Friday, 2 January 2026

Author: Bernama

Thailand hosts ASEAN Family Run 2025 to mark 58th anniversary

By Kenny Teng BANGKOK: The Thai Foreign Ministry organised the ASEAN Family Run 2025 on Friday to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the founding of the ASEAN Community. The Malaysian Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires ad interim to Thailand, Bong Yik Jui, said it was encouraging to see Thai Foreign Minister Maris

MATRADE backs RM2.09 trillion export target by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) supports the country’s gross export growth target, averaging 5.8 per cent annually, to reach RM2.09 trillion by 2030. In a statement today, it said it will continue to play a strategic role in expanding global trade networks and intensifying export promotion

Wholesale and retail trade grows 4.8 per cent in June

KUALA LUMPUR: Wholesale and retail trade recorded a steady growth of 4.8 per cent in June 2025, with sales at RM153.0 billion, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin attributed the growth to the positive performance of the retail and wholesale trade sub-sectors. “The retail trade sub-sector

Op Khas Kad ATM: 71 arrested in 59 raids across Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have arrested 71 individuals, including eight foreigners, for allegedly acting as mule account holders in 59 raids conducted nationwide under Op Khas Kad ATM. Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the operation was carried out in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia to

Chief Secretary extends greetings on 58th ASEAN Day

KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, has extended his greetings on the occasion of the 58th ASEAN Day today. In a Facebook post, he emphasised  Malaysia’s continued commitment as an ASEAN member state to strengthen diplomatic relations, trade, security, education, and cultural cooperation for

Civil servants urged to fly Jalur Gemilang for National Month

KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar today called on all civil servants to proudly display the Jalur Gemilang at their homes and workplaces in conjunction with the National Month celebration. “Show your patriotism and embrace the spirit of MERDEKA!” he said in a

OpenAI unveils GPT-5, calling it a leap in intelligence

SAN JOSÉ, CALIFORNIA: ChatGPT developer OpenAI is launching the next generation of its software in the competition between AI companies, reported German Press Agency (dpa). “GPT-5 is a significant leap in intelligence over all our previous models,” OpenAI boss Sam Altman said in a statement on Thursday. The previous version,

US slaps tariffs on one-kilo and 100-ounce gold bars

WASHINGTON: The United States has imposed tariffs on one-kilo and 100-ounce gold bars after the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ruled in a July 31 letter that they fall under a tariff-eligible customs code, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti quoting a Financial Times report, citing the letter on Thursday. The newspaper explained that

US stocks mixed as Trump tariffs hit global trade partners

NEW YORK: US stocks ended mixed on Thursday as markets reacted to a sweeping new round of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on a broad range of US trade partners, reported Xinhua. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by 224.48 points, or 0.51 per cent, closing at 43,968.64.

Trump nominates Stephen Miran to Federal Reserve Board

NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump announced Thursday he had chosen Stephen Miran, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, to serve in the just vacated seat on the Federal Reserve Board until Jan 31, 2026, reported Xinhua. Meanwhile, the Trump administration will continue to search for a permanent replacement