All set for north-east monsoon

PUCHONG: All eyes are on the skies as Malaysia braces for the north-east monsoon.

Heavy, continuous rains are on the horizon, with Sabah forecast to experience above-average rainfall due to the La Nina weather phenomenon.

Authorities, meanwhile, are all geared up to tackle this head-on, with more than 100,000 personnel and nearly 40,000 assets ready nationwide 

Malaysian Meteorological De­­partment (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general (operations) Ambun Dindang said the north-east monsoon, expected to begin in November and last until March next year, will also bring five to seven episodes of heavy, continuous rainfall nationwide.

 

“This year, we forecast above-average rainfall in Sabah, as the La Nina phenomenon is expected to be forming near the territory

.

“Among the forecast areas are the east coast and north of Sabah,” he said during a media engagement event organised by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) on preparations for the north-east monsoon here yesterday.

He said Sabah is expected to experience episodes of above- average rainfall between Dec-ember and February.

“Our teams will be monitoring the situation daily,” he said.

Ambun said Kelantan, Tereng­ganu, Pahang, Johor and Sarawak are also forecast to experience heavy, continuous downpours between November and Dec-ember.

The situation is expected to persist in Pahang, Johor, Sabah, and Sarawak in January next year.

Sabah and Sarawak are also forecast to experience heavy, continuous rainfall next February.

“The said areas are expected to receive regular rainfall except for Sabah. Below average rainfall has, meanwhile, been forecast in west Sarawak in March next year,” he said.

Ambun said warnings on extreme weather episodes will be issued at least a week prior to the incidents.

Warnings on continuous rain, strong winds, and rough seas will also be issued at least three days prior to the episodes.

“Updated forecasts will be issued daily,” he said.

Nadma director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said more than 100,000 personnel will be on standby for the coming north-east monsoon season.

This comprises personnel from the Armed Forces (4,770), police (20,600), Fire and Rescue Depart­ment (15,640), Civil Defence Force (15,390), and Rela (47,100).

Close to 40,000 assets have also been readied in preparation for the year-end monsoon.

This includes 2,555 boats, 1,843 four-wheel drives, 1,172 trucks, 25 helicopters, and 34,092 lifejackets.

He added that 3,683 flood hotspots have been identified nationwide based on Irrigation and Drainage Department findings.

“Regardless, the government is prepared for the coming north-east monsoon season,” he told reporters after the briefing yesterday.

Abdul Halim said coordination among agencies has been improved compared with the north-east monsoon last year.

“The distribution of the Bantuan Wang Ihsan aid has also been improved, with more efficient payouts,” he said.

He added that residents play an equally vital role in flood operations.

“Take note of the early signs, such as rising waters, among others. Please evacuate once you notice this,” he said.

On a related matter, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said 29 specialised rapid response teams are on standby nationwide to strengthen flood rescues.

He said these teams will focus solely on floods to minimise disruption to daily station operations.

“Our stations have boats and other flood rescue assets, but officers must also stand by for fires and other emergencies. The rapid response teams, however, will be ready to respond to flood emergencies directly,” he said.

He added that each team comprises about 18 personnel and that several operating bases nation­­­wide have been established to store flood rescue assets.

“If there is a forecast, the team can obtain the assets there directly,” he added.

Xi says ready to work with Trump to build solid foundation for bilateral ties

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang JBy Xinhuaingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that he is ready to continue working with U.S. President Donald Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral ties, and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

In a meeting with Trump, Xi said under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

"China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.

Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi added.

"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations."

Xi said that there is a good momentum in China's economic development, adding that in the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent.

This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties, Xi noted, adding that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising.

"We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," Xi added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi said.

"Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," he added.

Describing that as an important secret to China's success, Xi said China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, adding that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi noted that the two countries' economic and trade teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues.

He called on the two teams to work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights, Xi noted.

The business relationship, Xi said, should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction. 

The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he added, calling on the two teams to continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

Dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding.

There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases, he added.

