Economy

Empowering Sabah's talent

KUALA LUMPUR: In line with its mandate to identify, nurture and develop Bumiputera talent to compete on a global scale, Yayasan Peneraju (YP) recently completed its Bah, Upgrade Kita Bersama YP programme, an initiative aimed at broadening access to Bumiputera talent development opportunities and strengthening YP's presence across Sabah's diverse communities.

Indonesia

Indonesian govt to disburse US$2.1mil in disaster aid for educators

JAKARTA: Indonesia's Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will distribute Rp32.8 billion (around US$2.1 million) in disaster allowances for educators and non-teaching education personnel in East Java and three disaster-hit provinces in Sumatra, reported Antara news agency.

Myanmar

UN says Myanmar needs 'free, fair, inclusive and credible' elections

YANGON: The United Nations said Sunday (Dec 28) that Myanmar needs "free, fair, inclusive and credible" elections, as balloting began in a heavily restricted military-run poll.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah must move beyond politics with elections over, says Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: Political differences should be set aside with the Sabah election over as it is time to focus on meeting the people's needs, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Thailand

From Miss Universe glory to arrest warrant: The downfall of Anne Jakrajutatip

From the iconic figure who revived the Miss Universe pageant and proved her business prowess by building the JKN Global Media empire, Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip has fallen from grace, now embroiled in allegations of fraud, crushing debt, and an active arrest warrant.

Brunei

Retail, F&B services sales in Brunei decrease in Q3

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: In the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, retail sales recorded a decrease of 2.3 per cent compared to Q3 2024, with sales revenue decreasing from BND392.8 million to BND384.0 million, according to a report from the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS), Ministry of Finance and Economy

Fashion

Year-end party season calls for bold, fun statement jewellery

Elevate any outfit with accessories like chic bangles or layered necklaces. Whether you are heading to a family dinner, a night out with friends or a glamorous holiday party, they can instantly lift your look.

Animals

Dog Talk: Wild wolf's crab heist fuels debate about how intelligent dogs are

A wolf's crab heist video has sparked a debate among dog lovers about how intelligent their pets are.

Cambodia

EU welcomes Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire, praises Asean role

The European Union has welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed between Cambodia and Thailand, urging both sides to fully implement the deal in good faith.

Indonesia

Indonesian textiles excluded from US tariff relief: Minister

JAKARTA: Indonesia's textile products will not be exempt from United States tariffs despite earlier talks seeking exemptions for several key commodities, according to Coordinating Economy Minister Airlangga Hartarto, who also heads the team for negotiating a reciprocal tariff agreement with Washington.

Nation

Nilai bomb maker remanded until Jan 3

SEREMBAN: The man arrested in connection with an explosion in Desa Palma, Nilai, has been remanded for a week until Jan 3.

Nation

Twelve men and Vietnamese woman arrested over armed restaurant fight in JB

JOHOR BARU: A fight believed to have been triggered by a personal debt dispute led to the arrest of 12 local men and a foreign woman following an armed attack at a restaurant in Taman Mount Austin.

Cricket

Cricket-Head backs Weatherald as Australia opening partner

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Australia batter ‌Travis Head has endorsed Jake Weatherald as an opening partner following the ‌South Australian's rough start as a test cricketer in the Ashes.

Sabah & Sarawak

Community leader calls for investigation into public indecency at Likas Bay

KOTA KINABALU: A viral social media video of a couple allegedly involved in a sex act in a public place along the city's popular Likas Bay here should be investigated, says Sayang Sabah Community Club deputy president Steve Johnny Mositun.

Singapore

3D printed hands, tools co-created by Singapore non-profit group plug assistive-tech gaps

SINGAPORE: Living independently became a challenge for 38-year-old Irene Lim after part of her forearms and legs were amputated in 2023 due to sepsis triggered by an unknown bacterial infection.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Was an e-hailing driver attacked with a steering lock at a petrol station in JB?

A SHOCKING seven-second video went viral on social media showing an individual grabbing a steering lock from a car bonnet and using it to strike another vehicle in what appeared to be a road rage incident.

Nation

Kelantan customs seize smuggled cigarettes in Tanah Merah raid

PASIR MAS: The Customs Department seized 1,142,000 sticks of smuggled cigarettes worth nearly RM1mil in Tanah Merah on Dec 7.

Thailand

'Make emitters responsible': Thailand's clean air activists

BANGKOK: A finance specialist who struggled after running in smog and a doctor who fears for the health of his children are among the activists spearheading landmark air pollution legislation in Thailand despite political uncertainty.

Nation

166kg of waste collected at Pantai Kekabu in two hours

MARANG: A total of 166 kilograms of waste, mostly plastic bottles, was collected within two hours at Pantai Kekabu here on Saturday (Dec 28).

South Korea

One year after Jeju Air disaster, questions remain unanswered

SEOUL: For Ko Jae-seoung, the year since his parents died in a Jeju Air plane crash has been marked less by mourning than by waiting for answers, accountability and an explanation the government has yet to provide.