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Takiyuddin: Pas to nominate top leader as PN chairman

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(Pic credit: MEDIA MULIA)

PAS has put forward a top party leader who is also a Member of Parliament as its nominee for the position of Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, with the name expected to be presented at the coalition’s Supreme Council meeting after Feb 19.

According to Utusan Malaysia, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (picture) said the party has already identified a candidate but declined to disclose the individual’s identity, noting only that the nominee is a top party leader and a sitting MP.

“The candidate for the position is already in place. When PAS leads PN, we will put forward the name.

However, for now, the matter cannot be announced yet,” he said when met by reporters after delivering a special message behind closed doors to the people of the Bunut Payong State Legislative Assembly (DUN) here yesterday.

Takiyuddin, who is the Kota Bharu MP, stressed that the PN Supreme Council is the coalition’s highest body and that all major decisions, including the appointment of the chairman, must be decided through its meetings in line with provisions outlined in PN’s constitution.

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16 ministries conclude debate on motion of thanks for royal address

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(Pic credit: JaPen)

KUALA LUMPUR — The third week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting saw 16 ministries winding up debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address, which began on Wednesday after two weeks of debate by MPs.

The winding-up session began with the Finance Ministry, followed by seven others, including Communications, Transport and Housing and Local Government, and continued on Thursday with eight more, including Defence and Education.

The Dewan Rakyat session also focused on a special briefing by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday, clarifying the Malaysia-Indonesia border issue in Sabah and Kalimantan.

Anwar explained that the determination of the Malaysia-Indonesia land border is not based on compensation, reciprocity or profit-and-loss considerations, stressing that the border determination is fully grounded in international conventions, laws and agreements, specifically two conventions and one key agreement governing the entire Sabah and Sarawak boundary.

He said the instruments involved are the 1891 Boundary Convention between the British and Dutch governments covering Sabah and Sarawak; the 1915 Boundary Agreement between the British and Dutch governments specific to Sabah; and the 1928 Boundary Convention signed in The Hague on March 26, 1928, covering a small sector in Sarawak. 

The Prime Minister firmly rejected claims that Malaysia handed over 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia as compensation for three villages in Nunukan near the Sabah-Kalimantan border, calling them false and misleading.

“Resurveying and re-marking the Malaysia-Indonesia border in the Outstanding Boundary Problem (OBP) areas at Sungai Sinapad and Sungai Sesai has secured Malaysia an additional 780 hectares.

“That additional land means Kampung Kabulangalor, Kampung Lepaga, and Kampung Tetagas are now within Malaysian territory,” he said.

This week, the Dewan Rakyat did not sit on Monday and Tuesday due to the Thaipusam and Federal Territory Day holidays.

Over the two-day sitting, MPs raised issues that ministers addressed, including Orang Asli concerns amid digitalisation, the takeover of Bintulu Port, the benefits of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, and a proposed online business licence. 

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah said SARA aid is credited to recipients’ identity cards and can be spent at registered partner stores on 14 categories of essential goods.

“Spending through SARA in the domestic market reached RM4.8 billion in 2025, with 99 per cent of recipients using the facility,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the government assures that all policies, including digitalisation of services in the security sector, will not affect the interests or future of communities, including the Orang Asli.

The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) plans to introduce a more comprehensive dispute-resolution framework through an integrated online dispute-resolution (ODR) platform.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting runs for 20 days, concluding on March 3. — BERNAMA

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Bank Islam appoints Raja Teh Maimunah as GCEO

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KUALA LUMPUR — Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd (Bank Islam) has appointed Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz as its group chief executive officer (GCEO), effective April 1, 2026, succeeding Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed, who retired early in December 2025.

In a statement, the bank said the appointment follows a rigorous search process, during which the board evaluated a wide pool of highly qualified candidates in line with corporate governance and regulatory requirements.

Bank Islam chairman Tan Sri Ismail Haji Bakar said Raja Teh Maimunah’s leadership in Islamic finance and digital innovation aligns with the bank’s strategic goals.

“The board is confident that under her leadership, the group will strengthen its market position, drive innovation, and deliver sustainable value to stakeholders while upholding the highest standards of integrity and Shariah compliance,” he said.

He added: “Raja Teh Maimunah will lead the group’s next phase of digital adoption and transformation, bridging digital expertise with Bank Islam’s long-standing pioneering role in Islamic finance.”

Raja Teh Maimunah holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and an Honorary Doctor of Law from the University of East London. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Banker Institute and a Chartered Professional in Islamic Finance (CPIF).

Before joining Bank Islam, she was CEO of Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank, AEON Bank (M) Bhd, where she oversaw the development of its cloud-native infrastructure, setting a benchmark for Shariah-compliant digital innovation.

Her 30-year career includes senior roles at leading financial institutions, including managing director of Wholesale Banking at AmBank Group, CEO of Hong Leong Islamic Bank, and Global Head of Islamic Markets at Bursa Malaysia, where she launched Bursa Suq Al-Sila’, the world’s first fully Shariah-compliant commodity trading platform. — BERNAMA

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PR Newswire

OTM 2026, Asia’s Leading Travel Show, Opens in Mumbai as India Becomes Global Tourism Powerhouse

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OTM, organised by Fairfest Media Limited, returns to Mumbai, bringing together global destinations, tourism ministers, hotels, airlines and the tourism ecosystem from 60+ countries 

MUMBAI, India, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OTM 2026, Asia’s leading travel trade show, officially opened today at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, bringing together the global travel and tourism ecosystem at a time when India has firmly emerged as one of the world’s most strategically important outbound travel markets. Recognised by NielsenIQ as the Leading Travel Trade Show in India and Asia for two consecutive years, OTM 2026 is hosting over 2,200 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, with 45+ National Tourism Organisations participating and over 50,000 travel trade visitors and 1,000+ top travel industry professionals participating over the three days.


