North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military’s growing need for the projectiles, state media said. In a visit to munitions factories, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said yesterday that Kim had ordered the factories to prepare for a busy year ahead. “The missile and shell production sector is of paramount importance in bolstering up the war deterrent,” Kim said. In return, Russia is sending North Korea financial aid, military technology, food and energy supplies, analysts say. Washington has also pointed to evidence that Russia is stepping up support for North Korea, including providing help on advanced space and satellite technology.

PUTRAJAYA: Social media algorithms that are opaque and desig­ned to keep users addicted have become one of the greatest threats to public safety and children’s development, says Commu­nica­tions Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic). He said digital platform algorithms function as a “secret sauce” to ensure users repeatedly return to the apps, posing a far greater danger to children, who cannot regulate their own usage. “The three most worrying categories are sexual crimes against children, scam-related crimes and online gambling. Fahmi also highlighted the exis­tence of a Facebook group called “Awek Budak Sekolah”, which was allowed to operate by the platform despite clearly involving sexual exploi­tation of children. “These algorithms can corrupt their moral values and jeopardise their future,” he said, urging parents to be vigilant about the content their children consume.

BANGKOK: Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday (Dec 27) signed a ceasefire agreement to end weeks of deadly clashes, according to a Cambodian defence ministry statement. It follows three days of talks between the South-East Asian neighbours who have been locked in fierce border clashes for weeks. The two countries’ longstanding border conflict reignited in December, shattering an earlier truce and killing more than 40 people, according to official counts. ALSO READ: Thailand's PM expresses hope for a ceasefire with Cambodia by Dec 27Both also claim to have acted in self-defence and accuse the other of attacking civilians. The United States, China and Malaysia brokered a truce to end five days of deadly clashes in July, but the ceasefire broke down.

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the ceasefire that has been agreed by Cambodia and Thailand taking effect at noon on Saturday (Dec 27). “The joint statement sets out practical and positive measures, including verification by the Asean Observer Team and direct communication between defence authorities. On Dec 22, the Special Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting to address the Thai-Cambodia conflict was held in Kuala Lumpur, seeking de-escalation. Following the meeting, the Asean foreign ministers urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to cease all forms of hostilities. The latest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours stems from a long-running dispute over the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier.

Of the many ways she has documented the places she’s visited – which include Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia – creating a travel zine was one she has attempted. That same year, she had just begun selling her artworks at art markets, so the travel zine was part of her sales inventory then. When contacted by Scoot, Lee was sceptical at first. Regrettably, she did not spend enough time in the Vietnamese island to be able to come up with a proper travel zine. However, she does already have a vague idea of what her next travel zine would be about.

KUALA TERENGGANU: The number of evacuees from the third wave of floods in Terengganu has risen to 468 people from 116 families as of 9am on Saturday (Dec 27), compared with 103 people from 24 families reported on Friday (Dec 26) night. According to the Terengganu State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) Secretariat, Kuala Nerus district recorded the highest number of evacuees, with 372 people from 91 families accommodated at two relief centres (PPS), Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Tok Jembal and SK Kompleks Mengabang Telipot. In Kuala Terengganu district, 87 people from 23 families took shelter at a PPS in SK Chendering, while in Dungun district, 13 people from two families were housed at Dewan Sivik Kampung Seberang Pintasan. Meanwhile, several roads that were closed due to flash floods yesterday, namely Jalan Sultan Omar, Jalan Kamaruddin, Jalan Sultan Ismail towards Bulatan Ladang, and Jalan Kamarudin towards Pengandang Akar, have been reopened following the receding of floodwaters. A check on https://publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my/, found that water levels at three stations, namely Sungai Telemong in Kuala Ping (F1), Sungai Tersat in Kampung Sekayu (F1), Hulu Terengganu, and Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap (F1), Setiu, have exceeded the alert level.

PETALING JAYA: Oscar-winning actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh will join Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the national launch of Visit Malaysia 2026, set to take place in Bukit Bintang on Jan 3. The launch is seen as a key curtain-raiser for Visit Malaysia 2026, which aims to boost tourist arrivals and tourism spending across the country. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the Prime Minister will officiate the ceremony, while Michelle Yeoh’s presence reflects strong support for the national tourism campaign. “Bukit Bintang will shine brightly as Malaysia showcases its diversity, charm and cultural vibrancy to the world. The event will be broadcast live to boost the visibility of Visit Malaysia 2026,” he said in the statement on Saturday (Dec 27).

