Current Affairs

Last week, the Obama administration expelled several Russian diplomats in retaliation for their alleged efforts to interfere with the 2016 US presidential election. Yesterday, the US Congress launched an official probe into the matter, while American intelligence agencies have prepared a report on the alleged Russian hacking of the election, which will be released to the public on Monday.

Today on Current Affairs, Jason Lim and Sharaad Kuttan speaks to Prashanth Parameswaran, Associate Editor at the Diplomat about how this retaliation has affected US' relations with Russia and how that relationship may develop ahead of President-elect Donald Trumps innaguration this month.

This is a report by Jason Lim with contributions by Lyn Mak, Wan Irdina, and Emir Zainul. 

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Malaysia and Indonesia are the top two producers of Crude Palm Oil  in the world -- and most of the plantations are on the Island of Borneo.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM explores how the dense rainforests of Borneo Island are rapidly being cleared for the establishment of palm oil plantations, and how this is affecting the climate of the world.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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Gearing up for a tough re-election campaign this fall, Chancellor Angela Merkel pledges to protect the German public, this comes after a challenging year of numerous terror attacks, with the latest killing 12 people in a truck rampage on a Berlin Christmas market.

BFM speaks to Marco Buente, Associate Professor of International Relations and Politics at Monash University Malaysia, on how the recent attacks in Berlin affected Merkel’s administration, the chances of her party winning the next General Election, and the rise of right-wing power in the country.

This is a report by Wan Irdina. 

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Today on Current Affairs, we look to the Middle-East, as the US and its long-time ally Israel belt it out in the closing weeks of the Obama Administration.

Last Friday, the United Nation’s Security Council issued a resolution condemning Israel for its continued policy of supporting settlements on Palestinian lands. Current estimates of the illegal settlements on occupied Palestinian land are about 196, in addition to hundreds of settler outposts. These settlements host around 600,000 Jewish settlers.

BFM speaks to Prashanth Parameswaran, associate editor with the online portal The Diplomat from Washington DC.

This is a report by Sharaad Kuttan.

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Today on Current Affairs, we continue our conversation on the increasing tensions in Aleppo.

In this segment, we discuss Syria's future -- the responsibility relevant governments should hold, and if the United Nations is doing its job to rectify the situation in the city of Aleppo.

This is a report by Wan Irdina and Lyn Mak. 

Click here for Part I of the story. 

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The extent of atrocities in Aleppo is increasing -- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his allies have forced advances on the rebel-held eastern part of the city. This has led thousands of civilians fleeing deeper into rebel areas, or to Western Aleppo, known as a Pro-Assad area.

BFM speaks to Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at Birmingham University for a look at the increasing tensions in Aleppo, Syria.

This is a report by Lyn Mak and Wan Irdina. 

Click here for Part II of the story. 

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Earlier this month, over 2 million people hit the streets of Seoul, demanding its president, Park Geun-hye to step down for a corruption scandal involving her long-time friend, Choi Soon Sil. Days after, the National Assembly voted to impeach President Park, which had the support of 171 opposition and independent legislators.

Today on Current Affairs, Jason Lim speaks to Scott Seaman, a Senior Analyst at Eurasia Group to discuss the impeachment process, and what the future holds for both President Park and South Korea.

This is a report by Jason Lim, Emir Zainul and Wan Irdina.

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With just a few more steps in the official process to move into the White House, President-Elect Donald Trump has been shaping up his cabinet. However, the Pew Research Center's Poll suggests that only 40% of US citizens approved his cabinet choices and other appointments.

Today on Current Affairs, BFM’s Chacko Vadaketh speaks to Hans Johnson, President of Progressive Victory & Advocacy Consultancy and Coalition and Data Strategies based in Los Angeles, on what is in store for LA and America, in light of Trumps' surprise victory.

This is a report by Chacko Vadaketh and Wan Irdina.

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According to the Department of Statistics, 54% of Malaysian women are involved in the workforce, with government efforts in place to increase that number even further by 2020. Women make up 63% of enrollment in public universities, but less than half of those graduates enter the job market.

BFM explores some of the underlying issues that may be discouraging women from entry into the workforce, as well as some of the roadblocks standing in the way of gender parity.

This is a report by Lyn Mak

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Recently, the Health Ministry of Malaysia reported that the overall rate of new HIV cases in the country have decreased as of 2015. However, in conservative state Terengganu, the rate of HIV infections due to heterosexual relationship has doubled within 5 years. In contrary, there was a record decline in infection through sharing of infected needles for drug abusers.

BFM explores the correlation between conservatism, society’s awareness in practicing safe sex, and how these components affect the rate of HIV cases in Malaysia.

This is a report by Emir Zainul.

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