PETALING JAYA: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have announced massive changes from 2027 onwards to take the sport to greater heights. There will also be changes in the World Championships which will adopt a group-stage format followed by knockout play, ensuring all competitors contest at least two matches. The Sudirman Cup and Thomas-Uber Cup Finals will expand to more teams, delivering broader international representation and competitive diversity. "We are building a sport that speaks to the next generation," said BWF president Patama Leeswadtrakul. "It is a bold undertaking, but it is exactly what our sport needs to thrive.

PETALING JAYA: Land or plantation owners must proactively patrol their surroundings and ensure all fire fighting systems are functioning in view of the current dry, hot season, says the Fire and Rescue Department. The main cause of forest and bush fires, he said, was due to human carelessness. Fires have razed several parts of the country in the past few weeks, including a peat fire in Pengerang, Johor. On Feb 4, about 5ha of forest at the jeep trail near the Penang Botanic Gardens also caught fire. Besides Johor, other open burning cases have also been reported in Kedah and Selangor.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 9): Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd (KL:HIBISCS) is set to deliver its first power from its first ground-mounted solar farm in Brunei by year end, marking a key step in its plan to diversify into energy transition projects by 2030. The 12MWp solar farm, located on a 26-acre site at Sungai Liang Industrial Park, held its groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, according to a statement by the company. Managing director Datuk Dr Kenneth Gerard Pereira said the project strengthens Hibiscus’ presence in Brunei, supports the local energy ecosystem, and provides a platform for future power generation projects. In a separate statement, Progressture Power (B) Sdn Bhd announced that it has been appointed as the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and operations & maintenance contractor for the solar project. In April 2025, Hibiscus’ unit secured US$100 million (RM393.15 million) in Islamic financing to support its growth in Brunei.

MUMBAI: After two trade deals lifted a key overhang on Indian equities, investor attention is shifting back to the market’s persistently weak earnings outlook. Persistent geopolitical risks and pockets of economic slowdown have dulled the appeal of Indian equities since the start of 2025. Over the past 12 months, the MSCI India Index has gained 8%, with dollar returns eroded by rupee weakness. In contrast, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index has surged almost 38%. Indian equities are on track for a second straight week of foreign inflows – a streak not seen since October.

Bad Bunny transformed Levi's Stadium into a vibrant homage to Puerto Rico during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a high-energy journey through the island's culture complete with a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga and a tribute from reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee. Clad in a white suit, Bad Bunny opened with "Tití Me Preguntó" while walking through vignettes of Puerto Rican life - farmers in traditional pava hats, domino players, and boxers - before launching into "Voy a Llevarte Pa PR." Ricky Martin emerged for "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawai" as Bad Bunny hoisted the Puerto Rican flag and performed "El Apagón," the stadium erupting in light before he delivered "Café Con Ron." Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga. The choice of Bad Bunny, whose full name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, to feature in the halftime show drew a rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump and other conservatives over the entertainer's outspoken criticism of U.S. immigration policy.

A DASHCAM recording that went viral over the weekend shows a vehicle approaching what appears to be a checkpoint. Suddenly, another car enters the same lane from the wrong direction and hits the recording vehicle. Two policemen are seen running towards the second car. It is claimed that the incident occurred at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex in Johor Baru. At the time of writing, it has not been ascertained why the second policeman did not shoot at the fleeing vehicle's tyre.

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United Ara

The tune goes like this:Sunday morning, up with the lark,I think I’ll take a walk in the park,Hey, hey, hey, it’s a beautiful day. I’ve got someone waiting for me,And when I see her, I know that she’ll say,Hey, hey, hey, it’s a beautiful day. (Chorus)Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday,This is my, my, my beautiful day,When you say, say, say, say that you love me,Oh my, my, my, it’s a beautiful day. Speaking of names, early this year Sinmah Capital Bhd (KL:SMCAP) got shareholder approval to change its name to Rivertree STF Synergies Bhd. Sinmah Capital came about in 2017.

