- NSTP/ SYAHERAH MUSTAFAPASIR MAS: Writing Arabic calligraphy on canvas has become a source of serenity for Ahmad Baihaqi Noor Azman. Through the art of khat calligraphy, the 20-year-old has found a way to calm his mind, build self-confidence, and navigate life as a person with autism. For Ahmad Baihaqi, khat calligraphy is not merely a visual expression; it serves as a therapeutic medium that helps him stay focused and composed. "That payment gave me the motivation to take khat art more seriously. Ahmad Baihaqi said producing Thuluth calligraphy required greater precision because its letters were more curved and angled compared to Diwani Jali.

KUANTAN: A businessman lost over RM277,000 after falling victim to an investment scam via WhatsApp. Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman said the 52-year-old victim was first contacted by a woman offering him a high-return, short-term investment opportunity. The man initially invested RM1,000 and RM70,000, receiving small returns of RM175 and RM12,300 as supposed profits. "Those returns were reinvested, and the victim was later persuaded to commit larger sums," Yahaya explained. The case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.

KUALA LUMPUR: Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, on Saturday (Jan 24) visited her former aide-de-camp, Sergeant Anis Nazia Mohd Nazri, who is receiving treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) following an accident. According to a post on the official Facebook page of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, Anis Nazia, 39, served as Her Majesty's aide-de-camp in Johor from 2008 to 2018. Currently attached to the Bukit Aman police headquarters, she was admitted to HKL's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to brain haemorrhage after being involved in a road accident along Jalan Jelatek here on Jan 14. "Her Majesty prays that Sergeant Anis Nazia will be granted a speedy recovery and will be able to return to duty as usual, and that all matters concerning her and her family will be eased," the post read. Her Majesty was welcomed by HKL director Datuk Dr Harikrishna KR Nair and Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohd Azani Omar.

SUNGAI PETANI: The list of essential items under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme will be updated by mid-February and will likely include fresh produce. Political secretary to the Finance Minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said there have been requests to include more items to the list, including fresh produce. "The ministry is considering including fresh goods such as fish, chicken and others. "Sara recipients will also be able to buy items at more small shops, especially in rural areas," he said. He added that the number of Sara and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients changes annually.

Actress Janna Nick has offered to confront Puteri Balqis virtually to settle their ongoing social media dispute and clarify past misunderstandings between them. This was the candid response from popular actress Janna Nick, 31, following a series of public statements made by fellow actress Puteri Balqis, affectionately known as Aqish, on social media. Recalling their time working together when Puteri Balqis was still a child star, Janna disclosed that she carries her own trauma involving an individual associated with the teenage actress. She further expressed her discomfort regarding how Puteri Balqis was allegedly "used" as a breadwinner during her childhood. The wife of Dini Schatzmann also claimed fellow industry players had boycotted her for years, an isolation she believes was triggered by the teenage actress' mother disparaging her reputation.

JOHOR BARU: A housewife lost RM93,300 of her savings after being duped by an online investment scam. “The interested victim sent a message to the TikTok account before being connected with customer service through a chatbox. “The woman was then asked to make a payment as investment capital,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 24). He added that the victim made 20 transactions between Dec 25 last year and Jan 21 this year, totalling RM93,300, to three different bank accounts. He also advised the public to always be cautious of any investment offers that promise extraordinary returns and not to make any financial transactions without verifying with the authorities or legitimate financial institutions.

BUTTERWORTH: The implementation of the Year Four assessments under the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 aims to identify students' weaknesses in reading, writing and arithmetic at an earlier stage, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this approach was designed to enable remedial actions before students progress to secondary school, rather than waiting for Year Six assessments. "The new national education policy focuses on improving the quality of education for the future of our children," he said in his speech at the launch of a new block at Seberang Jaya Hospital in Perai, Saturday (Jan 24). He also addressed the proposal to introduce preschool education at age five. "The education system must also cultivate individuals who possess humanitarian values, respect for other races, and an understanding of Malaysia's cultural diversity," he added.

