A vibrant fireworks display lights up the sky over the iconic Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the capital city Hanoi, Vietnam, on Wednesday (Dec 31) evening, drawing large crowds of residents and visitors as Hanoi joyfully welcomes New Year 2026. - Photo: VNA/VNS
Malaysia
* PM wishes for a successful 2026
* PM leads crowd in ringing in New Year
* New system to track origins of local durians
* New EPF policy changes will take effect from today
* Teacher admits sexually assaulting two of his students
* A nightmare job offer
* Kelantan folk can now apply to pan for gold
* LHDN explains CP500 notices after taxpayer feedback
* New Customs checks at T1 boarding gates set to ease passenger flow
* Malaysia welcomes first tourists of 2026 with cultural festivities, goodie bag
* Navy Super Lynx helicopter makes emergency water landing off Klebang Beach
* Smooth passenger flow as new coordinated checks begin at KLIA
* Exit of PN leaders not as severe as thought, says PAS info chief
* New Year countdown marks strong start to VM2026 campaign, says Anwar
* Kedah PAS commissioner backs Sanusi as next PN chairman
* Continuous rain alert for parts of Sarawak until Jan 3
* DPM, ministers renew commitment to strengthen Malaysia in 2026
* Sarawakians urged to be ready for floods with severe weather forecast
* Dashboard to track MA63 progress launching in January
* Over 1,400 summonses issued, 15 arrested during New Year's Eve operations
* Sabah's eco-attractions will be a big draw in VM2026, says Jafry
* Suspected space debris found on Pekan beach
* Navy officer in ICU after helicopter emergency landing in Klebang
* Over 3.2 tonnes of waste collected in KL during 2026 New Year celebrations, says Alam Flora
* Flood: Situation worsens in Sarawak, improves in Johor, full recovery in Melaka
* Consultant loses almost RM700,000 to online investment scam
* Cops issue over 12,000 summonses nationwide in News Year's Eve ops
* Two killed in crash between car, 4WD carrying seven in Betong
* Negri Bersatu backs Abdul Hadi as next Perikatan chief
* Selangor PAS Youth supports Sanusi to lead Perikatan
Singapore
* Singapore car-sharing service Shariot pauses vehicle rental services ‘until further notice’
* Workers' Party pledges to be constructive check on Singapore government amid era of unprecedented disruption
* Galloping into the new year: Singapore Mint Lunar Fair opens at Chinatown Point Atrium
Indonesia
* ‘New criminal code requires public oversight’
* Alert raised for Mount Bur Ni Telong
* Indonesian stocks notch best year since 2014 on retail flows
* Vintage motorised rickshaws keep urban heritage alive in Indonesia's Pematangsiantar city
* Indonesian President targets electoral reforms to consolidate power
Thailand
* POWs home in time for the new year
* Thai shippers warn baht too strong, hits exports and jobs
* Bangkok air quality slips into orange zone, exceeding the safety standard
* Thai fortune-teller predicts client’s bad luck, then gets arrested over stealing her phone
Philippines
* New Year Party attack injures 22 in Philippines
* Philippines' Iloilo town vice mayor dies after accidental gun discharge
* Philippines raises Mayon Volcano alert level amid signs of increased unrest
Vietnam
* Two Vietnam pro-democracy activists convicted in absentia for 'anti-state' activities
* Several major laws to take effect in Vietnam from January 1, 2026
Myanmar
* Myanmar's Kayah State Chief Minister reassigned to military duties
* Over 50 homes destroyed in New Year’s Eve fire in Myanmar capital
Cambodia
* Cambodia begins return to normality, but 84 Oddar Meanchey villages restricted
* Cambodia joins Mekong neighbours as they usher in the new year
* 35 Filipino workers brought home from Cambodia amid trafficking and scam concerns
Laos
* Lao people embrace New Year with hope
* Cordial send-off for KL-bound Laotian tourists to mark Visit Malaysia 2026
* Lao president extends New Year greetings, calls for national unity
Brunei
* Brunei postal services enter new phase of transformation
* Brunei forest park revamp underway to boost ecotourism
* Brunei Ruler reaffirms commitment to economic resilience, national well-being
Aseanplus
* Earthquakes strike Indonesia, Philippines, no tsunami threat to Malaysia
* China superalloy maker to invest RM900mil in Johor, says MB
* Oman says foreign minister met Saudi counterpart to discuss Yemen
* China food delivery platform names Jay Chou as brand ambassador, supported by lookalikes
* Oil prices log steepest annual drop since 2020
* Female MPs want more seats, the porcelain kind
* India imposes three-year steel tariff to support local industry
* Pakistan’s growth in September quarter slows
* Greenwashing grey skies
* Asean Cup - Looking back: Singapore's Asean football success on the shoulder of Sasikumar
* Bile farming, bear breeding no more, offenders to face jail time
* Air China to buy 60 Airbus planes worth US$9.5bil
* President Lee to visit China to boost ties
* Polio cases fell by half despite attacks on vax drives
* A quiet countdown for Hong Kong
* FBM KLCI ends 2025 on firmer footing
* SoftBank doubles down on AI with US$41bil bet
* CXMT eyes Shanghai listing to fund DRAM expansion
* China+1 strategy momentum on track
* Oil lags as silver shines in global market spotlight
* North Korea's Kim Jong Un attends New Year celebrations with daughter
* India imposes excise duty on cigarettes, effective Feb 1
* Workers in South Korea may soon be able to ignore late-night work messages
* A 5.7-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan's Iwate Prefecture
* Life-threatening bushfire in Western Australia prompts evacuation order
* Reflective New Year festivities grow popular in China
* 13 killed in central India after drinking contaminated tap water
* Train collides with car at crossing on Japan's JR Utsunomiya Line, partially derails
* New year brings host of new rules in South Korea
* Woman drowns off Sydney beach on New Year's morning, man missing
* Dense fog disrupts flights across northern and eastern India, including New Delhi
* BTS to make full comeback with new album in March after nearly four years
* Female nail technician found dead in Mito, Japan with apparent stab wound to neck
