<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494854" name="segment-494854" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a> for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494855" name="segment-494855" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Thailand&#8217;s cabinet has approved a tax cut on alcoholic beverages and <a href="https://says.com/my/fun/thai-club-has-wheelchair-with-blinking-sign-to-roll-drunk-people-out" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entertainment venues</a> to boost tourism, a government spokesperson said on Tuesday, 2 January</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Taxes on wine will be reduced from 10% to 5% and on spirits from 10% to zero, Chai Wacharonke told reporters, adding that excise tax on entertainment venues will be halved from 10% to 5%.</p>
<p>The tax measures will expire at the end of this year, he said.</p>
<p>The announcement comes after authorities in November extended opening hours for entertainment venues by two hours to 4am for nighttime revellers and tourists.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494856" name="segment-494856" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Tax revenue losses would be offset by additional tourist receipts, Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit said in a separate briefing</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Tourism is a key driver of Southeast Asia&#8217;s second-largest economy. Last year, <a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/malaysians-thailand-top-tourists-2023">Thailand reached</a> its target of 28 million tourists, generating THB1.2 trillion (RM161 billion), government data showed.</p>
<p>In 2024, it is targeting more than 34 million tourist arrivals, Lavaron said.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494857" name="segment-494857" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Malaysians made up the highest number of visitors to Thailand in 2023:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/6329.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/malaysians-thailand-top-tourists-2023" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/malaysians-thailand-top-tourists-2023" class="ga-curator-related">Malaysians Were Thailand&#8217;s Top Tourists In 2023 With 4.56 Million Visits</a></h6>
<p>The tourism boom boosted Thailand&#8217;s revenue by 1.2 trillion baht (about RM161.52 billion).</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494858" name="segment-494858" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Here are some travel recommendations if you&#8217;re thinking to visit Thailand:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66562/de91.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/highly-rated-aesthetic-hotels-in-hat-yai-under-rm200" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/highly-rated-aesthetic-hotels-in-hat-yai-under-rm200" class="ga-curator-related">9 Highly-Rated &#038; Aesthetic Hotels In Hat Yai Under RM200 To Visit In 2024</a></h6>
<p>Planning trips for the rest of the year!</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/65615/ce22.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/thailand-s-floating-train-looks-like-a-scene-out-of-spirited-away" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/thailand-s-floating-train-looks-like-a-scene-out-of-spirited-away" class="ga-curator-related">Thailand&#8217;s Floating Train Looks Like A Scene Out Of &#8216;Spirited Away&#8217;</a></h6>
<p>When water levels rise in the dam, the train looks as though it&#8217;s floating across the water.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/65088/c85d.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/tramont-mountain-stay-jacuzzis-in-chiang-rai" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/lifestyle/tramont-mountain-stay-jacuzzis-in-chiang-rai" class="ga-curator-related">This Dreamy Mountain Stay With Jacuzzis In Chiang Rai Is The &#8216;Healing&#8217; Vacation You Need</a></h6>
<p>Slice of paradise.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


It Will Soon Be Cheaper To Party In Thailand After Govt Cuts Taxes On Booze & Night Clubs

Why Do You Need To Register A PADU Account & How To Do It? Here's All You Need To Know

Why Do You Need To Register A PADU Account & How To Do It? Here’s All You Need To Know

