World

Several killed in hotel blast in Kabul, officials say

KABUL, Jan ‌19 (Reuters) - Several people were killed ‌or injured in a blast at ‌a hotel in a heavily guarded part of central Kabul on Monday, officials ‍said.

Thailand

Thai political power, the New Alternative Party, floats state matchmaking to fix birth rates

With the birth rate in Thailand falling fast, one political party jockeying for position ahead of the country's snap election next month reckons it has the answer: step in to help citizens find love.

World

Chile wildfires leave 19 dead amid extreme heat as scores evacuated

CONCEPCION, Chile, ‌Jan 19 (Reuters) - Wildfires in Chile have left at least 19 people ‌dead, authorities said on Monday, as the government carried out ‌mass evacuations and fought nearly two dozen blazes exacerbated by intense heat and high winds.

AseanPlus News

Emerging Markets - Indonesian rupiah hovers near record lows on fiscal woes, trade war risks

Rupiah falls to 16,945/dollar, lowest since April 2025 but S.Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia stocks hit record highs; South Korea's KOSPI advances for 12th straight day.

Other Sports

Olympics-Japan's Kobayashi targets big jump over points calculations at Games

TOKYO, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Olympic gold ‌medallist Ryoyu Kobayashi has said experience had taught him that ski jumping rarely follows a script ‌as he prepares for his third straight Olympics.

AseanPlus News

Indonesia's Prabowo nominates nephew as central bank deputy governor

Nomination follows resignation of cenbank deputy governor but finance minister assures central bank to remain independent. Djiwandono nominated with two central bankers, lawmaker says

Aviation

AAX redesignates Benyamin Ismail as GM, appoints Bo Lingam as group CEO

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) has redesignated its chief executive officer (CEO) Benyamin Ismail to the position of general manager, effective today, as part of the consolidation of AirAsia Group's aviation business under AAX.

World

Ukraine's election chief warns against a rushed post-war vote

KYIV, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine will face enormous challenges ‌to organise its first elections since Russia's 2022 invasion, with its infrastructure shattered and millions of people displaced by war, the country's election chief said.

Wellness

From vision to action: Reset-ting Malaysia's healthcare system

While the Health White Paper provides the framework for reforming our healthcare system, Reset aims to translate strategies to practicalities.

Vietnam

No phones, pre-set tablets for delegates at Vietnam's Communist Party congress

Delegates at Vietnam's Communist Party congress that started on Monday were given Samsung tablet computers without an internet connection, had no access to the mobile phone network and will have to stay in designated accommodation.

Sabah & Sarawak

Police issue 128 campaign permits for Kinabatangan, Lamag by-elections

KINABATANGAN: Police have issued a total of 128 permits for ceramah or political talks and campaign activities for the Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections as of Monday (Jan 19).

Other Sports

Olympics-Kronplatz test key as Italy's Brignone eyes Milano Cortina Games

PARIS, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Italy's ‌Federica Brignone said decisions on racing before, during and after next month's Winter Olympics would be ‌taken day-by-day as she returns to competition on Tuesday in the World Cup giant ‌slalom in Kronplatz following a long injury layoff.

AseanPlus News

'It's confirmed, we are going for it' - Japan PM calls snap election on Feb 8 to seek stronger mandate

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday she would dissolve parliament this week ahead of a snap election on February 8, hoping for a stronger mandate to push through her ambitious policy agenda.

Cambodia

Over 400 Indonesians 'released' by Cambodian scam networks, confirms ambassador

More than 400 Indonesians were freed by cyberscam networks in Cambodia this month, Jakarta said on Monday, after Phnom Penh announced a fresh crackdown following the arrest of an alleged boss of the illicit industry.

Nation

Kelantan JPJ to conduct random checks on 'RXZ Forever Legend' participants

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Road Transport Department (JPJ) will conduct random checks on participants of the RXZ Forever Legend event, which will take place on Feb 6 and 7, at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Tunjong here.

Corporate News

Favelle Favco secures RM76.3mil crane orders

PETALING JAYA: Favelle Favco Bhd's subsidiaries have secured three crane orders worth a combined RM76.3mil.

Entertainment

Singaporean singer Nathan Hartono ties the knot with actress Liz Sargeant Tan

Hartono said that he and Tan, 32, had been planning the wedding for over a year.

Football

Soccer-Morocco banish any doubts about ability to host 2030 World Cup

RABAT, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Morocco's successful staging ‌of the Africa Cup of Nations means there should be no scepticism about its ability to co-host the World Cup ‌with Portugal and Spain in 2030, even if Sunday's final was clouded by a walk-off and defeat for the ‌home team.

World

Nigerian airstrikes kill scores of militants in Borno, military says

ABUJA, ‌Jan 19 (Reuters) - Nigerian air force strikes destroyed about ‌10 canoes and killed more than 40 militants ‌preparing attacks in Borno state, the military said late on Sunday, in the latest in a series of operations targeting groups around ‍Lake Chad.

Corporate News

IJM confirms MACC, IRB presence at office

KUALA LUMPUR: IJM Corp Bhd said officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Board (IRB) were present at the company's office today to obtain information as part of their process.