education
PETALING JAYA, Jan 15 — An explosion at a private university in Bukit Damansara has underscored the critical importance of engineering controls, routine maintenance, and safety audits in preventing accidents, with preliminary investigations linking the blast to an air-conditioning compressor. The incident occurred near a cafeteria-side maintenance area at the university
business
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — Malaysian businesses are experiencing prolonged tax refund delays, with nearly a quarter waiting over two years for overpaid taxes, according to a survey by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), though sentiment is cautiously improving for early 2026. The survey found
politics
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 — The Territorial Army of Malaysia (Askar Wataniah) set up an enlistment booth at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur during an Umno political event, providing a disciplined contrast to the surrounding political activities. Uniformed personnel displayed unloaded firearms and engaged delegates interested in becoming army reservists.
business
NEW YORK, Jan 15 — Crude oil futures settled lower on Thursday, according to market data. The decline in oil prices was reported by Xinhua news agency. No specific figures or percentage changes were provided in the brief report. The settlement reflects trading activity for the day. Further details are available
business
LONDON, Jan 15 — Britain's economy expanded marginally in late 2025, exceeding expectations but revealing subdued underlying momentum, according to analysts who urge more comprehensive business support. The growth, while positive, was described as "marginal" by economic observers. Analysts highlighted persistent weaknesses in the economy's
politics
PRAGUE, Jan 15 — Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's populist right-wing government won a parliamentary confidence vote on Thursday, securing power with an agenda to scale back support for Ukraine, oppose EU environment policies, and pause austerity measures. The government, formed after October elections, passed the vote with 108
business
CARACAS, Jan 15 — Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced on Thursday she is submitting a proposal to reform the country's hydrocarbon law, aiming to facilitate foreign investment in its oil industry. The move comes as U.S. investors push for easier access to Venezuela's
environment
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, Jan 15 — South African authorities shut Kruger National Park to day visitors on Thursday after several rivers burst their banks due to days of heavy rains, officials said. The closure affects all day visitors to the park, a major tourist destination in South Africa. Flooding has caused
politics
BRASILIA, Jan 15 — Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be transferred to the Papuda Penitentiary Complex in Brasilia, a court decision showed on Thursday. The order was issued as part of an ongoing investigation into Bolsonaro's alleged involvement in anti-democratic acts.
politics
WASHINGTON, Jan 15 — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she presented U.S. President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal during their meeting on Thursday. Machado did not answer reporters' questions about whether Trump accepted the medal. The meeting occurred at the White House, according to
world
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 15 — The United States stands by the Iranian people and all options are on the table to stop violence in Iran, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday. Waltz said President Donald Trump has made this position
world
KYIV, Jan 15 — President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace, responding to comments made a day earlier by U.S. President Donald Trump. The Ukrainian leader made the statement during a press briefing in Kyiv. "Ukraine is not an obstacle to peace,