Son mula cipta ‘gegaran’ di LA sebelum diumum rasmi

Son mula cipta ‘gegaran’ di LA sebelum diumum rasmi

LOS ANGELES: Kehadiran Son Heung-min ke Amerika Syarikat belum diumumkan secara rasmi, namun penyokong sudah mula berkampung di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Los Angeles (LAX). Bintang Korea Selatan itu dilaporkan akan menyertai Los Angeles FC (LAFC) selepas meninggalkan Tottenham Hotspur hujung minggu lalu. Menurut laporan ESPN dan The Athletic, Son bakal mencipta rekod perpindahan Major League ... Read more The post Son mula cipta ‘gegaran’ di LA sebelum diumum rasmi appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .

Cathay Pacific orders 14 Boeing jets in US$8.1 billion deal

Cathay Pacific orders 14 Boeing jets in US$8.1 billion deal

HONG KONG : Cathay Pacific has announced a US$8.1 billion deal to purchase 14 Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The airline confirmed the order in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange. Cathay also secured the option to buy seven additional Boeing 777-9 jets. The new aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2034. Cathay currently operates a fleet of over 230 mostly passenger planes. This marks the airline’s first major order with Boeing in more than a decade. Boeing stated the deal brings its 777-9 order book to 35 aircraft. The 777-9 is described as the world’s largest twin-engine airplane. Boeing highlighted the aircraft’s fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Hong Kong’s aviation sector faced severe challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Strict travel restrictions kept the city isolated until late 2022. Cathay reported a slight profit increase to US$1.27 billion in 2024. The airline confirmed flights had returned to pre-pandemic levels earlier this year. First-half 2025 attributable profit rose to HK$3.65 billion (US$4.65 million). Total revenue grew 9.5 percent to US$6.92 billion in the same period. Cathay declared an interim dividend of HK$20 cents per share. Chairman Patrick Healy praised the company’s solid financial performance. He cited higher passenger volumes and lower fuel costs as key drivers. Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express have added 19 new destinations in 2025. The airlines now serve over 100 passenger destinations globally. Direct flights to Brussels recently resumed after a pandemic-induced hiatus. However, profit margins dipped by 0.6 percent in the first half of 2025. Healy noted short-term challenges for budget carrier HK Express. Bookings have not yet returned to normal levels, he said. Cathay’s share price dropped nine percent following the earnings announcement. - AFP

Johor Royal Botanical Garden reopens August 31 as new tourism landmark

Johor Royal Botanical Garden reopens August 31 as new tourism landmark

JOHOR BAHRU : The Johor Royal Botanical Garden will officially reopen to the public on August 31, marking a key tourism milestone for Visit Johor Year 2026. Menteri Besar Johor Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi thanked Sultan Ibrahim for approving the garden’s reopening. He also acknowledged the Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail for supporting the garden’s upgrade as a major attraction. “The Johor Royal Botanical Garden will open to the public starting August 31, 2025,” Onn Hafiz announced in a Facebook post. Operating hours will be from 8 am to 6 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, with closures on Monday and Tuesday for maintenance. Entry fees are set at RM2 for Malaysians and RM30 for foreigners, while children under five and OKU cardholders enter free. Originally developed in 1864, the garden now spans 126 acres with 12 themed gardens and 583 plant species. The project involved collaboration between Johor Bahru City Council, Iskandar Puteri City Council, and other local authorities. “This revival preserves Johor Bahru’s historical identity,” Onn Hafiz added. He encouraged residents to visit with family and friends to support Visit Johor Year 2026. – Bernama

Juan Muniz tinggalkan JDT

Juan Muniz tinggalkan JDT

JOHOR BAHRU – Selepas tiga tahun menyertai Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), pemain kelahiran Sepanyol, Juan Muniz meninggalkan kelab juara Liga Super 11 musim berturut-turut itu. Berita perpindahan pemain itu disahkan oleh kelab Harimau Selatan menerusi Facebook rasmi kelab, Johor Southern Tigers. Muniz memainkan watak penting ketika membantu pasukan memenangi kejuaraan quadruple (empat piala) semusim pada ... Read more The post Juan Muniz tinggalkan JDT appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

BPMB, Hartasuma meterai perjanjian RM367.2 juta projek kereta kabel Bukit Bendera

BPMB, Hartasuma meterai perjanjian RM367.2 juta projek kereta kabel Bukit Bendera

GEORGE TOWN – Bukit Bendera bakal berubah wajah sebagai destinasi pelancongan ikonik dengan pemeteraian perjanjian pembiayaan bernilai RM367.2 juta antara Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) dan Hartasuma Ropeways Sdn. Bhd. (Hartasuma Ropeways). Pembiayaan itu merupakan langkah penting dalam merealisasikan projek transformasi kereta kabel yang dinanti-nantikan. Pengarah Urusan Perbankan Korporat dan Pelaburan BPMB, Mohamed Nazri Omar ... Read more The post BPMB, Hartasuma meterai perjanjian RM367.2 juta projek kereta kabel Bukit Bendera appeared first on Kosmo Digital .

