Latest

Cricket

Cricket-Root goes from dud to dominator with breakthrough ton in Australia

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Less than two weeks after being dismissed as a "dud" Down Under, Joe Root finally shrugged the monkey off his back with a first test century in Australia on Thursday to breathe life into England's Ashes campaign.

Golf

Golf-Norway's Reitan takes three-shot lead after opening round at Sun City

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Norway's Kristoffer Reitan hit three birdies on the last five holes to open a three-shot lead after the first round of the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City on Thursday.

World

US signs pact with Kenya under 'America First' global health plan

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 - The U.S. will provide more than $1.6 billion to Kenya's health system under a new five-year agreement signed on Thursday, the first such agreement reached under the Trump administration's overhaul of foreign aid.

World

UK sanctions Russian intelligence agency GRU over Novichok poisoning

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday announced new sanctions against Russia, including the entire GRU military intelligence agency that was singled out in a UK public inquiry into the 2018 death of a woman poisoned by the nerve agent Novichok.

World

UK police charge 31-year-old man linked to Manchester synagogue attacker

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - British police said they had charged a 31-year-old man with terrorism offences, following his arrest in connection with an attack on a Manchester synagogue in October which left two Jewish worshippers dead.

World

Turkey summons Ukrainian, Russian envoys over Black Sea attacks

ANKARA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Turkey summoned Ukraine's ambassador and Russia's acting charges d'affaires to the foreign ministry to convey its concerns over a series of attacks on Russia-linked vessels inside its exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci said on Thursday.

Football

JDT rescue point with double injury time strikes against Svay Rieng

PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta'zim were heading to their first defeat in the Southeast Asian stage, but an injury-time masterclass from Australian centreback Shane Lowry saved them from the jaws of defeat.

World

Putin visits Delhi as Russia and India seek to increase and diversify trade

NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to start a two-day state visit, and India and Russia both said they want to boost mutual trade and expand the variety of items in transactions.

Nation

Flood evacuees decrease in Perlis and Perak, numbers rise in Pahang, Selangor

KUALA LUMPUR: The flood situation in PERLIS continues to improve, with the number of evacuees sheltering at two relief centres (PPS) in Padang Besar and Arau dropping to 115 people as of 8pm on Thursday night, down from 186 in the afternoon.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Everything is a bonus for relaxed Verstappen

ABU DHABI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Max Verstappen could become only the second driver after Michael Schumacher to win five Formula One titles in a row this weekend but the Red Bull driver was relaxed about it on Thursday.

World

Tunisian opposition leader Chebbi arrested as crackdown escalates

TUNIS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Tunisian police on Thursday arrested top opposition figure Nejib Chebbi to enforce a 12-year jail term on a conviction for conspiracy, his family said, the latest sign of an escalating crackdown on political dissent by President Kais Saied.

Technology

Meta to cut up to 30% of metaverse budget, Bloomberg News reports

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Meta is expected to make budget cuts of up to 30% for its metaverse initiative, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Football

Soccer-Mbappe chasing Ronaldo record as Real Madrid host Celta

(Corrects location of Villarreal v Getafe match in final paragraph)

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (Dec 4, 2025)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Thursday (Dec 4, 2025)

Singapore

Singapore police investigating 268 suspected scammers, money mules linked to more than S$4.66mil in losses

SINGAPORE: A 15-year-old is among 268 people being investigated for their suspected roles in ruses linked to more than S$4.66 million in losses, following a two-week operation by the police.

Other Sports

Olympics-Ralph Lauren outfits US athletes for 10th Games

NEW YORK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Ralph Lauren will outfit the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams for the 10th time at next year's Winter Games, with the brand's take on an Italian aesthetic for the Opening Ceremony, part of an overall multi-piece set for the athletes.

Football

Soccer-FIFA ruling on players' release date upsets Cup of Nations preparations

CAPE TOWN, Dec 4 (Reuters) - African countries were left scrambling to change their preparation plans after a surprise FIFA decision to cut down the time players must be released to their national teams ahead of this month's Africa Cup of Nations finals.

World

Catholic priest abducted in Nigeria's Kaduna State, Diocese says

ABUJA, Dec 4 (Reuters) - A Catholic priest was abducted from his residence in Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, the Catholic Diocese of Zaria said on Wednesday.

World

Russia's Putin arrives in India for summit talks with PM Modi

NEW DELHI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday, where he was received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport, beginning the Russian leader's first visit to old friend India since the start of the war in Ukraine nearly four years back.

Entertainment

HK actress Charmaine Sheh reflects on life and death, says she has prepared a will

The 50-year-old says she wished she could return to her early 30s, when her life was filled with joyful memories.