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Fashion

'Hyper-competitive, materialistic culture': Luxury fashion fuels K-pop hierarchy

As more K-pop idols become ambassadors for high-end fashion labels, concerns grow over fan comparisons, teen materialism and inequality in group branding.

Nation

InDrive, Maxim ordered to cease operations effective from July 24

JOHOR BARU: The Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) has issued letters to cease operations to two Russian e-hailing applications - InDrive and Maxim - for allegedly operating illegally, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Nation

Kulai retiree loses more than RM100,000 to investment scam

KULAI: A retiree here claims to have lost RM102,000 after being cheated by a syndicate into joining a non-existent investment scheme.

Sabah & Sarawak

RM2.329bil allocated for 52 new school projects in Sabah this year, says Fadhlina

KALABAKAN: The government, through the Education Ministry, has allocated RM2.329bil this year for the development of 52 new school projects in Sabah.

India

India says repulsed fresh Pakistan attacks as de-escalation efforts grow

SRINAGAR: India said Friday (May 9) it had repulsed a wave of Pakistani drone and artillery attacks overnight, and Islamabad insisted it had not struck targets across the border, as the latest conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours showed no signs of relenting.

Nation

Foreign workers only allowed to change jobs within five sectors, says Sim

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign workers will only be allowed to switch jobs within five formal sectors under new guidelines to be issued soon, says Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.

Nation

Woman dies in hospital after SUV crashes into Sitiawan fast-food restaurant

IPOH: The 73-year-old woman who was hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that crashed into a fast-food restaurant in Sitiawan on Thursday (May 8) night has died.

Japan

Japan fair trade watchdog warns Tokyo hotels over information-sharing as room prices soar

TOKYO: Japan's fair trade watchdog has warned 15 luxury hotels in Tokyo that their sharing of information on occupancy rates and prices could violate anti-monopoly laws.

Nation

Foreigners charged with using fake MyKads jailed, two others plead not guilty

SEREMBAN: Five Filipinos were sent to jail after they pleaded guilty at the Magistrate's Court here to charges of using fake Malaysian identity cards or having copies of identification documents belonging to others.

World

UK sanctions directors of oil trading group over Russian ties

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Friday announced a package of sanctions aimed at Russia, including placing asset freezes on several directors of oil trading company Coral Energy Group, which is now known as 2Rivers Group.

Philippines

Philippines confirms first case of H5N9 bird flu

MANILA: The Philippines has detected its first case of the H5N9 strain of bird flu, according to a report released Wednesday (May 7) by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). The infection was found in ducks from Camaligan, Camarines Sur, marking the latest strain of avian influenza to reach the country.

Nation

Cargo vessel detained in Selangor waters

PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a cargo vessel, which had raised suspicion of being involved in undesirable activities in Malaysian waters.

Nation

Labour market maintains upward momentum in 1Q25, Stats Dept reports

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's labour market continued to chart steady progress in the first quarter of 2025, with key indicators showing growth in employment and labour force participation, coupled with a decline in the unemployment rate, according to the Statistics Department of Malaysia (DOSM).

Laos

Laos, Switzerland deepen partnership on dam safety

VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing dam safety in Laos through the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance project, when a steering committee endorsed the 2025 work plan.

Retail

China's manufacturing prowess makes Yiwu mecca for buyers

HANGZHOU: In a compact shop no larger than 10 square meters, Tao Yang, a vendor in Yiwu — a city in Zhejiang province known as "the world's supermarket" — keeps a well-used world atlas on her desk.

Nation

Police rescue 16 victims of forced labour in Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have rescued 16 people, including teenagers, believed to be victims of forced labour in a series of raids in the the Klang Valley, conducted by Bukit Aman's anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling of migrants unit under Ops Pintas Mega.

Entertainment

Smokey Robinson sued for RM210mil as ex-employees allege sexual assault, failure to pay overtime

They are former housekeepers and one was the singer's personal assistant, cook and hairdresser, per court documents.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah polls: BN team-up vital for advancing national unity agenda, say PH leaders

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Pakatan Harapan views electoral cooperation with Barisan Nasional as a rational and necessary move to advance the country's unity agenda, particularly in the lead-up to the 17th Sabah Election.

Cambodia

Three dead after oil tanker blaze engulfs houses in Preah Sihanouk

PHNOM PENH: Three people died after their houses were engulfed in an inferno from an oil tanker in southwest Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province, according to the National Police's Department of Fire Prevention, Extinguishing, and Rescue on Thursday (May 8).

AI

AI tool uses selfies to predict biological age and cancer survival

Doctors often start exams with the so-called "eyeball test" – a snap judgment about whether the patient appears older or younger than their age, which can influence key medical decisions. That intuitive assessment may soon get an AI upgrade.