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Sabah & Sarawak

Tekun, AIM loan approvals cut to five working days nationwide, says deputy minister

KINABATANGAN: Loan approvals under federal microfinancing agencies will be shortened to just five working days nationwide, as the government moves to cut red tape and speed up access to funding for small businesses, says Datuk Mohamad Alamin.

Technology

OpenAI seeks to increase global AI use in everyday life

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 21 - OpenAI is ‌expanding its efforts to convince global governments to build more data centers and encourage ‌greater usage of artificial intelligence in areas such as education, health and disaster ‌preparedness. 

Nation

Elderly woman living in fear after loan sharks splash paint at her house over son's debts

JOHOR BARU: A 71-year-old woman is living in fear after loan sharks splashed red paint at her home and repeatedly harassed her over debts owed by her estranged son.

China

Beijing vows to 'safeguard' rights if EU bans telecom suppliers

BEIJING: Beijing vowed on Wednesday (Jan 21) that it would "safeguard" the rights and interests of Chinese businesses if the European Union pushes on with plans to ban "high-risk" foreign telecoms suppliers, a move seen as targeting China.

Social media

Elon Musk and Ryanair keep escalating an online war of words

The online brawl between Elon Musk and Ryanair Holdings Plc dragged into a second week, with the world's richest man again floating the idea of buying the airline after clashing with its chief executive officer.

Other Sports

Sailing-Emirates renews New Zealand backing for America's Cup defence

LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - ‌Airline Emirates have renewed their partnership as naming sponsor of New Zealand ‌as the team step up their preparations to defend the America's Cup ‌in Naples next year.

Nation

Perhilitan relocates wild elephant damaging residents' crops in Hulu Besut

JERTIH: The Terengganu Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) successfully relocated a male wild elephant on Wednesday (Jan 21) that was found damaging oil palm crops around Kampung Felcra Keruak in Hulu Besut near here.

Energy

Oil prices fall as risks from Kazakh production halt subside

TOKYO: Oil prices fell on Wednesday as an expected build-up of U.S. crude inventories outweighed a temporary halt in output at two large fields in Kazakhstan and geopolitical pressure from U.S. threats of tariffs over its bid to gain control of Greenland.

Cricket

Cricket-Brook says lucky to be England captain despite nightclub brawl in NZ

COLOMBO, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Harry Brook ‌said he is lucky to be England's white-ball captain even after ‌an altercation with a nightclub bouncer in New Zealand late last year.

Vietnam

Vietnam under To Lam eyes China-style strongman model, 10% growth push

Vietnam's 14th Communist Party Congress puts To Lam in focus, amid talk of power centralisation and an ambitious target of at least 10% GDP growth.

Nation

Bukit Aman records statement from two China Press editors over error in translating King's speech

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Aman has recorded statements from two China Press editors regarding the alleged mistranslation of a royal address made by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, during the opening of Parliament's new session.

Nation

Backbencher urges stop to derogatory remarks on ethnic dishes

KUALA LUMPUR: Derogatory remarks about the food of other races have no place in a multicultural Malaysia, says a government backbencher.

Nation

More tourists flocking to Malaysia than expected, says Tiong

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's tourist arrivals have exceeded expectations, prompting the government to consider revising its targets under Visit Malaysia 2026 and intensifying global promotional efforts.

Nation

Two killed, two seriously injured in three-car accident

SHAH ALAM: Two people were killed, and two others seriously injured, in a three-vehicle pile-up along the Federal Highway.

Commodities

Gold zooms past US$4,800 for the first time as Greenland tensions simmer

GOLD prices were boosted to a record high above $4,800 per ounce on Wednesday, as investors looked to the metal as a safe haven after a broad selloff in U.S. assets on heightened tensions between the U.S. and NATO over Greenland.

South Korea

How a South Korean YouTuber racked up 100 million subscribers without saying a word

SEOUL: After a decade spent directing live shows for in-person audiences, Kim Dong-jun moved his stage online — and ended up building the world's most-watched YouTube channel of 2025.

Rugby

Rugby-Auckland to host opening test in inaugural women's Lions tour

Jan 21 (Reuters) - Auckland, ‌Wellington and Christchurch will play host to ‌the women's British & Irish Lions for their three ‌tests against New Zealand in their inaugural tour in 2027, the Lions announced on Wednesday.

Pakistan

With monitors and lawsuits, Pakistanis fight for clean air

KARACHI: With pollution in Pakistan hitting record highs in recent years, citizens clutching air monitors and legal papers are taking the fight for clean air into their own hands.

Nation

New Standard One entry age can strain already struggling education system, says Penang MCA

GEORGE TOWN: With some schools already grappling with chronic teacher shortages, classroom capacity constraints and inadequate resources, Penang MCA has raised concerns over the proposal to allow six-year-olds the option of entering Year One.

AseanPlus News

Nepal's rapper-turned-mayor challenges ousted PM

KATHMANDU: Nepal's rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah will go into a head-to-head election battle with the veteran prime minister he helped unseat, as he champions youth demands that toppled last year's government.