The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slipped to its weakest level since Jan 6 and was on track for its worst two-day stretch in about a month. The euro rose to a more than two-week high while the Swiss franc led gains in the Group of 10 currencies. Elias Haddad, global head of markets strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co, said that dollar weakness likely reflects increased hedging by non-US investors who hold dollar securities. Short-dated volatility firmed as last year’s pattern of a weaker dollar coinciding with higher hedging costs re-emerged. Data from the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation show investors have favoured long exposure in the euro and the Australian dollar versus the dollar since Monday’s open.

KUALA LUMPUR: The latest phase of the MH370 seabed search in the Southern Indian Ocean has achieved substantial survey coverage, with no significant discovery or conclusive finding identified to date. Search operations conducted onboard Armada 8605 covered a cumulative area of approximately 7,236.40 square kilometres as of Jan 15, 2026, according to the MH370 Search Operation Summary Progress Report (Jan 5 - Jan 16, 2026) posted on the Association for Families of the Passengers and Crew on board MH370 (MH370 Families) Facebook. "The operation continues to progress methodically within the defined search area, with further outcomes dependent on continued surveying and favourable operational conditions,” it added. On April 3 last year, the Malaysian government signed an agreement with Ocean Infinity (United Kingdom) to reinstate the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. MH370 disappeared on March 8, 2014, after departing from Kuala Lumpur en route to Beijing, with 239 passengers and crew members on board.- Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): The Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint (RPTM) 2026-2035 outlines a new direction for the country's higher education based on human values, well-being and sustainability to produce knowledgeable, ethical and globally competitive individuals. According to the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) RPTM executive summary, higher education must not only function as an economic driver, but also shape responsible individuals and societies. "RPTM 2026-2035 will be anchored on four core values that are outlined in the Higher Education Framework: humanity-centred, holistic well-being, shared prosperity and sustainability,” according to the document. In terms of impact, RPTM 2026-2035 targets a higher education system capable of producing talent that is future-ready, adaptive and geared towards solving real-world problems. The summary also stresses the importance of the well-being of campus residents as a prerequisite for the success of higher education.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): ICT Zone Asia Bhd (KL:ICTZONE) has received a RM17.29 million purchase order to lease information and communication technology (ICT) hardware and software for a five-year period. The leasing contract, awarded by Juricco Holding Sdn Bhd, covers laptops, desktops and related peripheral devices, which Juricco will subsequently deliver to an undisclosed government agency, said ICT Zone. No ICT services are included under the scope of work, the company said in a bourse filing on Tuesday. ICT Zone said it plans to fund the procurement of the ICT hardware and software using a combination of bank borrowings and internally generated funds. On Jan 6, the company said it had secured a RM27.8 million purchase order from Haynik Holding Sdn Bhd to lease ICT hardware, software and bundled services to a government agency over 60 months.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): Malaysia’s export outlook is expected to remain challenging in 2026 as economists forecast a slowdown driven by renewed US tariffs, heigntened geopolitical risks, and the fading of "front-loading" activities. This cautious outlook comes despite a historic performance in 2025, where Malaysia's exports grew by 6.5% to reach an all-time high of RM1.61 trillion, supported by a strong finish in December, with shipments abroad surging 10.4% to RM153 billion from a year earlier. December's growth far exceeded the 2.5% median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and a sharp acceleration from November's 7% growth. For the full year of 2025, Malaysia's exports grew 6.5%, while imports rose 6.2%, raising total trade by 6.3% past RM3.1 trillion for the first time. “These spillovers could, however, provide a potential tailwind for Malaysia’s trade as global supply-chain diversification further gathers pace,” it said.

DUNGUN (Jan 20): The Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah) has approved a RM48.355 million budget for the First Rolling Plan (RP1) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), involving the implementation of 28 projects this year. Ketengah chairman Datuk Rozi Mamat said the allocation encompasses 22 extension projects valued at RM42.855 million and six new projects worth RM5.5 million. Commenting on last year's performance, Rozi said that RM36.436 million, or 95.05% of the total allocation of RM38.319 million, was used for development expenditure. He added that operating expenditure, meanwhile, stood at RM39.029 million, or 99.47% of the total allocation of RM39.237 million. He added that 13 Ketengah subsidiaries also recorded encouraging levels of profit despite the challenges of a rapidly complex economic and social landscape last year.

“Finland is interested in Malaysia, interested in being present here and cooperating and partnering. Finland is Malaysia’s 15th-largest trading partner within the European Union (EU), while Malaysia is Finland’s third-largest trading partner in Asean. Highlighting other industries, Vasara said the halal industry is a particularly interesting area due to the growing Muslim population in Finland. “I believe it is approximately 2.5%, and as Finland continues to receive immigrants, demand for halal products is growing. At the same time, the availability of halal products is still relatively limited.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia want Malaysia to remain as peace facilitators to help the two countries reach a lasting solution to their ongoing border dispute, said Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said it is untrue that Malaysia has failed in facilitating talks between Thailand and Cambodia along its disputed borders. “We are no longer the Asean chairman as the Philippines has taken over, but both countries want Malaysia as a facilitator. In July last year, armed conflict erupted between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute. During the Asean Summit in October, Cambodia and Thailand signed the KL Peace Accords.

