MOSCOW (Feb 16): The Kremlin said on Monday that what it called the "main issues", including sensitive questions of territory, would be discussed in peace talks on Ukraine due to be held in Geneva this week. The Kremlin confirmed that the Russian delegation would be led by Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "This time, the idea is to discuss a broader range of issues, including, in fact, the main ones. The main issues concern both the territories and everything else related to the demands we have put forward," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. US President Donald Trump has said he is keen to broker an end to a conflict he has called a senseless "bloodbath", though Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on key issues including territory, who controls the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and the role of any Western troops in post-war Ukraine.

KUALA LUMPUR: Thunderstorms and rain are forecast for most states in Peninsular Malaysia, the east coast of Sabah and several areas in Sarawak on the first day of the Chinese New Year, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia). Based on checks on MetMalaysia’s official website, thunderstorms are forecast in most coastal areas of Perak on Tuesday (Feb 17) morning, while rain is expected across the inland areas of Johor. "Rain is also forecast in several areas in Terengganu, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Kelantan and Selangor. In the afternoon, thunderstorms are forecast in Perak, inland Kedah and most areas in Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Perlis. Thunderstorms are forecast over the inland and west coast areas of Sabah, including Tawau and Sandakan, while Kudat is expected to experience rain.

Wong took the opportunity to dabble in calligraphy again after her three children grew up, leaving her with time to spare. Now aged 68, she has since produced hundreds of calligraphy pieces, even helping to create them for auctions to raise funds for Chinese school projects, charities and for NGOs. Wong said one of her calligraphy pieces was auctioned off for almost RM30,000 in aid of a Chinese society two years ago, with a lawyer purchasing it. Wong, who is the Johor Calligraphy Society treasurer, said she owed her ability in calli­graphy to a primary school teacher who encouraged her. She said Chinese New Year was one of the busiest periods for calligraphers as they were highly sought after for calligraphy pieces for the opening of businesses, weddings and birthdays.

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds over 12 states as well as Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, effective until 6pm on Monday (Feb 16). MetMalaysia, in a statement, said the severe warning is expected to affect several districts in Kedah (Kuala Muda, Baling, Kulim dan Bandar Baharu), Pulau Pinang (Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah dan Seberang Perai Selatan) and Perak (Kerian, Larut, Matang Dan Selama, Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta dan Kampar). Over in the east coast, alerts were also issued for Kelantan (Gua Musang), Terengganu (Hulu Terengganu, Dungun dan Kemaman). Over in East Malaysia, affected areas include Sarawak (Limbang) Sabah interior of Nabawan dan Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Kudat (Pitas). A thunderstorm warning is a short-term warning that is valid for a period not exceeding six hours for any single release.

KUALA LUMPUR: Officers in commanding positions and key personnel dealing with finances must comply with asset declaration requirements, says Armed Forces chief Jen Datuk Malek Razak Sulaiman (pic). Speaking at a press conference at the Sungai Besi Camp after his first official address to the troops, Jen Malek Razak noted that these regulations are not new and have been in practice previously. “This is for all levels of command and key personnel dealing with finances. Jen Malek Razak also announced that officers serving in high-risk areas, including those in acquisitions, will have their postings reviewed after 18 months. Addressing disciplinary and moral issues, the Armed Forces chief said the religious corps (Kagat) will now report directly to him to strengthen ethical conduct.

KOTA KINABALU: A businessman who lobbied to be a candidate in last year's state election has been charged with seven counts of cheating a 75-year-old man of about RM20mil over shares in a real estate company. Datuk Chee Chi Vun, 52, pleaded not guilty on Monday (Feb 16) before Sessions judge Zaini Fishir @ Faisal after being charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating, read together with Section 34 for a criminal act committed jointly with a common intention. Judge Zaini granted Chee bail of RM3mil, with RM1.5mil to be deposited under two local sureties, and fixed April 6 for case management. The offences were allegedly committed in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang between April 25 and Aug 30, 2022. Chee was briefly in the spotlight when he lobbied to be Sabah PKR’s candidate for the Api Api state seat in the Nov 29 election, but was not selected.

Miss Jamaica Gabrielle Henry gave fans an update Friday (Feb 13) on her recovery, nearly three months after her devastating fall at the Miss Universe pageant. In November, the beauty queen was carried off on a stretcher after falling off the stage during the Miss Universe preliminary evening gown competition. After the fall, the Miss Universe Organization confirmed that Henry had been hospitalised for several injuries including a fracture and an intracranial hemorrhage. On Friday, Henry took to Instagram to share how she’s progressing, saying the season has “redefined restoration and renewal” for her. “From neurosurgeons and neurologists to nurses and physiotherapists, in Thailand and in Jamaica, each has played a vital role,” she wrote.