Govt prioritises territorial equity in public service reform

Govt prioritises territorial equity in public service reform

PUTRAJAYA : The government will prioritise territorial equity in public sector reforms to ensure service improvements reach beyond urban centres. Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said this involves empowering district and local-level service delivery. “We aim to reduce regional disparities by strengthening public institutions nationwide,“ he stated during a lecture by economist Prof Mariana Mazzucato. Shamsul Azri emphasised reforms enabling ‘directed growth’ for a proactive public sector. “ARPA will institutionalise data-driven efficiency through performance dashboards and real-time tracking,“ he added. The Public-Private Partnership Master Plan (Pikas) 2030 will also undergo adjustments for better coordination. Mazzucato urged governments to actively shape markets for sustainable growth instead of just fixing failures. She advocated mission-driven policies with cross-sector collaboration for equitable development. The lecture was organised by INTAN and attended by senior officials. – Bernama

India’s security chief in Moscow amid US tariff threats over Russian oil

India’s security chief in Moscow amid US tariff threats over Russian oil

NEW DELHI : India’s national security adviser was reportedly in Moscow on Wednesday as tensions escalated over US threats to increase tariffs on Indian imports. The visit came after US President Donald Trump warned of “substantially” higher tariffs due to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Indian media, including The Hindu and NDTV, reported that security chief Ajit Doval had arrived in Moscow overnight. The trip coincides with a visit by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who is also scheduled to meet Russian officials. Trump has set a Friday deadline for Russia to halt its Ukraine offensive or face new penalties. India’s foreign ministry dismissed US pressure to stop buying Russian oil as “unjustified and unreasonable.” New Delhi argued that it turned to Russian supplies after traditional sources were diverted to Europe following the Ukraine conflict. Shilan Shah of Capital Economics noted that India could switch suppliers “relatively easily with little economic impact.” However, yielding to US demands would be politically challenging for India. “Domestically, it would not play well to be seen caving to Trump’s demands,“ Shah said in a note. India has maintained long-standing ties with Russia, dating back to the Cold War. Data from SIPRI shows Russia supplied 76% of India’s military imports between 2009 and 2013. Though dependence has decreased, India still relies on Russia for critical defence components. Ukraine recently accused Russia of using Indian-made parts in drones targeting Ukrainian cities. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine’s president, urged global action to cut off Russia’s access to foreign components. Analysts say Trump’s focus on India overlooks the deep historical ties between New Delhi and Moscow. - AFP

Malaysia commits to safe nuclear tech at INSO 2025

Malaysia commits to safe nuclear tech at INSO 2025

SUBANG JAYA : Malaysia has reinforced its commitment to the responsible use of nuclear technology at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) 2025. Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud highlighted the event as a celebration of scientific excellence and international cooperation. He stated that INSO promotes discovery, friendship, and shared ambition in advancing nuclear science. The competition, hosted by Pusat PERMATA@Pintar Negara and UKM, gathered young talents from 14 countries. Mustapha emphasised nuclear science’s role in national development, including healthcare and industrial applications. He noted its global importance in tackling climate change, energy security, and public health challenges. The collaborative spirit of INSO aligns with the need for scientists working toward humanity’s betterment. Mustapha thanked agencies like MOSTI, IAEA, and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency for supporting the event. He revealed Malaysia’s plan to transition to renewable energy, including nuclear power, under the 13th Malaysia Plan. The country aims to develop nuclear power plants within a decade to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Efforts are underway to encourage students to pursue nuclear science for a sustainable energy future. UKM’s long-standing nuclear education programme since the 1980s made it an ideal co-host for INSO 2025. The closing ceremony honoured medalists and special award winners in various categories. The INSO trophy was handed over to Dr Maya Al-Azri, marking the transition to the next host. – Bernama

Kenderaan diplomatik diserang, Russia kemuka bantahan terhadap Israel

Kenderaan diplomatik diserang, Russia kemuka bantahan terhadap Israel

MOSCOW: Russia telah mengemukakan bantahan rasmi kepada Israel susulan dakwaan serangan terhadap sebuah kenderaan diplomatik milik negara itu berhampiran penempatan Givat Assaf, dekat Baitulmuqaddis, menurut kenyataan Kementerian Luar Russia. Jurucakap kementerian, Maria Zakharova berkata, insiden pada 30 Julai itu melibatkan kenderaan milik misi Persekutuan Russia ke Pihak Berkuasa Palestin yang menggunakan nombor pendaftaran diplomatik dan ... Read more The post Kenderaan diplomatik diserang, Russia kemuka bantahan terhadap Israel appeared first on Utusan Malaysia .