Nation

Azhan Md Othman appointed new Army Chief, effective Jan 1

KUALA LUMPUR: Leftenan Jeneral Datuk Azhan Md Othman has been appointed as the 31st Army Chief, effective Jan 1, 2026.

Entertainment

Mel Gibson, 69, and Rosalind Ross, 35, separate after 9 years together

They plan to continue co-parenting their eight-year-old son.

Nation

Religious school teacher pleads guilty to sexually assaulting two male pupils

KUALA LUMPUR: A religious school teacher has pleaded guilty to three charges of committing physical sexual assault against two male pupils.

AI

Opinion: In 2026, AI systems will be less reliable than forecasted

If 2025 was the year artificial intelligence became unavoidable, 2026 will be the year everyone starts talking seriously about AI agents.

Fashion

Swagger and spectacle: A look back at who and what is considered stylish in 2025

While style is most obviously conveyed through clothes, accessories and haircuts, can't it also come across in a distinctive swagger, a gesture that takes on a life of its own?

Animals

A sperm bank for cheetahs might one day save the fastest land animal

For 35 years, American zoologist Laurie Marker has been collecting and storing specimens in a cheetah sperm bank in Namibia, hoping conservationists never have to use them.

Family

Women across the world live in fear amidst rising numbers in violence cases

A report by United Nations states that nearly a third of women worldwide have faced intimate partner and sexual violence.

Nation

Motorcyclist fatally struck by car driven by drug-positive man in Seremban

SEREMBAN: A motorcyclist died after being hit by a car driven by a man who tested positive for cannabis at KM 23 Jalan Seremban-Kuala Pilah on Tuesday (Dec 30).

Nation

Thunderstorms, heavy rain expected in four states, Putrajaya and Labuan

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds across four states as well as the Federal Territories of Putrajaya and Labuan, effective until 4pm on Wednesday (Dec 31).

Cambodia

Eighteen detained Cambodian soldiers return home after 155 days

PHNOM PENH: The 18 captured Cambodian soldiers were released Wednesday (Dec 31), after 155 days of detention by the Thai Second Army Region that began on July 29. The move marks a significant step towards de-escalation of the conflict, following the Joint Statement signed by both countries on December 27.

Nation

Man pleads not guilty to injuring participant at Global Sumud Flotilla rally

KUALA LUMPUR: An unemployed man pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) to injuring a man during the Global Sumud Flotilla rally in front of the US Embassy here in October.

Nation

The Miri boy who found his way home after 37 years

KUALA LUMPUR: The plane hummed steadily as it descended towards Miri. Shalby Reduan gazed out the window at the familiar coastline - oil platforms dotting the horizon, fishing boats rocking gently, and the streets where he had grown up.

Laos

First Lao in vitro fertilisation clinic opens at Vientiane hospital

VIENTIANE: There is now more hope for infertile couples in Laos with the opening of the first in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre, which greatly increases the chance of conception and successful pregnancy.

Nation

Nazree Yunus steps down as Negri Sembilan Perikatan information chief

PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan Perikatan Nasional information chief Nazree Yunus has resigned from his post, effective Jan 1, 2026.

World

Indonesia's new criminal code requires public oversight, minister says

JAKARTA, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Indonesia's new criminal code, which ‌will make crimes of premarital sex and insulting the state when it takes effect on January 2, ‌will need public oversight to help prevent abuse of the law, a government minister told Reuters.

Myanmar

Myanmar junta says voter turnout at 52% in first phase of election

YANGON: Myanmar's junta said slightly more than half of eligible voters cast their ballot in the first phase of a three-stage national election at the weekend, a figure that was markedly lower than the previous two elections

AseanPlus News

Vietnam police bust large-scale functional food smuggling ring

HO CHI MINH CITY: HCM City's police have dismantled a large-scale functional food smuggling ring, with the total value of seized products amounting to tens of billions of Vietnamese đong.

AseanPlus News

Malacañang says Philippine president not bothered by drop in approval ratings

MANILA: Palace press officer Claire Castro said on Tuesday (Dec 30) that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains unfazed by recent survey results showing a decline in his approval ratings if these were due to his order to investigate those involved in anomalous flood control projects

Entertainment

After mystery health scare, Gurmit Singh wants to live to 100

That health scare was a medical mystery that left him unconscious and, briefly, without a heartbeat.

Family

Breaking down ageist stereotypes

With a new year comes a chance to rethink old assumptions. We ask seniors how they view ageist stereotypes that persist.