<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494586" name="segment-494586" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a> for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494587" name="segment-494587" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri was killed on Tuesday night, 3 January, in an Israeli drone strike on Beirut&#8217;s southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, a stronghold of the allied Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, signalling the conflict between Hamas and Israel could be expanding to engulf more of the region</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>In response to questions from Reuters, the Israeli military said it does not respond to reports in the foreign media.</p>
<p>Lebanon&#8217;s national news agency said the drone struck a&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;office. Two security sources said the strike had targeted a meeting between&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;officials and Lebanon&#8217;s Sunni Islamist Jama&#8217;a Islamiya faction and left a total of four Palestinians and three Lebanese dead.</p>
<p>The strike marks the first targeted assassination of a&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;official outside Palestinian Territories since the Palestinian group&#8217;s deadly assault on Israeli territory on 7 October.</p>
<p>Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told MSNBC that Israel had not taken responsibility for this attack, but &#8220;whoever did it, it must be clear: That this was not an attack on the Lebanese state.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;Whoever did this did a surgical strike against the&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;leadership,&#8221; Regev said in the interview.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ca95.JPG" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203739" alt="Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri." src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ca95.JPG"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri.
        </p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494588" name="segment-494588" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Arouri was deputy head of Hamas&#8217;s politburo and a founder of its military wing, the Qassam Brigades</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>He had spent time recently in both Lebanon and Qatar, which has mediated talks between&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;and Israel including on hostages&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;took in its 7 October assault. The US, which brands&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;a terrorist group, had last year offered USD5 million (RM23 million) for information on Arouri.</p>
<p>Hamas&nbsp;confirmed Arouri&#8217;s killing and said Qassam Brigade officials Samir Findi Abu Amer and Azzam Al-Aqraa Abu Ammar were also killed.</p>
<p>Hamas&nbsp;chief&nbsp;Ismail Haniyeh on Tuesday said Arouri&#8217;s killing is &#8220;terrorist act&#8221;, a violation of Lebanon&#8217;s sovereignty and an expansion of Israel&#8217;s hostility against Palestinians.</p>
<p>Islamic Jihad vowed revenge in a statement, saying, &#8220;This crime will not go unpunished and the resistance will continue until the occupation is removed.&#8221;</p>
<p>Iran said the killing would further galvanise the fight against Israel, while Yemen&#8217;s Houthi movement expressed condolences.</p>
<p>In Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, hundreds took to the streets to urge retaliation, shouting &#8220;Revenge, revenge, Qassam.&#8221;</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/57f2.JPG" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="Palestinians taking part in a protest against the killing of senior Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203740" alt="Palestinians taking part in a protest against the killing of senior Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank." src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/57f2.JPG"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">Palestinians taking part in a protest against the killing of senior Hamas official, Saleh al-Arouri, in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
        </p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Mohammed Torokman/Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494589" name="segment-494589" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>&#8220;New crime&#8221;</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>A Reuters witness in Dahiyeh saw firefighters and paramedics gathered around a multi-storey building with a gaping hole in what appeared to be the third floor. Limbs and other pieces of flesh could be seen on the roadside.</p>
<p>Lebanon&#8217;s caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati called the strike a &#8220;new Israeli crime&#8221; and said it was an attempt to pull Lebanon into war. His office said he asked Lebanon&#8217;s foreign minister to file a complaint to the United Nations Security Council.</p>
<p>In a written statement, Hezbollah said the attack &#8220;will not go without a response or punishment&#8221;, adding that the resistance has &#8220;its finger on the trigger&#8221;. It announced an attack on Israeli forces across the border but did not specify whether it was in response to Arouri&#8217;s killing.</p>
<p>Hezbollah&nbsp;chief&nbsp;Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah plans an address on Wednesday, 4 January, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the killing of Iranian Quds Force&nbsp;chief&nbsp;Qassem Suleimani in a US drone strike on Baghdad.</p>
<p>In a televised speech in August, Nasrallah had cautioned Israel against carrying out any assassinations on Lebanese soil, vowing a &#8220;severe reaction.&#8221;</p>
<p>Hezbollah controls security in the southern suburb of Dahiyeh. In 2019, two Israeli drones crashed in the district.</p>
<p>Hezbollah has been exchanging near-daily fire with Israel since&nbsp;Hamas&nbsp;carried out the 7 October attack, but the violence has mostly been limited to the border region between Lebanon and Israel.</p>
<p>Israeli air strikes and shelling have killed more than 100 Hezbollah fighters and nearly two dozen civilians since then, including children, elderly people, and several journalists.</p>
<p>Israel says 1,200 people were killed and 240 were taken hostage on 7 October. Israel has responded with a nearly three-month-old offensive in&nbsp;Hamas-run Gaza where Palestinian health officials say the death toll has surpassed 22,000.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dbc4.png" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="The drone strike location in Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, Lebanon." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203741" alt="The drone strike location in Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, Lebanon." src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dbc4.png"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">The drone strike location in Beirut&#8217;s southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, Lebanon.
        </p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494634" name="segment-494634" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Learn more about the Israel-Hamas war on SAYS:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66649/27a1.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/netanyahu-hitler-erdogan" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/netanyahu-hitler-erdogan" class="ga-curator-related">Turkish President Calls Israel Prime Minister &#8220;Hitler&#8221; Over Gaza War</a></h6>
<p>&#8220;There is no difference between the actions of Netanyahu and Hitler,&#8221; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66507/8299.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/anwar-bans-zim-shipping-from-docking-at-malaysian-ports" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/anwar-bans-zim-shipping-from-docking-at-malaysian-ports" class="ga-curator-related">This Israeli Shipping Company Can No Longer Dock At Malaysian Ports</a></h6>
<p>The company&#8217;s ships have been allowed to dock in Malaysia since 2002.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66376/fb1b.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/sports/puma-stop-sponsoring-israel-national-football-team" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/sports/puma-stop-sponsoring-israel-national-football-team" class="ga-curator-related">Puma To Stop Sponsoring Israel&#8217;s National Football Team In 2024</a></h6>
<p>Puma claims that the plans are unrelated to the ongoing consumer boycotts against the company due to Israel&#8217;s war on Gaza.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


