Social media

Scale of social media use in pre-school children ‘deeply alarming’

Hundreds of thousands of pre-school children are "being fed content and algorithms designed to hook adults", a former education minister in Britain has warned.

Nation

Two children die in separate drowning incidents in Negri Sembilan

PORT DICKSON: A four-year-old boy died after he was believed to have drowned in a pool at a homestay in Batu 4, Jalan Pantai on Saturday (Dec 6) evening.

Nation

Melaka local councils ordered to inspect trees

MELAKA: Local authorities in Melaka have been instructed to inspect trees, especially those located along roads, to prevent potential hazards to road users.

Nation

Dr Wee slams Education Minister for creating obstacles in Chinese school projects

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should replace the Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, in any Cabinet reshuffle, for her dismal performance in addressing education issues, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Indonesia

Residents climb over logs in walk to aid centre as flood deaths in Aceh rise over 900

JAKARTA: Residents in Aceh Tamiang climbed over slippery logs and walked for about an hour on Saturday (Dec 6) to get aid, as the death toll from floods and landslides that hit Sumatra this month rose to more than 900 people.

World

Russian strike hits Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, cutting utilities, mayor says

Dec 7 (Reuters) - Russian forces launched an overnight combined air strike on infrastructure in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, causing power and water outages, its mayor Vitalii Maletskyi said on Sunday.

Nation

Loss of tax-exempt status will hurt thousands of TAR UMT students, says Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has voiced concern over the pending expiry of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology's (TAR UMT) tax-exempt status on Dec 31, warning that the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has yet to approve an extension.

Nation

Lost hikers on Bukit Cherok Tokun found safe

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Four 25-year-old women who went missing during a hike on Bukit Cherok Tokun here yesterday were found safe on Saturday (Dec 7) night.

Economy

World Bank: Malaysia shows strong progress in reducing poverty, must now focus on inclusive growth

PUTRAJAYA: The World Bank has commended Malaysia for its strong progress in reducing poverty, particularly hardcore poverty, while noting that further improvements in education and health outcomes are crucial to support inclusive and equitable growth.

Philippines

Wilma weakens into low-pressure area; 8K+ evacuees, landslides reported in Cebu, Philippines

CEBU, (Philippines): Tropical Depression Wilma on Sunday (Dec 7), has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA), but its persistent rains continued to inundate parts of Cebu Province, forcing the evacuation of more than 8,000 residents and triggering landslides that blocked several roads, disaster officials said.

Nation

MCA committed to BN but ready to forge own path if policies harm public

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will remain in Barisan Nasional for the current term but is prepared to chart its own path if the coalition continues to back policies and political arrangements that hurt the people or undermine its founding spirit, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Business

Nestlé for Healthier Kids marks 15th anniversary, aims for 500,000 students by 2030

KUALA LUMPUR: Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) programme has reached over 220,000 children across 865 schools nationwide, marking its 15th anniversary.

Sri Lanka

Disaster death toll in Sri Lanka climbs to 618, 209 still missing

COLOMBO: (Bernama-Lankapuvath) The death toll from the disaster situation triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka has risen to 618, while 209 people remain missing, Lankapuvath News Agency reported, citing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC)

Japan

Baby’s head found in refrigerator at adult entertainment establishment in Tokyo’s Kinshicho

TOKYO: A baby's head was found inside a refrigerator at an adult entertainment establishment in Tokyo's Kinshicho on Saturday (Dec 6), police said

Nation

Government unveils major increase in on-call allowances for medical officers

KUALA LUMPUR: On-call allowances for medical officers and dentists are set to cost the government RM407mil annually, starting next year.

Technology

Opinion: Are QR codes computer-friendly?

I have a friend who calls me occasionally to come help him with various little things having to do with the technology at his house. This week, one of his requests was to learn more about QR codes and how they work.

Europe

Vilnius kicks off Christmas season with annual tree lighting

This year, the Lithuanian capital unveils a 20m-tall Christmas tree featuring a traditional aesthetic.

South Korea

Free speech or public harassment? Korea begins the hard fight over hate banners

SEOUL: If you've walked through any major South Korean city recently, chances are you've seen a banner warning that Chinese students are all potential spies, or that Korea is being "colonised" by Chinese tourists.

Football

Soccer-Chelsea's Maresca says Delap shoulder injury looks bad

Dec 7 (Reuters) - Chelsea forward Liam Delap may face another spell on the sidelines with a shoulder injury after being forced off in the first half of Saturday's 0-0 Premier League draw at Bournemouth, manager Enzo Maresca said.

Nation

Dr Wee: DAP is not qualified to be MCA 2.0

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP is far from being a "replica of MCA" as some have claimed, as it has yet to fulfil its own promises on Chinese education despite years in government, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.