KUALA LUMPUR: Emotional - that was how former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin described his return to the Umno annual general assembly after a two-year hiatus. KJ, as he is fondly known, said he also sought permission from Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to attend the youth assembly held on Thursday (Jan 15). “I told him that I would only come if allowed, and I have to thank Datuk Seri (Ahmad Zahid) for permitting this. “It has been an extremely emotional day for me as I am able to return to my party’s assembly,” he told reporters after attending the youth convention. When asked if there are plans to rejoin Umno, Khairy said he will take things “one step at a time”.

Fears early last year of foreign capital flight from US markets ‌amid trade, economic policy and geopolitical upheavals never really materialised. US net investment position and the dollarNew plaza? Is time up for the great dollar unwind that many of the Trump team felt would result from a protectionist trade war and political pressure on the Fed? The net investment position barely shifted. "I just ‍don't think it's healthy to have all the world's excess saving going to the United States, with such big net investment imbalances."

That's likely to mean more volatility ahead for the yen and other Japanese assets, as investors try to make sense of this new reality. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is finally increasing borrowing costs, albeit cautiously. Investors appear to fear that historically high borrowing costs could precipitate a fiscal crisis that will only tighten the squeeze on JGBs and the yen. Yen volatility has already been creeping up in the last few years. For the first time in decades, Japan has got inflation, ​wage growth, and rising borrowing costs.

PETALING JAYA: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has lodged reports over a fake news article claiming she had endorsed halal certification for certain products. She said she lodged a report at the Sri Petaling police station and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). "It went viral and I have never made such a statement before," said Kok in a Facebook post on Jan 15 (Thursday). According to Kok, she received several WhatsApp messages from her friends about the article. "The fake and defamatory article has tarnished my good name and labelled me as a racial and religious instigator, jeopardising public harmony.

The Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed to deepen cooperation between their countries before they let loose with their own surprise cultural exchange in a surprise jam session drumming to K-pop hits. The musical performance between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung followed Tuesday’s summit in Japan’s ancient capital of Nara, also Takaichi’s hometown. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pose with autographed drumsticks. “Playing the drums has been my longtime dream,” Lee said on X, thanking Takaichi’s hospitality for arranging the jam session. “Like we respected our differences and harmonised our rhythms, I hope that Korea and Japan would deepen cooperation and move closer to each other step by step,” Lee said.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said it imposed sanctions on the Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security as well as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and law enforcement forces commanders, accusing them of being architects of the crackdown. The US also imposed sanctions on Fardis Prison, where the State Department said women had "endured cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment". As President Trump has said, stop the violence and stand with the people of Iran." The US-based HRANA rights group says it has so far verified the deaths of 2,435 protesters and 153 government-affiliated individuals. Trump has repeatedly threatened to intervene on behalf of protesters in Iran, where the clerical establishment has cracked down hard on nationwide unrest since Dec 28.

KUALA LUMPUR: Two HELP University students who were injured in the air conditioning gas explosion at the university's Bukit Damansara campus here are still receiving treatment at the hospital, while two others have been discharged. In a statement on Thursday (Jan 15), HELP University said the six individuals who were also injured in the incident have also been discharged from the hospital. Additionally, HELP University welcomes Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call for a swift and comprehensive investigation into the incident. On Wednesday, in an X post, Anwar called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation to be conducted to identify the cause of the air conditioning gas explosion at HELP University that occurred on Monday. Following the incident at around 11.40am, the media reported that one man died and nine others were injured in an air conditioning gas explosion at HELP University.

PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttlers Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are still trying to rediscover their rhythm and confidence. Tang Jie-Ee Wei struggled to raise their game and were surprisingly beaten 16-21, 19-21 in 40 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi yesterday. Tang Jie said that he and Ee Wei were still trying to regain their rhythm and self-belief after the disappointing start to the year. We also need to make our game plan more solid.”The defeat meant that Tang Jie-Ee Wei have suffered an early exit for the first time since going down in the Singapore Open second round in May last year. Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be keen to regain their best form as soon as possible and get their season back on track.

