The new National Education Development Plan 2026-2035 was announced yesterday, detailing changes to our education system including lowering the entry age of Standard One and the reintroduction of PT3 exams. We break down the plan, and its criticisms with Hema Letchamanan, founder of Projek BacaBaca and Senior Lecturer and Programme Director at the School of Education of Taylor’s University. (Starts at 23:53)

• Developments in Altantuyaa Shariibu family's lawsuit: The Court of Appeal has reduced the quantum of damages awarded to the Mongolian translator from RM5 million to RM1.4 million. They also ruled that the Malaysian government is not 'vicariously liable' for her murder. For her thoughts on this development, we reached out to lawyer and former deputy public prosecutor Kee Shu Min. (Starts at 18:22)

• Canada's PM says the New World Order is over: Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered an address at the World Economic Forum in Davos that drew widespread praise for his upfront outlook about global superpowers throwing out international order for a more weaponised geopolitical landscape. We discuss the speech. (Starts at 13:24)

• Peer-based mental health initiative introduced in schools: The initiative is called PeerZ, and it aims to allow students to share emotional stress with their peers first before being referred to counsellors and mental health professionals. To learn about the benefits and impact of this initiative, we hear from Jamaliah Jamaluddin, ADUN for Bandar Utama and registered counsellor Rozy Khalid. (Starts at 7:39)

• Brooklyn burns bridges with the Beckhams: In a pop culture update, the oldest son of David and Victoria Beckham aired their dirty laundry on his Instagram story characterising his family as narcissistic and controlling. He added that he does not wish to reconcile with them. We break down the rift and unpack the public's fascination with celebrity families.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Sneha Harikannan, Dashran Yohan, Lim Sue Ann, Lee Chwi Lynn

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Sharaad Kuttan

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Categories:  education,  controversies,  government,  international,  politics,  Law/Activism,  corruption

Tags:  Malaysia education system changes,  Altantuyaa Shariibuu court ruling,  Court of Appeal Malaysia,  Student mental health Malaysia,  Peer based mental health programmes,  Beckham family controversy,  National Education Development Plan 2026 2035,  Trump new world order,  world economic forum,  public examination,