Thailand's transport minister said construction firm Italian-Thai Development PCL, whose crane fell onto the train in northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province a day earlier, was also involved in the crane accident near Bangkok. Italian-Thai declined to immediately comment on the latest incident and did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Images from the scene showed a mangled green crane and huge pieces of concrete that had crushed the vehicles below. Video from news outlet Thai Rath showed cars reversing to avoid the wreckage amid a cloud of dust from the collapsed concrete. Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy, has been undergoing significant infrastructure development, from elevated highways and high-speed rail lines to major expansion of its elevated rail network in Bangkok.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he gave his personal blessings for Khairy Jamaluddin to attend the Umno Youth convention. When asked about the presence of former leaders also present here, Ahmad Zahid responded with “the door is still open”. Khairy was among the former Umno Youth chiefs who attended the wing’s assembly on Thursday. Separately, Ahmad Zahid said Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s resignation from his exco post in the Melaka state government was his personal decision. Earlier on Thursday, Dr Muhamad Akmal announced his resignation at the Umno Youth Assembly, saying it would take effect next week.

The Bursa Malaysia Emas Index, which tracks Main Market stocks, declined by 2.2%, while the ACE Market Index suffered a steeper fall of 9.4%. Against this muted backdrop, The Edge’s stock picks for 2025 delivered a commendable performance, with eight out of 10 selections generating positive returns. Pentamaster also staged a strong rebound, bringing total returns of 33.3% over the same period, supported by improved profitability. Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd (KL:PMETAL) emerged as another standout performer, rising more than 50% during the year, underpinned by elevated aluminium prices and easing alumina costs. Over the same period, AMMB Holdings Bhd (KL:AMBANK) and Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Bhd (KL:HSPLANT) advanced 25.2% and 19.7% respectively.

PUTRAJAYA (Jan 15): The Ministry of Human Resources (Kesuma) is conducting further studies to refine the new expatriate employment policy before it takes effect on June 1, said minister Datuk Seri R Ramanan. Ramanan explained that Kesuma is finalising the framework, with ongoing discussions since the start of the year amid a heavy schedule of Cabinet and post-Cabinet meetings. Commenting on the current 10-year cap on expatriate employment passes, Ramanan highlighted the importance of succession planning to ensure that high-value positions are ultimately filled by Malaysians, particularly after long-serving expatriates complete their tenure. He said Kesuma is also reviewing Category 1 expatriates to ensure a comprehensive approach, noting that decisions must be made carefully as they have significant implications on workers’ livelihoods. In media reports on Wednesday (Jan 14), the Home Ministry announced that the new expatriate employment policy will come into force on June 1, allowing employers and industry players sufficient time to prepare.

(Jan 15): Hong Kong-based financial technology firm WeLab Ltd has secured US$220 million (RM891.11 million) from investors including HSBC Holdings plc and Prudential Hong Kong Ltd in its largest round of funding. Other investors include Fubon Bank (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Investment Corp, Allianz X and TOM Group, which counts billionaire Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd as its largest shareholder, WeLab said in a statement. WeLab last tapped markets in 2021, when it raised US$75 million in a funding drive led by Allianz X, the digital investment unit of the German insurer. The company operates two digital banks, including WeLab Bank in Hong Kong and Bank Saqu in Indonesia. It has over 70 million individual users and more than 700 enterprise customers.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysiakini has issued an apology after what it claimed was an error in one of its Malay social media posts on Wednesday (Jan 14). The news portal said that the error featured unrelated news and images. "We deeply regret the error and understand that it may have offended some," the portal said on Facebook on Wednesday. It added that as soon as the error was noticed, it was immediately deleted and a correction was made. "Malaysiakini sincerely apologises for the error, and we are committed to ensuring greater editorial accuracy in the future," it said.

