Badminton

Tang Jie-Ee Wei march into Asian C'ships quarters

PETALING JAYA: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei powered into the quarter-finals of the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China after a comfortable win over India's Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto on Thursday (April 9).

Economy

World Bank raises Malaysia's 2026 growth forecast to 4.4% on strong domestic demand

KUALA LUMPUR: The World Bank Group has raised Malaysia's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 4.4 per cent from 4.1 per cent, citing resilient domestic demand, its lead economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, said.

Cricket

Cricket-Buttler gets his IPL mojo back with a fifty in Gujarat's first win

NEW DELHI, April ⁠9 (Reuters) - Jos Buttler has been around long enough to know it ⁠usually takes perseverance to bring a run drought to an end ‌and the Gujarat batter's resolve was finally rewarded with a stellar knock in the Titans' win over Delhi Capitals on Wednesday.

True Or Not

QuickCheck: Were the strange lights spotted over Sarawak's sky space debris?

SARAWAKIANS looked up at the night sky on April 7 and saw something that stopped them in their tracks, mysterious lights moving across the heavens in a way that had everyone reaching for their phones.

China

China woman, 89, climbs from 27th to 21st floor of building to escape locked bedroom goes viral

BEIJING: A brave 89-year-old grandmother climbed from the 27th to the 21st floor on her building's outer wall after accidentally locking herself in, shocking many people online.

AI

Waiting for DeepSeek: new model to test China's AI ambitions

For weeks now, the global tech industry has been waiting for a major artificial intelligence launch from DeepSeek, seen as a benchmark for China's progress in the fast-moving field.

Technology

Arm CEO Haas in line to lead much of parent SoftBank's international business, FT reports

April 9 (Reuters) - Chip ⁠designer Arm's CEO Rene Haas is in line ⁠to lead much of parent SoftBank Group's international ‌business while keeping his current role at Arm, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing multiple people familiar with the matter. 

Technology

OVHcloud posts 5.5% organic growth in half-year revenue

April ⁠9 (Reuters) - French datacentre ⁠operator OVHcloud  reported ‌5.5% organic revenue growth for the ​first half of ⁠its financial ⁠year on Thursday, ⁠driven by ‌increased spending ⁠among its existing clients 

AseanPlus News

Nepal issues arrest warrant for ex-PM Deuba in graft probe

KATHMANDU: Nepal has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for alleged corruption, officials said Thursday (April 9), making him the latest high-profile figure targeted under the new government.

Laos

Security officials issue rules to ensure orderly conduct over Lao New Year

VIENTIANE: The Vientiane Public Security Headquarters has announced wide-ranging measures aimed at curbing noise levels, fireworks, water play, and inappropriate road use to ensure safety, preserve traditions, and maintain public order during the Lao New Year festival.

Markets

ACE Market hopeful Inspace Creation in underwriting deal with TA Securities

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspace Creation Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with TA Securities Holdings Bhd for its initial public offering (IPO) on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market.

Nation

Three Bangladeshis charged with kidnapping compatriot

SEREMBAN: Three Bangladeshis claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to a joint charge of kidnapping a fellow countryman for ransom.

Nation

394 arrested, RM216mil in seizures in nationwide e‑waste crackdown since Jan 1

KUALA LUMPUR: From Jan 1 to April 9, a total of 394 individuals were arrested, with overall seizures amounting to RM216mil.

Nation

Global energy recovery to take up to five years, PM says after talks with Emir of Qatar

PUTRAJAYA: Global energy supplies will take up to five years to fully recover from the destruction of the Middle East conflict even if the war ends tomorrow, warns Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Social media

China says investigating 'malicious' cyberbullying of teen diving star

China's top sports authority said on Wednesday it was investigating "malicious" online attacks against teenage diving sensation Quan Hongchan.

Mobile apps

Maybank: MAE app PIN resets will now require ID verification. Here's what you should know

Users will be required to verify their identity by using their MyKad or passport within the MAE App.

Myanmar

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing appoints new cabinet, military still dominates

YANGON: Myanmar's parliament approved a list of 30 ministers to serve in the cabinet of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday (Aprl 9) following his appointment as president last week, with the military still holding a dominant role.

Markets

Asian stocks in sober mood as oil rises on Middle East truce doubts

SYDNEY: Asian share markets were in a sober mood on Thursday as cracks quickly began to appear in the fragile Gulf truce, nudging oil prices back up and reminding investors the inflationary fallout would last a long time yet.

Singapore

Eight-year-old boy voices Singapore MRT announcement to mark autism awareness month

SINGAPORE: From April 10 to 12, eight-year-old Muhammad Khalif Muhammad Khair Abdillah's voice will fill MRT station platforms when a train arrives and the doors slide open.

World

Al-Aqsa Mosque reopens after 40-day closure amid US-Israeli military actions

ISTANBUL: Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem was reopened to Muslim worshippers on Thursday (April 9) after a 40-day closure imposed by Israel amid joint US-Israeli military actions against Iran. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), the mosque, located in the Old City, was reopened at dawn, allowing hundreds of Palestinian Muslims to enter the Al-Haram al-Sharif compound. As the gates opened with the morning call to prayer, large numbers of worshippers flocked to the site, many breaking down in tears and performing prostrations of gratitude in the mosque's courtyards. Hundreds of Muslims lined up for the dawn prayer, marking the first congregational worship at the site since its closure. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the compound on April 6 while it remained closed. Israel had fully closed access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Feb 28, coinciding with its attacks on Iran, allowing only mosque staff and officials from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf to pray on site, while other Palestinians were forced to worship in smaller mosques across the city. Authorities also barred Eid al-Fitr prayers from being held at Al-Aqsa this year, marking the first such restriction since Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. During the same period, Israeli authorities also closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest sites in Jerusalem. The Israeli government had extended a state of emergency until mid-April but did not clarify whether the mosque would remain closed for the entire duration. – Bernama