Nation

Malay unity vital to safeguard race and religion, says Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR: Malay unity is essential to safeguarding the principles of race and religion in the country, says Umno leader and former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

World

Thailand orders 15-day construction suspension on 14 projects involving firm Italian-Thai after fatal accidents

BANGKOK, ‌Jan 16 (Reuters) - ‌Thailand's Transport ‌Ministry said on Friday it ‍had ‍ordered a ‌15-day construction halt ‍on ​14 ⁠projects involving Italian-Thai Development ‌plus all large-scale ⁠projects ‍that the ‍ministry is overseeing, ‌to allow for safety inspections following two fatal accidents ‌this week. 

Commodities

Indonesia’s B50 delay opens short-term export window for Malaysian palm oil

KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia's decision to delay the implementation of the B50 biodiesel mandate presents Malaysia with a short-term opportunity to increase palm oil exports as the commodity's price is kept stable by the move, according to an academic.

AI

Meta begins job cuts as it shifts from metaverse to AI devices

Meta Platforms Inc is beginning to cut more than 1,000 jobs from the company's Reality Labs division, part of a plan to redirect resources from virtual reality and metaverse products toward AI wearables and phone features.

Asia & Oceania

AirAsia X flies Malaysian athletes to Bangkok for Asean Para Games

The airline is flying 360 Malaysian para athletes and coaches to Bangkok for the Asean Para Games 2025.

Cambodia

Desperate Cambodian workers flee crisis, sneak into Thailand

BANGKOK: Rear Admiral Parat Rattanachaiphan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, on Friday (Jan 16) revealed that the Border Defence Command of Chanthaburi and Trat, along with the Chanthaburi Immigration Office and local administrative officials, apprehended 99 Cambodian migrant workers (52 men, 37 women, and 10 children) in the area of Village 4, Laem Subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi province.

Nation

Umno AGM: Failure to explain unity govt participation fuels grassroots dissatisfaction, claims S'gor delegate

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno's failure to clearly explain how it came to be part of the unity government has fuelled dissatisfaction among grassroots and supporters, says a Selangor Umno delegate.

Nation

Seven bikers held for dangerous road activities in Terengganu

JERTIH: Seven men aged between 17 and 32 were detained under Op Samseng Jalanan along Jalan Kuala Terengganu-Kota Baru here on Thursday (Jan 15).

Business

Taiwan aims to be strategic AI partner in US tariff deal

TAIPEI: Taiwan aims to become a close strategic partner with the United States in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) after striking a deal to cut tariffs and boost its investment in the country, Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun said on Friday.

Nation

Umno's steps to fortify itself will also mean a stronger BN, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA, a founding member of Barisan Nasional, is looking forward to the steps taken by Umno to strengthen itself internally, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Entertainment

Every cent you take: Sting, ex-Police band mates in royalty battle

Guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland are taking legal action against Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, arguing they are entitled to the added royalties.

South Korea

Two men behind South Korea's worst-ever wildfires get suspended prison terms

UISEONG, South Korea: A court sentenced two men to suspended prison terms Friday (Jan 16) for starting the South Korea's worst-ever wildfires last year, which ravaged southeastern parts of the country for nearly a week and left over two dozen dead, Yonhap News Agency reported

Energy

Oil prices inch up as market evaluates supply risks

OIL prices rose slightly on Friday as market participants weighed concerns about supply risks, though the chances of a U.S. strike on Iran have receded.

World

US lawmakers arrive in Copenhagen to counter Trump's Greenland threats

COPENHAGEN, Jan 16 (Reuters) - A bipartisan ‌delegation of U.S. lawmakers will meet with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland on Friday to ‌reassure them of congressional support despite President Donald Trump's threats to seize the Arctic island.

AseanPlus News

The world’s most powerful passports 2026: Malaysia in ninth place

BANGKOK: In the modern era, cross-border travel is more than just a matter of convenience; it is a reflection of a nation's "bargaining power" and "stability."

Badminton

BWF act after players raise health concerns at Indian Open

PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said improvements have been made following complaints from players over unhealthy conditions at the ongoing Indian Open in New Delhi.

AseanPlus News

Australia warns of floods, fires after cars washed away

SYDNEY: Australia's emergency services warned people Friday (Jan 16) to stay prepared for sudden downpours and dangerous bushfires in the country's east after a flash flood swept cars into the sea.

Commodities

CPO to trade around RM4,000 a tonne in 2026, according to Kenanga

KUALA LUMPUR: Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd expects crude palm oil (CPO) to trade around RM4,000 per tonne over 2026 from RM4,308 in 2025 on the back of a still-tight global edible oil supply despite a supply uptick with inventories unlikely to improve significantly.

AI

Fury over Grok sexualised images despite new restrictions

Global outrage persisted Jan 15 over sexualised deepfakes created by Elon Musk's AI tool Grok, even after his social media platform X said it was blocking the chatbot from undressing images in certain locations.

Family

What the autistic Barbie means to Malaysian families raising ASD daughters

Parents and NGOs weigh in on whether the doll empowers autistic girls or if it reduces their experiences to a single narrative.