Love blooms at the cemetery
Compiled by KHOO JIAN TENG, C.ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANA COUPLE never expected to find love in an unexpected place – at a cemetery. According to Kosmo!, Noorafizah Muhd Jalil, 40, said she never thought she would marry a second time after her husband’s death in 2018. Noorafizah said she would often visit her late husband’s grave where she met Ramlan Ramly, 58, at the cemetery in Tampin four years ago. State Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director John Sagun Francis said the fire broke out at 10.40pm on Monday. > Amid the bustle of Johor Baru’s morning market, a young man turned heads with a confident strut, Harian Metro reported.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 12:10 UTC
Prostitution ring using WeChat, Telegram crippled
The women are being investigated under the Immigration Act and the Immigration Regulations. Pic Credit: Immigration DepartmentJOHOR BARU: The Immigration Department has crippled a prostitution ring involving seven women from China who used WeChat and Telegram to solicit clients. The women, aged between 25 and 41, were detained during raids on several apartment units in Tanjung Puteri yesterday night. Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the raid followed public tip-offs and surveillance. "Investigations revealed the suspects used WeChat and Telegram to offer sexual services, charging between RM230 and RM400 per session.
Source:New Strait Times
December 31, 2025 11:56 UTC
Special window for foreign workers
PETALING JAYA: A special window for applications for 2025 foreign worker employment quotas will be open from Jan 19 to March 31 next year. The ministry also reminded employers to submit applications directly, without engaging agents or third parties, through the Foreign Workers Management One-Stop Centre. The ministry said the special window is expected to assist employers in submitting foreign worker employment applications in a more orderly manner. On Dec 24, the ministry announced that applications for the hiring of foreign workers in the services sector under the purview of KPDN were nearing the government-approved quota for this year. “As a result, applications for foreign worker employment quotas for the services sector overseen by KPDN submitted through the One Stop Centre for Foreign Worker Management will be closed earlier than scheduled, effective Dec 26.”
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 11:45 UTC
Kay Bin to be by Zii Jia’s side at M’sian Open before Daren returns
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s preparations for the Malaysian Open have been hit by news that his coach Yeoh Kay Bin will be parting ways with the independent player. “Kay Bin has been a strong presence for the team especially for Zii Jia, who has had to deal with multiple injuries throughout the season. “However, he has agreed to be in Zii Jia’s corner for the upcoming Malaysian Open (Jan 6-11). “I have nothing but the utmost respect for coach Kay Bin, who has been through my side the past year,” said Zii Jia. Zii Jia’s world rankings dropped to No.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 11:20 UTC
Mercury Securities sees trading growth ahead
PETALING JAYA: Mercury Securities Group Bhd expects the services and manufacturing sectors to remain key drivers of growth in 2026, complemented by sustained activity in the construction and agriculture sectors. For its fourth quarter ended Oct 31, 2025, Mercury Securities’ net profit rose to RM3.86mil from RM3.52mil in the previous corresponding period, mainly due to higher revenue. For its financial year ended Oct 31, 2025, Mercury Securities’ net profit rose to RM14.62mil from RM14.04mil previously, while revenue increased to RM36.2mil from RM32.57mil. For 2026, Mercury Securities noted that Malaysia’s economy is projected to expand between 4% and 4.5%, supported by resilient domestic demand and a steady external sector. “In July 2025, the overnight policy rate was lowered from 3% to 2.75% as a pre-emptive measure to sustain steady growth, given moderate inflation prospects.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 11:06 UTC
UK card spending falls for first time in five years
LONDON: UK shoppers’ spending on their debit and credit cards dropped in 2025 for the first time since the pandemic, according to Barclays data that nevertheless showed people still willing to treat themselves with small luxuries and experiences. The bank said the value of card spending fell 0.2% compared with 2024, a sharp slowdown from last year’s 1.6% growth. Subdued consumption and high levels of savings have been a major drag on the UK economy’s growth rate. A recovery in spending is seen as vital to achieving even the modest growth the budget watchdog has predicted over the coming years. The value of non-essential spending grew by a tepid 0.8%.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 11:05 UTC
Hoping for better year ahead, Gazans bid farewell to 'nightmare' of 2025
"We in the Gaza Strip are living in an endless nightmare," said Hanaa Abu Amra, a displaced woman in her thirties living in Gaza City. This picture shows shelters in a camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City on December 30, 2025. In Gaza City, a teenager painted "2026" on his tent, while an AFP journalist observed a local artist sculpting the same in sand in Deir el-Balah, in central Gaza. We lived a difficult and harsh life, displaced from one city to another, under bombardment and in terror." Destroyed buildings after Israeli military operations in Gaza City, Nov 12, 2025.
