Morning Brief

President Joe Biden leaves the White House after one term in office with an approval rating at the lowest point of his presidency. Dr Adrian Ang, Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, takes a look at some of Biden's achievements and how he thinks the oldest US president ever will be remembered in the annals of history.

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As the world seeks cleaner energy options, nuclear power is gaining attention as a potential solution to meet rising demands and reduce carbon emissions. While some countries like Germany are moving away from it, others including Malaysia are considering nuclear energy with an emphasis on safety and sustainability. We discuss these developments with Dr Alvin Chew, Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

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Annually, CLSA, a Hong Kong-based capital markets and investment group releases a tongue-in-cheek Feng Shui guide on how the Hang Seng index will perform. Susan Zhang, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice from CLSA, shares her tips on what zodiac signs and elements might do well or otherwise when the Year of the Snake slithers in next week.

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The government has formed a committee to review the Contracts Act 1950 and bring it up to date with modern economic developments. What are the gaps in the law that need to be addressed? We discuss this with Dr. Adnan Trakic, Director of the Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies, Malaysia Hub, Monash University.

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After months of negotiations, a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel has finally been agreed on, brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt. Will this agreement provide a foundation for stability in Gaza, or is the region facing more uncertainty ahead? We speak to Dr. James Dorsey, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies for immediate reactions.

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Bank Negara Malaysia and the Finance Ministry have now approved all five licensed digital banks, with three of them - GXBank, AEON Bank and Boost Bank - already up and running. Ryt Bank and KAF Digital will follow soon. Ravi Kittane, Partner, Ernst & Young Consulting, assesses the impact of these 5 entities in shaping Malaysia's digital banking space.

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Following a viral video where someone questioned the police for detaining a person and checking their phone, IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has clarified that this is allowed under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998. Criminal lawyer, Sreekant Pillai, helps us understand the legality of mobile phone inspections and what your rights are.

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Absenteeism in schools has become a growing concern in Malaysia, with many students missing out on crucial educational opportunities. In response, the government is set to introduce a compulsory secondary education policy next month to reduce dropout rates and enhance the quality of education. Prof. Dr. Ismi Arif Ismail, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and International at Universiti Putra Malaysia, shares his insights on this issue.

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The Biden administration plans to introduce new export restrictions on artificial intelligence chips under a three-tier system based on country, in addition to limiting AI computing power coming out of providers based in the US to other countries. How will these restrictions impact global supply chains and the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy? Farlina Said, Senior Analyst, ISIS Malaysia shares her insights with us.

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The wildfires in Los Angeles and the floods in Malaysia have underscored the escalating effects of climate change on urban areas. What's needed to build climate resilience against future threats? We discuss this with Dr. Camelia May Li Kusumo of Taylor's University.

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