Durian delights available all year
Wide variety of creative desserts keeps king of fruits popular beyond peak seasonGEORGE TOWN: The durian kingdom has spawned by-products so wide in range that the thorny fruit is available 365 days in diverse forms. There’s durian-flavoured bingsu (shaved ice), coffee, mochi, smoothies, chocolates, ice cream, freeze-dried durian chips and crepes filled with durian-flavoured cream. He said several entrepreneurs have developed a wide range of products, enabling visitors to sample different forms of durian and take them home as souvenirs as well. “Over time, this will help build a mature durian market featuring a full range of products, similar to other popular fruits,” he said at the launch of the Durian Tree Experience Centre here yesterday. With durian-flavoured desserts, he said, domestic and international tourists are no longer limited to orchard visits or eating durian by the roadside.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 23:57 UTC
Cops arrest man in possession of 130 drug-filled vape cartridges in Penang
Seberang Perai Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Helmi Aris said police raided a house and arrested a 45-year-old local man at 10.20pm on Sunday (Jan 4). "In a search of the house, police found 130 vape cartridges containing liquid syabu, valued at RM45,500," he said in a statement on Sunday night. Helmi said police also seized two cars and jewellery comprising bracelets, bangles, rings, necklaces and earrings worth a total of RM429,500. He added that the suspect, who has a record of 10 previous crimes, tested negative for drugs. The suspect has been remanded for seven days until Jan 10 for investigation under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 23:54 UTC
Japan retail investors ignore domestic bull market to opt for US
(Jan 5) : Japan’s retail investors have ignored the equity rally at home and have placed their faith in overseas stocks. Meanwhile, their net buying of overseas stocks via investment trust funds has hovered near 2024’s record-high 9.4 trillion yen, indicating that retail investors continue to have a good appetite for foreign assets. That’s driven by weakening in the yen which inflates the value of overseas equities in Japanese currency terms. Still, a slowdown in the AI rally may prompt retail investors to shift their focus to domestic equities. “Selling by retail investors will probably continue.”
Source:The Edge Markets
January 04, 2026 23:53 UTC
Video of suspected shooting near fast-food outlet in Banting goes viral
Patrons at a fast-food outlet and nearby premises in Banting, Kuala Langat, were left in shock following an incident believed to be a shooting last night. - NSTP picSHAH ALAM: Patrons at a fast-food outlet and nearby premises in Banting, Kuala Langat, were left in shock following an incident believed to be a shooting last night. Several photos and video recordings that went viral showed a man lying unconscious against the exterior wall of the restaurant with visible injuries. Bloodstains were also seen on the wall near where the man was found. Kuala Langat police chief Superintendent Mohd Akmalrizal Radzi, when contacted, said police would issue a statement on the matter soon.
Source:New Strait Times
January 04, 2026 23:49 UTC
PTPTN restructuring hits defaulters
Changes will affect only non-paying borrowers, leaving others untouchedMANJUNG: The restructuring of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments will not affect borrowers’ housing loans or other personal loans, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. The Higher Education Minister said the measure applies only to borrowers who have made no payments and those who have not contacted PTPTN to discuss their financial situation. Zambry said besides PTPTN loans, the government provides various programmes to help students, particularly those from low-income families, pursue higher education. On another matter, Zambry, who is an Umno supreme council member, said proposals made by Umno Youth, including on the party’s position in the unity government, will be submitted to the supreme council for deliberation. “Any views, demands or proposals will be referred to the supreme council,” he said.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 23:49 UTC
Residents return to wrecked units
THE relief of finally being allowed home turned to shock for residents of Taman United low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur. More than a month after a landslide forced the evacuation of 52 units in Block C, residents who returned on Jan 1 found their homes in deplorable conditions with mud, flood damage and debris. Ng said there was no notice from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to inform residents that they could return. Authorities subsequently ordered residents in Block C to vacate their homes until further notice to allow for repairs to the wall and slope. The notice added that residents of Block C were allowed to return to their homes on Jan 1, while occupants of the two landed properties were advised not to return until further notice.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 23:35 UTC
Yellen warns of growing ‘fiscal dominance’ threat to US economy
(Jan 5): A panel of economic luminaries said the long-run risk posed by mounting federal debt represented a paramount problem facing the US economy. “The preconditions for fiscal dominance are clearly strengthening,” former Treasury secretary and Federal Reserve (Fed) chair Janet Yellen said on Sunday during a panel discussion at the American Economic Association’s annual meeting in Philadelphia. Yellen also noted that President Donald Trump has “vocally demanded” the Fed lower interest rates explicitly to reduce the government’s debt-servicing costs. “I doubt Americans will end up on the fiscal dominance course, but I definitely think the dangers are real and should be monitored,” she said. “We have a fiscal problem,” Romer said.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 04, 2026 23:18 UTC
It’s not just you: Why car prices have risen so sharply post-pandemic
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Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 23:15 UTC
