A debut entry clinched first place in the Penang Green School Award that fosters a green culture in education. SK Tanjung Bunga took top spot in the island-level primary category at the annual competition among Penang schools, organised by Penang Green Council. (Above) SMK Datuk Hj Mohamed Nor Ahmad showing some miniature potted plants and (below) a pupil from SJKC Union demonstrating his school’s green project. A pupil from SJKC Union demonstrating his school’s green project. Law said that it was not an easy win, as awareness of green culture within the school in Gelugor was initially very low.

“There are not many secondhand bookstores in Johor Baru; I want to make books accessible to as many people as possible,” she told StarMetro. Khaleena arranging books on the shelves at her used bookstore within a cafe in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Baru. “About 70% of my customers are Singaporeans visiting Johor Baru for cafe-hopping. “We gathered preloved school uniforms and school supplies for those in need to take for free. “If the item only needs to function well, buying preloved fits naturally into a smarter budgeting strategy,” he said.

DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology on Wednesday unveiled a strategy to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across all levels of education. She said digital transformation has become a necessity, as outlined in Tanzania's Development Vision 2050, noting that the country's future development depends on a workforce equipped with digital skills. The implementation of the strategy will begin with strengthening digital infrastructure, including internet connectivity, access to digital devices, and reliable electricity in schools, teacher training colleges, TVET institutions, and universities. Nombo said the strategy also promotes the use of approved digital learning platforms and encourages blended and online learning, while emphasizing the role of teachers through enhanced training in digital pedagogy, information and communication technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and data skills. She also urged universities and research institutions to promote innovation in AI-enabled education to improve access to quality learning.

Compiled by C. ARUNO, DIVYA THERESA RAVI and R. ARAVINTHANA SANITATION worker in Tamil Nadu, India, received a lot of praise after returning 360 grams of gold jewellery she found on the street, Malaysia Nanban reported. Padma, who works as a street sweeper in Chennai, found a bag full of jewellery near Pondy Bazaa and immediately brought it to a nearby police station. The police established that the bag belonged to a man named Ramesh, who had filed a report after losing his bag with the same amount of jewellery. > SJK(T) Ladang Byram welcomed its pupils with cultural dance and music on their first day of school in 2026, Makkal Osai reported. The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies).

JASIN: An unexploded 227kg aerial bomb believed to date back to the Second World War was uncovered at a construction site here on Wednesday (Jan 14). According to him, the man came across an object suspected to be a bomb while carrying out earthworks at a project site in Kampung Air Panas in Bemban, here. Supt Lee said his team from the Weapons Unit was deployed to the location after the report, and initial checks confirmed the object was an aerial bomb. "The bomb measures between 27cm and 36cm in circumference and is about 1.15 meters in length. He advised the public not to speculate on the incident in a manner that could cause unease or concern within the community.

PARIS, Jan 14 (Reuters) - ‌France is looking into sending Eutelsat satellite terminals ‌to Iran to help citizens after Iranian authorities ‌imposed a blackout of internet services in a bid to quell the country's most violent domestic unrest in decades. Backed ⁠by the French and British governments, Eutelsat ‌owns the only other low Earth orbit constellation, or group of ⁠satellites, besides ‍Elon Musk's Starlink. These satellites are used to beam internet service from space, providing broadband connectivity to businesses, governments ‍and consumers in under-served areas. Still, some Iranians have managed to connect to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, three people inside the country said. Even ‌Starlink service appears to be reduced, Alp Toker, founder of internet monitoring group NetBlocks said earlier this week.

JOHOR BARU: A 65-year-old man lost RM668,800 after falling victim to a fake investment scheme. Kulai OCPD Asst Comm Tan Seng Lee said the victim claimed he was cheated by an investment scheme promoted through an app promising profits of between 10% and 20% within 24 hours. The victim made 25 transactions into 17 different bank accounts bet­ween Nov 28 last year and Jan 6. “The app showed that profits reached US$102,303.64 (RM415,000) but when he tried to withdraw the money, the transaction was blocked. “The victim then lodged a police report on Tuesday,” ACP Tan said in a statement.

JOHOR BARU: A woman’s attempt to order nyonya kuih online ended with her losing about RM10,000 after scammers apparently hijacked her mobile phone and drained her bank accounts. The 51-year-old victim, who wanted to be known only as Teoh, said the incident happened after she clicked on an online advertisement for nyonya kuih last Dec 25. Teoh did as instructed but still could not find the kuih she wanted. The man then sent her another document via WhatsApp and told her to accept it by clicking the link. After that, her phone screen went dark, so she immediately removed her SIM card.

