South Korea

Study says South Korea has too many twins, warns of health risks

SEOUL: As the number of twin births and higher-order multiple pregnancies rises in South Korea, a study released on Dec 18 called for state measures to protect the health of both mothers and infants, including policies aimed at curbing the growing share of multifetal pregnancies.

Football

Soccer-Nigeria allege DR Congo fielded ineligible players in World Cup playoff

Dec 18 (Reuters) - Nigeria have submitted a petition to FIFA alleging the Democratic Republic of Congo fielded ineligible players in their African qualification play-off for next year's World Cup, a federation (NFF) spokesperson said.

Cricket

Cricket-NZ's Conway, Latham smash hundreds in third West Indies test

Dec 18 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Devon Conway and Tom Latham struck hundreds in a mammoth opening stand of 323 to deflate West Indies on the opening day of the third and final test in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Hosts Morocco face heavy burden of expectation at Cup of Nations

RABAT, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco are putting up their best foot forward with sparkling stadiums and much-improved facilities for the 24 competing teams but the pressure on their own footballers to deliver the title is potentially stifling.

Business

Record-breaking RM3.2bil in sales

The success of Mihas@Shanghai testifies to the global trust in Malaysia's halal ecosystem, marking a strategic leap in globalising the nation's halal economy.

World

EU leaders will loan 90 billion euros to Ukraine, but fail to agree to use frozen Russian assets

BRUSSELS, Dec 18 (Reuters) - ‌European Union leaders decided on Friday to borrow cash to loan 90 billion euros ($105 billion) to Ukraine to fund its defence against Russia for the ‌next two years rather than use frozen Russian assets, sidestepping divisions over an unprecedented plan to finance Kyiv with Russian sovereign cash.

Nation

Fella Design Seremban debuts farmhouse collection

Fella Design launched its flagship farmhouse collection at its Seremban showroom on Nov 13.

Nation

No toll hike on highways run by 10 concessionaires in 2026, govt to bear costs

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no increase in toll charges on highways run by 10 concessionaires in 2026, with the government to bear the costs, says, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Technology

Micron surges on upbeat profit forecast as chip prices soar

Dec 18 (Reuters) - Micron Technology's shares rose 9% in premarket trading on Thursday after the U.S. chipmaker delivered an outsized quarterly profit forecast, underscoring its leadership in the high-bandwidth memory chips market as prices surge.

Nation

Barisan considering Bung Moktar’s son as Kinabatangan candidate, says Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is considering fielding Naim Kurniawan, the son of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, as its candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election scheduled for January next year, says its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Nation

Trapped by debt: Man's struggle with loan sharks leads to job loss, hardship

JOHOR BARU: A RM500 loan has turned the life of a 38-year-old man here into turmoil, as he has lost over RM16,650, his job and his peace of mind.

Nation

EAIC uncovers disciplinary breaches involving Environment Dept officers, findings referred to MACC

PETALING JAYA: An Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) investigation into conflict of interest allegations involving Environment Department officers has uncovered disciplinary breaches by personnel based in Negri Sembilan and Putrajaya.

Vietnam

Danang to invest in airports to boost tourism and development

DANANG: The central city of Danang has proposed an investment of US$10 billion to upgrade the current international Chu Lai Airport to serve increasing demand due to tourism, investment and logistics growth through 2050.

Corporate News

Gamuda secures new Aussie projects, taking order book to a record RM46bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Gamuda Bhd's orderbook has hit a record high of RM46bil following the announcement of several new contracts to its Australian portfolio.

Nation

Govt to seek forfeiture of funds linked to Ilham Tower

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has applied at the Sessions Court to forfeit funds held in bank accounts belonging to Ilham Tower Sdn Bhd and an individual under investigation in connection with the case involving former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Nation

Decomposed body discovered by riverbank in Johor Baru

JOHOR BARU: The decomposed body of a man was found by the riverbank close to an apartment near here.

Nation

Kelantan JPJ issues over 200 summonses in three-day joint op

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) issued 210 summons notices during a cross-border special operation involving three east coast states from Monday to Wednesday (Dec 15 to 17).

Singapore

Singapore extends part-time re-employment grant until December 2027

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Thursday (Dec 18) that it is extending a grant for employers offering part-time re-employment, flexible work arrangements and structured career planning for senior workers by two more years owing to continued demand.

Arts

Rome's new Colosseum metro train station reveals ancient treasures

For the price of a metro ticket, travellers can access the station's underground museum holding 350 ancient objects

Markets

Japan's Nikkei ends at 3-week low on tech selloff over AI-business outlook

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average ended at a three-week low on Thursday, pressured by heavyweight tech stocks as investors weighed the outlook for artificial intelligence and data centre businesses.