September 2025 – Page 122

‘Fueling sexism’: AI ‘bikini interview’ videos flood internet

WASHINGTON: The videos are strikingly lifelike, featuring bikini-clad women conducting street interviews and eliciting lewd comments — but they are entirely fake, generated by AI tools increasingly used to flood social media with sexist content. Such AI slop — mass-produced content created by cheap artificial intelligence tools that turn simple text prompts into hyper-realistic visuals… Continue reading

Shi Yuqi wins men’s singles as China claims two BWF World Championships titles

CHINA secured two titles at the 2025 BWF World Championships, highlighted by Shi Yuqi’s first men’s singles world championship victory on Sunday. Shi overcame Thailand’s defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a gruelling three-game final with a score of 19-21, 21-10, 21-18. “Every match at this World Championships was tough,“ Shi said after the match. “In… Continue reading

Shi Yuqi wins men’s singles as China claims two BWF World Championships titles

‘Fueling sexism’: AI ‘bikini interview’ videos flood internet

In oil-rich Oman, efforts to preserve frankincense ‘white gold’

DAWKAH: The arid Dawkah valley is home to one of Oman’s most prized resources: not oil or gas but frankincense trees, their fragrant sap harvested for millennia by residents who call it “white gold”. Located in Oman’s southern Dhofar region, bordering Yemen, the valley is the world’s largest such reserve, home to around 5,000 frankincense… Continue reading

North Korea’s Kim inspects new missiles before China trip

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspected the country’s new missile production line, state media reported, ahead of his visit to China to attend Beijing’s massive military parade. Kim toured a munitions factory on Sunday and said “missile production capacity has rapidly been increased” in the country, an ally of Moscow. During his visit… Continue reading

North Korea’s Kim inspects new missiles before China trip

M’sian man frustrated by lack of govt support as M40 tax payer compared to B40

THE rising cost of living in Malaysia has sparked an ongoing conversation about income inequality and access to government assistance. Recently, a Malaysian man took to Threads to voice his frustration as a member of the M40 income group. “We are taxpayers, working hard to earn a living. Leaving for work before dawn and returning… Continue reading

India and China are partners, not rivals, Modi and Xi say

TIANJIN: India and China are development partners, not rivals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on Sunday, as they discussed ways to improve trade ties amid global tariff uncertainty. Modi is in China for the first time in seven years to attend a two-day meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation regional… Continue reading

India and China are partners, not rivals, Modi and Xi say

India likely to receive above-average monsoon rainfall in September

MUMBAI: India is likely to get above-average monsoon rainfall in September after receiving 5% above-normal rains in August, the state-run weather department said on Sunday. Above-normal rainfall could damage India’s summer-sown crops like rice, cotton, soybean, corn, and pulses, which are typically harvested from mid-September. All regions, except northeastern states and the southern states of… Continue reading

Anwar strengthens Malaysia’s diplomatic ties in Tianjin with SCO address

TIANJIN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim focused on strengthening Malaysia’s diplomatic outreach during his second day in Tianjin. He delivered a public lecture entitled ‘Sovereign Interdependence: Building a Shared Future in Asia’ at Tianjin University, China’s oldest modern university. Established in 1895, Tianjin University is renowned for its technology, engineering and sciences programmes. The… Continue reading

Anwar strengthens Malaysia’s diplomatic ties in Tianjin with SCO address

India likely to receive above-average monsoon rainfall in September

US judge blocks deportations of unaccompanied migrant children to Guatemala

WASHINGTON: A federal judge on Sunday issued a restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deporting 10 unaccompanied migrant children to Guatemala after lawyers said the removals would violate U.S. laws. The ruling following a complaint filed in the early morning hours by National Immigration Law Center, a pro-immigrant advocacy group, on behalf of the… Continue reading

534 urban renewal sites already gazetted by state governments

PUTRAJAYA: Proposed urban renewal sites currently discussed by various parties have already been officially gazetted by state governments across Malaysia. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming confirmed that opposition-led states including Terengganu and Kedah had previously approved these sites for development. “These are facts, not proposals by the federal government. Kuala Lumpur has… Continue reading

Israel pounds Gaza City suburbs, Netanyahu to convene security cabinet

CAIRO: Israeli forces pounded the suburbs of Gaza City overnight from the air and ground, destroying homes and driving more families out of the area as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet was set on Sunday to discuss a plan to seize the city. Residents of Sheikh Radwan, one of the largest neighbourhoods of Gaza… Continue reading

RM100 SARA aid sees overwhelming response with RM50 million spent in one day

KUALA LUMPUR: Approximately 850,000 Malaysians spent more than RM50 million on the first day of the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah one-off aid rollout as of 9.30pm, last night. The Finance Ministry (MOF) stated that the overwhelming response from SARA recipients caused a sudden surge in transactions. This resulted in significant slowdowns at several locations within… Continue reading

Israel pounds Gaza City suburbs, Netanyahu to convene security cabinet

Tax Matters – Decoding the treatment of hybrid financial instruments

A HYBRID financial instrument is a financial security that combines the features of both debt and equity. These instruments are widely used across corporate finance, investment structuring, tax planning and regulatory capital (banking and insurance) to optimise the financial performance, reduce risks and increase flexibility to the issuer and the instrument holder. The tax treatment… Continue reading

