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Thailand's new 50- and 100-baht notes: Real, just plastic from Nov 2025

BANGKOK, Aug. 30 -- Travelling in Thailand this November? Don't be alarmed if your 50- and 100-baht notes look a little different; they're going polymer. Thailand began switching banknotes to plastic... Read More


Tonight's 'Justice for Zara' rally in Kuching called off at 11th hour

KUCHING, Aug. 30 -- The 'Justice for Zara' rally scheduled to take place here tonight has been called off. A spokesman for the organisers confirmed the cancellation when contacted today. "It's not h... Read More


Military pacts and alliances must be HADR-driven first in Asean and Indo-Pacific in the Ring of Fire - Phar Kim Beng and Chin Jit Kai

Kuala Lampur, Aug. 30 -- The Indo-Pacific is often analysed through the prism of geopolitics: the rivalry between the United States and China, the shadow of nuclear deterrence, the proliferation of bi... Read More


New Moda president Cyrus Chin pushes for longer terms and stronger platform for designers

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 29 -- Empowering and elevating Malaysian designers will be the main focus of Cyrus Chin as he takes on the presidency of the Malaysian Official Designers Association (MODA). Chin, ... Read More


Sold out in minutes: Pop Mart's new Labubu series sparks global rush, WeChat store crashes in China

BEIJING, Aug. 29 -- The mini Labubu craze is showing no signs of slowing down as the latest series from Chinese toymaker Pop Mart sold out almost instantly worldwide. The dolls vanished within minute... Read More


Johor MB orders probe into viral 'Kuda Kepang' video alleging non-Islamic practices in Batu Pahat

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug. 29 -- The Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and the police have been ordered to immediately probe and take action on a viral video related to a Kuda Kepang performance belie... Read More


Referring the Urban Renewal Bill to a parliamentary select committee is a step in the right direction - Hafiz Hassan

Kuala Lampur, Aug. 29 -- Three years ago, in "Leading by listening" I commended then Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin for referring the Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill 2022 (Bill No. 29/2... Read More


JKR on 24-hour alert after minor quake damage in Segamat, says Ahmad Maslan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 29 -- The Public Works Department (JKR) is on round-the-clock standby to inspect government buildings following a series of earthquake tremors in the district of Segamat in Johor. ... Read More


Second autopsy set for UTM cadet Syamsul Haris after exhumation

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 29 -- The body of 22-year-old Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Reserve Officers Training Unit (Palapes) cadet Syamsul Haris Shamsudin will undergo a second post-mortem examinatio... Read More


Climate security in Asean and the South Pacific: When regional responses fall short - Phar Kim Beng

Kuala Lampur, Aug. 29 -- The unrelenting march of climate change is nowhere more palpable than in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. Both regions, geographically exposed and institutionally underpr... Read More