1. Congo has accused Apple of using "illegally exploited" minerals from an embattled eastern region in its products.

In an April 22 letter to Apple, lawyers for Congo's government said Macs, iPhones, and various Apple products are "tainted by the blood of the Congolese people." 2. The lawyers for Congo accused Apple of purchasing minerals like tin, tungsten and tantalum — collectively known as 3T minerals.

The minerals are alleged to be smuggled from Congo into neighbouring Rwanda, where they are laundered and "integrated into the global supply chain".

1. EPF has announced that members below age 55 will have their accounts restructured into 3 accounts, from May 11, 2024.

Balances in Account 1 and Account 2 will remain in Akaun Persaraan and Akaun Sejahtera respectively, while Akaun Fleksibel will start with a zero balance.

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2. All contributions after May 11, 2024 will be allocated into the new accounts - 75% into Akaun Persaraan, 15% into Akaun Sejahtera and 10% into Akaun Fleksibel.

Withdrawal applications from Akaun Fleksibel can be made online via KWSP i-Akaun or at any EPF branches nationwide.

1. Nestlé adds sugar and honey to its infant milk and cereal products sold in many poor countries but not in Europe or UK, according to a report.

The study said "almost all" the Cerelac infant cereals examined contained added sugar of an average of almost 4 grams per serving.

2. The highest was detected in the Philippines at 7.3 grams, followed by 6.8 grams in Nigeria and 5.9 grams in Senegal.

Additionally, 7 out of 15 countries did not declare on product labels that sugar was added.

1. Staff at a Maybank branch in Kampung Baru, Penang had managed to prevent a civil servant, 57, from losing RM150,000 to a phone scam.

Maybank said the woman, Fatimah, received phone calls from a person purporting to be a bank rep, claiming that her account was used for fraud. 2. In a call lasting over 4 hours, the scammers instructed Fatimah to withdraw RM150,000 from her savings account.

Fatimah said the teller at the branch asked her the purpose of withdrawal but the scammer instructed her to lie and say that the monies were for house renovation.

1. Eight cases of food poisoning, suspected to come from consuming mussels, were reported in Negeri Sembilan.

Its Health Department director Dr Harlina Abdul says 2 people are in the intensive care unit due to paralysis. 2. "Five others have been warded for treatment and one individual was given outpatient treatment," says Dr. Harlina.

She adds that the first case was reported on Monday (April 1).

1. The Malaysian Medical Association is urging the govt to adopt a 3-shift system daily and introduce flexi-allowance for doctors, to prevent a burnout and a further brain drain.

This comes as the Health Ministry said 54% of govt doctors left in 2022 for the private sector. 2. MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said the government could emulate the European Working Time Directive (EWTD).

The required working week in EWTD is merely 48 hours a week on average, while doctors in Australia generally work between 35 to 38 hours a week.

1. Seven routes in Kuala Lumpur will be fully closed, while 13 routes will be closed in stages this Tuesday (Jan 30).

This is in conjunction with the sending off ceremony for the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

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2. The seven routes that will be fully closed from 9am are:

- Jalan Damansara to Jalan Parlimen (from the old Istana)
- Jalan Sultan Abdul Halim to Jalan Parlimen
- Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar to Jalan Parlimen
- Jalan Kuching to Bulatan Dato’ Onn

1. Malaysia has exempted the imposition of capital gains tax (CGT) as well as taxes on foreign-sourced income (FSI) on unit trusts, says its Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan.

The exemption on capital gains tax is effective from January 1, 2024 until December 31, 2028.

2. The exemption on foreign-sourced income is effective from Jan 1, 2024 until Dec 31, 2026.

"Through various engagements we have had on this matter...one unintended area impacted by CGT is unit trust, given that over 90% of unit trust holders are individuals," he said.

1. McDonald's Malaysia aims to open 750 more fast-food restaurants nationwide by 2030, creating job opportunities for the public.

The firm’s MD Azmir Jaafar says the chain currently has 370 local outlets, 32 of which opened last year. 2. He adds that one McDonald's restaurant provides up to 100 job opportunities for locals.

He says this does not include vendors or contractors involved in the construction and maintenance of the restaurant.

1. T20 Malaysian parents enrol their children in MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) so they can learn about life's hardships, said the President of Ansara Malaysia Mohd Fadzil Yusof.

“MRSM kononnya tempat terbaik untuk anak (golongan T20) berkawan dengan golongan B40,” he said. 2. In a Sinar Harian interview titled "MRSM untuk B40 sahaja?", Fadzil said he found it curious why T20 parents who could afford private schools would choose to fight for admission into MRSM.

He pointed out that private school fees cost about RM3,000 a month.

