Economy

Strong job market to underpin retail in 2026

SINGAPORE: Consumer spending in Singapore is likely to remain robust next year, supported by improving job prospects and steady investment returns, economists say.

Nation

Couple forever united in afterlife

JOHOR BARU: It's a wedding ­ceremony so rare that even a Taoist priest acknowledged that he had witnessed such rites only a handful of times throughout his 30 years of service.

AseanPlus News

Diplomats meet to solidify ceasefire

TOP diplomats from Thailand and Camb­odia kicked off two days of talks in China as Beijing seeks to strengthen its role in mediating the two countries' border dispute, a day after they signed a new ceasefire.

Sabah & Sarawak

Election is over, so let’s get to work, says Masidi

KOTA KINABALU: Political differences should be set aside now that the Sabah election is over, and attention should be focused on development, says Gabungan Rakyat Sabah secretary-general Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

Nation

Wrapped in a tasty new idea

GEORGE TOWN: Kacang tumbuk (sweet pounded peanuts) is a sweet treat, where the delicacy looks firm, but disintegrates at the first bite.

Singapore

Dengue cases hit seven-year low in 2025

Dengue cases are at their lowest in seven years, with about 4,000 cases recorded in 2025, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA).

AseanPlus News

Top leaders team up for alliance

TWO of the country's most popular political leaders have united to forge a new alliance ahead of next year's election, a move that is likely to challenge the long-dominant traditional parties.

Nation

Government’s move to continue  MySTEP in 2026 hailed

PUTRAJAYA: The government's decision to continue the Malaysia Short-Term Employment Prog­ramme (MySTEP) in 2026 is seen as appropriate in providing short-term job opportunities for graduates, including persons with disabilities (OKU) and senior citizens, says work and disability expert Dr Wan Arnidawati Wan Abdullah.

Auto

Auto sector outlook brightens amid stronger 4Q momentum

PETALING JAYA: RHB Research has lifted its total industry volume (TIV) forecast for 2025 after the earnings of automotive companies for the third quarter ended September (3Q25) were deemed "overall in-line" with expectations.

Commodities

If I were an oil palm fruit bunch

I HAVE long harboured a quiet ambition – not the trumpet-blowing kind of social media, but a stubborn wish to explain palm oil without frightening flow charts or reviving science trauma.

Japan

AI romance blooms in real life

Music played in a wedding hall in western Japan as Yurina Noguchi, wearing a white gown and tiara, dabbed her tears away, taking in the words of her husband-to-be: an artificial intelligence-generated persona gazing out from a smartphone screen.

Thailand

Parties name PM candidates ahead of February election

Political parties in the country have registered their candidates for the next prime minister, marking the unofficial start of campaigning for the Feb 8 general election.

AseanPlus News

Coastal city on alert for aftershocks after quake

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck some 32km off Taiwan's northeastern coastal city of Yilan, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of major damage.

Myanmar

Young voters absent from polls

The droves of young people who queued to cast ballosts in past elections were conspicuous by their absence from the military-run poll, with older voters dominating the turnout.

Nation

13 arrested over armed brawl at restaurant

JOHOR BARU: What began as a personal debt dispute erupted into a violent late-night attack at a restaurant in Taman Mount Austin, leading to the arrest of 13 people, including a foreign woman.

AseanPlus News

Junta chief defends record, denies eyeing presidency

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing (pic) offered his country advice on civic participation as he voted in a general election after five years of military rule and civil war.

Nation

JPJ crackdown on speeding, modified bikes

KUALA LUMPUR: A motorcycle, extensively modified at a cost of RM18,000, was among 65 vehicles impounded during three separate operations by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) in the federal capital.

Property

Building momentum across sectors

PETALING JAYA: While real estate experts remain largely optimistic about the outlook of the property market in 2026, they expect the year to see its fair share of outperformers and strugglers.

Football

Rock-solid Okwuosa stands tall as Kuching surge to second spot

PETALING JAYA: A rock-solid defence marshalled by towering centreback James Okwuosa has propelled Kuching City to second place in the Super League as they close out 2025 in impressive fashion.

Metro News

College group sees 509 graduating TVET courses

MSU College Group marked its 29th convocation ceremony with 509 students receiving their scrolls.