The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said, adding that the two countries should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms.

"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," he added.

China will host APEC 2026, and the United States the G20 summit next year, Xi noted.

The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Noting that it was a great honor to meet with Xi, Trump said China is a great country and President Xi is a well respected great leader, with whom he has been good friends for many years and has always got along well.

The United States and China have always had a fantastic relationship, and it will be even better, said Trump, voicing his hope for an even better future for both China and the United States.

China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said Trump.

China will host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, while the United States will host the G20 Summit next year, said Trump, wishing both sides every success in these important events.

The two presidents have agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields and to encourage more people-to-people exchanges.

They have also agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. Trump looked forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

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Does my cough mean I have pneumonia?

 

Pneumonia can be a potentially life-threatening infection, especially for vulnerable groups, and a cough is one of its common symptoms.

People who have pneumonia tend to have a productive cough, i.e. one that produces mucus or phelgm. — dpa

Coughs and colds are rife this time of year, but how can you tell when they might be a sign of something more serious, like pneumonia?

Recognising the difference between an ordinary cough and a potentially dangerous lung infection can play a crucial role in ensuring timely treatment and a smooth recovery.

To help clarify the signs, we spoke to British consultant general practitioner (GP) Dr Claire Agathou, who explained exactly what pneumonia is, what its key symptoms are, and when to seek medical advice.

What is pneumonia?

“Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which causes inflammation in the tiny air sacs in the lungs, which are called alveoli, which then fill with fluid or pus,” Dr Agathou explains.

“This makes it much harder for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream, which leads to coughing, breathlessness and fever.

“It can affect just one lung, or sometimes both, and ranges from mild to life-threatening.”

According to British charity Asthma + Lung UK, there were 518,525 hospital admissions for pneumonia alone in England last year and almost a fifth of these patients were readmitted again after 30 days

What causes it?

“Pneumonia is most often caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, but viruses, and less commonly, fungi, can also trigger it.

“We often call this an atypical pneumonia,” says Dr Agathou.

“Pneumonia can develop after a viral illness like a flu when the immune system is really run down or when bacteria is inhaled into the lungs.”

How can I tell if my cough is likely to be from pneumonia versus from a viral infection or allergies? Are there any key differences to look out for?

“Typically, a more viral or an allergic cough tends to be on the drier side.

“Sometimes, if it’s viral, it’s also linked to a sore throat or feeling a bit congested, and usually improves itself after a week or two,” she says.

However, Dr Agathou highlights that pneumonia coughs are typically “productive”, i.e. bring up mucus or phlegm.

“If you’re bringing up green, yellow or rusty-coloured phlegm, start to feel very feverish and experiencing any breathlessness, those would be the sort of things that would start to make you think it might be pneumonia,” she says.

“You will generally feel more unwell and weak with a pneumonia than you would with a simple cold or hay fever-like symptoms if it was allergy-related.”

Are there any other key symptoms to look out for?

“Another big thing to look out for is chest pain, or pain when breathing in,” highlights Dr Agathou.

“Another common symptom that we see, particularly in older adults, is confusion.

“In addition, when you’ve got pneumonia, you may pass much less urine and tend to be dehydrated, so these are some other things to look out for.”

Who is more at risk?

“It is possible for anyone to develop pneumonia and many healthy adults recover well with antibiotics,” says Dr Agathou.

“However, the rates are much higher in vulnerable communities, so, in the elderly or people with reduced immune function or respiratory conditions.

“It’s really important that babies, the elderly or those with chronic conditions, weaker immune systems or respiratory conditions displaying symptoms are seen to very promptly.”

When should you go to a GP about your symptoms?

“If you’ve got a cough that’s just lingering and persisting after five to seven days, you should be seen by a doctor,” she advises.

“But, irrespective of time frame, if you have a really severe cough, feel really unwell and start to feel that your breathing is off the norm, then I would get checked out very quickly by a GP.

