Nation

Malaysia's Asean chairmanship strengthened regional unity amid global uncertainty, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia assumed the Asean chair at a time when the world was gripped by anxiety and uncertainty, yet the region chose to remain anchored in the spirit of togetherness, dialogue and mutual respect, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako, turning 31, waves to crowd gathered along road

TOKYO: Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, celebrated her 31st birthday on Monday (Dec 29)

Nation

SAR op for missing angler suspended, to resume if new leads emerge

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a man reported missing while fishing near Jalan Ban Sungai Belanak, Juru, here since Saturday (Dec 27) has been suspended pending new leads.

Brunei

Flight to Brunei diverts to Kota Kinabalu

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: An AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on Saturday (Dec 27) was forced to divert to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah over a pressurisation issue. The Flight AK278 landed safely at Kota Kinabalu International Airport without incident

Metro News

Contingent registrations for Malaysian Games to begin on Jan 3, says exco man

REGISTRATION for all contingents taking part in the Malaysian Games (Sukma) will begin on Saturday (Jan 3), says Selangor state executive councillor for youth, sports and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi.

World

Putin amends law to let Russia ignore foreign criminal courts

MOSCOW, Dec 29 (Reuters) - President ‌Vladimir Putin on Monday signed into law changes that give Russia ‌the right to ignore judgements in criminal cases issued by ‌foreign and international courts amid Ukrainian and European attempts to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine.

Cambodia

China pushes Cambodia and Thailand to consolidate ceasefire as 18 Cambodian soldiers expected home on Dec 30

China has welcomed the Joint Statement of the 3rd Special General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting signed between Cambodia and Thailand on 27 December 2025, urging both sides to consolidate the ceasefire, return to normal exchanges and rebuild political trust to improve bilateral relations.

Other Sports

Olympics-Italian pianist Dardust to provide soundtrack for Milano Cortina Games

MILAN, Dec 29 (Reuters) - ‌Italian artist Dardust will provide the music that will ‌feature as the official soundtrack of the ‌Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, local organisers said on Monday.

World

Kosovo's 'political earthquake' election sees Kurti resurgent

PRISTINA, Dec 29 (Reuters) - An emphatic election victory ‌for Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti marks a resurgence for the nationalist leader, ending a political deadlock in Europe's youngest state ‌and potentially determining its domestic and international agenda for years. 

World

Trump-Zelenskiy talks yield no progress on Ukraine-Russia territorial issues

KYIV, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine on ‌Monday remained far apart on territorial issues that are blocking a peace deal, despite progress on security guarantees for Kyiv at talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and ‌Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Laos

Laos expects fifth Lao-Thai bridge to bring benefits to residents, boost connectivity

The opening of the fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge has sparked optimism among people in Laos, who hope it will improve livelihoods and regional connectivity, boost trade, tourism and transportation, and further strengthen the long-standing friendship between Laos and Thailand.

Nation

Two Ipoh fires raze six flats, four terrace houses

IPOH: Two separate fires broke out here within a single day on Monday (Dec 29) destroying several homes and leaving multiple families affected, though no casualties were reported in either incident.

Boxing

Boxing-Briton Joshua hurt in fatal car crash in Nigeria, local paper reports

Dec ‌29 (Reuters) - British heavyweight ‌boxer Anthony Joshua ‌was involved in a car accident in ‍Nigeria that killed ‍two ‌people, local newspaper Punch ‍reported on ​Monday.

Myanmar

Drone bomb explosions kill 13-year-old girl in south-eastern Myanmar

YANGON: A 13-year-old girl was killed after drone bombs exploded near the USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party) office in Myawady in Kayin State on the night of December 27.

Technology

Nvidia takes $5 billion stake in Intel under September agreement

Dec 29 (Reuters) - ‌Nvidia has purchased Intel shares worth $5 ‌billion, the American semiconductor firm ‌said in a filing on Monday, carrying out a transaction announced in September.

Vietnam

Vietnam's power capacity ranks second in Asean

HANOI: Vietnam's power system has become the second largest in Asean by generation capacity, the government portal reported Monday (Dec 29), citing an announcement by state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN).

Philippines

Pulse Asia: 54% of Filipinos support political dynasty ban

MANILA: Fifty-four per cent of Filipino adults support the immediate passage of a law banning political dynasties in the Philippines, Pulse Asia Research reported Monday (Dec 29)

Nation

Ex-minister spends seven hours giving statement to MACC over alleged RM5mil bribe, supercar

PUTRAJAYA: A former minister suspected of being linked to corruption relating to billboard projects and land transfers spent more than seven hours giving his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) on Monday (Dec 29), Sinar Harian reports.

Indonesia

Bali sees dip in domestic tourists, pins hopes on foreign visitors

Bali has seen a decline in domestic tourist arrivals this year, as local travelers increasingly flock to alternative and closer destinations.

Thailand

Thai Police raid “Black Mirror TKP” drug-laundering network at 22 sites; People’s Party swaps an MP candidate

BANGKOK: Thai police say they have dismantled a major transnational narcotics network known as "Black Mirror TKP", alleging it trafficked drugs and used front companies to move and launder proceeds, with funds circulating in the tens of billions of baht