Israel Ignores No-Assassination Warning And Kills Hamas Deputy Chief In Lebanon With Drone

<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494546" name="segment-494546" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a> for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494547" name="segment-494547" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>All 379 people aboard a Japan Airlines (JAL) plane escaped the burning airliner after a collision with a Coast Guard aircraft at Tokyo&#8217;s Haneda airport that killed five of six crew on the smaller aircraft on Tuesday, 2 January</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>Live footage on public broadcaster NHK showed the JAL Airbus A350 airliner burst into flames as it skidded down the tarmac shortly before 6pm.</p>
<p>Video and images shared on social media showed passengers shouting inside the plane&#8217;s smoke-filled cabin and running across the tarmac after escaping via an evacuation slide.</p>
<p>At one point a child&#8217;s voice can be heard shouting: &#8220;Let us get out quickly! Let us get out quickly!&#8221;</p>
<p>All 367 passengers and 12 crew were evacuated from the blazing airliner, but the fire was not extinguished until shortly after midnight, after burning for more than six hours, broadcaster TBS reported citing the fire department.</p>
<p>&#8220;I was wondering what happened and then I felt the airplane tilted to the side at the runway and felt a big bump,&#8221; said Satoshi Yamake, 59, a telecommunications company worker who was on board. </p>
<p>&#8220;The flight attendants told us to stay calm and instructed us to get off the plane.&#8221;﻿</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://media.says.com/2024/10/6843.jpg" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203595" alt="" src="https://media.says.com/2024/10/6843.jpg"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/fire-breaks-out-plane-runway-japans-tokyo-haneda-airport-nhk-2024-01-02/" rel="noopener">Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494548" name="segment-494548" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Fourteen people on the passenger plane were injured, according to Japan Airlines, but none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed that five of the Coast Guard aircraft&#8217;s crew had died, while the 39-year-old captain of the plane escaped but was injured.</p>
<p>A ministry official told a press briefing the JAL plane was attempting to land normally when it collided with the Coast Guard&#8217;s Bombardier-built Dash-8 maritime patrol plane on the runway.</p>
<p>There had been no reports of engine or other problems on the airliner before the landing, the official said.</p>
<p>The Coast Guard said its plane was headed to Niigata on Japan&#8217;s west coast to deliver aid to those caught up in a <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/news/100-000-people-evacuate-7-6-earthquake-hit-japan-new-year-s-day">powerful earthquake</a> that struck on New Year&#8217;s Day, killing at least 55 people.</p>
<p>A JAL official told a press briefing it was the&nbsp;airline&#8217;s understanding that the flight had received permission to land, although he added that exchanges with flight control were still under investigation.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jbD4e-Dbrsg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494549" name="segment-494549" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>&#8220;It was a miracle&#8221;</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Passengers and aviation experts praised the speed of the evacuation.</p>
<p>&#8220;I heard an explosion about 10 minutes after everyone and I got off the plane,&#8221; said 28-year-old passenger Tsubasa Sawada. &#8220;I can only say it was a miracle, we could have died if we were late.&#8221;</p>
<p>Paul Hayes, director of air safety at UK-based aviation consultancy Ascend by Cirium, noted that no-one leaving the plane appeared to be carrying hand luggage — safety agencies have warned for years that pausing to collect carry-on bags during an evacuation risks lives.</p>
<p>&#8220;The cabin crew must have done an excellent job&#8230; It was a miracle that all the passengers got off,&#8221; he said.</p>
<p>The aircraft&#8217;s in-flight announcement system did not work during the evacuation, so crew members used megaphones to give instructions, Japan Airlines said in a statement.</p>
<p>Kaoru Ishii, who was waiting outside the arrival gate for her 29-year-old daughter and boyfriend, said she initially thought the flight was delayed until her daughter called to explain.</p>
<p>&#8220;She said the plane had caught fire and she exited via a slide,&#8221; Ishii said. &#8220;I was really relieved that she was alright.&#8221;</p>
