Shares in Chinese AI startup MiniMax soared 109 percent as it went public in Hong Kong on Friday, raising US$619 million in a sign that strong investor demand is rewarding the country's rapidly developing sector.
Iranians staged their biggest protests yet of an almost two week movement sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, chanting slogans including "death to the dictator" and setting fire to official buildings, videos showed Friday.
Stock markets were mixed Friday after a two-day stutter as traders look ahead to the release of crucial US jobs data and a possible Supreme Court ruling on Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs.
- Swiatek romps to United Cup victory in 58 minutes
- Procession of Christ's icon draws thousands to streets of Philippine capital
Sports
Kazuyoshi Miura vowed Friday to show he still has what it takes aged 58 as the former Japan international striker gets set for his 41st professional football season.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Scores without power as Storm Goretti pummels Europe
Nature
January 09, 2026
All of Switzerland will mark a national day of mourning Friday for the dozens of mostly teenagers killed when fire ravaged a ski resort bar crammed with New Year revellers.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine's capital, setting apartment blocks alight and killing at least four people, Kyiv's mayor said Friday after Moscow rejected the latest post-war peacekeeping plan.
January 09, 2026
The EU is expected Friday to give a long-delayed go ahead to a huge trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur championed by business groups but loathed by many European farmers.
January 09, 2026
Former champion Stan Wawrinka was handed a wildcard on Friday for the Australian Open in his final season but home favourite Nick Kyrgios will play only doubles.
January 09, 2026
Economy
Asian markets rose Friday after a two-day stutter as traders look ahead to the release of crucial US jobs data and a possible Supreme Court ruling on Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
China is moving against the cyberscam tycoons making fortunes in Southeast Asia, driven by mounting public pressure and Beijing's desire to keep control of judicial processes, analysts say.
The Chicago Bulls' home game against the Miami Heat on Thursday was postponed at the 11th hour because of an unplayable court.
Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli said he had apologised to Conor Bradley for shoving the Liverpool defender off the pitch when badly injured in a 0-0 Premier League draw.
Venezuela on Thursday began releasing a "large number" of political prisoners, including several foreigners, in an apparent concession to the United States after its ouster of ruler Nicolas Maduro.
January 09, 2026
Boulevard
Tens of thousands of Philippine Catholics twirled white cloths and chanted "Viva, viva" as a historic statue of Jesus Christ was paraded through the streets of Manila on Friday in the nation's biggest annual religious event.
January 09, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Inspired by playmaker Alberto Moleiro, Villarreal are aiming high in La Liga after humiliating early failures in cup competitions this season.
Liam Rosenior's first match as Chelsea manager comes laced with giant-killing danger as he takes the Blues to second-tier Charlton in the FA Cup third round.
Over the whine of buzzsaws and the steady whir of sanders, hundreds of Vietnamese workers in a factory outside Ho Chi Minh City hustle to fill orders for high-end furniture.
Syria's defence ministry announced a ceasefire in Aleppo on Friday after days of deadly clashes between the army and Kurdish fighters forced thousands of civilians to flee.
January 09, 2026
- New Zealand's rare flightless parrot begins breeding again
- Age no barrier for rampant Australia but future uncertain
- Ex-delivery driver gives voice to China's precarious gig workers
- Protesters, US law enforcers clash after immigration agent kills woman
- AI gobbling up memory chips essential to gadget makers
- 'One Battle After Another' leads the charge for Golden Globes
- 'Hectic' bushfires threaten rural towns in Australian heatwave
- Trump to meet top US oil execs after seizing Venezuela leader