Children

Cancer survivor creates children's book to offer comfort and companionship

Written by a Malaysian cancer survivor, this children's book in BM and Chinese, with an English summary, offers comfort and understanding during trying times.

Asia & Oceania

Where to go for 'rail thrill' if/when Hanoi's Train Street closes for good

Here are a few (less risky) alternatives to Vietnam's popular rail attraction, including one right here in Malaysia.

Nation

Smart lanes are safer for motorists, says Nanta

KUALA LUMPUR: Accident rates in smart lane zones on highways are extremely low when compared to the number of vehicles that use the lane, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

Cambodia

Frontline soldiers, displaced families receive support through ‘Vegetables of Love’

PHNOM PENH: The "Together for the Nation" movement, led by First Lady Pich Chanmony, is mobilising students, communities, and institutions across Cambodia to grow and deliver vegetables to frontline soldiers, police and displaced families, highlighting a nationwide effort driven by the spirit of "Khmer helping Khmer".

Philippines

Philippine court to rule on Tacloban journalist charged with financing terrorism, possession of firearms and explosives

MANILA: Media groups on Tuesday renewed their call for the release of Tacloban-based community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, whose case would be finally promulgated on Thursday by a Tacloban City regional trial court after nearly six years in detention on charges of financing terrorism and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Cricket

Cricket-Maxwell and Waugh among franchise owners in Bollywood-backed European T20 league

NEW DELHI, Jan ‌21 (Reuters) - Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and former captain Steve Waugh are among ‌the franchise owners in a new European Twenty20 league, which will begin ‌in August after two false starts.

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.