Seven-year title wait goes on as injury halts June Wei
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Cheam June Wei’s bid to end his seven-year wait for a title in the Azerbaijan International was cruelly cut short by injury. It was an unfortunate end for the independent player, who was hoping to win his first title since capturing the 2019 Malaysian International. I tried to fix it during the warm up but it still didn’t get better,” lamented June Wei. The 29-year-old has been struggling for form for over a year and has seen his world rankings plummet to No. “I plan to continue to play but I’m looking for sponsors currently,” said June Wei.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:32 UTC
QuickCheck: Can trees explode in extreme cold weather?
Many people online have been speculating about trees suddenly “exploding,” especially recently, as the United States faced a massive winter storm. Verdict:FalseWhat people often describe as “exploding trees” is actually a loud popping or cracking sound, which many mistake for an explosion. Here’s how it works: During a sudden cold snap, the sap and water inside a tree’s trunk freeze and expand. If you’re worried about exploding trees while travelling to colder countries, there’s no need to panic. And no, if you stay in a wooden house in cold weather, it will not “explode.” There’s no living sap or water left in the construction lumber to expand and cause such a crack.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:31 UTC
Cleaner injured after allegedly darting across road in Johor Baru
JOHOR BARU: A cleaner was injured after being hit by a car when she allegedly darted across the road. Johor Baru South OCPD Asst Comm Raub Selamat said police detected a viral video on Facebook at about 11.50am on Sunday (Feb 8). “The female driver, who works as a manager, was travelling from Taman Sentosa towards Taman Gaya,” he said in a statement. “The case is being investigated under Rule 41 LN166/59 for pedestrian negligence while crossing the road,” he said. “I urge members of the public who witnessed the incident to come forward to the Johor Baru South traffic police station to assist in the investigation, or contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Norijan Sharkawi, at 013-2623176,” he said.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:31 UTC
Govt bars unapproved houses of worship, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: The government has barred the construction and operation of all houses of worship built without official approval, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said local councils now have the prerogative to remove any illegal houses of worship. Anwar said he expected his remarks to spark controversy but stressed that Malaysia is a country governed by the rule of law. Anwar said that even in India and China, the authorities do not allow illegal houses of worship or temples to be built at unapproved locations. On Sunday (Feb 8), two men were detained following a rally against the construction of illegal temples.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:24 UTC
Ringgit opens little changed against US$ on mixed global sentiment
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened nearly unchanged against the US dollar on Monday, as mixed global sentiment capped gains while investors assessed political developments and major currency moves. At 8 am, the ringgit traded almost flat at 3.9430/9560 against the greenback, compared with last Friday’s close of 3.9440/9525. "We foresee emerging market currencies, including the ringgit, remaining on a positive note amid an improvement in market uncertainty,” he told Bernama. At the opening, the ringgit traded mostly lower against a basket of major currencies. It strengthened against the Japanese yen to 2.5075/5161 from 2.5111/5167 at last Friday’s close, but weakened versus the British pound to 5.3664/3841 from 5.3548/3663 and slipped against the euro to 4.6630/6784 from 4.6508/6608 previously.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:24 UTC
Advancing Malaysia with reliable power
KUALA LUMPUR: Malakoff Corporation Bhd, Malaysia’s largest Independent Power Producers (IPPs), has secured operational extensions for three gas-fired power plants. Following notification from the Energy Commission, the selected plants will continue operating until Dec 31, 2029, ensuring uninterrupted contribution to the national grid. Together, these assets form a long-established generation base that has consistently supported electricity supply in Peninsular Malaysia over the years. “These power plants have supported the national grid with a consistent performance record over many years. Extending their operations allows proven gas-fired facilities to continue contributing reliable and flexible capacity, particularly during periods of strong demand.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:22 UTC
Fresh produce still excluded from Sara aid despite earlier pledge
SUBANG JAYA: While frozen food items have been added to the list of eligible purchases under the second round of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) programme, fresh produce has yet to be included in the scheme. However, fresh produce such as fish, chicken and vegetables remains excluded, despite earlier reports indicating that these items would be included under the Sara distribution from mid-February. Last month, it was reported that the list of essential items under Sara would be updated by mid-February and would likely include fresh produce. Political secretary to the Finance Minister Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim said there have been requests to include more items in the list, including fresh produce such as fish, chicken and other essentials. Meanwhile, a hypermarket spokesperson said items that require weighing at the point of sale have yet to be included under the Sara aid mechanism.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:04 UTC
Indonesian comedian summoned by police over Netflix show
