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.

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).

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.

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.

Corporate News

LREIT posts strong Q3 rental reversions

KUALA LUMPUR: Lendlease Global Commercial REIT (LREIT) reported a positive rental reversion of 10.4 per cent for its retail portfolio in the third quarter (Q3) ended March 31, 2025, with a healthy tenant retention rate of 87.9 per cent by net lettable area (NLA), despite a softer retail climate.

Nation

Pamela Ling’s family deserve transparent updates, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh is hoping for proper updates from the authorities regarding the progress of the investigation into her disappearance.

Living

Malaysian forsakes job in Europe to continue her mother's 30YO ceramic business

This Mothers Day, we shine a spotlight on Intan Zulaika Nor Arfudi, who now runs the ceramic business founded by her mother.

Property

Residential construction activity rises in 1Q25 with surge in completions, housing starts

KUALA LUMPUR: Construction activity in the residential property subsector recorded significant growth in the first quarter of 2025 (1Q 2025) where the number of completed units surged by 30.2 per cent to 9,329 units from 7,168 units in 1Q 2024.

Nation

Penang woman charged with 28 counts of cheating involving over RM170,000

BUTTERWORTH: A former senior purchasing executive has pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate's Court here to 28 charges of cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of goods.

Thailand

Criminal Court denies Thaksin's request to travel to Qatar

BANGKOK: The Criminal Court has denied former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra permission to travel to Qatar, despite an invitation from the ruler of the city-state, on Thursday (May 8).

Sabah & Sarawak

Pan Borneo Highway progress under constant watch, says Shahelmey

KOTA KINABALU: Work on the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah is progressing despite recent controversy surrounding the contractor, says state Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.