menimbulkan syak wasangka, kebencian awam dan tekanan sosial terhadap dirinya, dan defendan tidak pernah menghubungi beliau atau wakilnya untuk mendapatkan pengesahan atau penjelasan sebelum menerbitkan dakwaan yang serius itu.Jeyenderan mendakwa tindakan Caprice jelas menunjukkan bahawa defendan tidak mempunyai niat untuk menyampaikan maklumat yang adil dan tepat sebaliknya bertujuan mencemarkan nama baik serta reputasi beliau dan menyatakan bahawa penyanyi rap berkenaan memiliki pengaruh besar di Instagram dengan lebih 1.5 juta pengikut.Akibat hantaran itu, Jeyenderan mendakwa reputasi beliau sebagai pakar perkapalan dan maritim bertaraf global telah terjejas serta mengalami kerugian khas berjumlah RM1 juta selepas kehilangan beberapa kontrak sebagai penceramah utama di Dubai, Turkey dan India yang ditawarkan oleh sebuah syarikat yang berpangkalan di Dubai.Sehubungan itu, plaintif menuntut ganti rugi sebanyak RM3 juta bagi kerosakan reputasi, ganti rugi khas, am serta teladan, kos dan relif lain yang difikirkan sesuai oleh mahkamah.Beliau turut memohon injunksi bagi menghalang defendan daripada mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan fitnah selanjutnya, memaksa defendan memadam semua kandungan fitnah yang telah diterbitkan serta memohon maaf secara terbuka di semua akaun media sosial milik atau yang dikawal oleh defendan. - Bernama

Borneo Arts Festival 2025 to dazzle with new cultural experiences, 35,000 visitors expected

Borneo Arts Festival 2025 to dazzle with new cultural experiences, 35,000 visitors expected

LABUAN : The Borneo Arts Festival 2025 will enliven this duty-free island from November 13 to 17 with musical rhythms, traditional dances and Borneo’s heritage. The festival is poised to draw an estimated 35,000 visitors from across Malaysia, Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said this year’s festival embraces the essence of Borneo’s artistic soul. “With its new features and larger venue, Labuan will truly come alive as a destination for arts and cultural expression,“ she added. Highlights include exhibitions of Kadayan ethnic traditional houses, displays of authentic costumes and traditional delicacies. The festival venue has shifted to the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex to accommodate larger crowds and provide a scenic waterfront setting. This move was endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. New night-time attractions include Glow in the Dark, Light of Borneo, Warisan Glow and a visual arts exhibition. These features will transform the island’s evenings into a celebration of light, music and movement. Dr Zaliha said the festival celebrates Borneo’s people, colours and creativity with new showcases for local and international guests. Organised by Labuan Corporation, the annual event serves as a bridge of cultural exchange and artistic appreciation. It showcases the harmony of tradition and modernity that defines Borneo’s identity. The festival has evolved into a symbol of unity and creativity, bringing together artists and communities from across Borneo. – Bernama

ASEAN Ke-47: Kuala Lumpur ‘lockdown’, 16,000 polis digerakkan

ASEAN Ke-47: Kuala Lumpur ‘lockdown’, 16,000 polis digerakkan

PETALING JAYA – Trafik di pusat Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur akan ditutup sepenuhnya sempena penganjuran Sidang Kemuncak ASEAN ke-47 pada minggu depan. Menteri Luar, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan berkata, pihak polis akan berada dalam keadaan berjaga-jaga tahap tinggi bermula 23 hingga 28 Oktober. Susulan itu kata beliau, anggota Polis Diraja Malaysia seluruh negara akan digerakkan ... Read more The post ASEAN Ke-47: Kuala Lumpur ‘lockdown’, 16,000 polis digerakkan appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

US Supreme Court hears pivotal minority voting rights case

US Supreme Court hears pivotal minority voting rights case

WASHINGTON : The US Supreme Court will hear a pivotal case involving Black voters that could determine which party controls the House of Representatives. This case addresses contentious issues of race and politics by challenging a Louisiana congressional map that established a second Black majority district. The conservative-dominated court previously heard this case last term but unusually deferred a ruling and scheduled it for re-argument this session. African-Americans, who predominantly vote Democratic, constitute one-third of Louisiana’s population across its six congressional districts. Following the 2020 census, Louisiana adopted a new map containing only one Black majority district instead of the previous two. The American Civil Liberties Union and others sued, alleging the map diluted Black voting power and violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Louisiana legislature introduced a new map last year with two Black majority districts, prompting a legal challenge from non-African-American voters. Opponents argue that using race to design districts constitutes racial gerrymandering forbidden by the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. ACLU attorney Sophia Lin Lakin stated that the stakes are incredibly high for both Louisiana’s map and future redistricting cases nationwide. Republicans currently hold a slim House majority, and changes in Black majority districts could influence the 2026 midterm elections. A report by Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter warns that weakening Voting Rights Act protections could give Republicans 19 additional House seats. They claim this could cement one-party control of the US House for at least a generation. The Louisiana case unfolds amid redistricting efforts in both Republican and Democratic states. Republican-led Texas is drawing new maps expected to flip up to five House seats from Democrats to Republicans. Several Latino or Black districts that Donald Trump lost in 2024 were broken up to dilute Democratic support. Democratic leaders in California launched a redistricting push to counter potential Republican gains, subject to a statewide referendum. – AFP