Current Affairs

Many Islamic State militants from South East Asia are fleeing the Middle East, and are likely to return to their home countries, posing a threat to regional security.

As a result, Malaysia has taken steps to tighten its own national security to counter dozens of returning Malaysian IS fighters, including closer defense cooperation with countries such as Saudi Arabia.

We explore the Saudi’s plans to open a counter terrorism center in Malaysia, and implications of their soft power approach to fighting IS in South East Asia and beyond.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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Earlier this month, Park Geun-hye became the first democratically-elected president to be removed from office in South Korea, a development preceded by massive demonstrations.

Some believe that the next target of the public sentiment against corruption and elitism that brought Park down may be the powerful businesses that dominate the economy, such as Samsung.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores what will happen to the infamous conglomerates of South Korea and whether Park’s political scandal could hasten their downfall.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.

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According to the World Health Organisation, more than a quarter of all global deaths of children under the age of five are caused by unhealthy environmental conditions.

This was revealed in its report, “Inheriting a Sustainable World: Atlas on Children’s Health and the Environment”, which aims to analyse the risk factors that are harming children's health by looking at their living conditions.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores how pollution in the environment is affecting the health of children around the world.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the identity of the North Korean man assassinated at KLIA2 last month as Kim Jong-nam, based on his son’s DNA samples.

South Korea's spy agency is convinced that the assassination was an act of systematic terror ordered by Kim Jong-un. North Korea, however, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoings.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the relationship between Kim Jong-nam and the Kim Dynasty, and plausible reasons behind the assassination.

This is a report by Emir Zainul and Wan Irdina.

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Last month, the nation was shocked after eight teenage cyclists were killed after being hit by a car in Johor. The public outcry that ensued saw some blaming the parents, while others criticized the government for failing to prevent the tragedy from occurring.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores how the problem should be tackled and how some are addressing the issue.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.

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Children in Syria are suffering from “toxic stress” - a severe form of psychological trauma that can disrupt the development of the brain and increase the risk of mental health disorders in adulthood. This was recently revealed by "Invisible Wounds," a report by Save The Children.

The research, said to be the largest of its kind, studies the mental health and well-being of Syrian children growing up through the war.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the mental health crisis among children in Syria.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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It is now a two-horse race in the Football Association of Malaysia's Presidential election, as Former Kelantan FA President Tan Sri Annuar Musa rivals Crown Prince of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim for the country's most coveted football post. The election, initially slated for 2018, was brought forward to March 25th this year following increasing public pressure, calling for a change in the leadership of national football.

In our Part 1 of this episode, BFM explores Tan Sri Annuar's candidacy and his chances of winning the presidential election, as he attempts to revive Malaysia's football DNA.

This is a report by Shawn Tanis

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The Malaysia Airlines passenger jet MH370 disappeared exactly three years ago this past Wednesday.

Yesterday, BFM spoke to family members of the missing passengers who announced their intentions to start an alternatively-funded search after the suspension of the official search operations in January.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM continues the conversation by exploring what new research or discoveries can drive the search for the missing plane.

This is Part II of our analysis on the search for MH370. You can listen to Part I here.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun and Emir Zainul.

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The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines passenger jet MH370 three years ago remains one of the aviation industry’s greatest unsolved mysteries.

Family members of the missing passengers were afraid many questions would remain unanswered when the Malaysian government suspended the search in January. But the next of kin are not giving up hope -- and they announced their intentions last week to initiate an independent search at the memorial themed “Search On”.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the feasibility of a private search to find MH370.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.

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What would a “day without women” be like for a country where half of the population is women?

A group of activists in the US are planning to answer the question on International Women’s Day, in a bid to demonstrate the often overlooked economic and political contributions of women in the society.

The strike is a continuation of massive demonstrations earlier this year when millions of Americans took to the streets calling for the protection of women’s rights.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the significance of these movements.

This is a report by Tan Zhai Yun.

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