Nation

Cambodia, Thailand agree to attend Asean Foreign Ministers meet in KL, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: Cambodia and Thailand have both agreed to attend the Asean Foreign Ministers special meeting on Dec 22 in Kuala Lumpur to kickstart talks to prevent further escalation along the disputed border, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

News

Public urged to stay vigilant amid Northeast Monsoon

KUALA LUMPUR: The public has been reminded to remain vigilant and to comply with instructions from the authorities following unstable weather conditions caused by the Northeast Monsoon currently affecting the country, particularly in the East Coast states.

Football

Soccer-FIFA agrees 50% rise in prize money for 2026 World Cup

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Prize money for next year's World Cup will be 50% higher than the previous edition with world governing body FIFA agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.

Nation

Court allows Sapura founder's son to file objection over hibah confirmation

PUTRAJAYA: The Syariah High Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) allowed businessman Tan Sri Shahril Shamsuddin to file a preliminary objection against his father, Sapura Holdings Sdn Bhd founder Tan Sri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir's application to confirm a hibah involving 14.8 million units of company shares. Shamsuddin, 94, filed the application on Sept 2 seeking confirmation of the hibah granted 28 years ago to his two sons, Shahril, 64, and Datuk Shahriman Shamsuddin, 56, each involving 14.8 million units of shares. The confirmation is a legal prerequisite for Shamsuddin to revoke the hibah, which he is seeking to do against Shahril, who is also the chief executive officer of Sapura Group, citing personal reasons. Syariah Judge Ahmad Irwan Ismail ordered Shahril to file the preliminary objection within three weeks and fixed Feb 24, 2026 for further mention of the case. "The first defendant (Shahril) is allowed to file a notice of motion for objection together with a supporting affidavit," the judge said. Earlier, syariah lawyer Dr Mohd Rafie Mohd Shafie, representing Shahril, told the court that the hibah in dispute was fasid (invalid) and that the objection was raised to challenge the basis of the plaintiff's claims. However, syariah lawyer Suhaimi Saad, representing Shamsuddin, objected to the application, arguing there was no error in his client's claim and that a father has the right to revoke a hibah given to a child. Meanwhile, syariah lawyer Fakhrul Azman Abu Hasan, representing Shahriman, said his client did not object to the application for confirmation of the hibah.- Bernama

World

M23 still in seized Congo town despite withdrawal pledge, residents say

KINSHASA, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have not withdrawn from the eastern Congolese town of Uvira despite an announcement earlier this week that they would pull back, residents told Reuters on Wednesday.

Technology

US gaming platform Roblox pledges changes to get Russian ban lifted

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - U.S. gaming platform Roblox is willing to make changes to some of its features in Russia, it said on Wednesday, as it seeks to overturn a ban imposed on it earlier this month.  

Singapore

Singaporean cop charged with causing grievous hurt to woman in accident while driving police vehicle

SINGAPORE: A policeman on patrol duty was driving a police vehicle when it collided with a car in January.

Technology

Oracle says Michigan data center project talks on track without Blue Owl

Dec 17 (Reuters) - Oracle said talks for an equity deal to support its Michigan data center project remain on schedule and do not include Blue Owl Capital, after a report of stalled negotiations with the crucial partner knocked its shares down 5% on Wednesday.

Nation

PM tasks Media Council with recommending reforms for greater media freedom

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Media Council (MMC) has been tasked by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to come up with suggestions to the Cabinet to address laws that are regressive to media freedom.

Technology

Coursera to buy Udemy, creating $2.5 billion firm to target AI training

Dec 17 (Reuters) - Online education platform Coursera said on Wednesday it would buy rival Udemy in an all-stock deal, valuing the combined company at $2.5 billion, as the industry consolidates after a post-pandemic slowdown and heightened investor scrutiny.

AseanPlus News

Why ‘relative stability’ in US-China ties is unlikely to last

The temperature has lowered after a downward spiral since Trump's return to the White House, but relations may face 'strong headwinds' again

Thailand

First Army takes strong action in border clash with Cambodia, one more Thai soldier killed

BANGKOK: Thailand's First Army Area reports continued clashes with Cambodian forces at the Thai-Cambodian border, resulting in more casualties, including the death of one Thai soldier.

AseanPlus News

‘Don’t be misled,’ Beijing tells foreign media in Hong Kong after Jimmy Lai verdict

Commissioner's office also writes to The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, condemning their editorials on verdict

Metro News

5G, digital devices boost for Hospis Malaysia

DIGITAL capabilities are now enabling more efficient palliative care.

Nation

LRT Mutiara Line: Partial lane closure at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway

GEORGE TOWN: A long-term periodic partial lane closure at night on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah will be carried out from Dec 18 to Feb 16 next year, for utility identification and utility relocation works for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Mutiara Line project.

Singapore

Man jailed for burning mattress, beating elderly man at Singapore's Bukit Batok nursing home

SINGAPORE: During his stay in a nursing home, a 68-year-old man attacked another resident and set a mattress on fire

Other Sports

Bang Bang! The women gamers win gold

BANGKOK: The Malaysian women's e-sports team earned themselves a sensational gold medal win at the Thailand SEA Games on Wednesday (Dec 17).

World

UK's Duke of Marlborough charged with intentional strangulation

LONDON, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Britain's Duke of Marlborough, a distant relative of Winston Churchill, has been charged with three counts of intentional strangulation, British police said on Wednesday.

Nation

Pahang floods: Hundreds of students evacuated as two Pahang educational institutions affected

KUANTAN: Hundreds of students at two educational institutions here were evacuated due to floods following days of continuous heavy rain.

Nation

Senate passes Bill requiring submission of passenger details at entry points

KUALA LUMPUR: Operators of sea vessels, aircraft and trains arriving at berths, airports or entry points in Malaysia will soon be required to submit passenger name records and passenger information.