Cambodia

Cambodia says Thai military bombs Poipet casino hub on border

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand's military on Thursday (Dec 18) bombed the casino hub of Poipet, a major land crossing between the two nations which are engaged in renewed clashes along their border.

Japan

Hotels and stores in Japan suffer amid cancellations by Chinese tourists

TOKYO: The Chinese government's advisory against travelling to Japan has severely blunted the growth in Chinese visitors to the nation, hurting sales at Japanese department stores and causing a flood of cancellations at hotels in tourist areas.

Laos

Australian firm to invest A$100mil in Laos berry farming project

VIENTIANE: A major Australian investment in berry farming and the launch of the nation's first digital census have headlined a high-level mission to southern Laos by the Australian Ambassador, Megan Jones.

Nation

Malaysians' confidence in country improving, says Ipsos

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian confidence in the country's direction has improved, with the nation emerging as the most optimistic economy in Southeast Asia, according to the latest Malaysia Cost of Living Monitor by global market research company Ipsos.

Sabah & Sarawak

Conservation campaign sees over 150 mangrove trees replanted in and around KK

KOTA KINABALU: A three-part Mangrove Preservation Outreach Campaign 2025 that began in July has concluded with the replanting of over 150 mangrove trees in several locations in and around the city.

Entertainment

Rob and Michele Reiner’s official cause of death confirmed 3 days after murders

Authorities have since charged the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with his parents' deaths.

Cybersecurity

France probes 'foreign interference' after malware found on ferry

France is probing possible foreign interference after a passenger ferry was infected with malware that could allow the ship to be remotely controlled, the interior minister said Dec 17.

Family

Tech-savvy seniors: How to power up your daily routine

The Internet is a great tool but it can also be an energy suck. Our columnist explores how seniors can use technology to turbocharge retirement.

Nation

Gig Consultative Council, HR policy priorities for empowering employment ecosystem, says Ramanan

PUTRAJAYA: The establishment of the Gig Consultative Council and Gig Workers Tribunal, as well as the drafting of the National Human Resources Policy 2026-2035, are among the priorities for empowering the country's employment ecosystem within the next two years, says Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.

Nation

Floods force thousands to evacuate across six states

PETALING JAYA: Rising floodwaters have forced thousands of residents across six states to evacuate, with social media posts showing the extent of the damage in homes and universities.

Badminton

Pearly-Thinaah and Tang Jie-Ee Wei storm into World Tour Finals semis

PETALING JAYA: World No. 2 women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah booked their first-ever World Tour Finals semi-final spot after defeating Japan's Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi 21-13, 21-13 in Hangzhou, China, on Thursday (Dec 18).

World

Three dead, cargo ship catches fire in drone attacks on Russia's Rostov region

MOSCOW, Dec 18 (Reuters) - Three people, including two crew members of a cargo vessel, were killed in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don and the town of Bataysk in the southern Rostov region, the local governor said on Thursday.

Philippines

Alleged Bondi shooters holed up in hotel for most of Philippines visit

DAVAO: The father-and-son duo alleged to have gunned down 15 people on Australia's Bondi Beach holed themselves up in a Philippines hotel for weeks and left a tip on their way out, staff told AFP on Thursday (Dec 18).

Thailand

Thai navy troops uncover cache of 16 landmines at Ban Sam Lang area

BANGKOK: Thai navy troops uncovered 16 modified anti-personnel landmines at a Cambodian military base in Ban Sam Lang, Trat, highlighting Cambodia's violation of the Ottawa Convention.

Nation

MACC steps up probe of int'l law firm over transactions linked to 1MDB funds

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is intensifying its investigation of an international law firm for alleged involvement in financial transactions suspected to be linked to illicit proceeds from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Markets

Bursa Malaysia erases earlier losses to end morning session higher

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia erased earlier losses to close the morning trading session higher on Thursday, outperforming regional peers as buying activities emerged in selected heavyweights, mainly the industrial and consumer product and services counters.

Nation

Increase in financing funds for Bumiputera, Indian entrepreneurs next year, RM50mil for Chinese PMKS, says Sim

PUTRAJAYA: The Bumiputera financing fund under the National Entrepreneurial Group Economic Fund (Tekun) will be increased to RM500mil in 2026, from RM300 million this year, said Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Steven Sim

Philippines

Manila teacher probed for forcing student to eat cockroach

MANILA: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday (Dec 18) said it is already investigating the case involving a high school teacher accused of forcing a student to eat a cockroach, assuring that it is being conducted "swiftly and fairly."

Entertainment

Gil Gerard, ‘Buck Rogers’ star, dies at 82

Janet Gerard shared a pre-written message from the actor to his family, friends and fans on her husband's Facebook page.

iOS

Apple makes changes to iOS software in face of stricter Japanese rules

Apple Inc is making changes to its iOS software in Japan to comply with a new local law aimed at fostering competition, part of broader efforts by the iPhone maker to adapt to regulations around the world.