1. A 54-year-old woman died two days after eating a sandwich suspected to be spoiled at the Perasing RnR in Terengganu.

The Kemaman District Health Office has launched an investigation into the suspected food poisoning case. 2. The woman began experiencing symptoms of stomach pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting.

She was later referred to the ICU at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to a Facebook post by her niece.

1. KKM has ruled out the possibility of reinstating MCO despite the 62% increase, reaching 20,696 new COVID-19 cases over the past week.

Minister Dr Dzulkefly says the COVID-19 situation remains under control, assuring the public that there is no need for over-panic.

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2. He adds that the MySejahtera app will be continued for the public to assess self-monitoring tools and make appointments for vaccination.

However, there is no need for the public to check into the MySejahtera app before entering business premises, he remarks.

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1. Consumers Association of Penang is urging parents to avoid plastic toys for their children due the presence of chlorinated paraffin.

It says the chemical is linked to liver & kidney damage, endocrine disruption, cancer, developmental brain harm, and reproductive health risks. 2. CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader says evidence suggests that chlorinated paraffin leaches from plastics throughout their lifespan.

Children can be exposed to these chemicals through inhalation of dust, skin contact, or mouthing of toys.

1. Johor is expected to present a working paper to the federal govt after Nov 30 on the proposal to implement a light rail transit (LRT) system in the state.

State exco Fazli Salleh said the proposed 30km LRT project involves 3 lines - namely Tebrau, Skudai and Iskandar Puteri.

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2. The project is estimated to cost RM20 billion.

Fazli said a meeting would be held on Nov 30 to discuss the proposal to implement the project.

"The meeting, which will involve various relevant agencies, will discuss and refine the proposal to implement the project," he said.

1. MetMalaysia warns that heavy storms are expected with the northeast monsoon, which is set to begin this Saturday and last until March 2024.

It says continuous heavy rain for several days may result in flooding in low-lying and flood-risk areas.

https://twitter.com/NewsBFM/status/1720433714705125755

2. MetMalaysia says four to six episodes of heavy rain are predicted during the season, and are expected to occur in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and western Sarawak during the early phase of the northeast monsoon.

1. The World Bank has slashed Malaysia’s GDP growth forecast for 2023 from 4.3% to 3.9%.

It attributed this to a substantial deceleration in external demand, but said domestic demand will continue to support economic resilience. 2. The World Bank adds that the economy faces several key challenges, highlighting that the narrowing fiscal space remains a concern.

It says government tax revenue keeps declining, while rigid expenditures on salaries, pensions, and interest payments continue to rise.

1. Travellers returning to Malaysia from countries categorised as high-risk Nipah virus zones are advised to self-monitor for 14 days.

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa says initial symptoms to look out for include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat.

2. The ministry is on the alert about Nipah virus outbreaks overseas and is prepared to work with the related agencies should there be any cases here.

Zaliha also confirms that no Nipah cases have been detected in Malaysia since the last case was recorded on May 27, 1999.

1. Narendra Modi's govt is preparing a proposal to rename India as Bharat, sources told Times Now.

Bharat is the Hindi name for India.

This comes as an official G20 dinner invite used 'President of Bharat' instead of the usual 'President of India'.
timesnownews.com/india/bharat-t…
2. Sources told Times Now, the govt is likely to bring the fresh resolution during a Special Session of Parliament on Sept 18-21.

Several ministers from the ruling BJP party cheered the move, but opposition leaders questioned its purpose while some shared photos of the invite.

1. The Higher Education Ministry says it will review entertainment activity guidelines at higher education institutions.

This comes as UM Association of New Youth called the guidelines "extremely conservative", saying MoHE is trying to impose "religious governance on campuses". 2. The ministry said the review will be done by its Higher Education Department with Universiti Malaya Cultural Council.

"It is also a detailed guide for carrying out entertainment activities & programmes in the form of concerts, conducted by students on HEI premises," it said.

1. Taxpayers can now submit requests to make instalment payments for income tax arrears and real property gain tax for previous years, says LHDN.

This can be done without having increased taxes imposed. 2. LHDN adds that applications for this can be made throughout the duration of the Special Voluntary Disclosure Programme (SVDP) 2.0, from June 6 to May 31, 2024.

The applications can be submitted at IRB offices or through the MyTax platform at .hasil.gov.my

1. PDRM will lodge a report to the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia after a helicopter landed in a Shah Alam field, purportedly to send a child to school.

"We have not received a report on this incident," Shah Alam Police Chief Iqbal Ibrahim told FMT.
freemalaysiatoday.com/category/natio… 2. Iqbal said he will leave it to CAAM to probe if the helicopter operator had a valid permit when it landed in the residential area on April 17.

A resident shared with FMT a one-minute video of the helicopter taking off from the field near the Shah Alam residential area.