47+ min ago (280+ words) Monday, 01 Dec 2025 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa co-hosts, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (not pictured), a summit on the Global Fund on November 21, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS Nov 30 (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed on Sunday U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to exclude Pretoria from next year's G20 summit, reaffirming South Africa's status as a founding member of the group. Washington boycotted the Group of 20 leaders' summit held under South Africa's presidency in Johannesburg on November 22-23, with Trump repeating allegations, widely discredited, that the host country's Black-majority government persecutes its white minority. Trump said last Wednesday that South Africa would not be invited to the summit to be held in Florida next year because it had refused to hand over the G20 presidency to a senior representative of its embassy who was at the closing ceremony....

1+ hour, 23+ min ago (894+ words) THE signs were already there even before campaigning for the 17th Sabah state elections entered its final lap. At a recent DAP ceramah at a food court in Tanjung Aru, which began at 7.30pm, the crowd was thin. There were mostly party workers and members. The rain didn't help and by 9.30pm, the talk had ended. In the last few days before polling, local DAP candidates politely told the federal party leaders to stay away. However, it seemed that the federal leaders didn't listen, as political heavyweights arrived thinking they could swing the results. By then, my media friends had told me that the DAP and PKR could get zero seats. Others said PKR could do better by winning at least two seats. I shared the bad feedback with a DAP federal minister, but he told me the speculation was "harsh" as he…...

3+ hour, 54+ min ago (599+ words) Monday, 01 Dec 2025 Amira Aisya says refugees have to overcome various hurdles just to fulfil basic needs. The state goverment should start taking measures, including developing a proper care system, to deal with the ageing population in Johor, says an assemblyman. Gan Peck Cheng (PH'Penggaram) stressed the importance of addressing the issue due to the rising number of senior citizens. "We must acknowledge that Johor is moving towards becoming an ageing state, with the number of senior citizens rising to 12.3% in 2025. Gan said many children genuinely wanted to care for their elderly parents but lacked the necessary support and skills. "Elderly care is not simply about keeping someone company at home; it requires knowledge and professional training. "This is not something we can learn through experience alone. Gan says many children genuinely want to care for their elderly parents but lack…...

4+ hour, 19+ min ago (239+ words) Sunday, 30 Nov 2025 DHAKA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Bangladesh's former prime minister and opposition leader Khaleda Zia remains in "very critical" condition at a Dhaka hospital, her party said on Sunday, as her exiled son and acting party chief Tarique Rahman signaled uncertainty over his return. Khaleda, 80, was admitted to a private hospital on November 23 with a severe chest infection affecting her heart and lungs, doctors and senior Bangladesh Nationalist Party officials said. Her deteriorating health comes at a sensitive time for her political party, which has regained prominence after Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's long-serving former prime minister, was ousted in a student-led uprising last year. Rahman, who has lived in London since 2008, wrote on Facebook on Saturday that his return to Bangladesh was "not entirely" in his control, fuelling speculation over political or legal hurdles. Hours later, the interim government led by Muhammad…...

5+ hour, 8+ min ago (535+ words) Sunday, 30 Nov 2025 VIENTIANE: As Laos prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Dec. 2, a wave of colour, pride, and national spirit is sweeping across the country. Bustling avenues and public spaces have come alive with vibrant displays of the Lao national and Party flags, reflecting a deep sense of unity ahead of this historic milestone. In the Lao capital Vientiane, iconic landmarks and sacred sites are similarly adorned with colourful flags, creating a festive and patriotic atmosphere befitting the occasion. Many families are preparing for the celebration by decorating their homes and displaying national and Party flags, reflecting a united spirit and pride while contributing to a lively and festive atmosphere ahead of the milestone. Viphavan, a resident of Vientiane, has added to the festive atmosphere by decorating her home with Lao…...

5+ hour, 42+ min ago (225+ words) Image from The Nation Thailand/Asia News Network BANGKOK (The Nation Thailand/ANN): Bangkok orders 120mm smoke shells fired in response after five mortar rounds land in Mae Sot, damaging property and injuring two civilians during a border clash. The Commander of the 3rd Army Region, Lt Gen Worathep Boonya, confirmed that Thai forces were ordered to fire retaliatory smoke shells today after fighting between Myanmar government troops and ethnic minority groups opposite Tak Province resulted in ordnance landing on Thai territory. Lt Gen Worathep revealed that earlier this morning, the Task Force Rajamanur, operating under the Naresuan Force, reported detecting five 60mm mortar shells that had crossed the border and impacted the Thai side in the vicinity of Mae Sot District. Upon receiving the report, the Commander immediately sought and received approval from the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army to respond....

5+ hour, 54+ min ago (152+ words) Sunday, 30 Nov 2025 KOTA KINABALU: Unity among local parties is necessary following the outcome of the Sabah state polls, says Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. The Warisan president, however, kept his cards close to his chest without specifying any parties in particular. "What's important is uniting all Sabahans and making sure our voices are heard. We will never stop uniting the Sabahan people regardless of differences," he told a press conference here on Sunday (Nov 30). When asked if this meant working with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which won 29 seats during the recent polls, Shafie said they would "do their part". Shafie also voiced concerns over those who claimed to be local parties with actions that showed otherwise. "It's not going to be an easy task. I've seen government after government tumble. "We have to learn lessons from other countries which comprise…...

6+ hour ago (578+ words) Sunday, 30 Nov 2025 KOTA KINABALU: The tsunami effect of Chinese voters to totally reject all eight of the DAP candidates is a reflection of the community's disenchantment with the party, says analyst Associate Prof Dr Lee Kuok Tiung. He said the national party did not seriously look at the real local issues close to the hearts of the people in the state and paid a heavy price. He said the emergence of local party sentiment as well as the Sabah rights issues, together with the 40% revenue return, were among the issues the national and state DAP leaders failed to understand and address. "It is a dramatic outcome, a Chinese tsunami very similar to what exactly happened in peninsular Malaysia before," said Prof Lee, who is a senior lecturer with Universiti Malaysia Sabah. "I believed their leaders from the Peninsula campaigning here…...

6+ hour, 58+ min ago (88+ words) Sunday, 30 Nov 2025 THE gates to the Sabah Governor's official residence swung open for Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor several hours after his coalition partner PKR, which won only one seat, announced they were forming the government. It was bizarre to watch PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh claiming victory in Sabah but unable to provide the number of seats they had in the bag. Billed as RM 6.95 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. Billed as RM 74.00 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter....

7+ hour, 33+ min ago (274+ words) Sunday, 30 Nov 2025 KUALA LUMPUR: PKR has accepted the results of the 17th Sabah State Election, in which it secured only one seat, says party deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar. She said she takes full responsibility for the outcome together with Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as PKR joint election directors. "We accept the people's voice as a lesson and reminder to always be sincere in our struggle. "The results also reflected voters" sentiments on governance, transparency and local leadership issues, with the message being that disunity weakens political strength and erodes public trust. "However, PKR"s history taught us that defeat has never ended our struggle. This journey has yet to end," she said in a joint statement, pledging that PKR would continue championing the people"s interests. She also congratulated all winning candidates, including Datuk Jamawi Ja"afar " PKR"s…...