#MorningBrief: Top 5 news (Dec 30)

The counters of Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (PPZ-MAIWP) tithe collection centre at the National Mosque are busy since morning to cater to Muslims eager to pay tithe.

PPZ-MAIWP deputy chief executive officer Abdul Hakim Amir Osman said the public pay tithe at the last moment before the end of 2016 to qualify for individual income tax rebate for next year's tax assessment.

KPDNKK, MOH, Mosti to regulate use of e-cigarette, vape

The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) is one of three ministries which have been tasked by the government to regulate the use of electronic cigarette and vape.

The Cabinet meeting Wednesday also gave tasks to two other ministries: the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI).

Uniqueness is cornerstone of an inspirational SM Salim - Sheila Majid

The year was 2003. Two Malaysian showbiz giants were seen instinctively laughing and smiling during a recording session, of what seemed to be a mega-hit tune, not too long later.

By its own admission, the song started climbing the charts, thanks to its melodious tune and irrepressible lyrics that have tugged at many heartstrings.

'Entah Jadi Entahkan Tidak', an upbeat and spellbinding tune tinged with the classic Malay charm, the tune popularised by the late Tan Sri SM Salim and pop icon, Datuk Sheila Majid became an anthem and is still being played years later.

President Barack Obama on Thursday (Dec 29) unleashed a barrage of retaliatory measures against Moscow for meddling in the US election, imposing sanctions on two intelligence agencies, expelling 35 agents and shuttering two Russian compounds inside the United States.

Making good on a promise to punish Vladimir Putin's government for allegedly trying to tilt the 2016 election in Donald Trump's favor, Obama unveiled a broad range of steps that will inflame tensions with both Moscow and the president-elect.

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was felt in the Indonesian resort island of Bali early Friday (Dec 30), an AFP correspondent said, but there was no tsunami alert and no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake hit around 300 kilometres east of Bali at a depth of around 72 kilometres just off the island of Sumbawa at 6.30am, the US Geological Survey said.