Philippines

Duterte ICC case: Philippine National Police says cops free to testify, cooperate

MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday (Jan 19) it would not prevent its officers from testifying before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in cases linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly war on drugs.

Nation

PM grateful to all for making Malaysia's Asean chairmanship a success

SERDANG: Malaysia's success as Asean chair in 2025 should serve as a wake-up call for the country to improve governance and deliver better outcomes for its people, particularly in strengthening the economy and public welfare, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nation

Malaysia aids Thailand in border hunt for three suspects behind bomb attacks

KOTA BARU: Thai security forces are collaborating with Malaysian authorities in the search for three suspects, believed to be involved in the coordinated bomb attacks on several petrol stations in southern Thailand on Jan 11, who are now suspected to be hiding in the border area between the two countries.

Markets

FBM KLCI ends flat ahead of Bank Negara policy meeting

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI closed almost flat on Monday, with investor sentiment subdued ahead of Bank Negara's policy meeting this week.

World

Japan PM Takaichi calls Feb 8 election seeking mandate for spending plans, defence build-up

TOKYO, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Japan's ‌Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she will call a ‌national election for February 8 to seek voter backing for increased ‌spending, tax cuts and a new security strategy expected to accelerate Japan's defence build-up.

China

Brazil-China trade hits record US$171bil in 2025 as US tariffs prompt export pivot

The US is a distant second in trade volume with Brazil as Beijing helps soften the impact of Washington's levies

Thailand

Thai Election 2026: five parties lay out competing industrial roadmaps

BANGKOK: The 2026 election is drawing intense public attention. The official polling day has been set for February 8, 2026, while voters registered for out-of-constituency advance voting will cast ballots on Feb 1, 2026.

Nation

Armed Forces info leaks can lead to national security issues, says Khaled

KUALA LUMPUR: The spread of internal and confidential matters related to the Malaysian Armed Forces can lead to national security issues, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Nation

Melaka projects 5% GDP growth for 2025

MELAKA: Melaka is projecting to hit a 5% mark in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for 2025 after recording encouraging growth to RM48.9bil in the previous year.

Football

Soccer-Senegal fans dance in the streets after Africa Cup of Nations win

DAKAR, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Overjoyed ‌Senegalese football fans set off fireworks and danced in the streets of Dakar ‌into the pre-dawn hours on Monday after their national team secured their second Africa ‌Cup of Nations title in the last three editions.

AI

Mother of Elon Musk's child sues his AI company over sexual deepfake images created by Grok

The mother of one of Elon Musk's children is suing his AI company, saying its Grok chatbot allowed users to generate sexually exploitive deepfake images of her that have caused her humiliation and emotional distress.

Asia & Oceania

Eight luxury tented camps in Asia to add to your glamping list

Here are some of the most unique outdoor accommodations, from jungle camps to beachfront tents.

World

Dozens missing after massive Karachi mall fire, 15 killed

KARACHI, Jan 19 (Reuters) - Pakistani firefighters ‌began searching the smouldering remains of a sprawling Karachi shopping mall on Monday for more than 60 people still missing after a massive fire that killed ‌at least 15 people.

World

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

HANOI, Jan 19 (Reuters) - 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, two people briefed on the matter said.

Energy

Oil down as easing Iran unrest dampens geopolitical risk premium

NEW DELHI: Oil prices were down on Monday after rising during the previous session as civil unrest in Iran subsided, lowering the chance of a U.S. attack that could disrupt supply from the major Middle Eastern producer.

Nation

Defence Ministry expresses 'deepest gratitude', says will heed King's decree

PETALING JAYA: The Defence Ministry expresses its "deepest gratitude" to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and will heed the decree by ensuring graft within is combated fully.

Sabah & Sarawak

Govt committed to fulfilling MA63 in line with Royal Decree, says Mustapha

KOTA KINABALU: The government is committed to implementing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in stages, in line with the Royal Decree by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, says Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

India

Nine killed as school bus overturns near India's Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand border, safety lapses under scrutiny

NEW DELHI: A journey to a family ceremony ended in tragedy when a school bus carrying villagers from Chhattisgarh's Balrampur district overturned near the Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand border, leaving at least nine people dead and scores injured.

Nation

Completion of Tun Razak Bridge delayed due to unavoidable factors, says Buntong rep

IPOH: The completion of the Tun Razak Bridge in Buntong here has been delayed due to several unavoidable factors.

Indonesia

Indonesia's Prabowo nominates nephew as central bank deputy governor, sources say

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has nominated his nephew to join the central bank's board of governors, two sources told Reuters, amid growing concern about its independence as the government seeks more support for ambitious economic targets.