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09/01/2026

Urban Nature Experiences: Gardens by the Bay Launches New Sustainability Tours.

Starting January 2026, Gardens by the Bay is introducing two new weekend-only guided tours that invite visitors to explore the ecological side of one of Singapore’s most visited attractions. Spanning 105 hectares and home to over 1.5 million plants, the garden continues to position itself as both a leisure destination and a living classroom, according to Gardens by the Bay and Travel and Leisure Asia.

09/01/2026

Indonesia Steps Up Fight Against Online Gaming Radicalization.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has confirmed that radical ideology is spreading through online gaming platforms, not via gameplay content but through interactive features such as private chat, voice chat, and in-game communities. Director General for Digital Space Supervision Alexander Sabar said these features are being closely monitored by the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) due to their misuse in targeting children, according to ANTARA.

09/01/2026

Malaysia to Roll Out New Passport and MyKad With Enhanced Protection.

Malaysia will introduce a newly designed passport and identity card, known as MyKad, within the next six months, according to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on January 8. Speaking to local media at a New Year event, he said the new designs will feature more advanced security elements to strengthen document reliability and prevent forgery, citing this as a matter of national security responsibility rather than arbitrary change, as reported by Bernama.

08/01/2026

Food Safety Oversight: Singapore Introduces Long-Term Grading System for Food Establishments.

Starting Jan 19, the Singapore Food Agency will implement the Safety Assurance for Food Establishments framework, replacing the long-standing A-to-D grading system used for nearly 30 years. Unlike the previous model based on annual inspections, the new framework evaluates an establishment’s food safety performance over time. According to SFA, this approach better reflects real operational standards and ongoing compliance rather than isolated results.

08/01/2026

Vertical Farming in Singapore: Inside Greenphyto’s AI-Powered Bet on Local Produce.

Greenphyto officially unveiled the world’s tallest indoor vertical farm on Jan 7 in Singapore’s Jurong West industrial area. Rising over 23 meters high, the five-storey, fully automated hydroponic facility represents a 14-year vision by founder Susan Chong. The S$80 million development spans 2 hectares and is designed to produce up to 2,000 tonnes of leafy greens annually at full capacity, although current output stands at around 200 tonnes.

08/01/2026

Indonesian Minors Drawn Into Violent True Crime Communities.

Indonesia’s elite counterterrorism unit, Densus 88, has identified 70 minors nationwide who are active members of online groups known as the True Crime Community (TCC). These children, aged between 11 and 18, were found across 19 provinces, highlighting the broad reach of online platforms that circulate and normalize violent content. The findings were disclosed by Densus 88 spokesperson Mayndra Eka during a briefing at the National Police Criminal Investigation Department in Jakarta on Wednesday.

07/01/2026

AI Abuse Controversy: Grok Faces Global Backlash Over Sexualized Deepfake Content.

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is under intense international scrutiny after users exploited its newly introduced “edit image” feature to generate sexualized deepfakes of women and minors. The controversy escalated on Jan 5 following widespread reports that users could manipulate images using prompts such as “put her in a bikini” or “remove her clothes,” triggering alarm among governments, regulators, and digital rights advocates worldwide.

07/01/2026

Deadly Floods in Indonesia: North Sulawesi Faces Severe Losses During Peak Wet Season.

At least 14 people were killed after being swept away by flash floods on Siau Island in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, according to local authorities. The disaster followed heavy rainfall early Monday, Jan 6, during the peak of the wet season. The island is part of the Siau Tagulandang Biaro regency, a remote area with limited access and infrastructure.

07/01/2026

Tragedy at Sea in Indonesia: Search Continues After Tourist Boat Sinks.

Indonesian search and rescue teams located the wreckage of a tourist boat on Jan 6, nearly two weeks after it sank in rough seas on Dec 26, 2025. The vessel was found in the Padar Island Strait, around 14 kilometers or roughly 8 miles from the initial accident site near Labuan Bajo, a major gateway to Komodo National Park. The discovery marked a critical breakthrough in the ongoing rescue mission.

05/01/2026

Super Flu Alert: Indonesia Tracks Aggressive Influenza A Subclade K Spread.

Influenza trends worldwide are drawing renewed attention as a fast-spreading strain known as “super flu” reaches Indonesia. While authorities stress the situation remains under control, experts warn that vigilance, surveillance, and public awareness are critical as global cases surge.

The term “super flu” is not an official medical classification. It is a popular label used to describe influenza A H3N2 subclade K, a newer variant of the H3N2 virus known for faster transmission and more intense symptoms. The subclade was first identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in August 2025 and has since spread to more than 80 countries.


05/01/2026

Education Reform in Malaysia: Preschool Curriculum and Development Plan Take Center Stage in 2026.

The Ministry of Education Malaysia has identified 2026 as a critical turning point, marked by the return of the school calendar to a January start and the rollout of major reforms. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the alignment of structural and policy changes makes the upcoming school year especially significant for students, educators, and parents nationwide.

05/01/2026

Healthcare With Dignity: Singapore’s First Dedicated Clinic For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities.

In 2014, Jeffrey, a 40-year-old man with Down syndrome, abruptly withdrew from daily life. He stopped going to work at a sheltered workshop and refused to leave home, alarming his family and caregivers. His condition puzzled those around him until Dr Chen Shiling, then providing home-based care for people with intellectual disabilities, stepped in.

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