BANGKOK: Thailand is increasingly being described as the “sick man of Asia”, driven by a sharp slowdown in consumption, manufacturing and tourism—trends that are hitting household livelihoods and raising concerns about the country’s stability. Thailand is grappling with low economic growth and an economic structure that is no longer keeping pace with today’s development needs. Over the past five years after the Covid-19 crisis, Thailand’s economy has expanded by no more than 2.6%, recorded in 2022. After the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Thailand recovered on the back of exports, and in 2011 the World Bank classified Thailand as an upper-middle-income country. During the election campaign, several parties set out growth targets to be achieved during the new government’s term in 2026–2029.

KAJANG: A residential unit on the eighth floor of an apartment building here, used to store a large quantity of firecrackers, was destroyed in a fire on Sunday night (Feb 8). Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the department received an emergency call about the incident at 10.42pm, according to Sinar Harian. Ahmad Mukhlis said that when the fire brigade arrived 13 minutes later, they found that the room containing the explosives (firecrackers) was 80% destroyed. "The fire was successfully brought under control at 11.19pm, and extinguishing work is still underway," he said. "The Operations Commander reported that the explosives (firecrackers) were found throughout the house," he added.

PETALING JAYA: Maybank Investment Bank Research (Maybank IB) has maintained a “buy” call on Capital A Bhd , citing its various corporate exercises. The research house also raised the stock’s target price by 9% to 75 sen, from 69 sen previously. Moreover, Capital A plans to monetise its AirAsia X Bhd (AAX) shares and warrants, and declare a special cash dividend per share (DPS). In the long term, the plan is to publicly list each subsidiary and dividend their shares in specie to Capital A shareholders,” the research house said. As such, the options being explored include gradually distributing AAX shares and warrants in tandem with retained profits generated.

GEORGE TOWN: Only 10% of the country's 3.26 million self-employed people actively contribute to PERKESO's Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (Lindung Kendiri). Azman said that only 38,358 people nationwide are contributing under the hawker sector, with Penang accounting for 13.17% or 5,053 contributors. He said these figures suggest that a significant number of small traders have yet to recognise or experience the benefits of this social protection scheme. He said that last year, PERKESO disbursed RM31.25mil in benefits to 7,693 contributors under Lindung Kendri nationwide, including 424 self-employed individuals in Penang. The MOU, signed by Azman and MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, is aimed at strengthening the social safety net, particularly for hawkers and small traders.

KUALA LUMPUR: Travel bans will only be imposed on National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers who fail to settle their loans despite earning well or working overseas, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim said there are certain other criteria for imposing travel bans. "For those without jobs or income, the repayment can be deferred up to two years before we will initiate restructuring. Some 3,000 disabled students at public higher education institutions, polytechnics and community colleges also stand to obtain free education, he said. He also asked about help for students from lower-income groups who have been forced to take part-time jobs during their studies as PTPTN funds are inadequate.

That is why I believe Canada merits far more serious attention from Malaysian firms. Too often dismissed because of distance, Canada offers something increasingly valuable: a stable, high-trust, high-value market that complements — rather than competes with — Malaysia’s major relationships in Asia. For Malaysian business leaders planning the company’s next move, Canada’s predictability is not a luxury; it is a competitive advantage. Malaysia and Canada share this framework, yet too many Malaysian firms leave its benefits on the table. I would like to see more Malaysian companies seize the benefits of this agreement.

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 9): Energy firm Kinergy Advancement Bhd (KL:KINERGY) said on Monday it has entered into a long-term virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Safran Landing Systems Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a unit of France-based Safran Group. The agreement is to effectively neutralise the electricity consumption of Safran’s manufacturing plant in Negeri Sembilan, the group said in a statement. Unlike a conventional physical PPA, a VPPA is a financial contract linked to renewable energy generation. The agreement was signed by Kinergy’s wholly-owned subsidiary, KAB Energy Holdings Sdn Bhd (Kabeh), and involves the virtual supply of renewable electricity generated from hydropower facilities into the national grid. Safran Landing Systems Malaysia is engaged in the manufacturing, assembly, refurbishment, maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft wheels and braking systems, including carbon disc manufacturing.