KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Decisions to close schools or other educational institutions during influenza outbreaks are determined through public health risk assessments by District Health Offices (PKD), not solely based on case numbers.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — The Education Ministry (MOE) has launched immediate reforms across all 10,243 schools in Malaysia to enhance student safety and well-being.

DOHA, Oct 15 — Qatar and Saudi Arabia have secured their places at the 2026 World Cup after topping their respective groups in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers yesterday.

DAMASCUS, Oct 15 — Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa is set to request the extradition of former ruler Bashar al-Assad from Russia during his first official visit to Moscow on Wednesday, a government official said.

SEOUL, Oct 15 — South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok today urged firm action against any behaviour or activities that promote hate or discrimination toward foreign tourists ahead of this month’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Yonhap News Agency reported.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The father of the 14-year-old boy detained for allegedly killing a fellow student at a school in Bandar Utama said his heart was broken by his son’s actions.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — The Ministry of Transport (MOT), through the Road Transport Department (JPJ), will introduce a dedicated website tomorrow to streamline Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) subsidy applications for Malaysians holding Singapore driving licences.

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 15 — The Ministry of Education (MOE) has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling the decree of Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe environment in all educational institutions.

JMIAMI, Oct 14 — Lionel Messi has rejoined the Argentina national team and could feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Puerto Rico, coach Lionel Scaloni said, following the star forward’s absence from the 1-0 win over Venezuela to play for Inter Miami over the weekend.

JAKARTA, Oct 14 — Indonesia’s Mount Marapi erupted early Tuesday, releasing volcanic ash over parts of West Sumatra and prompting authorities to advise residents and tourists to stay away from the area, particularly within a three-kilometre radius of the main crater, Verbeek.

TOKYO, Oct 14 — Japan’s main opposition parties are set to hold crucial talks on Tuesday in an effort to agree on a joint candidate for prime minister and unseat the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

JOHOR BARU, Oct 14 — The Johor Health Department has urged the public to remain calm and practise proper flu prevention measures following the emergence of nine influenza clusters in the state.