Laos

Lao Education Ministry signs US$1.35mil package to raise standards at secondary schools

VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with the Education Development Fund (EDF-Lao), has entered into an agreement that will see US$1.3 million spent on improvements to education in four southern provinces.

Thailand

Families of 30 Thailand crane collapse victims receive US$48,000 in compensation

BANGKOK: Families of 30 people killed when parts of a launching gantry at a high-speed rail construction site fell onto a moving passenger train received compensation totalling 1.49 million baht (US$48,231) per victim at a ceremony at Government House on Jan 20.

Myanmar

Myanmar–Russia 30-day visa-free travel to begin on Jan 27

YANGON: The Russian government has announced that a visa-free entry arrangement allowing stays of up to 30 days between Myanmar and Russia will come into effect on Jan 27.

Nation

Children entering Year One at age six to complete schooling at 16, says Education Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Children entering Year One early at the age of six (5+), starting from the 2027 session, are expected to complete upper secondary education at 16, says the Education Ministry.

World

New Zealand PM Luxon calls November 7 poll, promises economic prosperity

WELLINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - New Zealand Prime Minister ‌Christopher Luxon called a general election for November 7 and kicked off his re-election campaign on Wednesday asking voters to choose continuity and ‌promising economic prosperity.

Sabah & Sarawak

Army stops RM500,000 cigarette smuggling near Indonesia border

SIBU: The army has foiled an attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes worth more than RM517,000 out of the country after intercepting a lorry in Serikin near the Sarawak–Indonesia border on Tuesday (January 20).

Corporate News

MMC Ports targets digital consolidation and operational resilience in pivotal 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: MMC Ports Holdings Bhd, Malaysia's largest port operator and manager of key transshipment hubs, will focus on executing targeted infrastructure upgrades and equipment enhancement programmes in 2026.

Smartphones

Five things too much screen time is doing to your child’s brain

New government research indicates that increased screen time may be linked to poorer vocabulary development in toddlers.

Wellness

Neurosurgeons can operate on more than the brain

Spinal surgery is often associated with orthopaedic specialists, but neurosurgeons are also qualified to operate on this part of the body.

Living

How these in-debt shopping addicts are trying to manage their overspending

With the convenience of one-click purchases, saved payment information and "buy now, pay later" loans, shoppers get the quick dopamine boost before they are able to pause and consider whether the purchases make sense. This can lead to overspending.

Singapore

Four Malaysians to be charged in Singapore for suspected involvement in government impersonation scam

SINGAPORE: Four Malaysians are set to be charged on Jan 21 for their suspected involvement in three separate government official impersonation scam cases.

Nation

MACC steps up probe into illegal e-waste imports

PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will intensify investigations into premises involved in the illegal importation of electronic waste (e-waste) into the country.

Indonesia

Indonesia revokes permits of 28 firms after deadly floods

JAKARTA: Indonesia stripped more than two dozen permits from forestry, mining and hydroelectric companies in Sumatra Tuesday (Jan 20), a government minister said, just weeks after deadly floods devastated parts of the island

Other Sports

Sailing-German yacht's crew member dies after accident in transatlantic race

Jan 20 (Reuters) - ‌A crew member on a German yacht competing in ‌the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Transatlantic Race died following ‌an accident during the crossing from Spain to Antigua, race organisers said on Tuesday.

Forex

Dollar down as 'Sell America' trade revives; yen slumps on Japan fiscal worries

TOKYO: The dollar languished near three-week lows against the euro and Swiss franc on Wednesday after White House threats over Greenland triggered a broad selloff in U.S. assets, from the currency to Wall Street stocks and Treasury bonds.

Forex

Ringgit edges up against US$, major currencies in early trade

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened marginally firmer against the US dollar and other major currencies on Wednesday, supported by modest demand, as traders remained cautious and monitored ongoing economic developments.

Markets

FBM KLCI loses more ground after 1,700 support breach

KUALA LUMPUR: The selling pressure intensified on the local stock market as investor sentiment soured amid the growing cross-Atlantic feud over Greenland.

World

Chile’s Kast names Quiroz finance minister, taps Pinochet defenders for cabinet

SANTIAGO, ‌Jan 20 (Reuters) - Chilean President-elect Jose Antonio Kast on Tuesday named economist Jorge Quiroz as finance ‌minister, part of a cabinet that includes two lawyers who defended dictator Augusto Pinochet, a ‌move that has revived tensions over human rights ahead of his inauguration.

Nation

Smart lanes, agreement on reciprocal trade on Parliament agenda today

KUALA LUMPUR: The implementation of smart lanes, the enforcement of the overloaded lorry policy by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), and Malaysia's status under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) will be among matters to be discussed at today's Dewan Rakyat sitting.

Entertainment

Singaporean DJ Dennis Chew, 52, late for first day of university

Chew had begun his Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies at SUSS when he did not arrive in time for his first class on Jan 12.