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Nation

Seventeen children among 85 rescued in nationwide anti-human trafficking operation

KUALA LUMPUR: Eighty-five individuals, including seventeen children, believed to be victims of human trafficking and forced labour, have been rescued in a massive nationwide operation.

China

As trade talks begin, Chinese exporters prepare to get goods moving to US again

SHANGHAI: China-based shipping agents have resumed buying container space for goods headed for the United States after a series of US tariff-induced cancellations, as Beijing and Washington head for trade talks in Switzerland.

Cambodia

Art festival aims to transform Battambang into an open-air canvas

PHNOM PENH: The S'Art Urban Art Festival is rapidly becoming a defining event for Battambang's provincial capital, bridging the gap between the town's rich artistic heritage and its dynamic modern identity.

Nation

Anwar files nomination to defend PKR presidency, confirms Sim Tze Tzin

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has officially submitted his nomination to defend the PKR presidency, according to Sim Tze Tzin.

World

In custody in the Hague, on ballot at home: Philippines' Duterte runs for mayor

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Reuters) - Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte spends his days in a small, spartan room in detention at the Hague, awaiting trial for a bloody war on drugs that killed thousands during his time in office.

Forex

Ringgit, baht lead Asian FX lower as dollar firms on trade optimism

THE Malaysian ringgit and Thailand's baht led losses among subdued Asian currencies on Friday, as a firmer dollar weighed on sentiment, while regional shares steadied after a U.S.-UK trade deal sparked hopes for broader diplomatic progress.

Entertainment

Malaysian actor Ben Amir gets candid about his life-changing move to Philippines

Ben has traded the chaos of city life for the calm shores of Siargao, Philippines.

China

China’s exports to US slump 21% in April but soar to South-East Asia in rush to beat tariffs

BEIJING: China's exports rose more than forecast, even as shipments to the US slumped sharply in the first month after US President Donald Trump hit its goods with tariffs of 145 per cent.

Commodities

Gold rebounds on dip buying; US-China trade talks in focus

GOLD firmed on Friday on dip-buying after prices dropped earlier in the session, while markets turned their focus to U.S.-China trade talks due this weekend.

Nation

Two former food packaging employees charged with CBT resulting in RM3mil in losses

KUALA LUMPUR: Two former employees of a plastic food packaging company pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here Friday (May 9) to a charge of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving the company's raw materials, resulting in losses amounting to more than RM2.9mil, last year.

Nation

Anwar confirms candidacy for PKR president

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed he will defend his position as PKR president in the party's internal elections at the end of this month.

Indonesia

Indonesia seeks to end rice imports in 2025 as output jumps

JAKARTA: Indonesia is set to stop importing rice this year for the first time in decades, thanks to surging production and stockpiles in one of the world's top growers of the staple food.

AseanPlus News

Poisoned guests rarely invited before deadly mushroom lunch, Australia trial hears

SYDNEY: An Australian woman accused of triple murder with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington had rarely invited her four guests to eat at her home before, a court heard on Friday (May 9).

Investment

Investors looking beyond US scoop-up Asian funds

SINGAPORE/BENGALURU: Investors have been selling U.S. shares and piling into Asian equity funds, as the Trump administration's tariffs cast a cloud over the U.S. growth outlook and whether years of world-beating gains in U.S. markets may be drawing to an end.

Brunei

Brunei joins workshop on Asean legal cooperation to combat human trafficking

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A delegation from Brunei recently attended a workshop on the Asean International Legal Cooperation (ILC) Handbook and Asean International Legal Cooperation (ILC) Compendium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Singapore

Fire breaks out in Tampines industrial building, students and office workers nearby evacuated

SINGAPORE: A fire has broken out at a building in Tampines, prompting officer workers as well as students in a nearby school to evacuate from their classrooms.

Nation

Farewell Xing Xing and Liang Liang: Pandas set to leave Malaysia on May 18 after 11 years

PETALING JAYA: After 11 unforgettable years in Malaysia, beloved giant pandas Fu Wa and Feng Yi will bid farewell on May 18 as they return to China.

Energy

Oil prices gain ahead of Sino-US trade talks

NEW DELHI: Oil prices were up on Friday, after rising about 3% in the previous session, as trade tensions between top oil consumers U.S. and China showed signs of easing and Britain announced a "breakthrough" trade deal with the United States.

Fashion

'Hyper-competitive, materialistic culture': Luxury fashion fuels K-pop hierarchy

As more K-pop idols become ambassadors for high-end fashion labels, concerns grow over fan comparisons, teen materialism and inequality in group branding.

India

India says repulsed fresh Pakistan attacks as de-escalation efforts grow

SRINAGAR: India said Friday (May 9) it had repulsed a wave of Pakistani drone and artillery attacks overnight, and Islamabad insisted it had not struck targets across the border, as the latest conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours showed no signs of relenting.