Football

Soccer-Slot calls for 'magic' as Liverpool seek to bridge gap to title contenders

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted ‌his side needs "a bit of magic" to unlock tight games as the reigning Premier League champions sit fourth ‌at the season's halfway point, 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

World

Zelenskiy names spy chief to head presidential administration in big shake-up

KYIV, Jan 2 (Reuters) - President ‌Volodymyr Zelenskiy named Ukraine's defence spy chief as his top adviser on Friday, placing a popular ‌military leader at the centre of decision-making as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its defences against ‌Russia and its hand in U.S.-backed peace talks.

Football

Soccer-McFarlane says Chelsea are locked in on Man City after 'crazy 24 hours'

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Chelsea's players remain focused despite ‌the club's sudden managerial upheaval, interim boss Calum McFarlane said on Friday after what he described as a "crazy 24 ‌hours" following Enzo Maresca's New Year's Day departure.

World

Islamic State-linked rebels kill 15 in eastern Congo, officials say

Jan 2 (Reuters) - Islamic State-linked rebels ‌killed at least 15 people in three villages in eastern Democratic Republic of ‌Congo's Lubero territory, two officials said on Friday, keeping up a pattern ‌of lethal attacks targeting mostly civilians.

World

Earthquake of magnitude 6.3 strikes southern Mexico

Jan 2 (Reuters) - ‌A magnitude 6.3 ‌earthquake struck the southern ‌Mexican state of Guerrero on Friday, the German Research Center ‍for Geosciences (GFZ) said. 

World

Soccer-Sudan team hopes Cup of Nations success can end war

TANGIER, Morocco, Jan 2 (Reuters) - ‌Sudan hopes an upset win over Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday could ‌prove a catalyst for a cessation of hostilities in their country, or even a longer ‌peace, coach Kwesi Appiah said on Friday.

Nation

Puspakom revises vehicle inspection booking fee to RM5

SHAH ALAM: Puspakom Sdn Bhd will revise the Vehicle Inspection Booking Processing Fee to RM5 from RM3.50 effective this Sunday, as part of efforts to enhance the vehicle inspection booking system to make it more stable, transparent and customer-friendly.

Football

JDT open M’sia Cup title defence against Police

PETALING JAYA: Several intriguing match-ups have been thrown up following the Malaysia Cup Round-of-16 draw, with all ties to be played over two legs.

Sabah & Sarawak

Padas River breaches danger level, 64 evacuated in Beaufort

KOTA KINABALU: A total of 64 people from Kampung Suasa in Beaufort, about 90km South of Kota Kinabalu, were evacuated to the Selagon Permanent Evacuation Centre after the Padas River rose above the danger level following continuous rainfall.

Other Sports

Italian singer Pausini to perform at Milano Cortina Games opening ceremony

MILAN, Jan 2 (Reuters) - ‌Italian singer and songwriter Laura Pausini will ‌be among the headline performers at the opening ‌ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, organisers said on Friday. 

AseanPlus News

Low-income patients call for more help as steeper Hong Kong hospital fees loom

From January 1, patients will need to pay more for certain services, and while safety net will also be widened, some people have fallen through the cracks

Japan

Japan's emperor and his family greet New Year well-wishers

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to a crowd of flag-waving New Year's well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday.

South Korea

China's Xi to host South Korea's Lee from Sunday (Jan 4) amid Japan tensions

Xi's invitation aims to deepen ties before Lee's Japan visit; South Korea seeks balance amid US alliance and North Korea challenges.

Nation

Cops tracking individuals linked to cable theft attempt in Semenyih

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are tracking several individuals involved in an attempted cable theft case in the Sg Lalang, Semenyih area earlier on Friday (Jan 2).

Nation

Real estate agent loses over RM750,000 to online gambling scam

GEORGE TOWN: A real estate agent lost RM759,950 after falling victim to an online gambling investment scam.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Jan 2, 2026)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Friday (Jan 2, 2026).

Nation

Sanusi declines Perikatan Nasional chairman post, suggests Ahmad Samsuri

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has rejected the Perikatan Nasional chairman post despite being nominated to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has resigned.

AseanPlus News

Tokyo, Yokohama observe first snowfall of season, one day earlier than average year

The first snowfall of the season was observed in central Tokyo and Yokohama on Friday when a strong winter pressure pattern brought heavy snowfall mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan on the day.

Entertainment

HK singer Leo Ku’s 57-year-old wife gives birth to their second son

The couple also has a six-year-old son.

Arts

Weekend for the arts: KLPac Orchestra's 'Magic Flute', Filamen's 'Cinimersive'

A list of arts and culture events to check out in the Klang Valley this weekend and beyond