Banking

Thai central bank to expand authority to scrutinise online gold trading, governor says

BANGKOK: Thailand will expand the authority of its central bank in order to better supervise online gold trading, the bank's governor Vitai ‌Ratanakorn said on Friday.

Europe

Europe’s most active volcano erupts; tour guides told to stay away

Italian authorities in Sicily's Catania city suspend/restrict excursions to see Mount Etna's lava flows.

Gadgets

From climbing vacuums to cyber pets: Some highlights of CES 2026

CES 2026 offered a glimpse of a future that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie: bendable screens, paper-thin TVs and cars and gadgets that can think for themselves as they get to know you and your family's wants and needs.

Nation

Only 28.94% schools nationwide have working CCTV, Education Ministry to take quick action

PUTRAJAYA: The Education Ministry has taken immediate measures to address school safety concerns following an audit, which found that only 28.94% of schools have fully functioning CCTV systems.

Markets

Shanghai benchmark hits 10-year high as easing deflation lifts sentiment

SHANGHAI: Mainland China and Hong Kong stocks advanced on Friday, with the Shanghai benchmark topping the psychologically important 4,100 points to a decade high, as investor sentiment improved on signs of easing deflationary pressures.

Cambodia

China accuses extradited billionaire Chen Zhi of running a crime network from Cambodia

Beijing says mainland police will put core members of his crime ring on a wanted list and fugitives should 'turn themselves in'

World

US border agent shoots and wounds two people in Portland

Jan 8 (Reuters) - ‌A U.S. immigration agent shot and wounded a man and a woman in Portland, Oregon, authorities said on Thursday, leading city and ‌state officials to call for calm given public outrage over the ICE shooting death of a Minnesota woman a day earlier.

AseanPlus News

Nestle Hong Kong recalls 21 batches of baby milk formula over toxin fears

Consuming contaminated products may cause vomiting and diarrhoea, Centre for Food Safety warns

Nation

Bersih, C4 urge AGC to explain NFA decision on Zahid

PETALING JAYA: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) should explain its decision of no further action (NFA) on the 47 charges of criminal breach of trust, corruption and money laundering linked to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

World

Factbox-What is the Oreshnik missile that Russia has fired at Ukraine?

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Russia said on ‌Friday it had fired an Oreshnik missile at Ukraine. Here's what to know about this weapon.

Nation

Royal pardon for Najib to be the main war-cry at Umno AGM

KUALA LUMPUR: Calls for a royal pardon for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will dominate the Umno annual general assembly to be held next week, says party secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Nation

Monthly Sara aid credited today, offers much-needed support to recipients

KUALA LUMPUR: Recipients of the monthly Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) assistance, which continues this year, began receiving their payments on Friday (Jan 9), providing relief to more low-income households amid rising living costs.

Robotics

Humanoid robots go for knockout in high-tech Vegas fight night

Two robots the size of schoolchildren stepped into the ring at BattleBots Arena.

AseanPlus News

New Zealand's rare flightless parrot begins breeding again

WELLINGTON: New Zealand's critically endangered flightless parrot, the kakapo, started breeding last week for the first time in four years, the government conservation department said.

Energy

Oil advances on concerns about supply disruptions in Venezuela, Iran

SINGAPORE: Oil prices rose for a second day on Friday, up more than 1% and set for their third weekly gain, on uncertainty about the future of supply from Venezuela and as Iranian unrest increases concerns about output there.

Indonesia

Prabowo awards Indonesian SEA Games medallists with huge bonuses

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government presented its SEA Games 2025 medallists with a bonus payment during a ceremony at the official presidential palace, Istana Negara, on Thursday (Jan 8).

Japan

Japanese man arrested under 1889 law after deadly 'duel'

TOKYO: Japanese authorities applied an 1889 anti-duelling law to arrest a man over a fight that resulted in his opponent's death in Tokyo's red light and entertainment district, police said Friday (Jan 9)

Singapore

Keeping the kampung game of gasing alive in Geylang, Singapore

SINGAPORE: Hidden in plain sight in the Geylang Baru heartland is a sheltered, caged structure, with passers-by barely noticing its existence.

Philippines

Taal gas emissions rise slightly but volcano stays seismically calm

LUCENA CITY, Quezon: Taal Volcano in Batangas showed a slight increase in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions, while seismic activity remained generally low, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Friday (Jan 9)

Corporate News

Disney CEO meets top Chinese official as 'House of Mouse' navigates US‑China tensions

BEIJING: One of China's top officials met with Disney CEO Bob Iger in Beijing on Friday, state media reported, as the "House of Mouse" seeks to strengthen its foothold in the world's second-largest economy amid fraught U.S.-China tensions.