Analysis

Betrayal and power struggle in Perlis

The next mentri besar will be stepping into an office embroiled in accusations of betrayal, problems with the palace and cracks between PAS and Bersatu.

Brunei

Smooth sailing for cruise tourism in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam recorded a significant milestone in its cruise tourism sector with the consecutive arrivals of two major international cruise vessels at the Muara Cruise Ship Centre recently.

Nation

Puchong Umno cuts ties with Pakatan Harapan over insensitive remarks

SHAH ALAM: The Puchong Umno division has decided to sever all forms of political cooperation with Puchong Pakatan Harapan with immediate effect.

Philippines

Baguio chills at 14.6°C, the lowest Saturday temperature in Philippines

MANILA: Baguio City, also known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines," recorded the lowest temperature in the country on Saturday (Dec 27), the state weather bureau said.

Nation

M’sia should adopt a living wage to promote more inclusive economic growth, say experts

SHAH ALAM: Malaysia should adopt a living wage to tackle rising living costs and promote inclusive economic growth, according to experts.

Culture

Bolivian Indigenous women take pride in the traditional 'pollera' skirt

The bell skirt with layered petticoats – known as the 'pollera' – is the traditional dress of Indigenous women in Bolivia's highlands.

Vietnam

At least seven killed in Vietnam after bus overturns

HANOI: At least seven people died on Saturday (Dec 27) when a bus carrying 19 passengers overturned on a mountainous road in Vietnam's northern province of Yen Bai, state-run media reported.

Nation

Police confirm no foul play in Sentul PPR fire

KUALA LUMPUR: A fire that killed two in a People's Housing Project (PPR) in Sentul had no criminal elements, says police.

Nation

Terengganu floods: Number of evacuees rises to 468

KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of evacuees from the third wave of floods in Terengganu has risen to 468 people from 116 families as of 9am on Saturday (Dec 27), compared with 103 people from 24 families reported on Friday (Dec 26) night.

Myanmar

Myanmar goes to the polls amid civil war and humanitarian crisis

YANGON: Myanmar heads to the polls on Sunday (Dec 28) as it battles a civil war that has ravaged parts of the country as well as one of Asia's worst humanitarian crises.

Singapore

Woman in Singapore charged with vandalism over incident at The Salvation Army

SINGAPORE: A 43-year-old Chinese Australian woman has been charged with vandalism over an incident which happened on Christmas Day at Praisehaven - The Salvation Army.

Thailand

Thailand and Cambodia agree to immediate ceasefire

BANGKOK: Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday (Dec 27) signed a ceasefire agreement to end weeks of deadly clashes, according to a Cambodian defence ministry statement.

Technology

Apple, Google and others tell some foreign employees to avoid traveling out of the country

Living

Italian cooking and its rituals get Unesco cultural heritage nod

The UN's cultural agency gave foodies another reason to celebrate their pizza, pasta and tiramisu by listing Italian cooking as part of the world's "intangible" cultural heritage.

World

Conflict and fear sap campaign energy ahead of Myanmar election

Dec 27 (Reuters) - Campaigning ahead of Myanmar's general election that begins ‌on Sunday has been shorn of the energy of previous polls, residents said, as voting is scheduled amid a civil war and a humanitarian crisis as ‌well as wide criticism that it is a sham to help the junta perpetuate power.

Nation

Former Perlis PAS assemblyman admits to receiving offers after party membership revoked

KANGAR: A state assemblyman whose PAS membership was revoked has admitted to receiving several offers from various political parties.

North Korea

N. Korea's Kim stresses shared bloodshed in New Year message to Putin

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un highlighted on Saturday (Dec 27) how his nation and Russia had shared "blood, life and death" in the Ukraine war, as he sent President Vladimir Putin new year's greetings.

Japan

Woman killed, 26 injured in 50-vehicle expressway pile-up in Japan

MAEBASHI: A woman was killed, and 26 others were injured in a pileup involving more than 50 cars on the Kan-Etsu Expressway in Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, on Friday (Dec 26) night.

Singapore

Strong job market, wealth gains to underpin Singapore retail spending in 2026: Economists

SINGAPORE: Consumer spending in Singapore is likely to remain robust in 2026, supported by improving job prospects and steady investment returns, economists said.

Nation

Fahmi: Government to roll out social media regulatory sandbox from Jan 1

PUTRAJAYA: The government will roll out a regulatory sandbox programme from Jan 1 to assess child protection mechanisms and ensure consumer safety in the digital space ahead of full-scale enforcement.