HONG KONG/DUBAI/MILAN (Jan 20): Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings is weighing listing its global telecommunications business in London and Hong Kong as early as the third quarter after spinning it off from the group, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. The company started preparations for the telco spin-off early last year after clearing all regulatory approvals for a US$19 billion (RM77 billion) tie-up of its UK assets with Vodafone, Reuters reported at the time. CK Hutchison, founded by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, is eyeing London as a primary listing venue and Hong Kong as a secondary venue for its telecoms businesses in Europe, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia that could be valued at around US$20 billion, said the people. The telco unit would be on the fast track to be included in London's FTSE100 index, said one of the people. Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and Deutsche Bank are working with CK Hutchison on the spin-off listing, two of the sources said, cautioning however that plans are still fluid and the listing time could change.

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia X has approved a new management structure with several reappointments following the group's consolidation exercise, which entailed the airline's aquisition of AirAsia Bhd and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited (AAAGL) from Capital A Bhd . Benyamin Ismail has been appointed general manager, and will continue to be the accountable manager in running the day-to-day operations of AirAsia X as an airline operating company. "With Bo's proven leadership and deep understanding of the business, we are confident AirAsia X is in good hands. Each appointment brings relevant experience and capability that will support AirAsia X as it continues its transformation and long-term value creation journey," said AirAsia X chairman Datuk Fam Lee Ee. AirAsia X also announced the successful listing and quotation of 606.06 million placement Shares and 2.31 million consideration shares, marking the completion of its proposed private placement.

A VIRAL video has been making the rounds on social media, claiming that our planet will experience a terrifying phenomenon next month. The video alleges that Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds on Aug 12, potentially causing millions of deaths, and that NASA has been secretly preparing for this event under the alleged multibillion-dollar Project Anchor. Verdict:FALSEThe viral video claiming Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds on Aug 12 is completely false. NASA has denied the baseless claim and explained that Earth's gravity depends on its mass and cannot simply disappear. Some provided explanations to clear up the confusion amongst other social media users, clarifying that gravity does not depend on cosmic events such as black hole collisions.

The new all-cash bid — at US$27.75 a share — has unanimous support from the Warner Bros board, according to a Tuesday regulatory filing. Paramount shares were down 1.9%, while Warner Bros' shares down 0.5% in early trading. Alex Fitch, portfolio manager for Harris Oakmark, the fifth largest investor in Warner Bros with about 96 million shares as of Sept 30, predicted the bidding war for Warner Bros may not be over. "The merger consideration is a fixed cash amount to be paid by an investment-grade company, providing [Warner Bros] stockholders with certainty of value and liquidity immediately upon closing the merger," Warner Bros said. "A cash bid strips away uncertainty and is unquestionably more appealing from Warner Bros.’ perspective, even if it does nothing to ease regulatory scrutiny."

PUTRAJAYA: There will not be a return of the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Pentaksiran Tingkatan 3 (PT3) examinations, confirms Fadhlina Sidek. Looking at the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2026-2035, we must move forward," she said after the launch of the National Education Plan 2026-2035 today (Jan 20). The reinstatement of the UPSR and PT3 examinations has been a topic of hot debate since the exams were abolished in 2021 and 2022 respectively. On Jan 9, she had hinted at the possible return of the two examinations after the national education advisory council reviews the matter. Fadhlina stressed that the ministry has strongly defended its position that there will be no UPSR or PT3 examinations anymore.

He said practices that undermine moral values in the education system, including bullying, must not be taken lightly, even if they involve only a small minority. It is a destructive practice that damages the identity and culture of a school,” he said at the launch of the National Education Blueprint (RPN) 2026-2035 here on Tuesday. Also present were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, as well as Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Anwar said that although education portfolios are led by the education and higher education ministers, the responsibility for education actually rests with the entire Cabinet, including in national planning and budget allocation. Under Budget 2026, the government allocated RM66.2 billion to the Education Ministry and RM18.6 billion to the Higher Education Ministry.

KUALA LUMPUR: In conjunction with Thaipusam, and in anticipation of an estimated 2.5 million visitors to Batu Caves, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) will offer free rides on its Klang Valley Komuter services for two days. He said a total of 609 Komuter trips have been planned for the occasion. He said an additional 216 trips specifically for Batu Caves will also be available compared with the usual 98 trips daily services. He said the volume of passengers for the Komuter is expected to be 450,000 during the free rides offered on Jan 31 and Feb 1. Loke said 30 shuttle buses will ply three main routes namely Pasar Seni Hub, LRT Gombak and MRT Kampung Batu to Batu Caves at 10-minute intervals.