Source:New Strait Times
December 31, 2025 11:02 UTC
Fuel prices unchanged till Jan 7
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 31): The retail prices of unsubsidised RON97 and RON95 petrol nationwide remain unchanged at RM3.16 and RM2.56 per litre respectively for the period from Jan 1 to Jan 7, 2026. In a statement Wednesday, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said the retail price of subsidised RON95 petrol under Budi Madani RON95 (Budi95) also remains unchanged at RM1.99 per litre. MOF also said the retail price of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia remains at RM2.94 per litre, while prices in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan remain unchanged at RM2.15 per litre over the same period. According to the MOF, the prices were set based on weekly petroleum product prices under the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM). The government, through MOF, will continue to monitor global oil price trends and take appropriate measures to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people are safeguarded.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 31, 2025 10:17 UTC
Singapore's economy grew by 4.8% in 2025, says PM
SINGAPORE (Dec 31): Singapore's economy grew by a "stronger-than-expected" 4.8% in 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his New Year message on Wednesday. "But we must be realistic: sustaining this pace of growth will be challenging," he added. "Fractured trade and geopolitical tensions are not transient problems, but permanent features of a fragmented world." In November, the trade ministry raised its GDP growth forecast for 2025 to "around 4.0%" from a previous range of 1.5% to 2.5%. Preliminary estimates of fourth quarter growth will be released by the trade ministry on Friday morning.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 31, 2025 10:07 UTC
Thailand tourist arrivals down
BANGKOK: Thailand’s foreign tourist arrival numbers from Jan 1 to Dec 28, 2025 dropped 7.29% year-on-year to 32.6 million, the Tourism Ministry says. Malaysia was the largest source market with 4.48 million visitors, followed by China with 4.44 million, the ministry said in a statement. Thailand saw a record of nearly 40 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 10:04 UTC
China takes record 12.8% share of Europe’s EV market in November
(Dec 31): Chinese carmakers captured a record 12.8% of Europe’s electric-vehicle (EV) market in November, building on gains made this year despite the cost of European Union (EU) tariffs. Brands led by BYD Co and SAIC Motor Corp, along with newer entrants such as Chery Automobile Co and Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co, have redoubled efforts to crack the European market this year. Overcapacity in China has fed the export push, as manufacturers seek a release from relentless price wars in their domestic market. Through October, Leapmotor’s European EV sales had surged more than 4,000%, based on separate data from Jato Dynamics — growth bolstered by a joint venture with Stellantis NV, the parent of Peugeot, Fiat and Opel. Chery’s Omoda brand saw an 1,100% EV rise over the same time frame.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 31, 2025 09:57 UTC
Inspector Sheila goes viral for another public spat
Suspended policewoman Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, better known as ‘Inspector Sheila’, has gone viral again over a heated confrontation at an eatery. SCREENGRAB FROM SOCMEDKUALA LUMPUR: Suspended policewoman Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, better known as 'Inspector Sheila', has gone viral again over a heated confrontation at an eatery. The viral video shows Sheila arguing with a woman, believed to be an employee of the restaurant. In the past, Sheila made headlines over several public spats. Sheila has been suspended from duty since June 23, 2023, in connection with several cases, including insulting a policeman and threatening an elderly woman.
Source:New Strait Times
December 31, 2025 09:23 UTC
LHDN’s CP500 notice surprises salaried workers
PETALING JAYA: As Malaysians prepare to usher in 2026, filing income tax returns is once again on the to-do list for many. Another user, Hafiz G. Hassan, said he also received the CP500 notice despite only earning a monthly salary and filing annual tax declarations. Tax expert Datin Christine Koh said salaried employees who already have PCB deductions and are due for tax refunds do not need to make additional payments under CP500. “For individuals with only employment income and PCB deductions, the instalment amount can be revised to zero. On why some salaried individuals receive CP500 notices despite having no side income, Saravana Kumar said taxpayers should seek clarification directly from LHDN.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 09:11 UTC
Musa Aman encourages Sabahans to embrace new beginnings in 2026
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Head of State, Tun Musa Aman, has urged all citizens to reflect on their accomplishments throughout 2025 as they prepare for a better year ahead in 2026. “As we welcome the New Year, it is a timely moment for reflection and renewal,” he stated. Musa encouraged the state government to continue striving for sustained, inclusive socio-economic development by strengthening infrastructure, addressing longstanding issues, and further enhancing citizens' welfare and quality of life. Musa reminded the people that Sabah's unity remains its greatest strength, and that its rich religious and ethnic diversity is a blessing to be cherished and protected. “With collective effort, wisdom, and unity of purpose, I am confident that we can move forward together towards a brighter future.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 09:05 UTC
Rubber market ends higher, up to 754 sen per kg
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market closed higher yesterday, supported by steady crude oil prices and mixed trends in regional rubber futures, according to a dealer. “Japanese rubber futures rose for an eighth straight session today, supported by firm downstream demand. Downstream demand for rubber has remained positive, while supplies of raw materials from major overseas producing countries have not been smooth,” he told Bernama. At 3pm yesterday, Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 rose two sen to 754 sen per kg, while latex-in-bulk added one sen to 576 sen per kg. The Kuala Lumpur rubber market will be closed today and tomorrow.
Source:The Star
December 31, 2025 09:04 UTC