(Jan 15): Citigroup Inc chief financial officer Mark Mason said the lender wants to cooperate with US President Donald Trump’s affordability push but doesn’t support his proposed cap on credit card fees. Trump has taken aim at Wall Street’s credit card businesses. Last Friday, he announced a 10% cap on card interest rates, with a deadline of Jan 20. “Studies in the US have shown a vast majority of consumers and businesses would lose access to credit cards,” Citigroup chief executive officer Jane Fraser said on call with analysts. “They would be forced to pursue more predatory alternatives, and you would only be left with the wealthy having access to credit cards.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 15): theedgemalaysia.com highlighted eight stocks with negative momentum at Bursa Malaysia’s afternoon close on Thursday. It merely tells you which stocks are seeing higher-than-normal volume and price movements. But the “+ve” (suggesting a rising price trend on volume) and “-ve” (suggesting a falling price trend on volume) indicators should give readers a better idea of what the market is buying and when to sell. Note also that momentum generally only persists for a short period of time. However, each stock has an accompanying fundamental score and valuation score to help readers evaluate the attractiveness of the stocks if they want to ride the momentum.

PUTRAJAYA: The government has directed the relevant agencies to take firm enforcement action against the misuse of social visit visas for illegal employment and business activities, says Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim. This includes strengthening the monitoring of unauthorised employment and business activities. "Following complaints from local traders, I raised this matter, and the government has directed the relevant agencies to take firm enforcement action, including strengthening the monitoring of unauthorised employment and business activities. "I will work closely with the Home Affairs Minister and the relevant agencies to ensure that follow-up actions are implemented without delay. "This step is important to protect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and local small traders, and to ensure that the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem remains orderly and competitive," he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 15).

For example, Trump has asserted that all interpretations of law and review of agency expenditures, including by the Fed, fall within the purview of the White House and Justice Department. The administration also has taken control of all Fed regulatory policy, including its oversight of bank capital and leverage. The White House may claim that its control does not apply to the institution’s conduct of monetary policy, but this is a distinction without much difference. The Trump administration’s approach to global alliances and tariffs, though, has created uncertainty about its willingness, when needed, to backstop global dollar liquidity. Substantively, though, the Fed’s independence has already been eroded by White House oversight and Trump’s politicisation of interest-rate decisions.

PETALING JAYA: A blanket social media ban for all kids below 16, without proper safeguards and supporting measures, may only worsen anxiety and social isolation among children, say experts. Consultant paediatrician Datuk Dr Amar Singh HSS said the overall impact of a social media ban on children may vary heavily for certain groups. “For those who are more reserved or are from marginalised segments of society, social media can be a key support system. “Any social media ban would also create a vacuum, so how will this be filled? To resolve this, Dr Amar said parents must use the opportunity of a social media ban by cutting back on their own social media use and spending quality time with their children.

"Greenland is very important for the national security, including of Denmark," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We didn't manage to change the American position," Rasmussen told reporters outside the Danish embassy in Washington. The Danish military will support the preparation of exercise activity, according to the nation's Joint Arctic Command. 'We stand with the kingdom' of Denmark, Greenland saysGreenlandic leaders appear to be shifting their approach to handling the diplomatic crisis. Trump's desire for Greenland contrasts with Americans' opposition to annexation of the Arctic island, according to a new poll.

PETALING JAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Electricite Du Laos and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand have signed a tripartite Energy Wheeling Agreement Phase 2 under the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR)-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project (LTMS-PIP 2.0), marking a further step in advancing the Asean Power Grid initiative. The agreement enables the cross-border transmission of up to 100MW of renewable electricity from Lao PDR to Singapore, with Thailand and Malaysia acting as power wheelers using existing interconnection facilities. It also completes the full implementation of LTMS-PIP 2.0, lifting the total capacity of electricity traded under the framework to as much as 200MW, including additional supply from Malaysia to Singapore.

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PETALING JAYA: It was a disappointing end for both men’s singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh in the Indian Open. Misfortune in the form of a high fever forced Jun Hao to retire from his first round match against Japan’s Yushi Tanaka while Justin’s debut in the Super 750 level was cut short by China’s Lu Guangzu. The 26-year-old Jun Hao had to call it quits while trailing 5-21, 3-8 against Tanaka at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi yesterday. Jun Hao looked far from his normal self as he struggled with his movement during the match. “Jun Hao started having fever yesterday (Tuesday) and his condition got worse on match day,” lamented men’s singles coach K. Yogendran when contacted.