(Jan 13): Volkswagen AG’s namesake brand is projecting rising electric-vehicle (EV) sales this year as the German automaker prepares a range of affordable plug-in models. VW’s EV deliveries stayed roughly flat last year at around 382,000 units, with declines in China cancelling out strong growth in Europe, the brand said on Tuesday. “In China alone, we will be bringing out more than ten new electric models this year,” Martin Sander, board member responsible for sales and marketing, said in a statement. Volkswagen could use a sales boost as US tariffs and waning deliveries in China drag on its business. Meanwhile, Chinese brands are expanding in Europe with competitively priced models like BYD Co’s Dolphin Surf hatchback, which starts at around €23,000 in Germany.

Trump's lawsuit alleges the BBC violated a Florida law that bars deceptive and unfair trade practices. BBC asks court to stay the discovery phaseThe BBC has apologised for the editing which appeared on its Panorama documentary programme but said it would defend the case. The court document said that by a March 17 deadline, the broadcaster would move to dismiss the complaint. The document said the BBC would argue that Trump could not plausibly allege that the documentary was published with "actual malice". "As Plaintiff failed to plead actual damages, claiming only vague 'harm to his professional and occupational interests', his claim fails," the BBC document stated.

Held in September, the Kuching International Cat Festival evolved from its earlier concept, the Cat Show, following growing public interest over the years. If you are looking for a meaningful and memorable way to explore a destination, check out these animal festivals around the world. Edmonton International Cat Festival (Canada)Just like in Kuching, Edmonton in Alberta, Canada celebrates its feline friends through the yearly Edmonton International Cat Festival. The Festival de Aves de Chile, or Birds of Chile Festival, takes place every October and celebrates the country’s rich birdlife. Held in late May in Fukushima Prefecture, this one-of-a-kind event is considered one of Japan’s oldest traditional festivals, with a history dating back more than 1,000 years.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): The SME Association of Malaysia has urged the government and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to reconsider the CP500 requirement for salaried individuals and retirees, saying it creates an unfair prepayment burden and adds to cash-flow pressure and administrative complexity. CP500 applies to individuals with non-employment income such as rental or freelance earnings. He said Malaysia’s tax system should prioritise clarity, fairness and proportionality, rather than imposing excessive prepayment burdens on salaried individuals and retirees. Many retirees no longer have stable monthly income and rely on sporadic, unpredictable engagements, making advance tax instalments unsuitable. Chin said advance tax payments under CP500 force taxpayers to pay tax before income is earned or can be properly assessed, undermining fairness and certainty in the tax system.

TOKYO (Jan 13): Japan's bankruptcy cases last year climbed to levels unseen in 12 years as rising raw material costs and intensifying labour shortages took a toll on businesses, a private think tank survey showed on Tuesday. The total number of companies that went under in 2025 stood at 10,300, marking the highest level since 2013. The number of bankruptcies caused by labour shortages rose to a record 397 last year, the survey said. A separate government survey published on Tuesday showed sentiment among firms close to consumers, such as retailers, worsened for the second straight month in December. The index measuring sentiment among such firms slipped to 48.6 in December, down 0.1 point from November, according to the survey released by the Cabinet Office.

KOTA TINGGI: A certified football coach has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage boy at a village near here. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said the crime was alleged to have been committed at Kampung Gembut in Tanjung Sedili, Kota Tinggi, on Thursday (Jan 8). "A 15-year-old boy lodged a police report on Friday (Jan 9)," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 13). Supt Yusof said the suspect, a local man in his 50s, is also the boy’s neighbour. "We urge the public to refrain from making any speculation which could interfere with the investigation," he added.

SINGAPORE (Jan 13): Atome, a Singapore-based digital finance firm, has finalised the renewal of a syndicated debt facility, enlarged to US$345 million (RM1.4 billion), to support its expansion in Southeast Asia, it said in a statement on Tuesday. The facility was up from the US$200 million syndicated debt facility Atome secured in 2024, it said. "We are now even better positioned to support a rapidly growing, healthy and profitable loan book," Andy Tan, Atome's chief commercial officer, said in the statement. HSBC reprised its roles as structuring bank and was mandated lead arranger and book runner, while DBS joined as a mandated lead arranger and book runner, Atome said. Returning lenders include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation's Singapore branch, Baiduri Bank and Cathay United Bank, while Fubon Bank and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank joined as new participating banks, it added.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): Malaysia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production is expected to dip below the 20 million-tonne mark in 2026 after hitting a record high last year, as output normalises following a tree-resting cycle, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). CPO production could range between 19.5 million and 19.8 million tonnes, MPOB director general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir told the Palm Oil Economic Review and Outlook Seminar 2026 on Tuesday. Output reached a historic high of 20.28 million tonnes in 2025. “The moderation reflects a natural production normalisation, with a tree-resting cycle following strong yields in late 2025 expected to weigh on output, particularly in early 2026," Ahmad Parveez explained. The lower export figures in 2025 were attributed to stiff competition from Indonesia and narrow price gaps between palm oil and other vegetable oils, which dampened Malaysia's price competitiveness.