(Feb 16): Shares of Chinese jeweller Laopu Gold Co and miner CMOC Group Ltd rallied in Hong Kong after Hang Seng Indexes Co added the stocks to the city’s equity benchmark gauge following a quarterly review. The changes, effective March 9, will bring the number of members on the Hang Seng Index to 90 from 88, according to a statement. The Hang Seng Index was little changed on Monday before financial markets close for a three-day Lunar New Year holiday. Changes were also announced for the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index and the Hang Seng Composite Index. Looking at previous patterns following the reshuffle, “HSI additions outperformed early but gave back gains into the announcement,” they added.

(Feb 16): Alibaba Group Holding Ltd unveiled a major upgrade of its flagship AI model, accelerating a race with a panoply of startups and sectoral leaders aiming to get in ahead of Chinese sensation DeepSeek’s next big platform. Alibaba has been among the most aggressive investors in and advocates for AI since DeepSeek reinvigorated the local tech industry. It rolled out last month its latest reasoning model, Qwen3-Max-Thinking, aiming for performance gains in areas like complex reasoning and autonomous agent capabilities. Beyond fundamental technological advancement, Alibaba is also locked in a costly subsidy war in AI with rivals including Tencent Holdings Ltd and Baidu Inc. Its 100 million users can now order bubble tea and book travel via agents within the app.

PUTRAJAYA: The government has introduced a Second Chance Fast Track Policy as an express pathway to expedite the bankruptcy discharge mechanism for four target groups. She said the policy was introduced to help those in such groups rebuild their lives and continue contributing to national development. "As a result, single parents can return to work, entrepreneurs can resume their businesses and scam victims can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Azalina said the discharge programme was founded on a clear principle within the Malaysia Madani Framework, namely care and compassion. Azalina also said that the department successfully resolved 176,851 bankruptcy discharge cases in 2024 and 204,487 last year.

One of my favourites was the railway set — neat loops of track, a puffing locomotive, wagons obediently trailing behind steel rails laid carefully on the living-room floor. Tracks across timeThe modern railway story of Malaya is generally traced to 1885, when a modest but consequential line opened between Taiping and Port Weld. Where rails arrived, towns soon sprouted — sometimes planned, sometimes accidental, always consequential. Supplies had to be hauled along makeshift access tracks built solely so the railway itself could be built — infrastructure to create infrastructure, patience required to manufacture patience. As one chronicler observed, the railway often arrived before the road, because in the jungle, even roads had not yet found their courage.

(Feb 16): Australia's Treasury Wine Estates on Monday suspended its interim dividend after booking a writedown on its U.S. business that resulted in a huge net loss. Treasury has also had to deal with distribution problems in California, a key market. On a statutory basis, Treasury swung to a A$649.4 million ($460 million) loss for the half-year ended December after logging a A$770.5 million impairment on its U.S. assets - a somewhat larger writedown than what had been flagged late last year. The result marks its first half-year loss since the company split from the Foster's group in 2011. It paid a dividend of 20 Australian cents per share for the same period a year ago.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former senior political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, has applied to transfer his five graft charges from the Sessions Court to the High Court. The matter came up for case management before a High Court senior assistant registrar on Monday (Feb 16). “The hearing for the transfer has been fixed for April 9 at the High Court,” he said. Based on court documents, the application was made on the grounds that there are extraordinary legal questions and issues involving the constitutionality of provisions under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which can be determined by the High Court and subsequently by the Federal Court. “I have been advised by my lawyer and therefore believe that if the trial is held at the High Court, the parties will have the opportunity to appeal to the highest court, the Federal Court, to determine matters involving the constitutionality of the provisions under the MACC Act,” he said.

I can only imagine what it must have been like to be in the stadium, surrounded by the infectious rhythm and warmth. And now, back to my own reality: Chinese New Year creeping up, the heat, traffic jams everywhere and me staring at the reunion dinner menu. It’s my first time hosting our family’s reunion dinner. Growing up, we were lucky to live across a small field from our grandparents for a couple of years. Because whether it’s a half-time show or a reunion dinner, the message is the same: The only thing more powerful than hate is love.

PUTRAJAYA (Feb 16): The government has introduced the "Second Chance Fast Track Policy" aimed at providing an express pathway and expediting the discharge mechanism for four targeted groups of bankrupt individuals. The four target groups eligible under the policy are single parents; microloan entrepreneurs; victims of financial fraud (scammers); and housing loan borrowers affected by abandoned housing projects. “This Fast Track initiative is not merely a rebranding exercise. Azalina said the Second Chance Fast Track Policy Discharge Programme was founded on a clear principle within the Malaysia Madani Framework, namely care and compassion. Azalina also said that MdI successfully resolved 176,851 bankruptcy discharge cases in 2024 and 204,487 discharge cases last year.