Melodic Italian bolsters Meloni in talks with Trump and Vance

ROME (Reuters) -The Italian language proved a secret weapon for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she launched a charm offensive with U.S. President Donald Trump and his deputy JD Vance in back-to-back transatlantic meetings. Meloni met both Trump and Vance at the White House on Thursday before heading straight home to Italy. Vance also left Washington...

Fake birth registration syndicate offered up to RM50,000 in bribes, says source

KUALA LUMPUR: The syndicate involved in submitting fake birth registration forms, dismantled by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Wednesday (April 16), is believed to have offered bribes of between RM5,000 and RM50,000 to facilitate the illegal purchase of babies and preparation of falsified birth certificates. According to a source, initial investigations uncovered transactions amounting to...

Selangor to study proposal to ban vape sales, says MB

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government is prepared to study the need to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes or vape in the state, following a suggestion made by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay on Thursday. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the matter would be discussed with State Public Health...

Contingency plan activated to deal with patient surge at Klang hospital

PETALING JAYA: A contingency plan has been activated at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR) in Klang to deal with the surge in patients, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. The Health Minister said the surge in patients led to congestion at the hospital's emergency department, pictures of which went viral on social media. "The HTAR emergency...

Anwar extends Good Friday, Easter greetings to Christians nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday extended his greetings on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to all Christians. In a Facebook post, Anwar encouraged all Malaysians to nurture a spirit of love and mutual respect by extending warm wishes to friends celebrating the occasion. "May the harmony we enjoy continue to flourish, and may...

Hollywood’s fading charm in China — and why US tariffs are making it worse

BEIJING (Xinhua): Once the king of China's silver screen, Hollywood now finds itself sidelined, as local blockbusters surge and Washington's tariffs against the rest of the world add fuel to shifting audience sentiment. According to data released this week, Chinese animated feature "Ne Zha 2" has scored a thunderous success, raking in 15.2 billion yuan (about...

Syed Saddiq’s reimbursement claim an ‘afterthought’ defence, appeals court hears

PUTRAJAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s argument that the money collected from political fundraising programmes transferred to his personal account for reimbursement of his own monies was “an afterthought defence”, the Court of Appeal heard on Thursday (April 17). Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Ezlin Yusop Khan pointed out that the former Bersatu Armada chief...

Sin Chew Daily suspends editors over flag error

PETALING JAYA: Sin Chew Daily has suspended its executive editor-in-chief, Chan Aun Kuang, and deputy chief sub-editor, Tsai Shwu San, pending an investigation over the error of the Malaysian flag. In a brief statement on its website, the company said the decision took effect on Thursday (April 17). "Following the issue of a mistaken flag image on...

We are waiting for the right moment to call for state elections, says Sabah CM

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Legislative Assembly wrapped up its five-day session with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor indicating he is still waiting for the right moment to call the state elections due by the end of the year. Hajiji left open the possibility of serving the full five-year term despite speculation that the recently concluded...

Jalur Gemilang gaffe: Cops wrap up questioning of Sin Chew editors

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have completed recording statements from the Chief Editor and Deputy Chief Sub-editor of the Sin Chew Daily newspaper on Thursday (April 17) to assist in investigations into the publication of an incomplete illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on the newspaper's front page. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the process took...