<p>A JAL spokesperson said its aircraft had departed from New Chitose airport on Japan&#8217;s northern island of Hokkaido.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/84e9.JPG" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203599" alt="" src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/84e9.JPG"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494550" name="segment-494550" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Cause under investigation</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Based on interviews with the flight crew, the&nbsp;airline&nbsp;said the crew acknowledged landing clearance from air traffic control, repeated it back to confirm and then conducted approach and landing operations.</p>
<p>&#8220;There were no issues with the aircraft at the time of departure from the New Chitose Airport and during the flight,&#8221; the&nbsp;airline&nbsp;said.</p>
<p>It was not immediately possible to determine clearly the sequence of instructions issued in the moments before the crash from multi-channel recordings available on liveatc.net.</p>
<p>The air traffic control monitoring website captured a controller telling all approaching pilots shortly after the impact: &#8220;Airport is closed, Haneda airport is closed&#8221;.</p>
<p>Transport Minister Saito said the cause of the accident was unclear and the&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;Transport Safety Board, police, and other departments would continue to investigate.</p>
<p>The JTSB air accident agency has launched an investigation, to be joined by representatives from France, where the airplane was built, and Britain where its two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines were manufactured.</p>
<p>Airbus said it was also sending technical advisers.</p>
<p>Haneda, one of the two main airports serving the&nbsp;Japanese capital Tokyo, was closed for several hours following the accident, but the transport ministry official said three runways had since resumed operations.</p>
<p>JAL&#8217;s&nbsp;Japanese rival ANA had earlier said it had cancelled 110 domestic flights departing and landing at Haneda for the rest of Tuesday.</p>
<p>Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said authorities were working to ensure the accident did not affect deliveries of earthquake relief supplies, and expressed sorrow over the deaths of the Coast Guard crew.</p>
<p>&#8220;This is a great regret as the crew members performed their duties with a strong sense of mission and responsibility for the victims of the disaster area,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/f29a.jpg" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203601" alt="" src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/f29a.jpg"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com" rel="noopener">Kyodo via Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494551" name="segment-494551" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Japan was hit by a 7.6-magnitude earthquake on 1 January:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66680/ecae.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/100-000-people-evacuate-7-6-earthquake-hit-japan-new-year-s-day" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/100-000-people-evacuate-7-6-earthquake-hit-japan-new-year-s-day" class="ga-curator-related">Over 100,000 People Ordered To Evacuate After 7.6-Earthquake Hit Japan On New Year&#8217;s Day</a></h6>
<p>It was the strongest quake in the region in more than four decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494552" name="segment-494552" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Catch up on the latest news on SAYS:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66701/9ef7.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/sarawak-flag-to-be-called-ibu-pertiwi-from-2024" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/sarawak-flag-to-be-called-ibu-pertiwi-from-2024" class="ga-curator-related">Sarawak State Flag To Carry The Name &#8216;Ibu Pertiwi&#8217;, Declares Premier</a></h6>
<p>The square housing the flagpole has also been officially designated as Dataran Ibu Pertiwi.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66685/c779.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/sapotlokal-vico-sneakily-turns-vfx-drone-display-green-yellow-new-year-klcc" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/sapotlokal-vico-sneakily-turns-vfx-drone-display-green-yellow-new-year-klcc" class="ga-curator-related">&#8220;#SapotLokal&#8221; — Malaysians Praise Vico&#8217;s VFX Drone Display That Turns From Green To Yellow</a></h6>
<p>Vico posted the video to usher in the new year.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66684/e84b.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/woman-unexpectedly-gives-birth-in-klia-waiting-area" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/woman-unexpectedly-gives-birth-in-klia-waiting-area" class="ga-curator-related">Special Delivery: KLIA Staff Rush To Help Woman As She Goes Into Labour In Waiting Area</a></h6>
<p>Thank goodness, it didn&#8217;t happen on the airplane.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


