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China relaxes visa rules for UK citizens on PM's trip to Beijing
BEIJING (Jan 29): China agreed to relax rules to allow some visa-free travel for British citizens on Thursday during a visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Beijing, as part of a partnership deal which London hopes will help expand its service sector. British citizens will be allowed to visit China without a visa if they are travelling for under 30 days, Starmer said following his talks with President Xi Jinping, in what he cast as a win for business. Companies had been "crying out for ways to grow their footprints in China", a statement from Starmer said, adding that visa-free travel would help facilitate expansion in that market, boosting jobs at home. Injecting growth into Britain's relatively sluggish economy is one of the main aims of his four-day trip. Britain exports £13 billion (RM70.49 billion) worth of services to China annually, it added, and demand from China is growing.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 30, 2026 01:43 UTC
North Korea's Kim announces major construction projects as party congress nears
SEOUL (Jan 30): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un set a goal to carry out large-scale construction projects this year, including industrial factories in 20 regions simultaneously, state media KCNA said, as the country gears up for a key party congress. North Korea is preparing to hold the Ninth Party Congress of the ruling Workers' Party, to convene soon to set major policy goals. "Public health facilities and leisure complexes, together with regional industry factories, will be built in 20 regions of the country ... Kim said the regional standard of living is a hallmark showing North Korea's development. KCNA said a conference of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on Wednesday elected delegates to be sent to the Ninth Congress, without naming the date of the Congress.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 30, 2026 01:38 UTC
Expert: Hot, dry weather typical during north-east monsoon
KUALA LUMPUR: The hot, dry and windy conditions in northern Peninsular Malaysia, known locally as “musim timur”, is a normal weather pattern during the northeast monsoon season, says an expert. Universiti Malaya (UM) meteorologist Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah said the north-east monsoon is driven by cold surges, strong northeasterly or easterly winds and a low-pressure zone, known as the monsoon trough. “These hot and dry conditions are normal for northern Peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand as the monsoon trough has shifted to the southern South China Sea. “Northern states are now outside the convergence zone, entering the east season or dry spell with clear skies, dry and windy conditions. Prof Azizan said the south, including Johor, Sabah and Sarawak, is now seeing more rain as the monsoon trough shifts.
Source:The Star
January 30, 2026 01:37 UTC
What the numbers say
Going beyond the numbers, sustainability and climate change specialist Dr Renard Siew and WWF-Malaysia dissect the trends and offer insights into what the statistics mean for the country’s environmental future, and the challenges we face. Rainfall and number of flood incidents reported: The increasing frequency and severity of floods in Malaysia are a clear signal that climate change is amplifying extreme weather events. The government should integrate future climate risk into all development plans and invest in nature-based solutions, as protecting and restoring these ecosystems, alongside better land-use planning, is essential to prepare for more intense rain events. — WWF MalaysiaEarthquakes: Climate change does not directly cause earthquakes, as seismic activity is primarily driven by tectonic processes. Managing disaster risk today, in my opinion, must therefore take a multi-hazard approach that recognises how climate, land and geological systems intersect with each other.
Source:The Star
January 30, 2026 01:14 UTC
Why trust and integrity matters
Never would I have imagined that simple trust and integrity could be the “make or break” factors for a global market. To my surprise, I learnt that trust and integrity are essential to combat the key challenges hindering capital flow in the carbon market. Walking the “red line”All of these challenges made me realise that trust and integrity are truly essential. The Asian carbon market needs to foster regional collaboration to ensure better trust so that investment can flow into the system fairly. Reflection on the futureTrust and integrity are the essential components needed for long-term investment in the carbon market.
Source:The Star
January 30, 2026 01:13 UTC
Authorities demolish illegal structure, fine polluting lorries in KL
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) demolished an illegal structure in Jalan Sembilang in Taman Tenaga, Bandar Tun Razak, for selling vape and its accessories. “The notices were issued under Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, which prohibits constructing permanent structures without approval. “The operation was carried out after TNB cut off electricity supply and the premises was vacated. “DBKL issued 10 compounds to vehicles carrying construction materials without permits, uncovered lorries and poorly maintained vehicles. DBKL also checked 37 houses near a Bukit Damansara construction site and issued six notices after mosquito larvae were found.
Source:The Star
January 30, 2026 01:10 UTC
Influencer arrested for underage girlfriend ploy
Compiled by C. ARUNO, R. ARAVINTHAN and ALLISON LAIAN Indonesian influencer has been detained for allegedly paying underage schoolgirls to act as his girlfriends, Kosmo! He was arrested after one of the victims exposed the matter. > Berita Harian reported that veteran actor Shamsul Ghau Ghau is showing progress after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah in Serdang. His wife, Sharifah Azrinah Syed Ibrahim said most medical equipment attached to him has been removed and he has begun physiotherapy with doctors noting good results from an MRI scan. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies).
Source:The Star
January 30, 2026 01:05 UTC
‘Lorry shortage leads to KL rubbish crisis’
THE rubbish crisis affecting parts of Kuala Lumpur earlier this month was set off in mid-November after 14 tipper lorries were seized for operating without permits to transport rubbish, a waste contractor says. The lorries, confiscated by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), are used for transporting waste to and from the city’s solid waste transfer station. Soo said tipper lorries transported about 1,200 tonnes of waste a day and without them, rubbish began piling up. The situation was further compounded by damage to operational equipment at the waste transfer station’s bay platform, first detected in December 2025. Regarding complaints on long waiting hours for rubbish lorries entering the station, Soo said the matter was beyond their control.
