North Korea

N. Korea’s Kim vows to ‘unconditionally support’ Putin

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has pledged to "unconditionally support" all of Russian President Vladimir Putin's policies and decisions, Pyongyang's state media said.

Philippines

Nazarene walk draws thousands

A massive crowd of mostly barefoot Filipino Catholics joined an annual procession of a centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ in the Philippine capital with some using the gathering to express outrage over a corruption scandal involving influential legislators.

South Korea

S. Korea’s Lee to visit Japan next week for talks with Takaichi

President Lee Jae-myung will travel to Japan next week for talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Seoul said, days after meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

Star Biz7

China equities set to shine

China's equities look set for a strong 2026, with policymakers and markets aligning on growth and innovation. The country's ability to stand firm against US trade pressures reflects the narrowing technological gap between the two economies, setting the stage for a more constructive year ahead, according to Franklin Templeton.

Insight

Hainan anchors aweigh

On Dec 18 last year, the customs closure at Hainan Free Trade Port marked Hainan's transition from Phase 1.0 Pilot Stage (2020–2025) to the Phase 2.0 Full Implementation Stage. This signals Hainan's departure from policy experimentation to system-wide institutional deployment.

Star Biz7

Thai auto gears up, bumps and all

Thailand's automotive sector faces a mixed year with production ticking up but earnings still under pressure as the market pivots away from its traditional strengths and towards new electric vehicle (EV) players.

Star Biz7

Qipao elegance unveiled

A new exhibition at the Shanghai Museum brings to the limelight the iconic Chinese qipao (cheongsam), featuring pop singer Jeff Chang's collection and donated garments from socialite Chiang Shih-yun (1912 to 2016), also known as Aileen Pei.

India

Trade deal stalled after Modi did not call Trump

THE trade pact with the United States was delayed because Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a telephone call to President Donald Trump to close a deal they were negotiating, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said.

Metro News

Free shuttle bus to explore Johor Baru 

THE public can now travel to popular attractions around Johor Baru for free, following the launch of a new shuttle bus service.

Short Position

Semiconductors still in US crosshairs

After a seeming detente by the US government toward China in the ongoing tech war, an announcement last week served as a reminder that Washington remains very hawkish when it comes to anything related to semiconductors.

Philippines

‘Signs of life’ under trash mountain

Rescue workers searched for dozens of people buried under a mountain of garbage that collapsed at a landfill in the central Philippines, killing at least one.

China

China praises first ever birth of panda cub

Chinese ambas­sador Wang Lutong has praised Indonesia on the birth of the first panda cub in the country at the Indonesia Safari Park (TSI) in west Java, highlighting the two nations' close cooperation in natural-resource conservation.

Vietnam

Hanoi shrugs off Trump tariffs

Over the whine of buzzsaws and the steady whir of sanders, hundreds of Vietnamese workers in a factory outside Ho Chi Minh City hustle to fill orders for high-end furniture.

Nation

Possible U-turn for UPSR and PT3

PUTRAJAYA: The primary school public examination, UPSR, and the Form Three assessment, PT3, could make a comeback, says Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.

World

North Korea says another South Korean drone entered its airspace

SEOUL, Jan 10 (Reuters) - North Korea ‌said on Saturday that South Korea flew another drone into its airspace on January 4, infringing on its sovereignty, ‌according to state media KCNA. 

AseanPlus News

Hong Kong police searching for mainland Chinese man, 47, missing for 3 days

Force says Ye Zhihui last seen at Tai Au Mun in Tseung Kwan O on Monday

Badminton

Aaron-Wooi Yik stand tall as Malaysia's last pair in home Open

BUKIT JALIL: World No. 2 men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik lifted the spirits of the national badminton camp by becoming Malaysia's sole representative to reach the semi-finals of the home Open in style.

Technology

DeepSeek to launch new AI model focused on coding in February, The Information reports

Jan ‌9 (Reuters) - ‌Chinese AI startup ‌DeepSeek is expected to ‍launch ‍its next-generation ‌AI model V4 ‍that ​features ⁠strong coding capabilities ‌in February, ⁠The ‍Information reported ‍on Friday, citing ‌people familiar with the matter.

Badminton

Still too strong as Korean world No. 1 deny Wei Chong-Kai Wun again

BUKIT JALIL: Men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun were left disappointed once again after losing again to world No. 1 and Malaysian Open defending champions Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea in the quarter-finals on Friday (Jan 9).

Nation

Army graft probe: Gold bars, cash, among items worth RM6.9mil seized

PETALING JAYA: Gold bars, a high-performance sports utility vehicle and cash in various foreign currencies totalling about RM6.9mil were seized following investigations into the cartel allegedly involved in the Army procurement project.