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-Anthony Joshua hurt in fatal car crash in Nigeria

Dec 29 (Reuters) - British former ‌world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in ‌a car accident in Nigeria's Ogun State that killed two ‌people, local police said 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

India

India's navy sails back to the future with historic voyage

NEW DELHI: India's navy boasts aircraft carriers, submarines, warships and frontline vessels of steel as it spreads its maritime power worldwide.

Nation

Storm warning: Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected in six states, one FT until 10pm

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a weather warning, with thunderstorms and heavy rain forecast in six states and the Federal Territory of Labuan until 10pm Monday (Dec 29).

South Korea

South Korea's NewJeans’ full-member comeback derails as Ador cuts ties with Danielle

SEOUL: Danielle (pic) of girl group NewJeans has been removed from both the group and her agency Ador, marking a major turning point in the monthslong contract dispute that has divided the team.

Entertainment

Carina Lau, Tony Leung go on ski holiday with fellow celebs including Faye Wong and Shu Qi

The couple went to Niseko, one of the most famous ski resorts in Japan.

Wellness

Surviving the festive party season without burning out

Instead of going on an all-out revelry to end 2025, take a moderate approach that benefits your body and soul.

AseanPlus News

Families of Bondi Beach victims demand more federal action on antisemitism and security failures

MELBOURNE: Families of victims of the recent Sydney massacre that targeted a Jewish festival released an open letter on Monday (Dec 29) calling for more federal action to investigate a rise in antisemitism and the security failures behind Australia's worst mass shooting in three decades.

Football

Soccer-FIFA received 150 million World Cup ticket requests, Infantino says

Dec 29 (Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino ‌defended the ticket prices for next year's World Cup in the United States, ‌Canada and Mexico, citing heavy demand for them and the revenue generated for the ‌sport around the world.

Japan

Babysitting services for foreign tourists taking off in Japan

TOKYO: Foreign-language babysitting services for foreign tourists are beginning to take off in Japan, driven by demand among wealthy families who wish to enjoy aspects of Japanese culture that may be difficult to experience with young children, Kyodo News Agency reported.

Cricket

Cricket-MCG pitch rated 'unsatisfactory' after chaotic Ashes test

MELBOURNE, Dec 29 (Reuters) - The ‌Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch for the Boxing Day test between ‌Australia and England has been given an "unsatisfactory" rating after 20 ‌wickets fell in the first three sessions and the match was wrapped up inside two days.

Cambodia

China-Cambodia-Thailand foreign ministers' meeting reaches three-point consensus

KUNMING: The China-Cambodia-Thailand foreign ministers' meeting was successfully held in Yuxi City, south-west China's Yunnan Province on Monday (Dec 29).

Corporate News

Hume Cement appoints William Tan as group managing director

KUALA LUMPUR: Hume Cement Industries Bhd has appointed William Tan Kok Siang as its group managing director, effective Jan 1, 2026.