India's Infosys ties up with Anthropic, days after IT selloff
BENGALURU, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Infosys unveiled a partnership with Anthropic on Tuesday, days after investor concerns that AI tools would disrupt the traditional business models of Indian IT services firms shaved billions off their market value. Anthropic has leaned heavily into the enterprise AI market and last month launched Claude Cowork, an AI agent that helps execute computer tasks for white-collar workers. The Indian firm said on Tuesday that AI services accounted for 5.5% of its total revenue in the December quarter. Larger rival Tata Consultancy Services has said AI services generate roughly 5.8% of its annual revenue. The contribution from AI services "is growing at a robust pace," Infosys CEO Salil Parekh said.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 19:00 UTC
'Hell and back': mass rape survivor Gisele Pelicot recounts her ordeal in memoir
When she had replied that they weren't, she was shown images of herself, unconscious in bed with unknown men. He tells me fifty-three men had come to my house to rape me," the memoir reads. In addition to her now ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, 50 men were convicted of raping Gisele Pelicot. 'FAITH IN PEOPLE ... IS MY REVENGE'During the trial, Gisele Pelicot never directly addressed Dominique Pelicot but she wrote that she planned to visit him in prison to seek answers. Pelicot says she has drawn strength from the thousands of letters she has received from women around the world and from the women waiting outside the courtroom.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 18:54 UTC
Family of five found dead in house, believed to have been murdered
KUANTAN: A family of five were found dead, believed to have been murdered in a house in Lorong Cherating Damai, Kuantan, on Tuesday morning (Feb 17). Kuantan police chief ACP Ashari Abu Samah confirmed the incident, which is believed to have occurred at about 7am on Tuesday. A Bernama inspection at the scene found forensic personnel conducting investigations inside the house. Several individuals, including family members, were observed gathered outside the house, while police cordoned off the area to facilitate the investigation. Pahang Police Chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, who was at the scene, is expected to hold a press conference to provide further details on the case.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 18:54 UTC
Analysis-Global private equity firms bowled over by Indian cricket league IPL
MUMBAI, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Global private equity investors like KKR and Blackstone have a new investment hotspot in India: cricket. It was a blockbuster IPL deal by European private equity firm CVC Capital that triggered the new wave of interest among investors, bankers say. Each year after an auction for global players, IPL teams compete in matches in the 20-over format of the game. RISING TEAM REVENUESThe NFL opened its teams for private equity investors in 2024, and the NBA allows such investments but with strict ownership caps. Sumat Chopra, private equity head at consultancy Kearney which has advised clients on the IPL, said there's more upside as marquee players bolster team revenues.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 18:44 UTC
Vietnam confirms top leader To Lam's US visit
HANOI, Vietnam (AFP): Vietnam confirmed on Tuesday that its top leader To Lam will attend the first meeting of President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace" in the United States this week. Lam accepted Trump's invitation to join the "Board of Peace" as a founding member state, Hanoi said last month. Lam said he was committed to working with the US and the international community to make "positive contributions" toward Middle East peace, state media said last month. Vietnam and the US are currently negotiating a trade deal after Washington imposed 20 percent tariffs on Vietnamese goods last year. It is not clear whether Lam will meet with Trump and discuss bilateral trade ties.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 18:29 UTC
Sultan of Pahang expresses deep sorrow over tragic family murder in Cherating
KUANTAN: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has expressed profound grief and disappointment over the tragic murder incident that occurred in Cherating on Tuesday (Feb 17). His Royal Highness decreed that such an incident should never have happened and is deeply shocking, especially as it involves an entire family. The Sultan also urged the public to remain vigilant regarding behavioral changes in individuals around them and not to take lightly any signs that could lead to untoward incidents. In addition, His Royal Highness invited the people to join in reciting Al-Fatihah for the victims who perished in the tragedy. Also involved was a 55-year-old woman - the mother of the 32-year-old man - who was found dead in the kitchen area.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 18:22 UTC
No decision yet on Opposition Leader post, says Takiyuddin
KOTA BHARU: Perikatan Nasional has yet to decide whether to retain or replace the position of Opposition Leader in the Dewan Rakyat, currently held by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Perikatan Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said that, to date, no specific meeting has been held to discuss the matter, reported Sinar Harian. He explained that any opposition MP is eligible to be appointed as Leader of the Opposition, as long as they are part of the opposition bloc. "In principle, any opposition MP can be chosen as Leader of the Opposition," he said. Takiyuddin said that Hamzah remains an opposition Member of Parliament despite being expelled from Bersatu.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 18:15 UTC
Indonesia strains under debt from China-led high-speed rail
JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is grappling with mounting financial strain from its much-touted high-speed railway project led by China. The high-speed railway, branded as Whoosh, operates at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour, covering the 140-kilometre route between Jakarta and Bandung in West Java Province in about 45 minutes. During President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's tenure (2004-2014), Japan's Shinkansen bullet train system was considered the leading candidate for Indonesia's high-speed rail project. The high-speed railway in Indonesia was once a showcase project of China's vast Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. A future extension of the high-speed railway to eastern Java is under consideration, raising hopes that, if implemented, the project could become more profitable.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 17:50 UTC
Strengthening ringgit a concern for glove players
BIMB Securities Research said a firmer ringgit, now edging well below US$4, represents a direct translation risk. “With ASPs fully dollar-denominated, every 1% strengthening in ringgit reduces reported revenue in ringgit terms without a corresponding 1% decline in cost base,” it said in a report. If forex appreciation runs ahead of ASP revisions, near-term quarterly earnings could still reflect volatility before repricing fully flows through. “Collectively, these factors provide a meaningful near-term margin buffer, but that cushion could narrow if the ringgit continues to strengthen further,” it said. With that, BIMB Securities Research maintained its “neutral” call on the sector, viewing its risk-reward profile as broadly balanced.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 17:11 UTC
Slow moving traffic reported on major expressways nationwide as of noon
KUALA LUMPUR: Traffic on several major highways nationwide was reported to be slow as of noon today, following increased vehicle volume and rainy weather in many areas. A spokesperson for the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said that on the North-South Highway (PLUS) E2, traffic was slow northbound at Pasir Gudang to Setia Tropika, Kulai to Sedenak, Simpang Ampat Intersection to Hentian Sebelah Pedas Linggi, Pedas Linggi to Senawang and Senawang to Seremban. For PLUS E2 southbound, traffic was slow at Bangi to Southville, Putra Mahkota to R&R Seremban, Seremban to Pedas Linggi, Machap to Simpang Renggam and Setia Tropika to Dato Onn. Apart from that, he said traffic was also slow on the Kuala Lumpur-Karak (KLK) E8 Eastbound, namely on Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2 (MRR2) to the Gombak Toll Plaza and Gombak to Genting Sempah. A total of 32 smart lanes were activated along the PLUS Highway on Tuesday.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 16:40 UTC
Search launched for boy swept away at Tanjung Sedili beach
KOTA TINGGI: Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation to locate an 11-year-old boy who was swept away by strong currents while swimming with his two cousins at Pantai Tanjung Buluh in Tanjung Sedili here. Kota Tinggi OCPD Supt Yusof Othman said police received information about the incident at 12.56pm on Monday (Feb 17). He added acting on the report, a team of officers from the Kuala Sedili police station was dispatched to the scene to provide initial assistance. The two rescued victims were taken to the Tanjung Sedili Health Clinic for treatment," he said. "Parents who bring children to the beach are advised to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of their family members," he added.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 14:54 UTC
Missing man found dead in car submerged in river
SEREMBAN: A man was found dead in his car after the vehicle he was driving is believed to have veered into a river near Sekolah Dato’ Abdul Razak in Sungai Gadut here on Tuesday (Feb 17). "The victim’s family later tracked his last known location via the Global Positioning System (GPS) installed in the Toyota Yaris he was driving. "Checks found that the vehicle’s last detected location was near the river, following which a search operation was carried out by the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM),” he told Bernama here on Tuesday. "The victim’s body was found in the car at 6.15pm. We faced some difficulties with the extrication as the river was quite deep and the current was strong following continuous rain since early this morning,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 14:08 UTC
Site for first Petaling Jaya govt hospital identified
PETALING Jaya could get its first government hospital, pending a budget allocation from the Federal Government. Mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the Selangor government has agreed in principle to provide land for the project, and a suitable site has been identified.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 13:55 UTC
Year of the Horse to spur energy, prosperity, says Dr Wee
KUALA LUMPUR: The Year of the Horse is expected to bring renewed energy, economic progress and prosperity to the nation, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Dr Wee expressed hope that the Year of the Horse would propel Malaysia to greater heights and bring peace, prosperity and good health to all Malaysians. I pray that Malaysia will be blessed with peace and prosperity, and that all Malaysians will be granted good health,” he added. Also present at the open house were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former prime minister and Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri, MIC vice-president Datuk T. Murugiah, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujin. Dr Wee also thanked the distinguished guests and party leaders who joined MCA in celebrating the event, which was held at Dewan San Choon in Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 13:51 UTC
Apologise or get sued, Rafizi warns Caprice
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli says he will take legal action against influencer Ariz Ramli, known as Caprice, if no apology is issued. On the Silicon Vision programme, Rafizi said negotiations with Arm Holdings were conducted in stages, beginning with discussions with the Economy Ministry. Rafizi said the discussions also involved then Miti Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, along with other senior officials. He added that the Economy Ministry only plays a policy-planning role and has no authority over procurement or contract management. He maintained that commercial decisions by private companies were unrelated to the Economy Ministry or the government, and did not involve public procurement.
Source:The Star
February 17, 2026 13:45 UTC