Source:The Star
January 30, 2026 01:01 UTC
Apple’s upbeat forecast clouded by concerns about rising costs
(Jan 30): Apple Inc delivered record quarterly sales and a better-than-anticipated forecast for the current period, even as the company warned that rising component costs are threatening to squeeze margins. That exceeded the 10% projected by Wall Street — showing that Apple can maintain momentum after an iPhone-fueled sales surge in the December quarter. The concerns weighed on Apple shares, which fluctuated in late trading after the results were released. Revenue during the holiday season trounced Wall Street estimates, driven by strong demand for the new iPhone 17, growth in services and a rebound in China. Wall Street had projected US$21.8 billion from that vital market.
Source:The Edge Markets
January 29, 2026 23:53 UTC
NRES Minister promises full cooperation after DOE's top two nabbed by MACC
PETALING JAYA: Following the arrests of the Department of Environment's (DOE) top two leaders by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry pledges to fully assist in investigations related to electronic waste (e-waste) management. Its minister, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, said the ministry would fully commit to cooperating with the MACC in conducting a transparent and thorough investigation, in a statement on Thursday (Jan 29). “Integrity remains the core principle in safeguarding the country’s environmental sustainability,” he said. “This is to guarantee that services to the public and environmental monitoring remain prioritised. The minister urged all parties not engage in speculation that could affect the authorities’ investigation.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2026 21:39 UTC
Ringgit owes its surge to forces well beyond dollar’s weakness
The Malaysian ringgit’s relentless rally is being driven by a range of structural factors beyond the dollar’s broad weakness, suggesting its gains will likely be sustained. The ringgit can "absolutely” sustain its outperformance in emerging Asia in the first half, he said. The latter two factors combined exerted far less influence on the Malaysian currency than on Thailand’s baht, the Singapore dollar and the Philippine peso, it shows. The US bank in a separate Jan. 23 report forecast the ringgit to rise to 3.85 per dollar over 12 months. A return of global funds to Malaysian stocks also augurs well for the ringgit.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2026 21:20 UTC
Transport Ministry to review summons discounts for foreign vehicles
KOTA BARU: The Transport Ministry will review traffic summons discounts offered to foreign vehicles, including those from Thailand, to ensure that the enforcement approach implemented remains effective. He said the entry of foreign vehicles is common in states along the Malaysia-Thailand border, and at present, foreign vehicle drivers who commit offences and settle their summonses within the stipulated timeframe are eligible for discounts of up to 50 per cent. "However, if this approach is found to be not as effective as expected, the ministry will review the mechanism specifically for foreign vehicles. He said the installation is currently being implemented on a voluntary basis by bus operators before it is made mandatory in the near future. "We want to ensure that bus drivers are continuously monitored to enhance operational safety and reduce the risk of accidents involving express buses,” he said.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2026 21:09 UTC
Council steps in to help 88-year-old woman continue selling vegetables
SEGAMAT: An 88-year-old woman who was recently fined for selling vegetables without a licence at the Kampung Abdullah public market can now continue her daily routine legally. “This will allow the granny to continue selling vegetables at the market without worry. Tay added that his immediate priority was to ensure the elderly woman could continue earning a living in peace. Last Friday, Sim, who lives on her own, was issued a RM50 compound by a council enforcement officer for selling her produce without a licence. “I paid the fine on her behalf as she is a helpless elderly woman who has been selling vegetables there to earn a living,” he said.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2026 21:00 UTC
No compromise on breaches of trust in Army, says PM Anwar
PETALING JAYA: Public trust in the nation’s defence institutions cannot be built on slogans alone but must be reinforced through professionalism, accountability and firm, consistent integrity at every level, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The meeting also touched on the strategic role of the Army as the nation’s defensive bulwark and a pillar of hope for the people, he added. “In the context of current challenges, including abuse of power and corruption that could tarnish the institution’s image, I stressed that there can be no compromise when it comes to breaches of trust. On Wednesday, Anwar also issued a stern warning to enforcement officers nationwide, giving them a one-week ultimatum to step up efforts to combat corruption and smuggling. Anwar further emphasised the need for all relevant enforcement agencies and departments to work closely together to ensure the nation’s borders are protected from all forms of smuggling.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2026 18:58 UTC
MyNIISe integration with e-gates begins March 1 at major airports
PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry is streamlining immigration clearance by integrating existing e-gates with the MyNIISe system, with a phased rollout beginning March 1 at major international airports. Under the new arrangement, passengers will be required to scan a MyNIISe QR code before passing through immigration e-gates. The MyNIISe QR code system will be installed at 46 pedestrian e-gates across five major international airports — KLIA Terminals 1 and 2, Bayan Lepas International Airport, Kota Kinabalu International Airport and Kuching International Airport. Malaysian citizens who are existing MyNIISe users may continue using the current login method until Feb 28, ahead of the full transition to MyDigital ID. “To ensure smooth movement at national entry points, travellers will also have the option of using the MyBorderPass application, passport scanning at MyNIISe e-gates and existing e-gates, as well as manual immigration counters,” the ministry said.
Source:The Star
January 29, 2026 18:05 UTC