Football

Soccer-Forest great Robertson, 'Picasso of our game', dies at 72

LONDON, Dec 25 (Reuters) - John ‌Robertson, the Nottingham Forest winger described by his manager ‌Brian Clough as "a Picasso of our game", has ‌died at the age of 72, the Premier League club said on Thursday.

AseanPlus News

Christmas greetings to all! - Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (Dec 25, 2025)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Thursday (Dec 25, 2025)

AseanPlus News

Five killed as rescue helicopter crashes on Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro

Five people were killed after a rescue helicopter crashed on Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro while being on a medical evacuation mission, local police said.

Nation

Don't embarrass Malaysia: Nga slams public littering in city centre

PETALING JAYA: It is unacceptable for public littering to remain a rampant issue, says Nga Kor Ming, expressing serious concerns over the state of urban cleanliness.

Indonesia

'Starting anew': Indonesians in disaster-struck Sumatra hold Christmas mass

At a church in Sumatra, dozens of worshippers sang hymns at a Christmas mass, gathered together for their first service since deadly floods swept the Indonesian island.

Thailand

Thai trade deficit widens as imports surge, baht strengthens

Thailand posted a higher-than-expected trade deficit for a second month as a jump in imports outpaced sluggish export growth, underscoring economic risks including a stronger baht that threatens competitiveness.

AseanPlus News

Pope Leo XIV urges the faithful on Christmas to shed indifference in the face of suffering

Pope Leo XIV during his first Christmas Day message on Thursday urged the faithful to shed indifference in the face of those who have lost everything, like in Gaza, those who are in impoverished, like in Yemen, and the many migrants who cross the Mediterranean Sea and the American continent for a better future.

World

Brazil's Bolsonaro endorses son for presidency before more surgery

SAO PAULO, Dec 25 (Reuters) - ‌Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro endorsed his son's 2026 presidential campaign ‌on Thursday while out of jail for more surgery that ‌has dogged him since a stabbing seven years ago.  

Philippines

Philippines lifts restrictions on Russian pork, authorities say

The Philippines has lifted all restrictions on pork imports from Russia, agricultural authorities have announced.

Vietnam

Vietnam's Vingroup to withdraw bid for US$67bil North-South high-speed railway

Vietnam's largest conglomerate, Vingroup, said on Thursday it would withdraw its investment proposal for the nation's US$67-billion North-South high-speed railway project to concentrate on its other projects.

Cambodia

Cambodian PM's wife attends funerals of soldiers killed in Thai border clashes

The wife of Cambodia's leader has attended funerals for soldiers killed in border clashes with Thailand, according to an official Facebook post, even though Phnom Penh has not announced any military deaths.

Thailand

Thailand says Hindu statue removed to control border area

Thailand on Thursday defended its military's demolition of a Hindu statue along the border with Cambodia, saying the removal was carried out to assert control in a disputed frontier area.

AseanPlus News

Good climate news to end the year - world is decarbonizing faster than was expected ten years ago

Planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions kept rising in 2025 and country pledges to cut them are nowhere near where they need to be to avoid catastrophic climate change, but there were silver linings too.

Myanmar

UN: Violence up in Myanmar ahead of military-controlled elections

Violence is on the rise in war-torn Myanmar ahead of planned "military-controlled" elections in the country later this week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned.

Sabah & Sarawak

Petronas Dagangan confirms operational issue at Samarahan Expressway station

KUCHING: Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB) has confirmed that several vehicles were affected following an operational issue at the Petronas Samarahan Expressway station here after refuelling at the station.

Sabah & Sarawak

Govt committed to advancing Sarawak’s wellbeing through inclusive development, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani Government remains committed to driving the well-being of the people of Sarawak through strategic investments, inclusive economic development and the creation of new job opportunities, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Football

Soccer-Morocco Coach Dismisses Aguerd injury talk, backs Ait Boudlal ahead of Mali test

Dec 25 (Reuters) - Morocco coach ‌Walid Regragui has dismissed reports that defender Nayef Aguerd is ‌injured, saying the centre back was fit and ready for ‌Friday's Africa Cup of Nations Group A clash against Mali.

AseanPlus News

China actress Mao Xiaotong abandoned by dad, rejects his cash demands after becoming famous

'Cute and sweet' exterior of 37-year-old actress hides an inner strength that saw her stand up to her 'alcoholic' father, philandering ex-boyfriend.

Thailand

Finally, a respite: Thailand-Cambodia border talks enter second day as clashes ease

Thailand's military announced on Thursday that border negotiations with Cambodia have entered the second day, with overall clashes along the frontier showing a downward trend.

World

Daughters of King Charles' brother Andrew join royals for Christmas service

LONDON, Dec 25 (Reuters) - ‌Britain's Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the royal family's traditional Christmas ‌Day church service on Thursday, while their father Andrew, recently stripped ‌of his titles over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was absent.