A prominent Indonesian comedian who became the first from his country to air a special on Netflix was summoned by police on Friday over what they called public complaints about the material he used in his stand-up act. Pandji Pragiwaksono's show appeared on Netflix on Dec 27 and included satirical comments on Indonesian politics and democracy, including the 2024 election. Pragiwaksono also criticised Indonesia's two largest Muslim organisations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, for receiving a mining concession from the government when Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, was still president. Some have accused the comedian of insulting religious entities and state institutions, while democracy activists have defended him. Two of the five police reports were filed by members of the youth wings of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, complaining that the comedian had committed blasphemy and defamed their organisations.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:03 UTC
Badminton: Double the boon
And men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are already feeling the benefits as they look ahead to the challenge in Birmingham, where they will bid to reclaim the All-England title once again. Wooi Yik personally sees this as a positive development, further boosted by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) opening their doors to professional players such as Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to train together at the Academy Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara. We have many young players with great potential and this helps us maintain our level of play. It is not just about our own efforts,” said Wooi Yik. “We are experienced players and we need to maintain that level every time we step out to compete,” added Wooi Yik.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 04:01 UTC
Govt enhances ‘Sara for All’ aid, adds more retail partners
PETALING JAYA: Drawing from past experience, the government has implemented several improvements to increase the convenience and flexibility of purchases as the RM100 Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) for All is rolled out on Monday (Feb 9). “Based on the responses received, the Madani government agreed to expand the Sara product category to include frozen food. The inclusion of the frozen food category also increases the number of products eligible to be purchased using Sara credit to 140,000 types of products,” the ministry said on Monday (Feb 9). The ministry also said households can receive multiple forms of assistance, depending on the number of eligible adult members. The public can check their credit status and find frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Sara for All on the official Sara portal at https://sara.gov.my.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 03:58 UTC
Copper climbs on dip-buying, softer dollar
(Feb 9): Copper rose on Monday, as investors bought the dip after a volatile week, and the dollar turned softer. The most-active copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) rose 1.78% to 101,780 yuan (US$14,679.24) a metric tonne as of 0308 GMT. The benchmark three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) added 0.40% to US$13,046.50 a tonne, sustaining above the US$13,000 mark. Last week, SHFE copper lost 7.70%, the steepest weekly fall since July 2022, and the LME copper declined 1.24%. Aluminium rose 1.11%, zinc climbed 0.67%, lead nudged 0.21% higher and nickel gained 1.46%.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 09, 2026 03:56 UTC
Xinjiang Zelenskyy uses fame to promote food
Compiled by MARTIN CARVALHO, C. ARUNO and R. ARAVINTHANA MAN in Xinjiang, China, who bears a striking resemblance to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, used his Internet fame to promote local cuisines after going viral, reported China Press. When interviewed, Iliyata, a local from Xinjiang, said he started making naan when he was just 15. “After many people on the Internet watch my videos, I hope more will come to like naan from Xinjiang,” he said. With gold prices at an all time high, Ma said she plans on selling the one-gram gold bar and share the proceeds with her friend. It was reported that Baixiang launched a promotion last Dec where it hid 2,026 customised one-gram gold bars in its cup instant noodles.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 03:52 UTC
Defend Malaysia from fascism and racism, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: With fascism and right-wing ideologies appearing to gain ground in the West, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed the importance of maintaining unity in Malaysia. Anwar said there also seems to be a strong wave of racism and Islamophobia spreading in the United States and Europe at present. This country must be safe and we must not underestimate this," he said during the National Unity Ministry's monthly assembly here on Monday (Feb 9). "Fascism and racism are on the rise... (as well as) Islamophobia, hatred of minorities, of different races and other religions," he added. "This Ministry must emerge as the best example (of unity)," he stressed.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 03:48 UTC
Heatwave in the north to last until April
According to climatologist Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah, the heat up north was due to the monsoon trough having shifted to the southern South China Sea. ALSO READ: Unidentified explosions disrupt efforts to extinguish peatland fireA monsoon trough is a low-pressure belt where converging winds can cause prolonged rain. Explaining further, Azizan said the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) weather system, which usually supports thunderstorms and wet conditions in the north, was also in a dry phase. The heat up north, he said, was expected to last up until about April when the inter-monsoon period sets in. At press time, the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had issued a Level 1 heatwave alert for Pokok Sena and Padang Terap in Kedah.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 03:45 UTC
Langkawi has been without rain for 38 days
Based on records, Meteorology Department director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the island had gone without rain for 38 days as of Feb 7 since Dec 31 last year. He said the longest period without rain in the northern states was 77 days, recorded from 1979 to 1980 and from 2004 to 2005. Although dry, he added that no hot spots have been detected in Langkawi based on the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre. He advised residents in Langkawi to take precautions during the dry spell, such as ensuring an adequate water supply and avoiding open burning activities. > Local actress Zarina Anjoulie said the concept of “in good times and hard times” was an idealistic narrative that rarely occurred in real life, especially for women.
Source:The Star
February 09, 2026 03:41 UTC