KOTA TINGGI: A motorcyclist died after the vehicle he was riding collided with a lorry here. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said police received information about the incident at KM35 Jalan Lok Heng–Mawai at about 12.24am on Saturday (Jan 24). “The motorcycle was ridden by a 35-year-old man travelling from Bandar Penawar to Mawai, who had entered the opposite lane before colliding with a lorry. “The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by a medical assistant due to severe head injuries, while the 46-year-old lorry driver was unhurt,” he said in a statement on Saturday. He added that the case was being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

Actress Puteri Balqis (left) has sparked a social media storm after levelling a series of intense personal allegations against fellow star Mia Sara Nasuha (right). Pic from IGKUALA LUMPUR: The long-simmering tension between young starlets Puteri Balqis and Mia Sara Nasuha has reached a fever pitch following a series of scathing social media revelations. Puteri Balqis, affectionately known as Aqish, recently took to Instagram to demand a public apology for her mother, Norashikin Mohd Aziz, after years of alleged defamation. In a stinging rebuttal, Aqish challenged Mia's public persona, contrasting it with private behaviours. Aqish alleged that it was Mia, not her mother, who was involved in nightlife and substance use.

The order by U.S. District Judge Matthew ‌Kennelly in Chicago blocks the Trump administration from ending deportation protections for about 4,000 Myanmar nationals living in the U.S. The Trump ‌administration had no immediate reaction to the order. The United Nations, many Western countries and human rights ⁠groups have called the ongoing election a sham. The U.S. State ‌Department's most recent human rights report said there were "significant human rights issues" in Myanmar. Court rulings have at times slowed or halted the Trump administration's efforts to strip migrants of their legal status.

SHAH ALAM: In a rare blend of personal and political ties, the families of two prominent Malaysian political figures were joined through marriage this week. Sabrina, the niece of former Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, exchanged vows with Yusuf, the son of Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali. The ceremony turned long-time political acquaintances into relatives, linking the former defence minister and the former Selangor Mentri Besar. “A beautiful evening with siblings, relatives and friends. He also congratulated the parents, his siblings Datuk Haris Onn Hussein and Datin Shazlin, as well as new in-laws Azmin and Datin Seri Shamshida Taharin.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi dissolved parliament yesterday ahead of a snap election on Feb 8, counting on her Cabinet’s high poll numbers to steer her otherwise unpopular ruling party to victory. The speaker of parliament yesterday read out a letter, officially dissolving the lower house as lawmakers shouted the traditional rallying cry of “banzai”. The ruling coalition of Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party (JIP) has only a slim majority in the powerful lower chamber. Public discontent over rising prices largely contributed to the downfall of Shigeru Ishiba, whom Takaichi succeeded in October. The CDP has joined forces with another party, Komeito, hoping their new Centrist Reform Alliance can draw swing voters away from Takaichi.

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei pulled off a stunning win over China’s world No. 2 Jiang Zhenbang-Wei Yaxin to reach the Indonesian Masters final. Tang Jie-Ee Wei played brilliantly from start to finish to come out on top 21-17, 21-12 in just 33 minutes at Istora Senayan in Jakarta on Saturday (Jan 24). 4 duo’s historic win in the World Championships final in Paris last August. In the women’s singles, K. Letshanaa’s fine run though ended after she went down 15-21, 17-21 to Thailand’s 2023 world junior champion Pitchamon Opatniputh.

A massive fire this week destroyed hundreds of makeshift homes and displaced more than 2,000 people in a Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, prompting calls Thursday from relief agencies for more funding to build safer housing and help provide emergency aid. The fire broke out in the early morning hours of Tuesday in Camp 16, one of more than 30 camps in the Cox’s Bazar district that make up the world’s largest refugee centre, housing more than one million Rohingya who have fled persecution in neighbouring Myanmar. “When fires strike in overcrowded camp settings, the impact extends far beyond damaged infrastructure,” said Lance Bonneau, IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, in a statement. The aid organisation is among others operating inside the Cox’s Bazar camps. It also damaged water and sanitation points in the camp, 11 learning centres and camp infrastructure and pathways.

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 2 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah stormed into the Indonesia Masters final for the second straight year on Saturday. The top seeds were in complete control as they brushed aside Indonesia's newly-formed pairing Lanny Tria Mayasari-Apriyani Rahayu 21-15, 21-9 at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta. Pearly-Thinaah will now play for the title against Japan's new combination Arisa Igarashi-Miyu Takahashi.