Stocks, bonds set for jittery start on Venezuela
Currency markets are giving a first read-out before US equity-index futures and US crude futures start trading, with Brent crude opening later. Traders are also watching precious metals such as gold and silver that have recently become a hot segment of the market. Although Venezuela isn’t a top-20 crude producer, any persistent increase in oil prices and its inflationary impact on economies pose a risk for markets. “We don’t think the situation will escalate into a sustained oil shock, and this should be a short-lived sentiment drag.”Early signals suggest that the global oil market will largely take the move in its stride. Investors will also be keeping an eye on US Treasury yields, which can weigh on stocks if they rise too quickly.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 04, 2026 23:13 UTC
Slow-moving traffic for the back-to-city journey
Some photos shared on social media showed that the congestion was worsened by several accidents along the highways. The Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) on its social media page said that at 6.46pm, traffic was reported to be heavy and slow-moving on multiple stretches of major highways. The North-South Expressway near Port Dickson also showed heavy congestion, particularly vehicles heading towards the north, while vehicles heading south were moving faster. “It was a slow-moving traffic from LPT (East Coast Expressway) towards KL city centre. Noorul Aida posted on her social media page at around 5pm that she was caught in the slow-moving traffic when travelling from Kuala Krai, Kelantan.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 23:11 UTC
Malaysia against foreign intervention, says ministry after Maduro's arrest
Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, as well as the threat or use of force. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia opposes all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of other states, as well as the threat or use of force. The Foreign Ministry said this in its update yesterday on the situation in Venezuela, adding that it was monitoring developments there after the United States operations in Caracas on Saturday. "The embassy is actively monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide consular assistance should the need arise," it added. "Malaysians in Venezuela are advised to remain vigilant, follow local authorities' instructions and maintain close communication with the embassy," said the ministry.
Source:New Strait Times
January 04, 2026 22:43 UTC
Three Perlis assemblymen appeal PAS membership status
KANGAR: Three Perlis State Assemblymen (ADUN) have submitted an official appeal to the PAS Ulama Syura Council regarding their membership status. "This appeal is made with full order and confidence that the Syura Ulema Council has the trust and authority as provided for in the PAS Constitution," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 3). The three assemblymen also stressed that they still hope to be accepted as PAS members and have never made any public statements regarding the incident. The notice of appeal was served on the General Leader and the Secretary of the Shura Council. To date, no official statement has been issued by the PAS Ulama Council regarding the appeal.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 21:55 UTC
Anwar hails UMMC for successful liver transplant on four-month-old baby
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated the medical team at the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre on the historic success of a liver transplant for a four-month-old baby boy last November. He said the achievement reflects the high level of expertise, professionalism and dedication of the nation's healthcare personnel, particularly in performing highly complex and high-risk medical procedures. "Congratulations to the medical team at UMMC on the historic success of a liver transplant for a four-month-old baby weighing 6.2 kilogrammes," he said in an X post on Sunday (Jan 4). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, in a Facebook post on Saturday (Jan 3), said the baby suffered from liver failure and urgently required a liver transplant from his mother on Nov 25. Although the procedure was high-risk and complex, given that the baby's blood vessels were extremely delicate, he said the liver transplant surgery was successfully carried out thanks to the expertise of surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses at the centre.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 21:09 UTC
Michelle Yeoh likens KL's 'I Lite U' lights to cinema
Drawing parallels with a film set, Oscar-winning actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh likened Kuala Lumpur to a stage and the world as its audience as Malaysia prepares to unveil its story to global visitors through Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh at the launch of 'I Lite U' event in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: BernamaThe Ipoh-born actress described the lights as more than decoration, but as a symbolic bridge connecting culture, creativity and community. Yeoh said light symbolises guidance and hope for the future, while also acting as a beacon to signal Malaysia’s presence to the world. The Hollywood star added that the lights switched on tonight symbolised a shared aspiration for a brighter future.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 18:39 UTC
Chance for Pearly-Thinaah to break home curse
PETALING JAYA: There is a long curse that Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, the world No. 2 women’s doubles pair, hope to end when they begin their Malaysian Open campaign at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on Tuesday (Jan 6). The Malaysian Open has often been unkind to Pearly-Thinaah, as they have suffered early-round exits in the past three editions. Women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak said he is preparing his players with the best possible preparation to break the losing streak at their own den. Pearly-Thinaah, the second seeds for this year’s tournament, will face India’s Rutaparna Panda-Swetaparna Panda in the opening round.
Source:The Star
January 04, 2026 18:00 UTC