Malaysia guides Asean through turbulent year, wraps up over 320 meetings
Speaking to Bernama, Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn said Malaysia's chairmanship delivered commendable outcomes amid geopolitical volatility and economic uncertainty. Malaysia hosted around 320 Asean meetings throughout 2025, underscoring the scale and breadth of its stewardship. The Political-Security Pillar was led by the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) and focused on regional peace, stability, and strategic dialogue. In 2025, Asean meetings were held in various locations nationwide, namely Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, and Kuching. The capital city of Kuala Lumpur as the hub hosted the 46th and 47th Asean Summits, cementing its role as the focal point of Malaysia's Asean chairmanship.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 01:10 UTC
Anwar offers condolences over the passing of Dr Zaliha’s mother
KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 20): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has offered condolences on the death of Halimah Yaacob, mother of former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa. Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail expressed sorrow over the news. He also prayed for Dr Zaliha and her family to have strength, resilience, and peace during this difficult time. Halimah, 77, died at 8.23pm at Dr Zaliha’s Putrajaya home. The funeral prayers at Masjid Mahmoodiah, Precinct 18 here were led by Halimah’s son, Dr Mohd Shafie Mustafa, before burial in Kulai, Johor on Sunday morning.
Source:The Edge Markets
December 21, 2025 00:59 UTC
Mixed fortunes at Finals as Chen-Toh, Pearly-Thinaah turn focus to M’sian Open
Both pairs had hoped to make a strong impression at another world level tournament, but their campaigns at the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, ended at the semi-final stage yesterday. In the mixed doubles, Tang Jie-Ee Wei went down fighting against world No. Wei Yaxin, in particular, had begun reading the flick serves that Tang Jie and Ee Wei frequently relied on in their quest for points, forcing the Malaysians to rethink their approach on court. The defeat came just a day after the two pairs also clashed in their final Group A match on Friday. The 2025 World Tour Finals featured a total prize purse of US$3mil (RM12.25mil).
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 00:55 UTC
Up your skills, not just scrolls
PETALING JAYA: Degrees are no longer enough as employers demand job-ready skills, adaptability and basic artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, so young jobseekers are learning the hard way that breaking into the workforce requires self-driven upskilling. Employers started asking how I would use AI tools to solve problems, not just theoretical questions,” she said. He said the job search was frustrating despite having transferable skills, as employers repeatedly cited a lack of “direct experience”. Employers said young jobseekers must look beyond academic qualifications and focus on adaptability, continuous learning and core human skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing job market. “Those who stay curious and keep upgrading their skills will remain relevant as industries continue to evolve,” she said.
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 00:09 UTC
This hearty $9 congee combo is the best thing I ate in Toronto this week
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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Ara
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 00:03 UTC
How Carmel Floral takes a natural approach to flower arranging
CountryUnited States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Ara
Source:The Star
December 21, 2025 00:01 UTC
Intergenerational daycare aiming to strengthen bonds between kids and ‘grandfriends’
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Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 23:10 UTC
Kenny: SEA Games miss no cause for alarm
BANGKOK: Failing to meet the four-gold medal target at the Thailand SEA Games should not trigger a knee-jerk reaction against the national badminton camp. "I think we can’t be too quick to pass judgement on them," said Kenny, who is also the contingent's deputy chef de mission. However, Kenny admitted that the national camp's performance at the Thailand SEA Games was slightly below par. "One of those milestones is of course, the SEA Games, and perhaps we didn’t quite reach it. But Kenny assured that BAM will conduct a proper review to identify what went wrong at the SEA Games.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 22:15 UTC
Revisiting the magic of Christmas at Marshall Field’s
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Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 22:03 UTC
Supervised boards could close schools, Ontario education minister says, but rural schools safe
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Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 21:44 UTC
How to avoid fire in your home and what to do if you see flames
Many of us know this, yet fires caused by open flames keep occurring when someone briefly leaves the room. Plugs, plastic housings or cable sheathing become brittle, making the appliances particularly susceptible to short circuits and overheating. Underestimated danger: batteries and multiple socketsOther sources of danger in the home are multiple sockets, charging cables and batteries, according to Pix. Multiple sockets are often used when there are not enough permanently installed sockets in the home. "However, if too many powerful power consumers are connected to the multiple sockets, they quickly become overloaded," Dinkler says.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 20:31 UTC
Floods in Johor ease fully, all evacuation centres closed
JOHOR BARU: All 356 flood victims who sought refuge at three temporary relief centres (PPS) in Mersing have been allowed to return home, says the Johor disaster management committee. According to the committee, the three centres, which were at SK Pusat Air Tawar, SJK(C) Chiao Ching and SK Labong, were closed at around noon on Saturday (Dec 20). “The weather also appears bright in all 10 districts in Johor,” the committee added. However, state disaster management committee chairman Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the water level of Sungai Muar at Buloh Kasap, Segamat, was reported to have exceeded the danger level. The affected areas included Kg Baru Air Tawar, Kg Hubong, Kg Belukar Juling, Kg Semaloi and Kg Orang Asli Labong.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 18:53 UTC
Christmas deco allowed at halal-certified hotels, food outlets, says Religious Minister Zulkifli
KUALA LUMPUR: Halal-certified hotels and food premises are allowed to display Christmas decorations, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan. He clarified that there are no restrictions against halal certification holders from displaying festive decorations linked to religions other than Islam, provided that halal standards are upheld. He added that non-permanent festive decorations or images on food products are allowed, but the use of religious worship equipment is strictly prohibited. Zulkifli said this also applies to festive decorations at kitchens or hotel outlets that hold SPHM. Hotels and food premises with halal certification were also advised to refer to the relevant halal certification authorities for clarification and guidance when needed, to ensure continued compliance with national halal standards.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 16:39 UTC
Trump enters election year with big wins - and bigger political headwinds
WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump stormed back into office with a shock-and-awe policy blitz that expanded presidential power and reshaped America's relations with the world. Like all U.S. presidents who cannot seek another term, Trump faces the inevitable waning of power in his second year. All modern presidents have sought to expand their presidential power, but this year Trump has increased executive might at a rate rarely seen before, historians and analysts say. He has done this through executive orders and emergency declarations that have shifted decision-making away from Congress and to the White House. And unlike his first term, Trump has total control over his cabinet, which is packed with loyalists.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 16:35 UTC
MATRADE appoints Abu Bakar Yusof as CEO
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) has appointed Abu Bakar Yusof as chief executive officer effective today. "I pledge to ensure that MATRADE continues to be the driving force behind trade and export growth. Abu Bakar succeeds Datuk Seri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz, who is retiring after 35 years in service, of which 32 years were with MATRADE. Abu Bakar has over 30 years of experience in international trade and export promotion. This gave him vast experience and expertise in developing Malaysian exporters’ capacity as well as formulating export promotion strategies.
Source:The Star
December 20, 2025 15:54 UTC