India

Seven killed, over 400 injured during bullfighting sports events in India's Tamil Nadu

NEW DELHI: (Bernama-Xinhua) At least seven people, mostly spectators, were killed and over 400 others injured by bulls at the bullfighting (jallikattu) sports events in southern India, reported Xinhua quoting local media Friday (Jan 17).

Sabah & Sarawak

Floods: 10,000 people affected in Pitas

KOTA KINABALU: Some 10,000 residents are estimated to be affected by floods in the rural Pitas district as of 9pm on Friday (Jan 17).

Nation

Gaza reconstruction cost estimated at US$1 trillion, says PM Anwar

LONDON: The reconstruction of Gaza, which was almost entirely destroyed due to Israeli attacks since October 2023, is estimated to cost over US$1 trillion, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nation

Elderly accountant loses RM460,888 to Bitcoin scam

JOHOR BARU: An elderly woman suffered a loss of RM460,888 after falling victim to a Bitcoin investment scam that promised lucrative returns.

Nation

Jasin boy to culinary master: Chef Tai's journey to becoming a top chef

MELAKA: Cooking is more than just a profession. It's a lifelong passion for Chef Tai Kong Ngin

Social media

Fake animal rescue videos are scams that put cats and dogs in danger

Millions are drawn to these videos which attract countless likes and donations too. The thing to bear in mind is that the videos are often staged, with the only real part being the distress of the animal.

Nation

Malaysia confident of navigating possible challenges from Trump's presidency, says PM Anwar

LONDON: With president-elect Donald Trump due to be sworn in on Jan 20, Malaysia believes it can navigate any political or economic uncertainties arising from his second term in office.

World

US Supreme Court upholds TikTok ban, leaving app's fate to Trump

WASHINGTON (Reuters): The Supreme Court upheld on Friday (Jan 17) a law banning TikTok in the United States on national security grounds if its Chinese parent company ByteDance does not sell it, putting the popular short-video app on track to go dark in just two days.

STARPICKS

Ushering in a Golden Era of Fortune

CHINESE New Year is a time of fresh beginnings and exciting opportunities, much like a snake shedding its skin for growth and renewal.

World

Nicaragua launches 'volunteer' police force that critics fear will be paramilitary

(Reuters) - Nicaraguan authorities swore in more than 1,400 masked civilians to form part of a new "volunteer" police force on Friday, raising concerns from human rights groups that President Daniel Ortega's government is formalizing a paramilitary force.

World

Israeli Cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire accord

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters): Israel's Cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday (Jan 18), a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.

Technology

OpenAI finalizes 'o3 mini' reasoning AI model version, to launch it soon

(Reuters) - ChatGPT maker OpenAI has finalized a version of its new reasoning AI model o3 mini and would be launching it in a couple of weeks, CEO Sam Altman said on Friday.

Nation

PM Anwar to undertake two-day working visit to Belgium

BRUSSELS: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a two-day working visit to Belgium beginning Sunday (Jan 19), soon after concluding his visit to the United Kingdom.

STARPICKS

Trailblaze your legal career

STUDENTS who choose to study law open the door to numerous career opportunities upon graduation.

Nation

Don't underestimate technological advancement, talent back home, says Anwar

LONDON: Malaysians abroad should not underestimate the technological advancement, expertise and talent available back home, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Technology

Outgoing FCC head says Salt Typhoon hacking a clarion call to address security issues

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The outgoing head of the Federal Communications Commission said a massive Chinese-linked cyber-espionage operation against U.S. telecoms firms known as "Salt Typhoon" is a "clarion call" to address telecommunications security issues.

Technology

Trump plans crypto-friendly orders in first few days in power

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump is planning to use his executive powers to reduce the regulatory burden faced by cryptocurrency companies and promote digital asset adoption in his first few days in office, according to three people briefed on the plan.

Technology

Thoma Bravo-owned SailPoint reveals narrower loss in US IPO filing

(Reuters) -Thoma Bravo-owned cybersecurity company SailPoint on Friday revealed a narrower nine-month loss in its paperwork for a U.S. initial public offering, helped by a rise in subscription revenue.

Malaysia

Redefining travel experiences for Visit Malaysia 2026

Local industry players are working towards enhancing tourism offerings in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.

Technology

'Genshin Impact' maker settles US charges of violating children's privacy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cognosphere, the maker of anime-style fantasy video game "Genshin Impact," has agreed to pay $20 million and block children under age 16 from making in-game purchases without parental consent to settle U.S. Federal Trade Commission allegations that the company violated a children's privacy law.