BENGALURU (Jan 14): Coca-Cola has abandoned plans to sell its Costa Coffee chain after offers from private equity firms came in below expectations, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Wednesday. The US beverage giant ended talks with remaining bidders in December, halting a months-long auction process, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter. Coca-Cola and Costa Coffee did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments. Coca-Cola could revive plans to sell Costa in the medium term, according to the report. Coca-Cola acquired Costa Coffee in 2018 for an enterprise value of US$5.1 billion to strengthen its position in the global coffee market, where it competes with Starbucks and Nestle.

(Jan 14): BP plc said it expects to take as much as US$5 billion (RM20.27 billion) in writedowns for the fourth quarter, just weeks after replacing its CEO as it strives to turn around its fortunes. Oil trading results are “expected to be weak” for a second straight quarter and production will be “flat” while net debt was reduced. Meanwhile, the weak oil trading results and flat production in a lower oil price environment will add more pressure to BP’s ability to maintain its pace of share repurchases. O’Neill will take over in April with some of the groundwork to turn the company around laid out for her. Both Shell and Exxon Mobil Corp have signalled a tougher fourth quarter.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party needs to break out of its old cocoon and immediately adapt to new political methods based on technology, especially social media platforms. He said the change must be made immediately as Umno needs to prepare to face the 16th general election (GE16), which is about 22 months away. Ahmad Zahid said the priority is to strengthen the party’s perspective on social media not only about the party's policies, but also to defend Umno from attacks by political enemies. "Our problem now is that we don't attack, even if we are attacked, we don't defend. Ahmad Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said that the weakness in commanding social media has also resulted in various initiatives implemented by the Madani government since it governed Putrajaya not being very popular among the people.

JAKARTA (Jan 14): Millions of Indonesian ride-hailing drivers would receive major increases to financial and social benefits under a draft decree being considered by President Prabowo Subianto, two sources said, threatening the profitability of ride-sharing platforms in their largest market in Southeast Asia. The debate also comes amid concerns about driver welfare as a result of a potential merger between the two largest ride-hailing platforms in the country, Indonesia's GoTo and Singapore-based rival Grab. The draft rules, seen by Reuters, details of the concessions, and potentially immediate enforcement via a presidential decree have not previously been reported. The decree under consideration would slash caps on commissions — the amount ride-hailing companies take from drivers for each trip — to 10% from the current 20%. The draft also authorises the government to review agreements between the companies and online transportation workers, and protects the right to unionise.

KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 14): Hibiscus Petroleum Bhd’s (KL:HIBISCS) 7.43%-owned 3D Energi Ltd announced on Wednesday that it has unexpectedly discovered gas in the Waarre C sandstones, Charlemont Trend, Otway Basin in Australia. 3D Energi disclosed to the Australian Securities Exchange that the gas discovery was made after recovering a representative gas sample from the thin Waarre C sandstone during Phase 1 of the Otway exploration drilling programme. 3D Energi holds a 20% participating interest in the VIC/P79 permit. Charlemont-1 represents the second gas discovery under the Otway Exploration Drilling Program, following the recent Essington discovery. Meanwhile, 3D Energi said there is potential to drill additional wells as phase 2 of the Otway Exploration Drilling Program under the approved Environment Plan.

KOTA KINABALU: The 90-day mark in the High Court order to review Sabah’s 40% net revenue entitlement is almost here, but there has yet to be a significant update, says Datuk Roger Chin (pic). The nominated assemblyman, the primary mover seeking a judicial review of the matter, said this apparent lack of tangible progress is concerning. ALSO READ: Anwar-Hajiji ties key to fast-tracking Sabah's 40% revenue claim, say state lawmakers"To date, there has been only that one meeting," he said on Wednesday (Jan 14). ALSO READ: Past Sabah leaders partly to blame for non-payment of 40% revenue share, says KitinganThe lack of substantive progress at the 90-day mark does not bode well for achieving compliance within the 180-day timeframe mandated by the court, he stressed. ALSO READ: Sabah's 40% revenue entitlement affirmed by High Court (https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/10/17/sabah039s-40-revenue-entitlement-affirmed-by-high-court)Chin said the continued failure to engage meaningfully not only jeopardises compliance with the court-ordered timeline, but also undermines the review process expressly directed by the judgment.

These criteria are met at Grand Imperial restaurants with their eight distinct CNY set menus for the Year of the Fire Horse. According to Grand Imperial master chef Banker Pang, the beancurd is infused with shredded spinach which is the key to its aroma. Each of the eight set menus caters to 10 people. The set menus are priced between RM1,688++ and RM8,888++. They are available at all the seven Grand Imperial branches in the Klang Valley from Jan 10 to March 3.

