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Top 5 at 5: Junta Winning Junta-led Elections

Debbie Stothard, Founder, ALTSEAN-Burma

13-Jan-26 17:00

Top 5 at 5: Junta Winning Junta-led Elections

Myanmar’s junta presses ahead with controversial elections amid armed clashes and accusations of a “sham” vote, while the ICJ begins hearings on whether the military committed genocide against the Rohingya. With Suu Kyi’s party dissolved and ethnic parties sidelined, the USDP dominates the polls as global attention shifts to The Hague. We get into this with Debbie Stothard. (Starts at 23:37)

• Fatal explosion in private university: An explosion at HELP University’s Bukit Damansara campus left one intern dead and nine others injured, after a gas leak in an air-conditioning compressor room triggered the blast. Authorities have ruled out foul play, while the Ministry of Higher Education has ordered safety checks across all campuses. We hear from Dr Mohamad Fahmi Hussin, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Mara. (Starts at 17:03)

• The travel apps you need: Malaysia’s new MyNiise app promises faster border clearance with QR codes and facial recognition. From January 15 2026, Malaysians will need a MyDigital ID to use it. We talk about how this could change travel. (Starts at 12:05)

• Will Trump take Greenland?: The Trump administration’s Greenland push mixes arguments about security, resources, and geopolitics, but most don’t hold up under scrutiny. Analysts point out that NATO treaties already give the US military leeway, while Greenland’s mineral riches remain costly to exploit. We hear thoughts from political scientist Derick Becker. (Starts at 7:19)

• Viral app asks Are You Dead?: This app has gone viral in China, asking solo dwellers to tap a green button every two days to prove they’re alive, otherwise, it alerts their emergency contact. We get into it. (Starts at 0:23)

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Evening Edition

Presented by: Sharaad Kuttan, Susan Tam, Lee Chwi Lynn


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Categories:  politicsgovernmentinternationalLaw/Activismcontroversieseducation

Tags:  Myanmar junta electionsICJ Rohingya genocide caseMyanmar military and USDPHELP University explosionCampus safety MalaysiaMyNiise app MalaysiaMyDigital ID travelTrump Greenland geopoliticsUS Greenland relationsViral apps China society





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