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Philippines

Philippines confirms first case of H5N9 bird flu

MANILA: The Philippines has detected its first case of the H5N9 strain of bird flu, according to a report released Wednesday (May 7) by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). The infection was found in ducks from Camaligan, Camarines Sur, marking the latest strain of avian influenza to reach the country.

Nation

Cargo vessel detained in Selangor waters

PORT KLANG: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a cargo vessel, which had raised suspicion of being involved in undesirable activities in Malaysian waters.

Laos

Laos, Switzerland deepen partnership on dam safety

VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing dam safety in Laos through the Dam Safety Technical and Institutional Assistance project, when a steering committee endorsed the 2025 work plan.

Nation

Police rescue 16 victims of forced labour in Klang Valley

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have rescued 16 people, including teenagers, believed to be victims of forced labour in a series of raids in the the Klang Valley, conducted by Bukit Aman's anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling of migrants unit under Ops Pintas Mega.

Cambodia

Three dead after oil tanker blaze engulfs houses in Preah Sihanouk

PHNOM PENH: Three people died after their houses were engulfed in an inferno from an oil tanker in southwest Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province, according to the National Police's Department of Fire Prevention, Extinguishing, and Rescue on Thursday (May 8).

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah polls: BN team-up vital for advancing national unity agenda, say PH leaders

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Pakatan Harapan views electoral cooperation with Barisan Nasional as a rational and necessary move to advance the country's unity agenda, particularly in the lead-up to the 17th Sabah Election.

Nation

Pamela Ling’s family deserve transparent updates, says lawyer

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of Datin Seri Pamela Ling Yueh is hoping for proper updates from the authorities regarding the progress of the investigation into her disappearance.

Living

Malaysian forsakes job in Europe to continue her mother's 30YO ceramic business

This Mothers Day, we shine a spotlight on Intan Zulaika Nor Arfudi, who now runs the ceramic business founded by her mother.

Thailand

Criminal Court denies Thaksin's request to travel to Qatar

BANGKOK: The Criminal Court has denied former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra permission to travel to Qatar, despite an invitation from the ruler of the city-state, on Thursday (May 8).

Sabah & Sarawak

Pan Borneo Highway progress under constant watch, says Shahelmey

KOTA KINABALU: Work on the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah is progressing despite recent controversy surrounding the contractor, says state Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

Nation

Most Malaysians against Najib getting royal pardon, survey finds

KUALA LUMPUR: The majority of Malaysians believe that Datuk Seri Najib Razak should not receive a royal pardon over his corruption conviction, a survey found.

Singapore

Trio charged with money laundering after they allegedly dealt with funds linked to scam victims

SINGAPORE: Three people were charged with money laundering in separate cases on May 9, and two of them allegedly received scam benefits totalling more than S$350,000 in bank accounts,

Commodities

Oil prices up ahead of Sino-US trade meeting

NEW DELHI: Oil prices were up slightly 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.

Nation

Boost for hydrogen fuel with launch of RM15mil pilot project

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has taken a significant step towards a clean energy future with the Mobile Hydrogen Refuelling Station (MHRS) development project, which will function as a driver of innovation in the hydrogen-based mobility sector.

Myanmar

China's 12th batch of aid supplies handed over to quake-hit Myanmar

YANGON: The 12th batch of emergency humanitarian in-kind assistance dispatched by the Chinese government was handed over to Myanmar on Thursday (May 9) in Yangon.

Indonesia

Indonesian narcotics agency to launch study on use of marijuana for medical purposes

JAKARTA: The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) is planning to launch a study on the potential medical benefits of marijuana, a move that could pave the way for limited legalisation of cannabis in a country long known for its firm anti-drug stance.

Vietnam

Vietnam to send largest-ever delegation to 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit

HANOI: A Vietnamese delegation will take part in the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit, scheduled for May 11-14 in the United States' Maryland, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang told US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper at their meeting in Hanoi on Thursday (May 8).

Markets

Slight gain on FBM KLCI as investors await start of US-China trade talks

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's stock benchmark ended the early session mildly higher even as global stocks rallied in the hope that the world's two largest economies will strike a trade deal in the coming weekend.

Sabah & Sarawak

That stinks: Driver loses control of car, careens into sewage plant

KOTA KINABALU: A mother and son had a stinky mishap when the car they were travelling in fell into a sewage plant along Taman Kingfisher near here Friday (May 9).

India

US VP Vance says war between India and Pakistan will be 'none of our business'

WASHINGTON: US Vice President JD Vance (pic) said on Thursday (May 8) that India and Pakistan should de-escalate tensions, but he added that the US cannot control the nuclear-armed Asian neighbours and a war between them would be "none of our business".