Knapper was an advocate for closer ties with Vietnam and frequently expressed optimism about the outcome of trade talks with Hanoi. The latest seasonally adjusted US data shows Vietnam's January to October trade surplus in goods reached US$144.2 billion, already surpassing its full-year 2024 record. Crucially, Vietnam's goods trade surplus was higher than China's in the second and third quarters of 2025, the latest available US data shows. China's trade surplus with the US still remains higher than Vietnam's for the full January-October period. Meanwhile, China's exports to Vietnam boomed last year, Vietnamese data show.

JOHOR BARU: A trailer lorry driver has claimed trial at a Magistrate’s Court here to a charge of causing the death of a motorcyclist through reckless driving. Those convicted under this section may also be barred from holding or obtaining a driving licence for at least five years. Prosecuting officer S. Vikineswari proposed bail of RM8,000, while the accused asked that his driving licence not be suspended. She also ordered Nazri to report regularly to the nearest police station and suspended his driving licence until the case is concluded. The Magistrate then set Feb 24 for submission of documents and for the accused to appoint a lawyer.

(Jan 13): AbbVie Inc signed an agreement with the US government to lower some drug prices and invest US$100 billion (RM405.6 billion) domestically in exchange for an exemption from certain tariffs. AbbVie will invest the US$100 billion in US research, development and capital investments, including manufacturing, over the next decade. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about how the funds would be specifically used. AbbVie will also lower prices in the Medicaid programme and offer some drugs directly to patients through a Trump-branded website, TrumpRx, according to the release. In exchange, AbbVie will be exempt from tariffs and “future price mandates”, the company said.

During the year, LBS focused on reinforcing its long-term development base through selective strategic initiatives. The group secured development rights at Kwasa Damansara, enhancing landbank visibility and advancing progress at one of the Klang Valley’s emerging integrated townships. This reflects the group’s strategic participation in growth corridors that align with its long-term township-led development model under the 8 x 8 Strategy. In acknowledgement of exemplary leadership, LBS group executive chairman Tan Sri Ir Dr Lim Hock San was honoured with The Edge Malaysia Outstanding Property Entrepreneur Award 2025. In addition, LBS received Business Today’s Industry Choice Award for Best in Community-Centric Development, reflecting the group’s consistent leadership, operational excellence and steadfast commitment to deliver long-term value.

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average surged to a record high on Tuesday, as markets played catch-up with Wall Street's recent two-day rally following a public holiday in the Asian nation earlier this week. Japanese investors, like global ​peers, mostly appeared undeterred by the U.S. Justice Department's criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The Nikkei jumped as much as 3.6% to a record 53,814.79, and remained close to that level at 0053 GMT. The ‍head of ​coalition partner Ishin said he met with Takaichi on Friday ⁠and that she may call an early election. Investor sentiment was further ⁠lifted by a sharply weaker yen than when Tokyo last closed on Friday, as a softer currency increases the value of overseas earnings for Japan's export-heavy corporations.

Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE, C.ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANAN orphaned otter became friends with local residents in Temerloh, Pahang, after it was rescued from a riverbank, repor­ted Sin Chew Daily. According to Mohd Fadli Ahmad, 37, he came across an otter pup while fishing by Sungai Pahang. Nicknamed “Boboi”, the otter pup grew and became well-loved by local residents, often swimming and playing with them. Of the nine schools, only Poi Lam High School (200 students), Yuk Choy High School (123 students), San Min Secondary School (119 students) and Hua Lian High schools (100 students) had 100 new students or more. Some added that many parents now chose to send their kids to national schools rather than independent Chinese schools due to financial constraints.

Compiled by BENJAMIN LEE, C.ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANREPEATED wild elephant intrusions have left residents of the Kesedar Chalil Land Development Plan settlement in Gua Musang, Kelantan, worried for their safety, reported Kosmo!. Residents have become increasingly distressed after the last intrusion on Sunday, that left crops and house porches heavily damaged by the herd of about 20 elephants. “My son and I were extremely scared and huddled together indoors,” said Hazura Ismail, 40, of the incident. “We hope the authorities will take immediate steps such as closer monitoring, control measures or relocation to ensure the safety of residents,” he said. > Actress Ezzani Jasny has been hospitalised following a car accident, reported Kosmo!.