It said the affected flights were rerouted via alternative established flight paths, including the Afghanistan corridor. Iran had temporarily closed its airspace to all flights except authorised international civil arrivals and departures, citing security protocols. Iranian airspace, however, reopened on Thursday after the temporary closure to most flights expired. A check on the flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 showed that flights have resumed in and out of Iranian airspace, although the number of aircraft using the route remains limited. MAG stated that the national carrier would continue to monitor the situation and adhere strictly to international aviation safety standards to safeguard passengers and crew.

Zurn said the entertainment giant failed to show it would “suffer irreparable harm” by Warner Bros’ allegedly deficient disclosures. Paramount says it wants Warner Bros to correct misleading information about the deal before investors vote on it. Paramount has targeted Warner Bros since October with multiple offers, including the current all-cash bid of US$30 per share. Warner Bros has rebuffed those overtures, backing Netflix’s US$27.75 stock-and-cash bid as superior. Warner Bros has produced beloved film franchises from Batman to Harry Potter and is the home of HBO.

SIBU: Three local men aged between 27 and 31 have been arrested to assist investigations into the murder of a foreign national, believed to have resulted from a fight at a hotel here early Thursday (Jan 15). Sibu OCPD Zulkipli Suhaili said police received a report at about 4.22am regarding a foreign man who had died after being admitted to Hospital Sibu. “The 27-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the hospital due to severe head injuries,” he said in a statement. Police later arrested three local men believed to be involved in the incident. The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

PUTRAJAYA: The ongoing investigations involving senior military officers must be completed as soon as possible, given the sensitivities involved, says Tan Sri Azam Baki. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner, Tan Sri Azam Bak, stressed that he had not received any directives or instructions to pursue both cases. "I humbly say it is our responsibility to complete the investigations as soon as possible, given the sensitivity of the cases due to the military top brass involved. Azam said his officers had to conduct the investigations within a tight time frame. He also does not rule out that more military officers may be called in to investigate both cases.

PETALING JAYA: The owner of a so-called "gay-friendly" hotel in Melaka has given his statement at the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ). According to MPHTJ president Datuk Sapiah Haron, the owner had a meeting with the council, the Melaka Islamic Department (JAIM) and the police. ALSO READ: Melaka Islamic Religious Department ordered to investigate 'gay-friendly' hotel claimsSapiah was speaking to reporters after attending the MPHTJ monthly assembly at the Melaka Mall on Thursday (Jan 15). "The hotel is not allowed to operate until a further decision is made," she said on Thursday, reported Sinar Harian. ALSO READ: Hang Tuah Jaya council suspends licence of hotel touted as 'gay-friendly' on websiteAlso present was Melaka housing, local government, drainage, climate change and disaster management committee deputy chairman Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) and the Johor State Government have agreed to strengthen strategic cooperation in talent and skills development, particularly among youths. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan said in a Facebook post that the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and his delegation on Thursday. “The meeting focused on strengthening talent development and the skills ecosystem in Johor in a more structured and impactful manner, in line with the Madani Malaysia aspirations as well as current and future industry needs. “The discussion also focused on a presentation by the Johor Talent Development Council, support for a RM20 million allocation from HRD Corp for workforce training and skills enhancement in Johor, and the expansion of PTPK [the Skills Development Fund Corporation] funding to strengthen the TVET [technical and vocational education and training] agenda as a driving force of employability,” he said. Ramanan also said the courtesy call by the Johor Menteri Besar reflected the Madani government’s continued commitment, through the Human Resources ministry, to develop human capital in an inclusive, focused and high-impact manner, in line with the country’s sustainable economic growth agenda.

(Jan 15): AP Moller-Maersk A/S will return to sailing regularly through the Suez canal this month as the security situation improves in the Middle East. The voyage marks another step toward normalisation of global supply lines, after Yemen-based Houthis in 2023 began attacking vessels, forcing shipowners to sail south of Africa. Maersk made the first safe transit in December, followed by another sailing earlier this month. The change comes into effect with Cornelia Maersk departing Salalah on Jan 26, the company said in a statement on Thursday. Maersk shares fell as much as 7.3%, the most in two months, and were down 6.5% as of 11.43am in Copenhagen.