Oil holds in tight range, rising output offsets Russia supply disruptions

SINGAPORE: Oil prices traded in a tight range on Monday as worries about rising output and the impact of U.S. tariffs on demand offset supply disruptions stemming from intensified Russia-Ukraine airstrikes. Brent crude fell 12 cents, or 0.18%, to $67.36 a barrel by 0046 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $63.88 a… Continue reading

RM100 SARA aid sees overwhelming response with RM50 million spent in one day

Oil holds in tight range, rising output offsets Russia supply disruptions

Israel mulls West Bank annexation in response to moves to recognise Palestine

JERUSALEM: Israel is considering annexation in the occupied West Bank as a possible response to France and other countries recognising a Palestinian state, according to three Israeli officials and the idea will be discussed further on Sunday, another official said. Extension of Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank – de facto annexation of land captured… Continue reading

Israel mulls West Bank annexation in response to moves to recognise Palestine

534 urban renewal sites already gazetted by state governments

Israeli defence minister says Hamas armed wing spokesperson killed in Gaza

ISRAELI Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Hamas’ armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida had been killed by the Israeli military in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier in the day that Abu Ubaida had been targeted in a joint operation carried out by the military and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence… Continue reading

Pearly-Thinaah make history as first Malaysian women’s doubles finalists

NATIONAL women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Malaysian duo to reach the final of the Badminton World Federation World Championships. The world number two pair displayed tremendous fighting spirit during their one hour and twenty-three minute battle against China’s top-ranked Liu Sheng Shu and Tan… Continue reading

Pearly-Thinaah make history as first Malaysian women’s doubles finalists

Man arrested after car crashes into Russian consulate in Sydney

SYDNEY: A man was arrested on Monday after a car crashed into the Russian consulate in Sydney, Australian police said. New South Wales police said in a statement that officers responded shortly after 8 a.m. (2200 GMT) to reports of an unauthorised vehicle parked in the driveway of an address on Fullerton Street that corresponded… Continue reading

Athletic Bilbao beat Real Betis to maintain perfect La Liga start

ATHLETIC Bilbao secured a 2-1 victory over Real Betis on Sunday to match Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga with a perfect start. Marc Bartra inadvertently deflected a cross into his own net before Aitor Paredes capitalised for Athletic’s second goal, extending their winning streak to three matches. Cedric Bakambu headed home during… Continue reading

Athletic Bilbao beat Real Betis to maintain perfect La Liga start

Govt urged to prepare transition plan for vape traders

PETALING JAYA: As the government moves towards a nationwide vape ban, economists are urging authorities to prepare a structured transition plan to support entrepreneurs invested in the industry. Economic expert Prof Emeritus Dr Barjoyai Bardai said the government should tap into the expertise of local universities and work with vape business owners to develop new… Continue reading

Suteepat races to seven-shot win in Jakarta

SUTEEPAT PRATEEPTIENCHAI won his fourth Asian Tour title – and the first outside Taiwan – with a sensational round that contained two eagles on Sunday of the US$500,000 (RM2.1million) Mandiri Indonesia Open. The 32-year-old Thai, back-to-back winner of 2023 Taiwan Glass Taifong Open in 2023 and 2024 and the 2024 Yeangder TPC, justified his billing… Continue reading

Govt urged to prepare transition plan for vape traders

Szoboszlai free-kick gives Liverpool win over Arsenal as Man City lose

Dominik Szoboszlai’s brilliant free-kick secured Liverpool a dramatic 1-0 victory against title rivals Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday. The Hungary midfielder curled a sublime set-piece past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya with just seven minutes remaining in a tense Premier League clash. Szoboszlai’s moment of quality decided a match where expensive summer signings from both clubs… Continue reading

Szoboszlai free-kick gives Liverpool win over Arsenal as Man City lose

M’sian woman slams overpriced and underwhelming fare at local food festivals

FOOD festivals in Malaysia, once celebrated for their vibrant culinary offerings and festive atmosphere, have increasingly drawn criticism from the public for serving overpriced and underwhelming food. A recent viral post by a frustrated attendee has reignited this long-standing debate, as she voiced her disappointment over the lack of value and quality at a local… Continue reading

L’Oreal Malaysia targets young, digital-savvy consumers for growth, champions sustainability

KUALA LUMPUR: As L’Oreal Malaysia celebrates 30 years in the country, managing director Tomas Hruska said the beauty giant is shifting its playbook to capture Malaysia’s fast-growing young and digital-first consumer base while deepening its social and sustainability footprint. “We have been the company driving the growth of the beauty market, bringing innovations to consumers… Continue reading

Crashes rekindle elevated highway safety concerns

PETALING JAYA: The recent death of a motorcyclist on the Damansara–Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH) has rekindled concerns over the safety of elevated highways, following three fatal crashes recorded on the route this year alone. Road safety experts have said the design of elevated highways makes crashes deadlier than those on ground-level roads, with motorcyclists… Continue reading