2 pair also finished runners-up in the Japan Open, Indonesian Open and Indonesian Masters. The duo also finished runners-up in the China Open, Malaysian Masters, Arctic Open and SEA Games. “Overall, I’m happy with the doubles pairs’ achievements this year,” said Rexy. On a hot trail: Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing won the Syed Modi International, Malaysia Super 100 and Guwahati Masters titles. 17 Roy King-Arif captured the Macau Open while 2024 world junior champions Aaron-Khai Xing won the Syed Modi India International.

PETALING JAYA: Traffic began building up across major highways nationwide from noon on Christmas Eve, with PLUS Malaysia Bhd reporting multiple disruptions caused by vehicle breakdowns, accidents and ongoing diversion works. When contacted yesterday, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said overall traffic flow during the Christmas festive period this year has largely been in line with projections, with actual traffic volume reaching 96% of earlier estimates. He said the two-day toll discount and activation of Smart Lanes have had a significant impact in managing traffic flow during the Christmas holiday. Ahmad Kamil added that despite these efforts, several highways continued to experience heavy congestion, a recurring trend during festive seasons. “To improve traffic conditions for future festive periods, Ahmad Kamil said LLM has intensified efforts to promote compliance with the Travel Time Advisory to better distribute traffic flowMotorists can obtain real-time traffic updates via the TuJu LLM application, the PLUS app, Variable Message Signs, radio broadcasts and official PLUS traffic channels.

KUALA LUMPUR: Festive cheer filled the air nationwide today as Christians made last-minute preparations ahead of Christmas celebrations tomorrow, with shopping centres and public spaces adorned in vibrant, winter-themed decorations. "My husband and I, together with our daughter and my parents-in-law, will attend church for prayers,” she said, adding that she still planned to buy a gift for her daughter despite the last-minute preparations. In MELAKA, the streets of the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir continued to draw visitors with their distinctive Christmas decorations. In PENANG, many Christians were seen thronging shopping malls and convenience stores to complete last-minute purchases. Meanwhile, Singaporean visitor Daniel Phoon, 35, said Johor Bahru remained a convenient and cost-effective destination for Christmas shopping.

BUTTERWORTH: Festive Christmas decorations and colourful lights illuminating a home in Taman Teluk Molek, Teluk Air Tawar, have become a symbol of shared joy, harmony and multicultural unity. "All the decorations are new, including the outdoor display featuring a 10-foot Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, which we installed ourselves starting last month,” Christe said. For the couple, Christmas decorations are not merely aesthetic but reflect family values and long-held traditions, providing a space to share joy across communities. Although the couple will be in Europe for Christmas, the house will remain open daily until Jan 2 from 6pm to midnight. "Last year, many visitors came dressed in Christmas-themed outfits, including Santa costumes.

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PETALING JAYA: Three PAS assemblymen in Perlis have been sacked by the party in the latest political development in the state. PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (pic) announced that the three - Chuping assemblyman Saad Seman, Bintong assemblyman Fakhrul Anwar Ismail and Guar Sanji assemblyman Mohd Ridzuan Hashim - have been sacked from the party. He said that the decision was made at a special meeting of the PAS central working committee in Rusila, Marang, on Wednesday (Dec 24). "PAS will officially inform the Speaker of the Perlis State Legislative Assembly of this decision for the purpose of fulfilling Article 50A(1)(a)(ii) of the Perlis Government Constitution (Amendment) Enactment 2022 immediately," he said in a statement on Wednesday. Although Abdul Hadi did not give a reason for their sacking, it is believed that it's connected to the submission of statutory declaration by eight assemblymen - five from Bersatu and three from PAS - to Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, stating they had lost confidence in Perlis Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli's leadership.

KUANTAN: A former director and a cultural artist with the National Department for Culture and Arts have been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and fined RM10,000 each by the Sessions Court here after being found guilty of forging documents five years ago. The court ordered both accused to serve the jail term from Wednesday (Dec 24) and ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional six months’ imprisonment. However, the court allowed a stay of execution of the jail sentence pending appeal and increased bail from RM10,000 to RM12,000 each, with one surety per accused. The court also ordered RM980 in seized cash to be forfeited to the government, while the passports of both accused were returned. They were charged under Section 468 of the Penal Code for forgery with the intent of cheating, read together with Section 34, which carries a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine.