5 Coast Guard Officers Die After Japan Airlines Plane Crashes Into Them & Catches On Fire

<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494336" name="segment-494336" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a> for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494337" name="segment-494337" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Malaysians are applauding Vico, a local chocolate malt beverage brand, for its clever <a href="https://says.com/my/stories/tagged/sapotlokal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#SapotLokal</a> post published on 1 January to usher in the new year</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>The <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1hgInQJR5L/?hl=en">30-second video</a>&nbsp;showcases a drone display against the KLCC skyline. The drones form a flag-like shape as their <b>light colours transition from</b> <b>red to green to yellow</b>, accompanied by a #sapotlokal hashtag hovering below.</p>
<p>As the spectacle continues, the PETRONAS Twin Towers are illuminated in a yellow glow, and the drones reposition themselves to spell out &#8220;Vico 2024&#8221; and &#8220;Vico 30th Anniversary&#8221;.</p>
<p>The Instagram post&#8217;s caption reads, &#8220;There are <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/news/klcc-countdown-fireworks-cancellation-draws-mixed-reactions-from-malaysians">no fireworks</a> this year. So, we arranged a drone display to make everyone smile.</p>
<p>&#8220;We hope this brings some cheer to your 2024, even though <b>everything you see <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/fun/video-vfx-artist-brings-merdeka-118-life-celebrate-hari-kebangsaan">here is edited</a>. But it looks real, right?</b></p>
<p>&#8220;Happy New Year, everyone! Vico wishes you good health, happiness, and always support local.&#8221;</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://media.says.com/2024/10/1415.jpg" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203227" alt="" src="https://media.says.com/2024/10/1415.jpg"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1hgInQJR5L/?hl=en" rel="noopener">@vico.malaysia (Instagram)</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494338" name="segment-494338" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>At the time of writing, the post has garnered over 187,000 views on Instagram</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>Many netizens noticed the subtle message that was &#8216;hidden&#8217; in Vico&#8217;s post.</p>
<p>&#8220;Wow! It&#8217;s the best! It changed from green, <i>ehem ehem&#8230;</i>, to yellow! #SapotLokal!&#8221; read a top comment.</p>
<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right. I just realised Vico tastes better than [the other brand],&#8221; an Instagram user wrote.</p>
<p>&#8220;Vico nailed it! Green to yellow flag is a genius move. #SapotLokal,&#8221; added another netizen, while another person said, &#8220;I have changed to drinking Vico. It&#8217;s delicious.&#8221;</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/23c1.jpg" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="" rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203228" alt="" src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/23c1.jpg"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1hgInQJR5L/?hl=en" rel="noopener">Instagram</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494361" name="segment-494361" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Watch the video below:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="embed">
<div class="fitvidWrapper">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1hgInQJR5L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1hgInQJR5L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> </p>
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div>
<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div>
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div>
<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div>
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div>
</div>
<p></a></p>
<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1hgInQJR5L/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Vico Official Malaysia (@vico.malaysia)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494366" name="segment-494366" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>On 28 December 2023, KLCC The Place announced that there would not be a fireworks display to ring in the new year:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66669/65d5.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/klcc-countdown-fireworks-cancellation-draws-mixed-reactions-from-malaysians" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/klcc-countdown-fireworks-cancellation-draws-mixed-reactions-from-malaysians" class="ga-curator-related">KLCC New Year&#8217;s Fireworks Cancellation Draws Mixed Reactions From Malaysians</a></h6>
<p>This is the second year in a row that KLCC The Place did not organise a countdown party.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494367" name="segment-494367" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Meanwhile, did you know that 1 January is not a public holiday in these five states?</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66616/9b88.jpeg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/5-states-malaysia-no-public-holiday-1-january" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/5-states-malaysia-no-public-holiday-1-january" class="ga-curator-related">These 5 States In Malaysia Will Not Have A Public Holiday On 1 January 2024</a></h6>
<p>Despite being New Year&#8217;s Day, folks residing in these states will still need to head to work.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


