Compiled by JUNAID IBRAHIM, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHAN

       TAIWANESE actress Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband Wang Xiaofei has given her his blessings on her marriage, reported Sin Chew Daily.

       In a Webio post, the 40-year-old businessman wrote, “Everyone is starting his or her new life and I give Barbie Hsu my blessings and my wish (that her marriage is filled with) happiness,” he said.

       The couple divorced on amicable terms in November. In the post, Wang also stressed there was no “other party” involved leading to the split.

       Wang was rumoured to have had an affair with Chinese influencer-actress Zhang Yingying, 25.

       In his latest social media post, Wang wrote that his life was upended after being hounded by reporters over his alleged affair.

       He also apologised to Zhang for “having to endure so many baseless allegations” after she was accused by Internet users of being a homewrecker.

       However, Wang had never denied that he and Zhang were in a relationship.

       It was earlier reported that Hsu, 45, secretly married her former boyfriend, South Korean musician DJ Koo, 52, just three months after her divorce with Wang.

       Hsu and Koo reportedly began dating in secret in 1998 but split after about a year as Koo’s management objected to him being in a relationship.

       > The daily also reported that due to increased rainfall and pests, farmers in Raub, Pahang, complained that their Musang King crop was suffering from stunted growth.

       Durian farmers in the area said only 20% of the harvest was considered Grade A durians.

       The remaining 80% are either classed as Grade B or C, which fetch a lower price.

       Ning Jia Rong, an orchard owner in Sungai Klau, said he had seen his durians grow smaller over the past three years.

       “Grade B Musang King only fetches between RM25 and RM30 per kg whereas Grade C fruits are sold at RM11 and RM12. The prices are low. At the same time, the cost of fertilisers, pesticides and wages is increasing.”

       Even if farmers were to sell the Grade A Musang King at RM100 per kg, they would still be unable to recoup their losses, he said.

       The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.