KUALA LUMPUR: Eighty-five individuals were detained following large-scale raids on illegal gambling call centres nationwide. “A total of 21 premises were inspected nationwide, with 20 found to be operating as call centres for online gambling activities. Comm Kumar said 62 men and 23 women were detained during the operation. Meanwhile, Comm Kumar said 117 premises used as online gambling call centres were raided between Jan 1 and Dec 23. “We will continue to intensify enforcement operations to curb illegal gambling activities nationwide,” the statement said, urging the public to come forward with information to assist authorities.

KOTA BARU: One worker was killed and another injured in an accident at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport construction site in Pengkalan Chepa here on Wednesday (Dec 24). Pengkalan Chepa Fire and Rescue Station operations commander Mohammad Shamsudin Ismail said their team arrived at the scene, located about 8km away, 18 minutes after receiving the emergency call at about 4.49pm. "Upon arrival, we found two male workers involved in the accident. One had a broken right leg, while the other was confirmed dead at the scene. The injured victim was taken to Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II for treatment.

The former Gua Musang MP said prolonged silence by Umno leadership has disappointed grassroots members. In 1993, Parliament passed amendments to the Federal Constitution that curtailed the legal immunity of the Malay Rulers and required the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act on the advice of the Pardons Board when exercising clemency powers. The former Cabinet minister warned that continued hesitation risked contradicting Umno’s own foundational struggle to uphold the position and powers of the Malay Rulers. “If this issue is treated lightly, Umno should reflect on its position in government. He reiterated that his remarks were not meant to challenge the courts, but to remind all parties of their constitutional duties.

BP said on Wednesday it had agreed to sell a 65% stake in Castrol to investment firm Stonepeak for about $6 billion, in a deal that values the oil major's lubricants unit at $10.1 billion. BP will retain exposure to Castrol's growth ‌plan over the coming years via a 35% interest in ⁠a new joint venture, with Stonepeak holding the remaining 65%, it said. The sale proceeds, which include $800 million for accelerated dividend payments, will be used to reduce debt, the London-listed company added. In a separate statement, Stonepeak said Canada Pension Plan Investment Board will invest up to $1.05 billion as part of the deal and gain an indirect stake in Castrol. The plan includes divesting its lubricants business to reduce debt and cut costs.

KUALA LUMPUR: A local man and a woman were detained in connection with a video showing an individual wearing a headscarf while consuming alcohol. "Initial investigations found that the individual seen wearing a headscarf and consuming alcohol in the video was a man," he said in a statement on Wednesday. Investigations are being conducted by the Special Investigation Unit under the CID Prosecution/Legal Division (D5), he added. "Under Section 298A of the Penal Code, an offence that creates religious disharmony or threatens unity carries a jail term of between two and five years upon conviction. Comm Kumar stressed that firm and uncompromising action would be taken against any individual who deliberately disregards religious sensitivities and creates a non-harmonious environment.

Gold rose to an all-time high above $4,500 an ounce on escalating tensions in Venezuela and expectations for more US rate cuts. Gold has gained more than 70% this year and silver has risen by 150%; both are on track for their best annual performance since 1979. The rally in precious metals has been underpinned by elevated central-bank purchases and inflows into exchange-traded funds. Total holdings in gold-backed ETFs have risen every month this year except May, according to World Gold Council data. Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,511.91 an ounce as of 10:20 a.m. in Singapore, having earlier hit a record of $4,525.77.

Cyclist Barnaby Wickham has collected more than 700 lost hubcaps, mostly on bike rides around Baltimore. I love Baltimore. Cyclist Barnaby Wickham fastens lost hubcaps to his backpack to transport them to his home, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. While most of the hubcaps he uses were found in Baltimore, Wickham expands his range when he travels. Cyclist Barnaby Wickham poses for a portrait in front of his art structure made from hubcaps, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at his home in Baltimore.

1) A potential “specific business tax” on online gold transactionsA senior finance ministry official said the revenue department would study imposing a specific business tax on gold trading conducted via online platforms. [9]2) Limits on trading volumes—especially for major playersThe central bank said it would study measures to cap transaction volumes on digital gold trading platforms. It ordered closer scrutiny of foreign exchange transactions linked to gold trading and instructed commercial banks to monitor foreign-currency inflows more closely. Thailand’s baht, however, is increasingly being treated as a market-structure challenge—supercharged by record gold prices and massive trading flows—forcing policymakers to look beyond interest rates and toward targeted controls on digital gold trading, reporting, and volume limits. [28]References1. www.thestar.com.my, 2. www.channelnewsasia.com, 3. www.channelnewsasia.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.thestar.com.my, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.channelnewsasia.com, 12. www.channelnewsasia.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.reuters.com, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.bloomberg.com, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.thestar.com.my, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.mti.gov.sg, 21. www.thestar.com.my, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.thestar.com.my