"#SapotLokal" — Malaysians Praise Vico's VFX Drone Display That Turns From Green To Yellow

“#SapotLokal” — Malaysians Praise Vico’s VFX Drone Display That Turns From Green To Yellow

<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494265" name="segment-494265" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a> for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494266" name="segment-494266" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>A powerful earthquake struck central Japan on Monday, 1 January, killing at least one person, destroying buildings, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 triggered waves of about 1 metre along Japan&#8217;s west coast and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://says.com/my/news/north-and-south-korea-braces-for-tsunami-after-japan-hit-by-earthquake">neighbouring South Korea</a>.</p>
<p>The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially issued a major tsunami warning — its first since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeast Japan killing nearly 20,000 people — for Ishikawa prefecture. It later downgraded that and eventually cut it to an advisory.</p>
<p>It was the strongest quake in the region in more than four decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.</p>
<p>Houses were destroyed, fires broke out, and army personnel were dispatched to help with rescue operations, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dd9f.JPG" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="A collapsed building caused by an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203053" alt="A collapsed building caused by an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan." src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/dd9f.JPG"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">A collapsed building caused by an earthquake in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan.
        </p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Kyodo via Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494267" name="segment-494267" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>An elderly man was pronounced dead after a building fell down in Shika Town in Ishikawa, broadcaster NTV reported citing local police</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Local media footage from the prefecture showed a building collapsing in a plume of dust in the city of Suzu and a huge crack in a road in Wajima where panicked-looking parents clutched their children.</p>
<p>One witness on social media platform X posted footage of the Keta Grand Shrine near the coast in Hakui rocking in the quake as a crowd of visitors watched. &#8220;It&#8217;s swaying,&#8221; she exclaims. &#8220;This is scary!&#8221;</p>
<p>﻿</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="embed">
<div class="fitvidWrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Waterways are visibly shaken under the immense force of this earthquake <a href="https://t.co/BHuw6wU7kg">pic.twitter.com/BHuw6wU7kg</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) <a href="https://twitter.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1741752675450953773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494268" name="segment-494268" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Millions of Japanese traditionally visit shrines and temples on 1 January to mark the start of the new year</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>In nearby Kanazawa, a popular tourist destination, images showed the remnants of a shattered stone gate strewn at the entrance of another shrine as anxious worshippers looked on.</p>
<p>The tremor was also felt in the mountains of neighbouring Nagano prefecture.</p>
<p>&#8220;The snow from the electric wire [came] down, and also from the roof it fell down and all the cars are shaking, and so everybody was panicked,&#8221; Jonny Wu, a Taiwanese tourist visiting Nagano for a skiing holiday, told Reuters.</p>
<p>More strong quakes in the region, where seismic activity has been simmering for more than three years, could occur over coming days, JMA official Toshihiro Shimoyama said.</p>
<p>Russia and North Korea also issued tsunami warnings for some areas.</p>
<p>The Japanese government said that as of Monday night it had ordered more than 97,000 people in nine prefectures on the western coast of Japan&#8217;s main island Honshu to evacuate. They were set to spend the night in sports halls and school gymnasiums, commonly used as evacuation centres in emergencies.</p>
<p>Kanazawa resident Ayako Daikai said she had evacuated to a nearby elementary school with her husband and two children soon after the earthquake hit. Classrooms, stairwells, hallways, and the gymnasium were all packed with evacuees, she said.</p>
<p>&#8220;We haven&#8217;t decided when to return home yet,&#8221; she told Reuters when contacted by telephone.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/4d99.JPG" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="Road cracks caused by an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203054" alt="Road cracks caused by an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan." src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/4d99.JPG"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">Road cracks caused by an earthquake is seen in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan.
        </p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Kyodo via Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494269" name="segment-494269" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Nuclear plants</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters late on Monday that he had instructed search and rescue teams to do everything possible to save lives, even though access to quake-hit areas was difficult due to blocked roads.</p>
<p>The Imperial Household Agency said that following the disaster, it would cancel Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako&#8217;s slated New Year appearance on Tuesday, 2 January.</p>
