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Tenggara Harap Dilibatkan Dalam SEZ Johor-Singapura

Tenggara Harap Dilibatkan Dalam SEZ Johor-Singapura

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 Okt – Ahli Parlimen Tenggara, Manndzri Nasib, berharap kawasan selatan wilayahnya turut dilibatkan dalam pelaksanaan Zon Ekonomi Khas Johor–Singapura (SSEZ) seperti diumumkan dalam Belanjawan 2026. Menurut beliau walaupun nama Tenggara tidak disebut secara langsung dalam pengumuman pembangunan infrastruktur dan projek berkaitan SSEZ, kawasan itu tetap menerima manfaat daripada jaringan jalan baharu yang diumumkan kerajaan. “Kedua-dua (projek) ini [...]

Austrian court sentences ex-billionaire Benko to two years in prison

Austrian court sentences ex-billionaire Benko to two years in prison

INNSBRUCK : An Austrian court has sentenced former property billionaire Rene Benko to two years in prison for insolvency-related fraud in his first criminal trial connected to his real estate group Signa’s collapse. The conviction relates to Benko’s attempt to keep 300,000 euros from creditors during Signa’s financial difficulties. Prosecutors estimate total damages from various suspected crimes linked to Signa’s failure at 300 million euros. This week’s trial specifically addressed approximately 660,000 euros transferred in late 2023 when Signa was already experiencing financial distress. Prosecutors alleged Benko deliberately diverted these funds to prevent creditors from accessing them during his insolvency proceedings. Benko pleaded not guilty to both counts against him, with his lawyer Norbert Wess describing the charges as absurd. Approximately 360,000 euros involved various advance rent and other payments for a house in Innsbruck that prosecutors argued made no economic sense. The court ruled that the remaining 300,000 euros, ostensibly a gift to Benko’s mother, was sufficient grounds for conviction despite defence arguments that the money was soon transferred back. Judge Andrea Wegscheider stated that the unconditional nature of the payment to Benko’s mother constituted enough evidence for insolvency-related fraud. The judge confirmed that the nine months Benko has spent in custody since his January arrest will count toward his two-year sentence. Benko was acquitted on the second count involving the Innsbruck house due to insufficient certainty about the property’s condition when the lease was signed. Signa’s bankruptcy represents Austria’s largest since World War Two, affecting investors across Europe including prominent German and Swiss companies. Benko built Signa from scratch, expanding internationally during periods of low interest rates before the company struggled following rate increases after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. At his peak, Benko maintained an extravagant lifestyle featuring private jets and hunting trips while Signa acquired prestigious assets like New York’s Chrysler Building. Many of Signa’s luxury properties, including a Lake Garda villa and opulent Vienna palace offices, have been seized or sold with contents auctioned. Prosecutors have brought at least one additional case against Benko alleging insolvency-related fraud involving cash, luxury watches, and cufflinks found in a safe. Signa’s creditors, including Deutsche Bank, Allianz, Julius Baer, and Raiffeisen Bank International, are seeking to recover approximately 27.6 billion euros. Benko’s lawyer described him as a fighter who disagrees with the verdict but didn’t confirm whether they would appeal by Monday’s deadline. The case has sparked political debate in Austria about business-political connections, given Benko’s relationships with current and former politicians. Austrian Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler stated on social media that Benko’s case demonstrates what happens when the super-rich make rules instead of politicians. – Reuters

Guatemala minister resigns after maximum security prison escape

Guatemala minister resigns after maximum security prison escape

GUATEMALA CITY : Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo announced the acceptance of resignations from his governance minister and two deputies following a major jailbreak. Governance Minister Francisco Jimenez stepped down alongside anti-narcotics and border security deputy Claudia Palencia and security deputy Jose Portillo. The resignations come after authorities confirmed the August escape of 20 prisoners from a maximum security facility. All escaped prisoners are alleged members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang. Investigators believe the inmates received assistance from individuals dressed in police uniforms during their escape. – Reuters

Woman loses RM65,100 in MCMC police impersonation phone scam

Woman loses RM65,100 in MCMC police impersonation phone scam

TANGKAK : A 39-year-old woman lost RM65,100 after falling victim to a syndicate whose members impersonated a Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) officer and a police officer. Tangkak police chief Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said the victim lodged a report on Oct 15 claiming she received a phone call from an individual who introduced himself as an MCMC officer. “The victim was told that she was allegedly involved in online fraud and money laundering cases. She was then instructed to transfer money from her account into several other accounts, supposedly for investigation purposes,” he said in a statement today. He said the victim then made 13 cash transactions into two different accounts, believed to be mule accounts. He added that the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code. - Bernama

