Malaysia

The other news of the day: Schools funded by foreign organisations are shut down in Afghanistan while women are banned from participating in Eid celebrations. In Myanmar, more than 200 civilians have been killed in recent months. India wants to ink an agreement with Ghana for the development of a new malaria vaccine. Armenia will allow women to enlist in the military. One in four Siberians wants to learn Chinese.

Today's news: the death toll in China has risen to 29 from a fire in a hospital in the capital; The Afghan economy at risk if international aid is cut; Indian authorities have imposed school closures in parts of the country hit by an exceptional heat wave; Kuala Lumpur is considering restrictions on the use of water for "non-essential" purposes; "bad weather" forces Pyongyang to cancel the "Day of the Sun", celebrating founder Kim Il-Sung.

An enquiry by the New Straits Times newspaper disputes the government's optimistic figures: there are said to be one million drug addicts with an explosion in consumption among teenagers. Liquids for electronic cigarettes, sold at ever lower prices, are also among the spreading forms.

Today's headlines: Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong sentenced to three months in prison; controversial former Indian MP murdered, assailants shouted Hindu slogans; South Korean navy warning shots fired at North's trespassing fishing vessel;at least 41 people killed in Syria in Islamic State attacks; Malaysia wants to introduce a second 5G network.

Death was mandatory for 11 serious crimes, while now it will be at the discretion of the court, which can impose instead corporal punishment or up to 40 years of imprisonment. The new legislation has passed the lower house, and is expected to be approved by the upper house and get royal assent. The death sentence was under moratorium since in 2018; more than 1,300 inmates could be spared.

The tangled history dates back to an 1878 agreement between the sultan of a territory that stretched between Borneo and the Philippines and two European merchants. Malaysia in 2013 suspended payments due to an attack in 2013 and is refusing to pay the $15 billion owed to the suitors, who began targeting the overseas assets of Petronas, the state oil company.

They were 137 people who did not understand Malaysian and were also associated with the country's Muslim community in government plans and censuses. The case has rekindled attention on the Orang Asli, the indigenous people who remain marginalised in some areas. Children's enrolment in their schools is falling.

While Michelle Yeoh is celebrated as the first Asian woman to win an Oscar, Khairi Anwar found violent messages next to his vandalised car. His 2021 film tells the story of a teenage girl who seeks the meaning of life even in non-Islamic religions. Malaysia’s Communications minister urged people not to take the law in their own hands, but earlier this month he had distanced himself from the director.

In addition to Michelle Yeoh's award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Vietnamese Ke Huy Quan also received recognition from the Academy Awards for the same film, Everything Everywhere All at Once. Two statuettes were won by India for Best Original Song and Best Documentary Short Film.

The leader of the Homeland Fighter's Party, son of a former prime minister, minority schools are a legacy of British colonial rule, and must be overcome to build a Malaysian identity “not coloured by” people’s “ethnic background”. However, the country’s divisions are fuelled more by the fight since independence to assert Muslim Malay identity than language issues.

Inclusive and sustainable growth; institutional reforms and good governance; fighting inequality through social justice. Total budget is about 82 billion euros. Focus on education and health. People call for fight against corruption, social problems and inequality. Budget in line with the premier's "Madani Way."

The prime minister’s new approach for a “civilised Malaysia” is rooted in Islam. It addresses the country's inequalities in terms of ethnicity, religion, regions and other ills. It promises justice for all and fairness in foreign policy. Doubts remain about its effective implementation.