“If there is a pneumonia there, we want to treat it as soon as possible when it’s mild, to prevent you from getting much worse.”

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

“When you go to a GP, we check your oxygen levels, your breathing rate, your temperature, your pulse and all of these things that can indicate to us how severe the infection is,” explains Dr Agathou.

“We also listen to your chest to see if we can hear anything unusual and if we are very concerned, we can organise an X-ray.”

How is pneumonia treated and managed?

“If it’s a typical pneumonia, antibiotics and fluids are the primary sources of management,” she says.

“Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed, provided that the person is able, is not vomiting, and is in a suitable condition to be managed at home.

“However, the most severe cases need hospital care, oxygen support and fluid.”

Why are people more susceptible to pneumonia in the colder months?

“In the colder months, our immune systems are working harder because of the stress from a cold response, and also because infections tend to spread more,” says Dr Agathou.

“We also know that flu is more common in the winter months, and when people have flu or viruses, it means their immune systems can be weaker and that’s why you’re more susceptible to getting pneumonia.”

Are there any ways to prevent yourself from getting pneumonia?

“It is all about making sure that your immune system is kept as strong as possible,” she says.

“For example, doing things that can help us fight infection better, like making sure you’re dressed warmly and taking multivitamins.

“In addition, if you are eligible for the flu and/or Covid-19 vaccine, you should consider having these.” – By Camilla Foster/PA Media/spa 

 

Mass Protests Erupt in Malaysia as Trump Faces Outrage Over Gaza at ASEAN Summit

https://www.ndtv.com/video/he-s-not-welcome-on-malaysian-soil-hundreds-protest-trumps-upcoming-asean-summit-visit-1012945

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur where U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to arrive for the ASEAN Summit, triggering widespread outrage over his stance on Gaza and U.S. support for Israel. Led by Malaysia’s Islamist PAS party, demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted anti-Trump slogans outside the U.S. Embassy and summit venues. Riot police were deployed across the city as tensions flared, though Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged protesters to remain peaceful. The demonstrations underscored growing anger across Southeast Asia toward Washington’s Middle East policy. Despite the chaos, Trump’s visit marks the first time a U.S. president has visited Malaysia in a decade, the last being Barack Obama in 2015. #TrumpASEANSummit #MalaysiaProtests #GazaWar #AnwarIbrahim #ASEAN2025 #TrumpInAsia India Today Global is an India-based news channel that serves as an international arm of India's prominent media organization. It aims to provide factual, up-to-date news, analysis, and insights from India and around the world. The channel delivers a mix of content, including political news, business updates, entertainment, and cultural stories, focusing on both India-centric news and broader global issues. India Today Global features expert commentary, interviews, and in-depth reporting on key developments in India, as well as how they intersect with global events. It is known for its reputation as a trusted source of news in India. India Today Global is designed to cater to the Indian diaspora in the US while also appealing to international viewers interested in South Asian affairs and perspectives on global news. It's the English news brand that understands and fits perfectly into the digital-first lifestyles of our English news audiences. The marquee shows of our channel are: Statecraft: Our Executive Editor Geeta Mohan decodes the truth, cut out the noise, and present you the real facts that shape your world. We'll dissect the narratives spun by competing interests, analyze the subtle shifts in geopolitical landscapes, and illuminate the underlying forces that drive international relations. Expect rigorous analysis, informed perspectives, and a commitment to clarity in a world often obscured by deliberate ambiguity. We'll explore the economic levers, the military strategies, and the cultural influences that intertwine to form the complex tapestry of global power. Join us as we navigate the corridors of influence and reveal the hidden mechanisms that govern our interconnected world. Threadbare: We dive deep into global politics to unwind myths and expose false narratives shaping the world. Our episodes tackle disinformation, political information, and geopolitical myths to provide fact-based insights. Stay informed with in-depth analysis on international relations, political crisis, and global events. If you're interested in debunking political myths, exploring truth behind media narratives, and understanding the real forces driving global politics, this playlist is for you!
 

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