World’s 20 Best Places to Spend Christmas

There are certain destinations which spare no expense on Christmas. The following cities each deliver a magical experience unlike any other. Some immerse you in traditional Christmas cheer, snow-covered trees, and holiday food. Others, bring summer fun and a totally new spin on old themes. Here’s the world’s 20 best places to spend Christmas. West Bank,...

Australian PM says he has never lied while in public office

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday (Nov 12) he does not believe he has lied since he was elected to Parliament in 2007, rejecting allegations from French President Emmanuel Macron and others. Mr Macron this month said Mr Morrison had lied to him over Australia's decision to scrap a multibillion-dollar deal with France to...

Chinese state newspaper blasts ‘worship of turnover’ after Singles’ Day

The focus of China's Singles' Day shopping festival should shift from a "traffic and sales war" to one of science and technology, a state-backed newspaper said on Friday (Nov 12), describing the "worship of turnover" as incompatible with China's new development path. The article in the Securities Daily comes a day after the annual shopping blitz...

Philippine president’s daughter withdraws from mayor re-election

Sara Duterte, Davao City Mayor and daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, delivers a speech during a senatorial campaign caravan for Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Davao City, southern Philippines on May 9, 2019.Reuters The daughter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (Nov 9) withdrew her candidacy to run again for mayor of Davao City,...

‘No words’: As Covid-19 travel ban lifts, a grandmother meets her grandson

Bhavna Patel (right) and her daughter Bindiya Patel (left), who are due to fly to New York to reunite with family following the relaxing of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) travel restrictions, pose at their home in Croydon, Britain on Nov 5, 2021.Reuters Tears flowed, airline officials applauded, and cameras flashed as one-year-old Kai Patel met his...

The United States Opens Its Borders To Fully Vaccinated Travellers Without Quarantine

More countries are reopening their borders to international tourists following the progress of the worldwide vaccination rates.  After shutting its border closed for nearly 20 months, the United States of America (USA) has now opened its door to international travellers, including from Malaysia. Of course, you have to be fully vaccinated to travel abroad. According to BFM News, The US Embassy in...

Pfizer says Covid-19 pill Paxlovid cuts hospitalisation and deaths by 89%

Syringe and vial are seen in front of displayed new Pfizer logo in this illustration taken, on June 24, 2021.Reuters A trial of Pfizer’s experimental antiviral pill for Covid-19 was stopped early after the drug was shown to cut by 89 per cent the chances of hospitalisation or death for adults at risk of developing severe disease, the...

Japan has zero daily Covid-19 deaths for first time in 15 months: Media

The country has had more than 18,000 deaths from the disease during the course of the pandemic.Reuters file Japan recorded no daily deaths from Covid-19 for the first time in more than a year on Sunday (Nov 7), according to local media. Prior to Sunday, there hadn't been a day without a Covid-19 death since Aug 2,...

China has ‘long way to go’ to meet ecological goals: State Council

China's State Council said there had been some improvements in the country's ecological situation since the launch of its anti-pollution campaign.Reuters China has a "long way to go" on environmental protection, its State Council acknowledged on Sunday (Nov 7), as it announced an "in-depth" fight against pollution with new targets for cleaner air and water, and...

Happy Deepavali: TikTokers win praise for recreating iconic Bollywood dance at HDB void deck

TikTok/Simplejeee A group of youths in Singapore recreated the iconic scene of a Bollywood blockbuster to wish others Happy Deepavali, and their video became an online hit. TikTok user Simplejeee posted the video on Nov 4, amassing 480,000 views and 3,200 comments. With nifty footwork and void deck setting, the youths channelled Kareena Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan as they danced to Bole Chudiyan —...