KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s economic momentum is expected to steadily improve heading into next year, with gross domestic product (GDP) set to grow by 4.5 per cent to 5.5 per cent in 2024 from an estimated 4.0 per cent this year, according to RAM Rating Services Bhd (RAM Ratings). The economy is benefitting from a potential turnaround in external demand, the credit rating agency said in a statement in conjunction with its Economic Outlook 2024 report released today. "Resilient domestic demand, supported by benign inflation and interest rates would also propel growth momentum,” it said. On the fiscal side, RAM Ratings estimated fiscal deficit to clock in at 4.2 per cent of GDP in 2024, reflecting the fiscal consolidation path of the government. It said a spike in global food and commodity prices could pressure domestic demand, as would unintended price ripple effects if the retargeting of RON95 subsidies were poorly executed.

The Indian Customs caught them with 13kg of gold, more than 200 mobile phones, laptops and cigarettes. The Straits Times learnt that smugglers have been approaching Indian migrant workers flying home via Changi Airport Terminal 1. Gold smuggling in India has seen a spike in seizures and amount discovered in recent years. The World Gold Council said in a report that gold smuggling in India spiked after the import duty of gold was raised in July 2022 to 12.5 per cent from 7.5 per cent. Indian Customs learnt that some of the passengers arrested had been to Gulf countries on “sponsored trips”, and returned with gold hidden in their luggage.

THE main message for Christmas is very simple – joy to the world and let there be peace on earth. That’s all. It’s probably only in Malaysia that each time we celebrate this happy festival that we have an unnecessary and unproductive polemic over a simple occasion.

Shoppers seeking gifts for loved ones may find themselves engrossed in the charming sights and sounds of Christmas. Pavilion in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur is featuring its Christmas Village with everything from a festive Christmas carousel for little ones to ride on to an animatronic reindeer and Santa Claus himself. Its main entrance captivates visitors with Cartier’s “Magical Encounters” Christmas decorations featuring a white roof and railings adorning the Christmas tree, inspired by architectural elements from Cartier boutiques. It is always an enchanted Christmas at Suria KLCC with its “Gingerbread Christmas Village”, which draws inspiration from the tradition of making gingerbread men and houses during the festive season. The Curve in Petaling Jaya morphs into a “Jolly Christmas Carnival,” transforming the mall into a Pop Art-inspired Christmas Village Carnival.

RESULTSFIRST ROUNDMen’s singlesGroup A: Shi Yuqi (Chn) bt Viktor Axelsen (Den) 21-19, 21-19; Anthony Ginting (Ina) bt Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) 10-21, 21-10, 21-18. Women’s singlesGroup B: Chen Yufei (Chn) bt Han Yue (Chn) 21-17, 19-21, 21-9. Men’s doublesGroup A: Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi (Chn) bt Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (Mas) 19-21, 21-18, 22-20; Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang (Chn) bt Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi (Jpn) 23-21, 21-17. Group B: Chen Yufei (Chn) bt Zhang Beiwen (US) 21-13, 21-15; Carolina Marin (Spa) bt Han Yue (Chn) 21-11, 21-12. Group B: Baek Ha-na-Lee So-hee (Kor) bt Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai (Tha) 21-15, 21-15; Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida (Jpn) bt Kim So-yeong-Kong Hee-yong (Kor) 21-13, 21-14.

The Art of Living organisation is holding its Run of Champions on Dec 16 at Lake Gardens in Kuala Lumpur. The 3km fun run is designed to unite Malaysians against the scourge of drug addiction. There has been a recent surge in drug-related incidents and an unprecedented increase in suicide cases among adolescents. An 81% surge in suicide cases has also been observed, with the numbers rising from 631 in 2020 to an alarming 1,142 cases. The fun run commences at 7am, with registration scheduled at 6.30am.

With seats onboard Virgin Galactic costing US$450,000 (RM2,105,550), space tourism remains a literal flight of fantasy for most people. And even such well-heeled amateur astronauts would do well to bone up on the potential health impacts of space flight. If recent experiments on rats are anything to go by, a successful rocket launch may lead to erectile dysfunction in male passengers. And the results suggest that men would be best advised to go to great lengths to avoid space travel, which can “negatively affect vascular tissues relevant to erectile dysfunction, even after a period of long-term recovery”. Erectile dysfunction, or impotence, affects an estimated half of men at some stage of their lives, usually in their middle or later years, according to the Mayo Clinic.