<p>The quake comes at a sensitive time for Japan&#8217;s nuclear industry, which has faced fierce opposition from some locals since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered nuclear meltdowns in Fukushima. Whole towns were devastated in the disaster.</p>
<p>Japan last week lifted an operational ban imposed on the world&#8217;s biggest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, which has been offline since the 2011 tsunami.</p>
<p>The Nuclear Regulation Authority said no irregularities have been confirmed at nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan, including five active reactors at Kansai Electric Power&#8217;s Ohi and Takahama plants in Fukui Prefecture.</p>
<p>Hokuriku&#8217;s Shika plant in Ishikawa, the closest nuclear power station to the epicentre, had already halted its two reactors before the quake for regular inspections and saw no impact from the quake, the agency said.</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="image">
<div class="">
<div class="single-image list-unstyled">
<div class="single-image-wrap">
                    <a href="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/8f6a.JPG" target="" class="imgwrap colorbox-image cboxElement" title="Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida." rel="segment-810 noopener"><br />
                      <img decoding="async" class="source-img-1203055" alt="Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida." src="https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/8f6a.JPG"> </a>
                </div>
<p class="img-caption">Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
        </p>
<p>                <small class="img-credit">Image via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/" rel="noopener">Kyodo via Reuters</a></small>
            </div>
</p></div>
</p></div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494270" name="segment-494270" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>&#8220;Tsunami! Evacuate!&#8221;</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><p>Following the quake, a bright yellow message reading &#8220;Tsunami! Evacuate!&#8221; flashed across television screens advising residents in specific areas of the coast to immediately evacuate.</p>
<p>There were reports of at least 30 collapsed buildings in Wajima, a town of around 30,000 known for its lacquerware, and fire engulfed several buildings.</p>
<p>The quake also jolted buildings in the capital Tokyo, some 500 km from Wajima on the opposite coast.</p>
<p>Almost 32,000 households were still without power in Ishikawa prefecture late on Monday, according to utilities provider Hokuriku Electric Power, with temperatures set to drop to near freezing overnight in some areas.</p>
<p>Tohoku Electric Power said 700 households remained without power in neighbouring Niigata prefecture.</p>
<p>West Japan Railway reported late on Monday that a combined 1,400 passengers remained stuck on four halted bullet train services between Kanazawa and Toyama cities.</p>
<p>One of Ishikawa&#8217;s airports was forced to shut due to cracks that had opened up in the runway, transport authorities said.</p>
<p>Japanese airline ANA turned back planes headed to airports in Toyama and Ishikawa, while Japan Airlines cancelled most services to the Niigata and Ishikawa regions.﻿</p>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494271" name="segment-494271" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Japan&#8217;s neigbhouring countries have since issued tsunami warnings:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/a108.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/north-and-south-korea-braces-for-tsunami-after-japan-hit-by-earthquake" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/north-and-south-korea-braces-for-tsunami-after-japan-hit-by-earthquake" class="ga-curator-related">North And South Korea Braces For Tsunami After Japan Hit By Earthquake</a></h6>
<p>South Korea&#8217;s Gangwon province warned residents to take precautions and evacuate to higher ground, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494272" name="segment-494272" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Catch up on the latest news on SAYS:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://cms.says.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/c024.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/video-man-killed-while-installing-fireworks-for-new-year-s-eve-show-at-a-pd-hotel" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/video-man-killed-while-installing-fireworks-for-new-year-s-eve-show-at-a-pd-hotel" class="ga-curator-related">[VIDEO] Man Killed While Installing Fireworks For New Year&#8217;s Eve Show At A PD Hotel</a></h6>
<p>He died on the spot.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66675/3054.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/trash-thrown-all-over-kl-streets-after-new-year-eve-parties" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/trash-thrown-all-over-kl-streets-after-new-year-eve-parties" class="ga-curator-related">&#8220;3rd-Class Mentality&#8221; — Trash Strewn All Over KL Streets After New Year&#8217;s Eve Parties</a></h6>
<p>Revellers drew the ire of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for leaving behind a trail of litter on Sunday night.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66670/5b65.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/restaurant-owner-regrets-for-slaughtering-serving-cat-meat" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/restaurant-owner-regrets-for-slaughtering-serving-cat-meat" class="ga-curator-related">&#8220;I Didn&#8217;t Have A Choice&#8221; — Restaurateur Claims He Regrets Slaughtering &#038; Serving Cat Meat</a></h6>
<p>The owner of the restaurant voiced his wish to see a ban being imposed on the dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


