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).

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.

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.

Malaysia

'I Lite U' initiative at Bukit Bintang brings delight to visitors

Visitors are experiencing KL's night scene in a new light, thanks to the 'I Lite U' initiative.

Nation

AKPS seizes over RM100,000 worth of watermelon seeds

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 49.5kg of watermelon seeds worth more than RM100,000 were seized following an inspection at the Free Commercial Zone, KLIA Cargo, on Thursday (Jan 8).

China

China's top court reaffirms ban on betrothal gifts

BEIJING: China's top court has reiterated the ban on demanding betrothal gifts or any form of property under the pretext of marriage, pledging firm judicial action to crack down on illegal practices, including marriage fraud.

Brunei

New Brunei hub adds excitement for gamers

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Netcom Computer House announced the expansion of its gaming outlet, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to serving Brunei's growing gaming community. It officially opened its doors with a grand opening ceremony Thursday (Jan 8).

Commodities

Gold falls as commodity index adjustments weigh ahead of US jobs data

GOLD fell on Friday as commodity index readjustments and a firm dollar kept the pressure on prices, with investors positioning ahead of crucial U.S. non-farm payrolls data due later ‌in the day.

South Korea

S. Korea police investigate two men suspected of firing arrow at pedestrian

SEOUL: Two men in their 20s have been booked without detention after an arrow was fired near a pedestrian in a plaza in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, police said Friday (Jan 9).

Sabah & Sarawak

Apex Court dismisses Bersatu's bid to appeal Speaker's decision on Sabah MP seats

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has dismissed Bersatu's application to get leave to appeal the Parliament Speaker's refusal to declare as vacant four Sabah parliamentary seats won by the party's former members.

Nation

No tolerance for immoral 'yeye culture', says Army

KUALA LUMPUR: The Army's new leadership will not tolerate any form of wrongdoing by its personnel in connection with the so-called "yeye culture" within its ranks.

Laos

Laos forges ahead with rail expansion

VIENTIANE: The government will undertake a feasibility study on the construction of a railway between Vientiane and Pakse city, while also planning to build a rail link between Laos and Vietnam.

Sabah & Sarawak

Swift response from Disaster Management Committee to sudden floods in southern Sarawak

KUCHING: The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee is taking the necessary steps to ensure that flood victims are well taken care of, says Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah.

Banking

Gold price surge helps Swiss National Bank make US$33bil profit

ZURICH: The Swiss National Bank made a profit of around 26 billion Swiss francs ($32.52 billion) in 2025, the central bank said on Friday, thanks to big increases in gold prices as investors headed for ‌safe-havens assets last year.

Myanmar

Myanmar's Shwedagon Pagoda draws over 6.95 million visitors in 2025

YANGON: Myanmar's Shwedagon Pagoda, also known as the Golden Pagoda, attracted over 6.95 million visitors in 2025, Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua on Friday (Jan 9)

Singapore

Fowl play detected: Chicken becomes Singapore’s latest football sensation

SINGAPORE: The FIFA World Cup starts only in June, but football fever has already begun for many in Singapore – including one chicken.

Nation

Traffic congestion eases after Central Spine Road near Gua Musang repaired

GUA MUSANG: Road users along the Gua Musang-Kuala Lipis road near Kampung Lepan Jaya, which was damaged due to the Central Spine Road (LTU) Package 3D project, expressed relief after the affected stretch was fully repaired on Friday (Jan 9).