It (the recommendation) has to come from somebody who would submit it to the prime minister, but before it formalises, the prime minister has to give approval,” he said here yesterday. He was also shown a letter relating to the appointments of SRC directors, including Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, who became the managing director. “I could exercise (my power) if I wanted to, but it’s not the same as the prime minister appointing it. On Nik Faisal’s appointment, Najib said he was “not familiar” with him but he was recommended because he was “suitably qualified”. The court had previously heard that Nik Faisal was a mandate holder to one of Najib’s bank accounts.

PUTRAJAYA: More than 90,000 undocumented foreigners were detained in various operations nationwide last year, says Datuk Zakaria Shaaban. This year, we will intensify operations at locations identified as hotspots for undocumented foreigners,” he said in his New Year address yesterday. Zakaria said enforcement operations this year need to be more strategic and no longer focused solely on operations at factories or specific sites. Zakaria said enforcement operations against undocumented foreigners will remain a priority for the department this year. “We plan to conduct 1,200 enforcement operations this year.

PETALING JAYA: Free Malaysia Today (FMT) has issued an apology after one of its reporters posed a question during a public lecture that was believed to have carried racial overtones. "FMT wishes to put on record that it had no prior knowledge of the journalist’s intention to raise the question, nor did we approve of his comments. The statement was signed by both FMT executive chairman Nelson Fernandez and managing director Azeem Abu Bakar. A video of the question has been posted on social media, where the journalist asked if the speaker saw the parallels between "the Palestine problem and the Chinese problem in Malaysia." The journalist also asked if pro-Palestinian supporters vehemently rejected right-wing views, such as Zionism, why would they support right-wing ideals, such as anti-immigrant views.

A CENTRE has been set up in Lenggong, Hulu Perak, for locals to have shared stewardship in reinforcing the sub-district’s identity as a Unesco Global Geopark. The Lenggong Community Centre is designed for community use, providing a platform for residents, community groups, partners and visitors to engage with Lenggong’s cultural, archaeological and natural heritage. Shamsul, who launched the Lenggong Community Centre, wants Lenggong to be a global geopark education hub.Deputy Home Minister and Lenggong MP Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah launched the centre recently. LVSCD focused on strengthening awareness and understanding of Lenggong’s heritage through community learning, alongside a citizen scientist component and a grants programme that supports community-led initiatives. This is aligned with efforts to position Lenggong as a Global Geopark Education Hub initiated by Shamsul.

Before the school term started this year, she, with help from some volunteers, distributed school supplies to 300 children from poor families in the Klang Valley. Nur Syahada says she spends RM600 on school fees and exercise books for her three children.Those selected received essentials such as bags, stationery, exercise books, lunch boxes and toiletries. “I worked with schools, teachers and community leaders to identify suitable recipients,” said Megalah, who hails from Puchong, Selangor. Tok Batin (village chief) Baharuddin Bakar, 47, said the community had worked with the foundation on previous initiatives. “I spent RM600 on school fees and exercise books,” said the mother of three school-going children.

Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) has implemented the “Dapur Siswa Madani” initiative to help reduce the cost of living for its students. The initiative involves provision of cooking equipment and dry food supplies so that students can make their own meals. UMK deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Mohammad Ismail said the university had further plans to set up five “Dapur Siswa Madani” throughout the year. UMK Student Representative Council president Saiful Azam Shamsul Amir welcomed the “Dapur Siswa Madani” initiative as it helped reduce students’ financial burden. Earlier this month, the Federal Government announced a RM15mil allocation to strengthen programmes offering free food and food banks at higher education institutions via “Dapur Siswa Madani”.

PETALING JAYA: About RM277bil has been lost in the past six years due to graft involving public funds, says Tan Sri Azam Baki. Azam also praised the dedication showed by MACC officers who he said “continue to work tirelessly” despite facing pressure and attacks on social media. He stressed that MACC’s role also includes preventive efforts to educate the public, especially the younger generation. “There is a great deal of inaccurate information on social media that can influence public perception,” he said. On issues of perceptions and online criticism, Azam noted that while perceptions cannot be prevented, they must be managed effectively.