GEORGE TOWN: Skeletal rem­a­ins dating back about 5,700 years from one of Penang’s earliest prehistoric communities are now back after more than eight deca­des overseas. The collection from the Guar Kepah archaeological site in ­Pena­ga, comprising parts of skulls, teeth, mandibles and other skeletal remains from 41 individuals, will be conserved at the Guar Kepah Archaeological Galle­ry, which is set to open soon. He said the handover of the Guar Kepah skeletal collection to the Penang government marked a significant step in preserving one of the country’s most important prehistoric heritage sites. Zulkifli said the return of the skeletal remains was a historic moment for Penang and Malaysia. Dr N. Suresh, a senior lecturer from USM Global Archaeological Research Centre, said research on the skeletal collection was ongoing.

Lau urges Malaysians to exercise their welfare benefits by utilising public hospitals. National Consumer Action Council (MTPN) chairman Lucas Lau said the mother took her daughter to a private hospital for medical attention following a fall. The mother claimed an emergency department staff initially informed her that the estimated cost of treatment would be around RM4,000. Lau also urged Malaysians to consider government hospitals as their primary option for medical treatment. He said with continued government funding, public hospitals were able to provide comprehensive and quality healthcare services, supported by experienced medical professionals.

But is it true that there’s one in South Korea where you do nothing? Officially launched in 2014, it was the brainchild of South Korean artist Woopsyang, inspired by her personal experience. The competition aims to change people’s mindset, encouraging them to value rest and challenge the idea that doing nothing is a waste. The only thing you’ll be doing here for 90 minutes is… nothing, meaning no talking, no using phones, no moving around or sleeping. The event organisers will monitor participants’ heart rates and winners are assessed based on who maintains the lowest and most steady rate.

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh will make an announcement on his status at the party’s general assembly today, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Dr Muhamad Akmal had previously hinted at stepping aside from his position after his call for Umno to withdraw from the unity government received a negative reaction from the party presi- dent. On Monday, Dr Muhamad Akmal said he will abide by the decisions made by Umno president and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh regarding the positions he currently holds. In a separate post, Dr Muhamad Akmal said he had shared all his intentions and feelings with the Umno president. “Thank you, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi for your advice and for your willingness to listen.

(Jan 14): Base metal markets roared higher on Wednesday, extending a powerful start to the year’s trading, with both tin and copper rallying to records. Tin is the least-liquid market on the LME, and can be subject to periods of dizzying volatility. As with other metals, supply disruptions have also spurred the bulls, with uncertainties over exports from second-biggest producer Indonesia still stalking the market. Despite the surge in prices, the tin market has yet to indicate physical tightness, with stockpiles held in LME-tracked sheds having risen to the highest in 11 months. Tin traded 5.2% higher at US$52,085 a ton on the LME at 12.13pm Shanghai time on Wednesday.

(Jan 14): Prosecutors in Taiwan issued an arrest warrant for the CEO of the Chinese smartphone company OnePlus, stepping up the island’s efforts to block China’s tech players from recruiting Taiwanese talent. OnePlus, a niche player whose phones run on a customised version of Android, is suspected of illegally recruiting more than 70 engineers in Taiwan. The autonomous territory has stepped up its efforts to stop Chinese companies from raiding workers, who are often coveted because of their technical knowledge and experience. Taiwan doesn’t allow Chinese companies to set up local operations or hire locally without formal government approval. However, there have been many cases of Chinese tech companies setting up facilities in Taiwan and posing as foreign or local firms.

(Jan 14): As Brendan Nelson begins his first year as the new chairman of HSBC Holdings plc, there’s one familiar face he will still likely see around the office: his predecessor Mark Tucker. Keeping its old chairman on as an adviser comes despite Tucker recently taking on the chairmanship of AIA Group Ltd, the Hong Kong-based insurance group that he once ran as its CEO. A spokesperson for HSBC said Tucker “remains an adviser to the HSBC board and group CEO in line with all appropriate governance and disclosure requirements”. During his eight-year tenure as the chairman, Tucker became known for his hands-on-style leadership that saw him preside over the appointment of three CEOs, including the current chief Georges Elhedery. As well as his continuing work for HSBC and his chairmanship role at AIA, Tucker is also the chairman of South African insurance group Discovery Ltd, where he has been on the board since 2019.

Malaysia’s multicultural landscape and long-established Tamil community have helped keep the Tamil language and cinema alive far beyond India, says popular South Indian actor-turned-politician Vijay. Malaysia stood out among overseas markets not only for the size of its audience, but also for its ability to preserve Tamil culture within a diverse, multilingual society, he said. “That coexistence has allowed Tamil cinema and traditions to remain alive across generations,” he said to thundering applause at the event, as reported by Bernama. He also said Malaysia’s consistent engagement with Tamil films had made the country a respected reference point within the industry, adding that overseas audiences often influenced how Tamil films were remembered globally. The event titled “Thalapathy Thiruvizha” was a tribute to Vijay and launch of the soundtrack to Jana Nayagan.