Nation

Government to maintain SST, improve implementation, says Lim

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has decided to maintain the existing Sales and Services Tax (SST) structure, while implementing improvements to ensure a more efficient and effective taxation system, says Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.

Corporate News

Jeffrey Cheah honoured in Forbes Asia's 2025 Heroes of Philantrophy

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah has been recognised in the Forbes Asia Heroes of Philantrophy list for a fifth time.

Philippines

Transport group Manibela goes on three-day strike, says Metro Manila paralysed

MANILA: Transport group Manibela began its three-day transport strike on Tuesday (Dec 9) to protest the government's "vague promises" in response to the alleged abuses jeepney drivers continue to face.

Commodities

Oil edges down with Ukraine peace talks, US rate decision in spotlight

OIL prices edged down on Tuesday, extending losses from the 2% drop in the previous session, with markets keeping a close eye on peace talks to end Russia's war in Ukraine and a looming decision on U.S. interest rates.

Markets

Malaysia's IPO market on track for 60 listings in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Initial public offerings (IPOs) on Bursa Malaysia have performed strongly this year, with expectations that the number of listings will reach 60 companies, said Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

AseanPlus News

Australian PM makes last pitch on eve of teen social media ban

SYDNEY: Australia's young teenagers will soon be spared from "endless" scrolling online, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday (Dec 9) on the eve of the country's world-first social media ban.

World

Australia social media ban set to take effect, sparking a global crackdown

SYDNEY, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Australia is set to become the first country to implement a minimum age for social media use on Wednesday, with platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube forced to block more than a million accounts, marking the beginning of an expected global wave of regulation.

China

China's Li says tariff consequences increasingly evident

BEIJING: China's Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday (Dec 9) the "mutually destructive consequences of tariffs have become increasingly evident" over 2025, in remarks at a "1+10 Dialogue" including the heads of the IMF, World Trade Organization and World Bank.

Wearables

Google says first AI glasses with Gemini will arrive in 2026

Alphabet Inc's Google said it's working to create two different categories of artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses to compete next year with existing models from Meta Platforms Inc: one with screens, and another that's audio focused.

Living

Once-in-a-lifetime bloom: rare palms in Rio de Janeiro flower before dying

The Talipot can exceed 20m in height, and takes between 30 and 80 years to bloom. About a year after flowering, the plant dies naturally.

World

Australia orders operational Ghost Bat drone for military after weapons test

SYDNEY, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Australia said on Tuesday it had struck a A$1.4 billion ($930 million) contract with Boeing Defence Australia for six operational Ghost Bat drones for the Australian Defence Force, after conducting the first live weapon test on an aerial target.

Sabah & Sarawak

Floods: Bomba rescues four stranded travellers near Miri

KUCHING: Four men have been rescued from a vehicle stranded in floodwaters at Jalan Penerangan in Sepupok, Niah, near Miri, on Tuesday (Dec 9).

Brunei

Laos highlights strong ties with Brunei at reception

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in Bandar Seri Begawan hosted a reception on Monday (Dec 8) to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Lao PDR, held at the Rizqun International Hotel in Gadong.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce to marry on June 13: reports

Page Six reported the couple plans to hold the ceremony at the luxurious coastal venue Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

Corporate News

MISC marks strategic entry into Brunei with maiden floating production unit project

KUALA LUMPUR: MISC Bhd has received a letter of award for the provision of lease, operation and maintenance of a floating production unit (FPU) for a natural gas development project in Brunei from Petronas Carigali Brunei Ltd (PCBL).

Thailand

Thai army reports continued border clashes with Cambodia

Thai army says border clashes with Cambodia are continuing with mortars and BM-21 rockets used. Key areas in Surin and Sa Kaeo secured.

Letters

International Anti-Corruption Day 2025

A letter from AZRIL MOHD AMIN, Chief Executive Officer, Institut Masa Depan Malaysia (MASA).

Nation

Anwar extends best wishes to SEA Games contingent

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has wished the national contingent good luck on its quest for medals in the SEA Games Thailand 2025, which officially begins Tuesday (Dec 9)

Cricket

Cricket-Australia's Hazlewood ruled out of Ashes

MELBOURNE, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the Ashes entirely after struggling with injuries, head coach Andrew McDonald said on Tuesday.

Nation

Border Control nabs duo, foils bid to smuggle subsidised diesel

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency thwarted an attempt to smuggle subsidised diesel following the detention of two Thai men at the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security Complex here on Monday night (Dec 9).