Compiled by ALLISON LAIACTORS Pekin Ibrahim and Mona Allen were at the centre of heated online discussion after clips from a recent gathering began circulating on social media, prompting ­speculation that the couple had participated in a Christmas-themed event. In the footage, Pekin and Mona are seen wearing red and white hats commonly associated with Santa Claus and taking part in an apparent gift exchange, a practice often linked to Christmas festivities, Kosmo! Others defended the pair, suggesting the gathering may have been a casual get-together rather than an endorsement of any ­religious observance. Neither Pekin nor Mona has issued an official statement regarding the incident. They also did not share the circulating footage or related images on their social media accounts, posting only unrelated content showing gifts they received from friends.

PUTRAJAYA: The government has implemented several measures to improve working hours and claims for overtime allowances following the implementation of the Public Service Remuneration System, which came into force on Dec 1, 2024. Through improvements to the Human Resources Service Circular, weekly working hours for officers under the non-office working hours category (WBBP) have been reduced by an hour to 45 hours per week, including break time, in line with office working hours. The directive was issued by Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz in a circular dated Dec 18. “As guidance for ministries/departments/agencies, an implementation guideline on overtime allowance claims has been prepared and attached to Ceraian SR.4.3.1, while Ceraian SR.4.4.1 has been amended in line with the improvements implemented under Ceraian SR.4.3.1.”Officers under WBBP also have flexibility in calculating working hours; the total of 45 hours a week can be fulfilled on average over four consecutive weeks if the working hours in any particular week fall short of the stipulated 45-hour working requirement.

Malaysia recorded 49,992 Hepatitis B cases between 2013 and 2023. Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Datuk Dr NKS Tharmaseelan said administering the Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth is a globally accepted practice and is highly effective in preventing infection in newborns. “Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth, and the birth-dose is the most reliable way to ensure immediate protection,” he said when contacted. “Malaysia has introduced universal Hepatitis B vaccination in 1989, including the birth-dose. “Studies have shown a dramatic decline in Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage among children and adolescents,” he said.

PETALING JAYA: Electric vehicle (EV) chargers should be sourced from approved suppliers and comply with established safety standards, says the Fire and Rescue Department. “Charging equipment must come from suppliers recognised by the Energy Commission. He added the installation of EV chargers must comply with MS IEC 61851 and MS IEC 62196 standards, and adherence to these standards is regulated by the commission. Any proposals for broader legal protections for EV chargers would need to be submitted under the National EV Steering Committee (JKK Pemandu) framework within the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. Shahrol urged EV owners to engage certified, professional installers and follow their recommendations carefully.

1 in the world in the men’s doubles for the first time in their careers in May but will end the year at No. 7 pair contacted doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky regarding the possibility for joint training sessions twice a week as part of their preparations for the home Open. “Rexy informed me on Wednesday that the independent players requested for joint-training twice a week at ABM,” said Herry yesterday. Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s drop in form saw them miss out on qualifying for the Tour Finals this year. “For me, this is a good collaboration as they are on the same level as some of the BAM pairs,” said Herry.

PUTRAJAYA: From prison cell to PhD pursuit, Datuk Seri Najib Razak was cast by his lawyer as a former leader still thinking about Malaysia’s future. The prosecutors, on the other hand, painted him as the face of “kleptocracy at its worst”. He’s writing as a means of communicating what is the best way for economic transformation in the country,” Shafee said. According to Shafee, the sole ground for Najib’s pardon application was that he was not given a fair trial. “He never received a fair appeal in the SRC case,” Shafee said.

IF 2025 was a marathon, Bursa Malaysia struggled to keep pace. With three trading days to go in 2025, the local benchmark FBM KLCI is attempting to cross the tape with a one-year gain of 2% helped by late buying in liquidity-thin market conditions.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a warning of thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in five states until 11am on Saturday (Dec 27). MetMalaysia said in a statement that the bad weather was expected to affect Pahang (Bentong and Temerloh) and Negeri Sembilan (Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Jempol and Tampin). The same warning was also issued for Melaka and Johor, covering the Tangkak and Muar areas, it said. In Sarawak, the affected areas include Sibu (Selangau), Mukah (Dalat and Mukah), Kapit (Kapit and Bukit Mabong) and Bintulu.