UPDATE 1-Iraq has a calmer night after a week of protests . Iraqi authorities on Thursday reopened the road leading to Baghdad's Tayaran Square, scene of bloody protests in recent days, after the calmest night since anti-government unrest began more than a week ago.

UPDATE 1-Auto1, private equity firms to bid for Scout24's cars unit - sources . No decision taken, we are exploring options - Scout24 (Writes through with source comment, detail, context)

EU warns about cybersecurity risks from state-backed entities . The European Union on Wednesday warned of increased cyber attacks by state-backed entities and non-EU actors, saying that it was crucial to assess the risks posed by telecoms equipment suppliers with a significant market share in the bloc.

Thai airport rail contract deadline extended in row over risk . Thailand will give Charoen Pokphand Group and its partners 10 more days to sign a contract for a 225 billion baht ($7.43 billion) high-speed railway linking three airports, an official said, amid a row over land transfers and the burden of risk.

UAE's Etihad Rail awards $436 mln contract to Hitachi Rail . The United Arab Emirates' Etihad Rail on Wednesday said it awarded a 1.6 billion dirhams ($436 million) systems and integration contract to Hitachi Rail STS for stage two of the national railway network.

REFILE-Malaysia parliament scraps law penalising fake news . Malaysia's parliament on Wednesday scrapped a law making "fake news" a crime, which critics say was aimed at curbing dissent, a year after an initial attempt to repeal the legislation was blocked by an opposition-controlled senate.

UPDATE 1-Top shareholder in Japan's Unizo wants explanation after $1.3 bln U-turn . The top shareholder in Japan's Unizo Holdings on Wednesday pressed the hotel chain to explain its sudden withdrawal of support for a $1.3 billion buyout, breaking its silence over concerns about disclosure and governance.

American Airlines cancels Boeing 737 MAX flights until Jan. 16 . American Airlines Group Inc said Wednesday it is extending cancellations of Boeing 737 MAX flights through Jan. 15 as regulators continue to extensively review proposed software changes to the grounded plane.

Ten years after 'suicide' mission, NASA thirsts for lunar water . A decade after NASA sent a rocket crashing into the moon's south pole, spewing a plume of debris that revealed vast reserves of ice beneath the barren lunar surface, the space agency is racing to pick up where its little-remembered project left off.

Auto1, private equity firms to bid for Scout 24's cars unit - sources . German classifieds group Scout24 has attracted interest for its autos unit AutoScout24 from used-car dealing platform Auto1 as well as from several private equity firms, people close to the matter said.