Current Affairs

US President Donald Trump has given mixed signals about his views on international climate negotiations. On more than one occasion, he has talked about leaving the Paris Agreement, and slashing funds to the United Nations Green Climate Fund.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores the implications of Trump’s international climate negotiations, and if it is a cause of concern for the Southeast Asia region.

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

Click here for Part I. 

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Throughout the US presidential election campaign, President Donald Trump vowed to drastically alter the U.S.’s direction on climate and energy. His promises include; dismantling the US Environmental Protection Agency, and repealing restrictions on domestic energy development.

Critics argue that the incoming administration would quickly withdraw the U.S. from international climate change agreements, but domestic change is likely slower.

However, less than a week into his presidency, Trump has since signed two executive orders; to move forward with construction of the controversial Keystone XL and Dakota Access oil pipelines - rolling back key Obama administration environmental policies, in favor of expanding energy infrastructure.

BFM explores Trump’s commitments to America’s climate and energy policies, and other changes that are expected to happen.

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

Click here for part II.

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Grant Thornton has recently released the International Business Report (IBR), a quarterly global survey of 2,600 businesses in 37 economies. Globally, business optimism at the end of Q4 2016 stands at net 38% which is an increase of 5 percentage point from Q3. However, the rates in ASEAN countries have declined and Malaysia is the lowest in the region.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores how Malaysia’s economic performance in 2016 has affected investor’s view towards our country and what are the prospects for the year ahead.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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One day before the inauguration of Donald Trump as 45th President of the United States, doubts linger over the legitimacy of the election process that brought him into power. U.S. intelligence agencies, the Democratic Party and others claim state sponsored Russian hackers may have influenced the Presidential election. The insinuation is that Moscow wanted to help Trump, who they purportedly see as a potential ally once he takes office. But how true are these hacking allegations, and how much did they influence the final polling results? BFM explores. 

This is a report by Jason Lim.

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Earlier this month, India’s Supreme Court ruled that candidates for political office cannot appeal to voters on the basis of religion, caste, community or language. The four members of the panel who pushed for this move felt that this will strengthen secularism reflected in the constitution.

Shortly after the verdict was passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration issued their support, despite being known to use caste and religion as a tool to garner votes. Meanwhile, certain critics argued that this ruling would result in further marginalising the low caste.

Today on Current Affairs, we ask: will the ruling create greater equality, or will it undermine democracy in India?

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

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In a recent education report of 50 countries in the world by Universitas 21, Malaysia was ranked as one of the top spenders on high education but rated among the weakest in terms of overall university performance. This has raised pressing questions on budget expenditure efficiency and issues of governance within public universities. 

Today on Current Affairs, we explore some of the problems faced by Malaysian public universities, and the need to reform how these universities are being governed.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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The 2017 M-League season starts this week, but several teams have been mired in serious financial crisis over the last few months. Selangor notably, the country's most decorated outfit, is one of the teams plagued by this recurring predicament, which has threatened their very survival.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores what went wrong with the Red Giants, the latest movement by Selangor fans to takeover the club, and the future of Malaysia's domestic football league.

This is a report by Shawn Tanis.

Click here for Part I of the story.

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On Sunday, British Prime Minister Theresa May sat down with Sky News for an exclusive interview, to discuss her strategy for pulling Britain out of the European Union. Her comments suggest that the Brexit negotiations will be exceptionally painful. This comes after the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers, UK’s Permanent Representative to the European Union. He was expected to play a key role in the Brexit talks.

On Current Affairs, we get the latest update about Brexit and ask if the resignation of Sir Ivan Rogers has disrupted the Brexit negotiation process, which takes place in March.

This is a report by Wan Irdina.

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The terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub on New Year’s Day, has led to speculation that the Turkish government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his AKP party are losing their grip on the political, social and security aspects of their nation.

BFM explores how Erdogan's administration is trying to frame the ongoing chaos to its own advantage, his about-turn in collaborating and fostering close ties with Russia, and whether this strategy can serve to keep him in power over the long term.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

Click here for Part I of the story. 

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On New Year’s Day, Turkey was stunned when a lone gunman killed 39 people at the Reina nightclub in Istanbul. The incident was one of several violent attacks on Turkish soil over the past year, the latest being a bomb blast which killed two people near an Istanbul courthouse. The attacks threaten to further destabilize Turkey and the ruling government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his AKP political party.

BFM explores the circumstances that led to the current political and social atmosphere surrounding the shooting, if these attacks have affected Turkey’s secularism, and how Erdogan may respond to future terrorist threats.

This is a report by Jason Lim.

Click here for Part II of the story. 

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