The Senate passed a Republican spending plan on Friday, averting a US government shutdown hours before a midnight deadline while exacerbating a furious struggle within the Democratic party over how to confront President Donald Trump.

US averts govt shutdown as Senate passes GOP spending bill

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had two choices as the clock ticked down to the government funding deadline: drop his threat to block the Republican bill or force a disruptive March 15 shutdown.

Schumer retreats on shutdown threat, enhancing bill’s prospects

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cautioned against any attempts to challenge the government by organising protests against the Urban Renewal Bill (URA).

PM warns against leveraging Malay identities to disrupt urban renewal efforts

South Koreans gathered in huge numbers in the capital Seoul on Saturday to support or oppose impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol before a court decides whether his short-lived declaration of martial law disqualifies him from office.

Supporters, protestors rally across South Korea ahead of President Yoon's impeachment ruling

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Western nations to ramp up pressure on Vladimir Putin, saying Russia’s president will “sooner or later” have to engage in serious discussions over a ceasefire in Ukraine.

UK urges pressure on Russia if Putin balks at truce, calls for 'coalition of the willing' to support Ukraine

The US announced visa restrictions on current and former Thai officials involved in the return of 40 Uyghurs to China last month, a setback for the Southeast Asian nation striving to strike a balance between its two largest trade partners.

US slaps visa curbs on Thai officials for Uyghur deportation to China

Thailand aims to slash electricity costs by more than 25% by next year to emerge as a hub for data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, according to Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto chief of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

Thaksin vows cheaper power to turn Thailand into data centre hub

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said on Friday that Starship is set to depart for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Tesla humanoid bot Optimus.

Starship, carrying Tesla's bot, set for Mars by end-2026, says Musk

National energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) said on Saturday it is continuing discussions with multiple stakeholders, following a report that negotiations over the ongoing gas aggregator role with Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) have reached a deadlock.

Petronas says still in talks with Sarawak over gas aggregator role after media report on deadlock

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday launched the Mara Madani Waqf, aimed at strengthening the Malay and Bumiputera agenda in the country.

PM launches Mara Madani Waqf aimed at strengthening Malay, Bumiputera agenda

The Electric Train Service (ETS) has achieved another milestone in its effort to expand the country’s rail network, with the launch of operations between the Butterworth, Padang Besar and Segamat stations on Saturday.

KTMB launches ETS service to Segamat

The 46th Asean Summit is scheduled to take place from May 26 to 27, while the Asean Summit with Dialogue Partners is set for late October, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Tok Mat: 46th Asean Summit in May, Summit with Dialogue Partners in October

Chin Hin Group Property Bhd (KL:CHGP) has big plans this&nbsp;year. It aims to achieve a sales target of RM2 billion and expand into Melaka and Johor this year. In this week's cover story, &nbsp;Chiau Haw Choon, the group managing director of its parent company, Chin Hin Group Bhd (KL:CHINHIN), talks about the encouraging sales of RM1.3 billion last year and his target this year.&nbsp;Of the RM2 billion sales target, RM1.4 billion will come from existing projects and the remaining RM600 million from new launches. In addition, he unveils the developer’s plan to venture overseas after establishing a firm foundation in the domestic market.

Upping its game

Those who spent a lot of time in the UK or have a soft spot for its produce allsorts would be well familiar with Vimto, the Mancunian mixed soft fruit drink that has ingrained itself in — pun fully intended — British pop culture.

Top of the pop

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida/WASHINGTON: (March 15): More than 1,300 Voice of America (VOA) employees were placed on leave on Saturday and funding for two US news services that broadcast to authoritarian regimes was terminated, one day after President Donald Trump ordered the gutting of the government-funded media outlet's parent and six other federal agencies.

Erik Wasson, Billy House & Steven T Dennis