Over 100,000 People Ordered To Evacuate After 7.6-Earthquake Hit Japan On New Year's Day

Over 100,000 People Ordered To Evacuate After 7.6-Earthquake Hit Japan On New Year’s Day

<article>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494255" name="segment-494255" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2></h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p><i>Follow us on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/saysdotcom/">Instagram</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saysdotcom">TikTok</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VZzynzi6RGJG0QbRfy3O">WhatsApp</a> for the latest stories and breaking news.</i></p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494256" name="segment-494256" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>A tsunami measuring under one metre reached South Korea&#8217;s east coast in the wake of a massive earthquake that hit Japan on Monday, 1 January, South Korea&#8217;s meteorological agency said, which added there may be more and larger waves in the next hours</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="text">
<div class="">
<p>The first tsunami to reach South Korea&#8217;s coast was 67 cm, but it may increase in size after the initial waves and may continue for more than 24 hours, the meteorological agency said.</p>
<p>Separately, North Korea issued tsunami warnings for its coast of possible waves of more than 2 metres, South Korea&#8217;s Yonhap news agency reported, citing the North Korea&#8217;s state radio.</p>
<p>South Korea&#8217;s Gangwon province warned residents to take precautions and evacuate to higher ground, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety.</p>
<p>The east coast province told residents in emergency messages to stay away from the coast and evacuate to higher ground. The city of Samcheok advised residents to move to areas higher than a three-storey building, the ministry said.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="each-segment">
    <a id="segment-494257" name="segment-494257" class="segment-anchor"></a></p>
<div class="banner-wrap d-lg-block d-none">
</div>
<div class="segment-head">
<h2>Catch up on the latest news on SAYS:</h2>
</div>
<div class="segment-body">
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66670/5b65.png&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/news/restaurant-owner-regrets-for-slaughtering-serving-cat-meat" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/news/restaurant-owner-regrets-for-slaughtering-serving-cat-meat" class="ga-curator-related">&#8220;I Didn&#8217;t Have A Choice&#8221; — Restaurateur Claims He Regrets Slaughtering &#038; Serving Cat Meat</a></h6>
<p>The owner of the restaurant voiced his wish to see a ban being imposed on the dog and cat meat trade in Vietnam.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66666/fbe8.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/m-sians-disappointed-river-turned-emerald-machang-kampung-kuala-hau" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/m-sians-disappointed-river-turned-emerald-machang-kampung-kuala-hau" class="ga-curator-related">M&#8217;sians Left Disappointed After Missing Their Chance To See Emerald Green River In Machang</a></h6>
<p>The river was emerald green for less than a week.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="related-source source-related">
<div>
<div class="related-thumb" style="padding-bottom: 10px">
<div class="aspect-ratio-says" style="background-image: url(&quot;https://images.says.com/uploads/story/cover_image/66654/cdf1.jpg&quot;);"><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/video-msian-shows-her-retired-dad-dressing-their-cat-up-to-take-photos" class="ga-curator-related">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<div class="related-content">
<h6><a href="https://says.com/my/fun/video-msian-shows-her-retired-dad-dressing-their-cat-up-to-take-photos" class="ga-curator-related">[VIDEO] M&#8217;sian Shares What Her Dad Is Up To After Retirement &#038; It&#8217;s Super Relatable</a></h6>
<p>It&#8217;s always the Asian parent who didn&#8217;t want a pet.</p>
</div>
<div class="related-content"><span class="meta-domain pull-left"><img decoding="async" src="https://says.com/favicon-16x16.png"></span><span class="meta-domain pull-right">Read the full story<i class="icon-angle-right"></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>


North And South Korea Brace For Tsunami After Japan Hit By Earthquake