BERLIN: People concerned about their data have for years had to think carefully about matters such as social media app settings and internet browser cookies, as well as increasingly sophisticated email-based phishing scams. In the wake of mounting research confirming the mental health harm of social media, the university's researchers are now calling for investigations into the impact of the metaverse on society and how the companies behind these platforms operate. "Privacy, data collection, especially of personal data and biometric data, and the harm online platforms can cause, are all issues of concern to the public," the university’s team warned. Proponents believe the metaverse will ultimately replace the current internet with a 3D space accessed by headset, offering virtual concerts, meeting rooms and collective gaming. However researchers say their focus groups showed many of the online harms experienced in current internet and social media environments will transfer to the metaverse and proliferate there.

JOHOR BARU: Johor has requested for additional flights from Senai International Airport to several cities in China, besides seeking direct flights to southern India, says Tourism Johor director Suhairi Hashim. He said they were working closely with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to get more Indian and Chinese tourists to visit the state. “Presently, the number of flights between Senai International Airport and Guangzhou is four times a week,” he said when contacted yesterday. Suhairi also said that Chinese tourists formed the fourth largest group of foreign visitors to Johor after Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. With the 30-day visa-free travel announced by the government for Indian and Chinese tourists, this will be good for the Johor tourism sector,” he added.

PETALING JAYA: Getting Covid-19 test kits needs a little help from Lady Luck these days. However, checks by The Star at pharmacies in Denai Alam, Shah Alam, found plenty of Covid-19 test kits available though the brand names were limited. Razif said he was able to get five test kits for RM10 when the cheapest ones were usually priced at RM3.90 each. “Every time I tapped on the test kits option from pharmacies, it would say they were sold out or unavailable. “Luckily, after scrolling for options, I managed to get some test kits from a grocery market nearby,” she said.

KANGAR: A woman contractor in Perlis suffered losses of RM416,772 after falling for a bogus investment scheme. ALSO READ: Average of 15 investment scams probed every day, says CCID chief"She clicked on a link and was added to a WhatsApp group consisting of members of a bogus investment scheme," he said in a statement on Friday (Nov 24). "The victim then interacted with the (syndicate) members through WhatsApp and was attracted to the investment (scheme) offered. She was asked to start with a small capital investment of RM300 and promised to be given a total of RM88,000 in one day." She decided to lodge the police report after failing to get any returns on her investment.

ALLOWING polygamy for Muslim men can be a possible solution to address the issue of late marriage among Muslim women, says PAS politician Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic). Tuan Ibrahim provided his own statistics that there are more than 8.4 million single women in the country. Tuan Ibrahim replied that he only supports the suggestion. Yeo also urged Tuan Ibrahim to retract his statement. “Don’t bully women just because we are smaller in numbers (in the Dewan Rakyat).”

PETALING JAYA: More must be done to protect global health by battling the threat of air pollution – as a new study emerges linking long-term exposure to air pollution with increased Covid-19 risks, say health experts. “Air pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and early death in the world. Moy said that air pollution affects people over their lifespan, causing a wide range of acute and chronic diseases from childhood to old age. This includes the poor air quality, unhygienic food, unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation and unkempt housekeeping, he said. “Air pollution also destroys defense cells called macrophages at the alveoli, which are important to engulf and kill any foreign bodies – including the Covid-19 virus,” he said.

Known for its pristine beaches, unique geology, and vibrant tribal culture, it offers a serene escape into nature’s embrace, coupled with a journey through time and tradition. One of Kudat’s most mesmerising spectacles is the celestial dance of the Milky Way. On clear nights, the sky above Kudat transforms into a canvas of cosmic beauty, with the Milky Way’s luminous arch stretching across the horizon. The cultural heartbeat of Kudat lies with the Rungus people, a tribe known for their rich traditions and skilled craftsmanship. Whether it’s the awe-inspiring sight of the Milky Way, its beaches’ tranquil beauty, the Rungus’ vibrant culture, or the fresh seafood, Kudat invites you to explore and cherish its many wonders.

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of insufficient savings in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) is at a serious level, with 6.3 million members under the age of 55, or 48%, having less than RM10,000 in their accounts as of Sept 30, says the Finance Ministry. In a written reply posted on the Parliament website on Monday (Nov 20), the ministry said the figure rose from 4.7 million members (37%) recorded in April 2020, before the introduction of Covid-19-related special withdrawals. "With savings of less than RM10,000, members are expected to have a retirement income of less than RM42 per month for a period of 20 years. "The additional withdrawals from Account 1 also have a long-term effect, namely a significant reduction in retirement savings among EPF members," it said in response to a question raised by Zulkifli Ismail (Perikatan Nasional-Jasin) on the government's initiative to address the issue of insufficient retirement savings among the people, compounded by the large informal sector in Malaysia and a higher dependency ratio. The government announced in Budget 2024 an increase in the matching grant limit under the i-Saraan programme from RM300 to RM500 per year, subject to a maximum limit of RM5,000 for each eligible individual throughout their lifetime.