PETALING JAYA, May 17 — PWN Kuala Lumpur has relaunched with an exclusive leadership exchange, drawing more than 70 senior women leaders, corporate executives and entrepreneurs.

The event marked the local chapter’s return as part of the global Professional Women’s Network, which spans 30 city networks across 27 countries.

PWN Kuala Lumpur president and global leadership advisor Jasmin Peters welcomed guests and introduced board members, before outlining member benefits and partnership opportunities.

The highlight of the day was a fireside chat titled “Wired to Lead: Hormones, Health & High Performance”, featuring obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shilpa Nambiar and transformation coach Caleen Chua, and moderated by Peters.

Founded in Paris in 1996, PWN Global today connects more than 3,500 members worldwide through mentoring, coaching and over 600 annual events.

JOHOR BAHRU, May 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim warned political partners in national unity government today that he is prepared to call for an early general election if their political "intimidation" and threats persist.

Speaking at the 2026 Pakatan Harapan Convention here, Anwar, who is the PH chairman, directly referenced the ongoing state-level tensions, escalating the situation to a national scale.

“If it is true that they feel it is time for the election to take place in Johor, we will continue in Negeri Sembilan, and perhaps the people can decide for the whole of Malaysia,” he said in his keynote address.

MORE TO COME

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 — The government is adopting a balanced, inclusive and responsible approach in its efforts to expand access to national higher education as part of building a common meeting point for Malaysia’s diverse society.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the commitment must nevertheless remain aligned with efforts to uphold the foundations of the National Education Policy and the National Education Philosophy.

According to him, in a sovereign nation, the education system cannot merely be viewed through the lens of academic demands, the interests of certain groups or narrow identity considerations.

“It also involves nation-building, strengthening unity, empowering Bahasa Melayu as the national language, as well as understanding Malaysia’s history and nationhood.

“For this reason, the government cannot alter the foundations of the national education system simply to satisfy the demands of any particular educational stream,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

He was responding to a statement by the Federation of Malaysian Chinese School Management Associations (Dong Zong) on May 15, which claimed that the government had failed to reflect educational justice towards Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) graduates.

Zambry described the claim as misguided and irresponsible.

He said any educational stream seeking broader access to public institutions must demonstrate a willingness to operate within the country’s national framework, adding that the government must defend national principles and policies that form the basis of national identity and unity.

He added that the government’s decision to allow UEC holders to apply to public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) for selected Chinese language and literature courses, provided they obtain a credit in Bahasa Melayu and pass History in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, should not be regarded as vague, unfair or a systemic flaw as alleged by Dong Zong.

On the contrary, he said the move reflected an inclusive and responsible approach that respected the framework of the National Education Policy.

“In this regard, the position of Bahasa Melayu as the national language and History as the foundation of nationhood cannot be compromised. These principles must be implemented consistently and cannot change simply because of political pressure or demands from any party,” he said.

Elaborating further, Zambry said Malaysia’s future depends on a common foundation capable of uniting the people through Bahasa Melayu as the national language, an understanding of the country’s history and a shared spirit of nationhood.

He added that Dong Zong also needed to understand that public universities are national institutions governed by national policies, and therefore the government has the right to impose certain conditions to preserve educational standards, system harmony and the country’s long-term interests.

“The government remains committed to ensuring that the country’s higher education system continues to be inclusive, fair and of high quality. However, inclusiveness does not mean the government must sacrifice the country’s core policies.

“Openness also does not mean the nation should ignore the national principles that have formed the backbone of Malaysia’s development since independence,” he said. — Bernama

LONDON, May 17 — Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club’s manager on Sunday on a four-year deal with the Spaniard the latest coach tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes.

The Blues lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City on Saturday and lie ninth in the Premier League with two games of the campaign to go.

Alonso rose to prominence as one of Europe’s brightest coaches by guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season.

However, he lasted just seven months in the Real Madrid hotseat. Appointed last year, he departed the Spanish giants in January.

“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager of the men’s team,” Chelsea said in a statement.

“The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.”

Alonso faces a huge task to get Chelsea back in the running for major honours.

Chelsea did win the World Club Cup and the UEFA Conference League last year but have little else to show for well over £1 billion (US$1.35 billion; RM5.34 billion) of spending on players since as US consortium BlueCo took over in 2022 following Roman Abramovich’s trophy-laden ownership of the club.

Defeat at Wembley on Saturday means they have now gone eight seasons without a domestic trophy.

Fans have continuously protested against BlueCo, who have embarked on a scattergun approach to hoovering up young talent from across the globe.

That policy has secured some notable successes such as England international Cole Palmer.

But a lack of experience in both the playing squad and, often in the coaching staff, has been blamed for a lack of consistency.

Alonso becomes the sixth permanent manager to take charge at Stamford Bridge in the past four years after Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.

The 44-year-old has a point to prove after a turbulent short spell in Madrid.

Alonso’s arrival is a coup for Chelsea’s much-criticised owners.

Many Liverpool fans were desperate for him to return to Anfield, where he starred for five years as a player between 2004 and 2009, to succeed the under-fire Arne Slot. — AFP

KOTA KINABALU, May 17 — Malaysian students can now apply for the Chinese Government’s fully funded “Silk Road” Scholarship Programme for the 2026 intake, offered by Kibing Group in partnership with Changsha University of Science and Technology (CSUST) and supported by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

The scholarship will fully sponsor five undergraduate students and five to 10 master’s students in fields related to new energy and engineering.

