Singapore

‘Good-looking’ babies smuggled via Jakarta into Singapore, where adoptive parents paid over S$20,000

BANDUNG, West Java (Indonesia): Baby Arya flew from Jakarta to Singapore's Changi Airport in mid-2025, cradled by a couple posing as his parents.

Technology

This tech startup is cutting through the noise at CES by railing against 'upgrade culture'

'Dandora: A Fast Tech Story', set in Kenya, starts in the largest dump site in East Africa – where waste pickers extract valuable metals from electronic waste in toxic, open-air conditions.

India

14-year-old girl found murdered in Kerala's Malappuram; boyfriend in custody

NEW DELHI: A 14-year-old girl was found murdered in Thodiyapulam in Kerala's Malappuram district.

Laos

World Bank backs Laos in boosting education, health sector

VIENTIANE: The World Bank has approved a project to strengthen the performance of primary education and health workers through improved staff management and training, helping Laos address long-term challenges in education and healthcare.

Nation

Follow the president, not get influenced by other parties, Umno told

KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno Youth wing must not be influenced by other parties and only follow the leadership of party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, says an Umno Youth delegate.

Indonesia

Indonesia tightens animal checks to prevent PPR virus entry

BEKASI, West Java, (Indonesia): (Bernama-Antara) Indonesia's Quarantine Agency (Barantin) has intensified monitoring efforts to prevent the entry of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease affecting goats and sheep, into the country, reported Antara News Agency.

China

China sees rebound in marriages as policy support shows impact

BEIJING: China's marriage registrations saw a rebound in the first three quarters of 2025, suggesting that the country's pro-family policies are beginning to pay off after numbers hit a record low the previous year.

South Korea

South Korea reports first African swine fever case in two months

SEOUL: South Korea on Saturday (Jan 17) confirmed its first case of African swine fever (ASF) in about two months, prompting authorities to cull thousands of pigs and issue a standstill order to prevent the virus from spreading.

Nation

Umno must improve approach to attract young voters, says delegate

KUALA LUMPUR: University students do not fully understand nor hate Umno, but the party needs to improve its approach to attract young voters, says an Umno delegate.

Japan

Japan's tourism agency issues bear-warning pictogram signs

TOKYO: (Bernama-Kyodo) Japan's Tourism Agency said it created new pictogram signs warning visitors that feeding bears, approaching them and leaving trash are prohibited, according to Kyodo News.

Nation

Development could erode majority status of constituencies, careful redelineation needed, says Penang Umno delegate

KUALA LUMPUR: A Penang Umno delegate has called for a careful electoral boundary redelineation, citing concerns that aggressive development and demographic changes could erode the Malay-majority status of several parliamentary constituencies in the state.

Thailand

Thailand's Rama II road collapse causes major jams after pickup falls into sinkhole

BANGKOK: A section of Rama II Road inbound to Bangkok collapsed on Saturday (Jan 17), sending a pickup truck into a deep sinkhole and triggering severe traffic congestion in both directions.

Sabah & Sarawak

Campaign tempo expected to pick up as Kinabatangan, Lamag by-elections reach midway point

KINABATANGAN: Candidates contesting the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag state seat are expected to push up their campaign tempo as the by-elections reach the midway mark on Saturday (Jan 17), following a slow-paced first week.

Nation

Reinstate caning as disciplinary measure in schools, says Umno delegate

KUALA LUMPUR: A Penang Umno delegate has called on the government to reinstate caning as a formal disciplinary measure in schools nationwide, citing growing concerns over legal risks faced by teachers in the classroom.

Wellness

Finding it difficult to get pregnant? See the doctor ASAP!

Many couples tend to postpone seeking help with their fertility issues, but certain conditions drastically reduce their chances of conceiving naturally.

Technology

Internet gaming disorder: New book by US psychiatrists helps spot addiction

'Internet Gaming Disorder: A Clinical Strategy Guide for Providers, Parents, and Players' takes an unexpected approach to the disorder, celebrating the complexity of gaming rather than condemning it and offering readers criteria, patient perspectives and strategies for identifying a healthy and unhealthy relationship with gaming.

Singapore

88 arrested in Singapore's islandwide Central Narcotics Bureau raid; drugs found in children’s bedroom

SINGAPORE: A 34-year-old woman who had drugs hidden in her children's bedroom was among 88 people arrested in a six-day islandwide operation in January.

Nation

Police receive report on missing actress Nadia Kesuma in Jeddah

SEPANG: The police have confirmed receiving a report on the disappearance of actress Nadia Kesuma at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. 

Nation

Moderate earthquake hits Seram, Indonesia, no tsunami threat to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter Scale struck Seram, Indonesia, at 7.50am on Saturday (Jan 16).

Nation

Mother-daughter killed in motorcycle-car collision near Seremban

SEREMBAN: A 40-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter were killed after their motorcycle was involved in an accident with a car at km10 of the Seremban-Port Dickson Highway.