Elon Musk said his xAI artificial intelligence start-up has acquired the X platform, which he also controls, at a valuation of US$33 billion (RM146.36 billion), marking a surprise twist for the social network formerly known as Twitter.

Musk’s xAI start-up swallows up X social network in surprise deal

(March 27): OpenAI is close to finalising a US$40 billion (RM177.28 billion) funding round led by SoftBank Group Corp — with investors including Magnetar Capital, Coatue Management, Founders Fund and Altimeter Capital Management in talks to participate, according to people familiar with the matter.

OpenAI close to finalising US$40b SoftBank-led funding — Bloomberg

Startup acquisitions have boomed so far this year, capped by last week’s massive US$32 billion deal for cybersecurity startup Wiz — a signal that Silicon Valley is optimistic about the Trump administration’s antitrust policies and that venture-backed companies may finally have a way to cash out.

Big startup deals soar to US$55b, passing quarterly record

Elon Musk’s social network X has raised close to US$1 billion (RM4.43 billion) in new equity from investors, according to people with knowledge of the matter — a deal that gives the company a valuation in line with when Musk took it private in 2022.

Musk’s X raised almost US$1b in new equity funding — Bloomberg

SoftBank Group Corp-backed South Korean travel app Yanolja Co is aiming for US$400 million (RM1.88 billion) in a US initial public offering (IPO), people familiar with the situation said. 

The Seoul-based start-up’s offering, which may launch as soon as July, could value the company at US$7 billion to US$9 billion, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Morgan Stanley are set to lead the IPO, the people said.

SoftBank-backed travel app planning US$400m IPO as soon as July, Bloomberg reports

Google has committed to investing US$2 billion (RM9.56 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic, solidifying its relationship with the start-up darling and stoking the Silicon Valley frenzy for AI.

Google bets US$2b on AI start-up Anthropic, inks cloud deal

TikTok's parent company ByteDance Ltd generated more than US$17 billion in revenue and more than US$3 billion in net profit last year, figures that show the start-up, already the most valuable in the world, is growing at a brisk rate, according to people familiar with the matter.

ByteDance hit US$3 billion in net profit last year

HOUSTON (March 29): The US government has notified foreign partners of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA of the imminent cancellation of authorisations that allow them to export Venezuelan oil and byproducts, sources close to the decision by US President Donald Trump's administration said on Saturday.

US to revoke authorisations to foreign partners of Venezuela's PDVSA — Reuters

KOTA KINABALU (March 29): A young man from Keningau, who was a victim of a job scam syndicate in Cambodia, was rescued early Friday morning and repatriated to Malaysia that night.

Young man rescued from Cambodia job scam repatriated to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (March 29): Festive season airfares have remained lower and controlled this year, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook..

Festive season airfares to Sabah, Sarawak remain low, controlled — Loke

BANGKOK (March 29): Myanmar's military rulers let in hundreds of foreign rescue personnel on Saturday, after an earthquake killed more than 1,600 people, the deadliest natural disaster to hit the impoverished, war-torn country in years.

Myanmar quake death toll passes 1,600, as junta lets in foreign rescuers

KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Established by Sardinian-born entrepreneur Renzo Frau in 1912, luxury Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau is the definition of a heritage brand. Through its use of the finest materials and painstaking craftsmanship, the 113-year-old company is a mainstay in the high-end interior décor industry, celebrated for its opulent and distinctly European look.

Man of the house

KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Kota Kinabalu’s property landscape continues to evolve — this time with The Peninsula, a 14.85‑acre mixed‑use development built on reclaimed land. In this week’s cover story, City & Country sits down with Trillium Development Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Clement Chu to explore the vision and masterplan behind the project.

Making a bold move in Kota Kinabalu

Ukraine will ask for changes to a sweeping new economic deal proposed by US President Donald Trump, including a pledge for more US investments, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Ukraine to seek more US investments in talks over economic deal — Bloomberg

The police have arrested a businessman with the title of "Tan Sri" for allegedly scamming the public out of RM10 million under the pretence of handing the money over to the cops to resolve money-laundering cases.

Businessman with 'Tan Sri' title, said to be O&G industry veteran, arrested for RM10m scam

Muslims in Indonesia will celebrate Eid on Monday, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar announced on Saturday night.

At a press conference held at the ministry, he confirmed that 1 Syawal 1446 Hijri will fall on March 31, 2025.

Indonesian Muslims to celebrate Eid on Monday

Myanmar was hit by a 5.1-magnitude aftershock on Saturday, a day after powerful earthquakes devastated several neighbouring nations, leaving more than a thousand dead.

Myanmar hit by fresh 5.1 aftershock, tremors felt in neighbouring countries

KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Kota Kinabalu’s property landscape continues to evolve — this time with The Peninsula, a 14.85‑acre mixed‑use development built on reclaimed land. In this week’s cover story, City &amp; Country sits down with Trillium Development Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Clement Chu to explore the vision and masterplan behind the project.&nbsp;

KUALA LUMPUR (March 30): Established by Sardinian-born entrepreneur Renzo Frau in 1912, luxury Italian furniture maker Poltrona Frau is the definition of a heritage brand. Through its use of the finest materials and painstaking craftsmanship, the 113-year-old company is a mainstay in the high-end interior décor industry, celebrated for its opulent and distinctly European look.&nbsp;

BANGKOK (March 29): Myanmar's military rulers let in hundreds of foreign rescue personnel on Saturday, after an earthquake killed more than 1,600 people, the deadliest natural disaster to hit the impoverished, war-torn country in years.

KOTA KINABALU (March 29): A young man from Keningau, who was a victim of a job scam syndicate in Cambodia, was rescued early Friday morning and repatriated to Malaysia that night.

KUALA LUMPUR (March 29): Festive season airfares have remained lower and controlled this year, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook..

HOUSTON (March 29): The US government has notified foreign partners of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA of the imminent cancellation of authorisations that allow them to export Venezuelan oil and byproducts, sources close to the decision by US President Donald Trump's administration said on Saturday.

Katie Roof

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