Ada gembira, ada duka di Odense

Ada gembira, ada duka di Odense

NASIB berbeza menimpa barisan pemain badminton negara pada pusingan pertama Terbuka Denmark Super 750 2025 di Jyske Arena, Odense apabila ada yang melangkah bergaya, manakala sebahagian lagi terpaksa akur tersingkir awal.Dalam acara perseorangan lelaki, Leong Jun Hao gagal melakar kejutan selepas tunduk kepada pilihan keempat kejohanan dari China, Li Shi Feng, 13-21, 16-21 dalam pertarungan selama 45 minit.Kekalahan itu menyaksikan Shi Feng terus unggul dalam rekod pertemuan mereka dengan kelebihan 8–1, apabila keampuhan pukulan dan tempo tinggi pemain China itu sukar dibaca Jun Hao walaupun pemain negara itu beraksi penuh semangat.Sinar kejayaan bagaimanapun datang daripada beregu wanita muda negara, Ong Xin Yee – Carmen Ting, yang tampil cemerlang apabila menundukkan wakil Ukraine, Polina Buhrova – Yevheniia Kantemyr, 21-11, 21-16 hanya dalam masa 30 minit.Kemenangan pantas itu turut mengekalkan rekod sempurna mereka ke atas pasangan Ukraine tersebut kepada 2–0, selepas turut mencatat kemenangan di Indonesia Masters 2024.Namun langkah satu lagi pasangan wanita negara, Go Pei Kee – Teoh Mei Xing, terhenti apabila mereka gagal menyaingi ketangkasan gandingan Korea Selatan, Jeong Na Eun – Lee Yeon Woo, yang menang mudah 21-5, 21-16 dalam masa 42 minit.Kekalahan itu juga memberi kelebihan pertama kepada pasangan Korea dalam rekod pertemuan mereka.Dalam acara beregu campuran, pasangan negara Wong Tien Ci – Lim Chiew Sin tidak berputus asa namun tetap terpaksa akur kepada kehebatan gandingan India, Dhruv Kapila – Tanisha Crasto, apabila tumpas 7-21, 14-21 dalam tempoh 28 minit.Beregu India yang menghuni ranking ke-16 dunia itu sekali gus mendahului rekod pertemuan 1–0 ke atas wakil negara tersebut.

4 sekolah terjejas ribut laksana PdPR, baik pulih segera

4 sekolah terjejas ribut laksana PdPR, baik pulih segera

PUTRAJAYA: Empat sekolah yang terjejas akibat ribut yang berlaku di Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor semalam akan melaksanakan pengajaran dan pembelajaran di rumah (PdPR) dalam tempoh terdekat. Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) dalam kenyataan memaklumkan, ini bagi membolehkan proses pembelajaran dapat diteruskan serta memastikan keselamatan murid, guru dan seluruh warga sekolah. KPM berkata, pada waktu ini kerja ... Read more The post 4 sekolah terjejas ribut laksana PdPR, baik pulih segera appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Apple Unveils iPad Pro Refresh; Now With M5 Chip

Apple Unveils iPad Pro Refresh; Now With M5 Chip

Just earlier this week, we’ve seen claims of Apple unveiling its new M5 chip, and refreshing hardware with the base model of said chip. The claim turns out to be accurate after all, as the iPad Pro has been given such a refresh. The new chip, according to the bitten fruit brand, means an AI […] The post Apple Unveils iPad Pro Refresh; Now With M5 Chip appeared first on Lowyat.NET .

Malay studies chairs abroad must serve as academic ambassadors

Malay studies chairs abroad must serve as academic ambassadors

PUTRAJAYA: The Higher Education Ministry wants holders of its Malay Studies chair positions at foreign universities to function effectively as Malaysia’s academic ambassadors. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the ministry is reviewing terms of reference to ensure these chairs actively promote Malay language and cultural studies. He emphasised that chairholders should conduct Malaysian studies and teach Malay language and culture to interested students. The ministry has instructed a comprehensive review of all overseas Malay Studies Chairs to ensure they continue meeting national objectives. Zambry stated that their role should extend beyond academic work to include ambassadorial functions introducing Malaysia through language and culture. Current active overseas academic chairs include the Sultan Ibrahim Chair at Beijing Foreign Studies University and the Tun Abdul Razak Chair at Ohio University. The Chair of Malay Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand also remains operational. Zambry highlighted that elevating Malay language must extend beyond ministry level to global promotion through these chairs. Chairholders serve as bridges between Malaysia and international communities by teaching Malay and promoting national culture. Each chairholder must conduct Malay language classes and introduce Malaysian studies programmes at their universities. These efforts enhance international understanding of Malaysia’s cultural and linguistic heritage. At the 2025 Malay Language Academic Awards ceremony, Zambry presented several prestigious awards. The Malay Language Academic Excellence Award, Malay Language Academic Rising Star Award, and Malay Language Technical Sector Award were distributed. Each award carried cash prizes of RM30,000, RM5,000, certificates and trophies respectively. Associate Professor Dr Norliza Jamaluddin from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris won the Malay Language Academic Excellence Award. She described this as the highest recognition from the ministry in her over twenty years as an educator. The award reflects the ministry’s commitment to elevate Malay as both communication medium and knowledge language. Malay Language Technical Sector Award winner Nor Mahani Md Rasidi said her recognition proved efforts to use Malay in engineering classes succeeded. The Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin lecturer expressed honour in strengthening Malay through engineering term translations. – Bernama