It aims to develop professional talent and industry leaders in areas such as green energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, finance, disaster risk reduction, and teacher education.

Kibing Group will also provide internships and employment opportunities after graduation.

The undergraduate programme in New Energy Science and Engineering will be taught in Mandarin, while the master’s programme in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics is offered in Mandarin or English.

The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, living allowance, and medical insurance.

Applicants must meet language requirements: undergraduates need HSK Level 3, while master’s students require HSK Level 4 and a minimum IELTS score of 5.5. Those without the certificates can take Mandarin courses after enrolment.

Applications are open from May 7 to 22, with results announced on May 31.

Interested candidates must pre-register with Kibing Group and submit documents through CSUST’s international platform.

For more information, contact Kibing Group representative Liew Yi Xuan via WhatsApp at (+60)12-3432463 or email yixuan.liew@kibingsolar.com. — Daily Express

INCHEON, May 17 — A North Korean women’s football team landed in South Korea on Sunday, marking the first visit by a sports team from the isolated country to its southern neighbour in eight years, to play in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.

Naegohyang Women’s FC – which means “My Hometown” in Korean – emerged from South Korea’s Incheon International Airport near Seoul surrounded by throngs of reporters and supporters holding welcome signs.

A total of 39 North Korean players and staff, dressed in identical dark jackets and skirts and wheeling pink suitcases, were greeted by dozens of people from South Korean civic groups holding welcome signs.

“We welcome you!” they said as the players walked past along a cordoned-off route under heavy security presence.

The players swiftly boarded a bus, which departed the airport under police escort.

“I came here today to welcome the Naegohyang team players, who are visiting South Korea for the first time in eight years,” civic group member Choi Young-ok told AFP.

But she cautioned against having lofty hopes that the event would improve relations between the two Koreas.

“While I do hope it will help, I don’t think this match alone will solve anything significant unless the fundamental issues between the two sides are addressed,” she said, without elaborating.

“A sports match is just a sports match,” she added.

Flags banned

Naegohyang Women’s FC, based in Pyongyang, will face Suwon FC Women in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Champions League on Wednesday.

Founded in 2012, the club won North Korea’s top-flight title in the 2021-22 season and defeated Suwon 3-0 during the tournament’s group stage last year.

The North Korean entourage arrived via Beijing on an Air China commercial flight and will stay at a hotel in Suwon, south of Seoul.

North Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC players arrive at Incheon International Airport in Incheon on May 17, 2026, marking the first visit in eight years. — AFP pic

Local reports said the North and South Korean teams would stay at the same hotel but use separate dining areas and travel routes, limiting direct interaction.

Interest in the match has been intense, with more than 7,000 tickets selling out within hours. 

The game will be at Suwon Sports Complex, which has a capacity of just under 12,000.

Seoul’s unification ministry has also provided funding for civic groups planning to support both teams at the game, describing the event as an opportunity to promote “mutual understanding between the two Koreas”.

According to local media, civic groups have been discussing cheering guidelines with the authorities, because waving North Korean national flags in public is prohibited under the national security law.

In past such events held in the South, civic groups instead waved flags depicting the Korean Peninsula.

Women’s football is one of North Korea’s strongest international sports, with their national teams regularly competing at the highest levels in Asia and globally.

North Korea are ranked 11th in the Fifa women’s rankings, far ahead of their men’s team, who are 118th. — AFP

JOHOR BAHRU, May 17 — DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has told MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to direct his complaints regarding the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) to his own coalition partner, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.

Speaking at the 2026 Pakatan Harapan Convention today, Loke pointed out that since Zambry is from Barisan Nasional (BN) and MCA is a component party, any dissatisfaction should be resolved internally within their coalition.

“If you are not satisfied, please look for the minister from BN, as he determines the conditions and policies,” Loke said.

“He agreed with the Cabinet decision. So, don’t blame Anthony Loke and DAP. We also want to resolve the issue quickly.”

Loke reframed the debate by stressing that the UEC is an issue of educational access, not a political tool or a threat to the national language.

“Today, we have a prime minister who wants to provide fair access to education for all,” he said, adding that the mandate to resolve the long-standing issue came directly from the prime minister.

Addressing concerns within the Malay community, Loke gave his assurance that the status of Bahasa Melayu as the national language is secure and will never be disputed by DAP.

“The Malay community does not need to worry, as Bahasa Melayu will forever be the national language,” he affirmed.

“Today, we want Malaysian children to master various languages. This is the Madani government and our philosophy.”

JAKARTA, May 17 — Indonesian authorities have advised the public to stay away from high-risk areas around Mount Semeru after the volcano erupted several times over the weekend.

The volcano erupted three times on Sunday morning with ash columns reaching 700 metres above the summit.

On Saturday it erupted twice within about 90 minutes, with the highest ash column rising up to 1,000 metres into the sky, according to Antara news agency citing Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG).

Mount Semeru remains under Level III (Alert) status, PVMBG said.

It urged public not to carry out any activities within 13 kilometres southeast of the summit along Besuk Kobokan, a river channel that is prone to lava flows and hot clouds.

Residents and visitors were also prohibited from activities within a five-kilometre radius of the crater due to the risk of incandescent rock ejections. — Bernama