Singapore woman offers S$2,000 bounty to find life partner

SINGAPORE: How much would you pay to meet the love of your life? For one woman, that figure comes up to S$2,000. Bella Dai, 29, began sharing her $2,000 bounty and dating criteria on her Instagram account (@bellzdai) in February. “I am looking for a life partner that embodies the following qualities,” reads her post. These qualities...

Thailand’s deportation of Uighurs was to avert China ‘retaliation’: Minister

BANGKOK: Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uighurs to China last week was in the South-east Asian country’s best interest due to the possibility of retaliation from Beijing if the group was sent elsewhere, a Thai minister said on Thursday (March 6). Thailand’s government has repeatedly defended the secretive deportation, which came despite calls from United Nations human...

Mandatory EPF contributions for foreign workers start Q4 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Mandatory Employee Provident Fund (EPF) contributions for foreign workers is expected to come into effect in the fourth quarter of 2025, says Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. This comes after the Employees Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025, which mandates foreign workers and their employers to contribute 2% of monthly wages to...

King, Queen attend breaking of fast event with ministers, foreign envoys

KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty the Queen, Raja Zarith Sofiah, attended a breaking of fast event with Cabinet ministers and foreign envoys at Istana Negara here on Thursday (March 6) night. Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan...

Batik Air launches Hari Raya fixed fares to Sarawak and Sabah

SUBANG: Batik Air has introduced Hari Raya Fixed Fares for flights to Sarawak and Sabah, providing more affordable and transparent travel options for Malaysians during the festive season, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the government, caps fares at RM319 for flights to Sarawak and RM379 for Sabah. Loke praised the airline’s...

House arrest allowed under existing Malaysian law, confirms Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR: House arrest is permitted in Malaysia, and no new laws are necessary for its implementation, according to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (pic), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms). Azalina clarified that, per the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC), Section 3 of the Prisons Act 1995 allows house arrest as a form...

Police investigation into Era FM DJs complete and referred to AGC, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The police investigation into a controversial video involving three Era FM radio announcers have been completed and the investigation paper has been referred to the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), say police. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain (pic) also said a total of 73 police reports were lodged in connection with the case He...

Teresa Kok’s former staff member remanded by MACC

PETALING JAYA: A former staff member for Teresa Kok has been remanded by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "I have no knowledge or involvement in the reasons behind the MACC's decision," said the Seputeh MP. Asserting the independence of the MACC, Kok urged all parties to avoid "baseless speculation or making unfounded accusations." "We must allow the investigative...

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Australia have agreed to set up a joint higher education working group, which will include cooperating on technical and vocational skills training. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, through a Facebook post on Thursday (March 6), said the agreement was reached in a courtesy call to him from Australian...

QuickCheck: Is it true that dogs that are more social tend to be healthier?

AS PET owners, we all want our furry companions to live long, happy lives. Beyond good nutrition and lots of exercise, there's a growing belief that a dog's social life might extend their lifespan. Could regular playdates, companionship and human interaction actually help them live longer? Verdict: TRUE Just like humans, social connections play a key role in a dog's...