Malaysia

Domestic goodness: Long weekends and short getaways

It's never too early to plan your short getaways in Malaysia. 

Music

Blackpink to return with third EP 'Deadline' on Feb 27

Blackpink is set to make its long-awaited return to the K-pop scene with a third EP, titled 'Deadline', on Feb 27, according to YG Entertainment.

STARPICKS

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Unveils Year of the Horse Limited Edition by Robert Wun

Johnnie Walker has collaborated with haute couturier Robert Wun for its Year of the Horse Limited Edition Designs for Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Internet

Report: AI used to generate thousands more child abuse videos in 2025

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said its analysts found 3,440 AI-generated videos of child sexual abuse in 2025, compared to 13 in 2024.

World

Iran top cop says calm restored after week of unrest

ISTANBUL: Iran's police chief said calm had returned across the country after days of unrest, describing Thursday (Jan 15) night as "the calmest night since the unrest began", and dismissing renewed calls for protests from outside Iran, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing Press TV.

World

FAA issues warnings to airlines on Central, South American flights over potential military actions

Jan 16 (Reuters) - The ‌U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it is issuing a ‌series of warnings to airlines to exercise caution when flying over ‌Central America and parts of South America, citing the risks of potential military activities and GPS interference.

World

US judge says visa warranted for 'mistake' of deporting college student

BOSTON, Jan 16 (Reuters) - A ‌U.S. judge on Friday gave the Trump administration three weeks to "rectify the mistake" it made by ‌deporting a college student to Honduras while she was traveling home to visit her ‌family for Thanksgiving as he recommended it issue her a student visa.

Nation

Ahmad Zahid, ministers extend Israk Mikraj greetings

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and several ministers have extended their Israk Mikraj 1447H greetings, calling on all Muslims to reflect on the significant event in Islamic history.

Nation

PM calls for justice, harmony and humility in commemorating Israk Mikraj

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says one of the momentous events in Prophet Muhammad's journey of Isra' and Mi'raj was the acceptance of the command to perform the five daily prayers as a core act of worship in the life of a Muslim.

Nation

Indonesian narcotics agency busts illegal vape liquid lab, detains two Malaysians

JAKARTA: The Indonesian National Narcotics Agency has detained two Malaysians suspected of being involved in the processing of e-cigarette or vape liquids containing etomidate.

Other Sports

Global sports face challenges from 'AI slop' misinformation

Jan 16 (Reuters) - A study by AI risk management ‌platform Alethea into the surge in artificial intelligence-generated fake content, dubbed "AI slop," has warned sports teams, leagues and fans of the risks posed by ‌increasingly sophisticated digital misinformation.

Nation

Indonesia's ambassador-designate to Malaysia to assume duties next week

JAKARTA: Indonesia's ambassador-designate to Malaysia, Datuk Iman Hascarya Kusumo, is expected to officially assume his duties next week.

Technology

US FTC to scrutinize Big Tech's talent acquisition deals, Bloomberg News reports

Jan 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. ‌Federal Trade Commission is scrutinizing big tech firms ‌that hire employees of a startup instead of buying ‌the companies outright, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing the agency's Chairman Andrew Ferguson.

Technology

California demands Elon Musk's xAI stop producing sexual deepfake content

Jan 16 (Reuters) - California Attorney ‌General Robert Bonta on Friday sent a cease-and-desist letter ‌to xAI demanding the company stop the creation and ‌distribution of artificial intelligence-generated nonconsensual sexualized imagery by its Grok chatbot.

Technology

Google asks US judge to defer order forcing it to share data while it appeals

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google asked ‌a judge on Friday to postpone making the company share data ‌with rivals while it challenges a ruling that the company holds an ‌illegal monopoly in online search, according to court papers.

STARPICKS

From Bangsar to beyond

ON a quiet weekday morning in Bangsar, families stroll into Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) and neighbours exchange familiar hellos.

Technology

Musk and Ryanair CEO clash over cost of Starlink Wi-Fi on planes

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Elon Musk ‌on Friday called Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary an "utter idiot" ‌who should be fired, escalating a public spat that ‌began after the airline boss ruled out installing Musk's Starlink internet service on Ryanair aircraft.

Technology

OpenAI to test ads in ChatGPT in bid to boost revenue

Jan ‌16 (Reuters) - OpenAI said it would start showing ads in ChatGPT to some U.S. users, ‌ramping up efforts to generate revenue from the AI chatbot to fund the high ‌costs of developing the technology.

Other Sports

Sailing-Goodchild swaps solo solitude for record run on Argo

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Fresh from winning the ‌IMOCA Globe Series title in 2025, Britain's Sam Goodchild has quickly shifted from the solitude of solo ocean racing ‌to the intensity of fully crewed competition, helping break the RORC Transatlantic Race record aboard Argo, the MOD70 trimaran ‌owned by Jason Carroll.

Technology

ClickHouse valued at $15 billion as database analytics firm rides AI wave

Jan 16 (Reuters) - ‌Database management company ClickHouse was valued at $15 billion in its latest ‌funding round, CEO Aaron Katz said on Friday, as investor ‌enthusiasm for companies related to the artificial intelligence boom spills over into the new year.