(L-R) - Datuk Sebastian Ting, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Sarawak; Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman, Tourism Malaysia; H.E. Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak; H.E.Christian Harold Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism, Mauritius; Jassim Mahmoud, PR & Communications Director, Visit Qatar; Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board; and Sanjiv Agarwal, Founder and CEO of Fairfest Media Ltd.

With the increase in the number of exhibitors and visitors, OTM has become the most internationally diverse and largest event of its type ever organized in the region.

Event Highlights

  • Exhibitor Showcase:
    Over 2,200 exhibitors from 60+ countries, representing national and state tourism boards, airlines, hotels and resorts, destination management companies, cruise operators, attractions, and travel technology providers.
  • Global Participation:
    Strong representation from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Oceania, including long-standing outbound markets and a growing number of emerging and experiential destinations engaging with India as a priority growth market.
  • High-Quality Buyer Access:
    More than 50,000 trade visitors, including 1,000+ hosted and VIP buyers, enabling focused B2B engagement across leisure, corporate travel, MICE, weddings and niche travel segments.
  • Structured Business Engagement:
    Over 50,000 pre-scheduled B2B meetings expected across the three days, reinforcing OTM’s positioning as a platform built for measurable business outcomes.
  • Leadership & Knowledge Exchange:
    The OTM Forum brings together policymakers and senior industry leaders from across the global travel ecosystem, including executives from MakeMyTrip, Cleartrip, Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, Paytm, TBO.com, Google India, Deloitte, Reliance Industries, Aditya Birla Group, Godrej Industries, VFS Global, IHCL, and leading national tourism boards and airlines. Through a series of high-level panels and closed-door discussions, the Forum examines outbound travel growth, destination competitiveness, corporate travel evolution, distribution, marketing, technology, and the changing expectations of the Indian traveller.
    ‘Unlocking EU–India Opportunities for Tourism and Hospitality’ organised in collaboration with European institutional partners. The session brings together senior industry leaders including Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Thomas Cook India Ltd.; Anahita Avari, Head of Sales, South Asia, VFS Global; Aparna Chaturvedi, Country Head, Europamundo; and Delna Jasoomoney, Vice President – Travel Industry Sales, IHCL, and is moderated by Vijayata N. Raheja, COO, K Raheja Group.

India moves to the centre of global destination strategy

The inauguration of OTM 2026 marks a defining moment in the global travel industry’s engagement with India. Once viewed primarily as an emerging market, India has now become a central growth market, driven by rising disposable incomes, expanding international connectivity, and a growing appetite for long-haul, experiential, and high-value travel. This shift is visibly reflected at OTM 2026, where destinations are engaging with India through high-value, long-term trade promotions.

Inaugural programme sets the tone for OTM 2026

Day 1 of OTM 2026 commenced with the official inauguration of the exhibition, followed by a VIP walk-around and exhibitor interactions, leading into the flagship Inaugural Programme titled ‘India Takes Its Place on the Global Travel Stage.’ The show was inaugurated by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Chairman, Tourism Malaysia, Richard Duval, Minister of Tourism of Mauritius; H.E. Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak; and Hon. Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Sri Lanka, and was moderated by Tanya Khanijow.

The afternoon programme included the CEOs’ Lunch, followed by the panel ‘India at 100 Million: The Global Race to Capture the Next Big Traveller Wave,’ bringing together destination leaders Christian Schoch (Switzerland Tourism), Dinesh Burrenchobay (Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority), Gary Hendricks-Dominguez (Cayman Islands Department of Tourism), Islom Ibragimov (Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan), Nuwal Fadhilah Binti Ku Azmi (Tourism Malaysia) and Sheetal Munshaw (Atout France). The day concluded with a market-focused discussion on demand and disruption in India’s online travel market, featuring CXOs from Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip and Paytm Travel, moderated by Virendra Jain (VIDEC).

Global destinations deepen engagement with India

OTM 2026 features strong official participation from destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Oceania. With nearly 50 global tourism boards officially participating at OTM, this edition reflects the deepest engagement the global tourism ecosystem has had in the subcontinent. Alongside long-standing outbound markets, several destinations that were once considered niche or aspirational for Indian travellers are now engaging with India as their next major growth market, with many participating exclusively at OTM 2026.

Malaysia Airlines anchors aviation connectivity at OTM 2026

Reflecting on the critical role of aviation in unlocking outbound growth, OTM 2026 also features Malaysia Airlines as the Partner Airline, with a prominent presence at the exhibition. The airline is showcasing its network connectivity, premium offerings and India-focused travel solutions, reinforcing the importance of strong air links in supporting India’s expanding global travel footprint and facilitating access to destinations across Southeast Asia and beyond. Several other leading airlines including Air India are participating in a major way.

From exhibition floor to industry dialogue

Beyond destination and airline participation, OTM 2026 continues to strengthen its positioning as a focused B2B market-access platform designed to deliver measurable business outcomes. The exhibition brings together leading hotels and resorts, destination management companies, cruise operators, travel technology providers and specialised travel segments, enabling structured engagement through pre-scheduled meetings, on-ground interactions and curated networking.

Structured engagement remains central to the platform, with 50,000+ pre-scheduled B2B meetings expected over the three days, enabling targeted, outcome-driven conversations between exhibitors and buyers.

As part of its broader international vision, Fairfest Media has recently expanded its global portfolio with the acquisition of WTE Miami, extending its market-access platform beyond Asia and strengthening the bridge between India, Asia and the Americas.

What lies ahead over the next two days

Across Days 2 and 3, the agenda moves into sharper, segment-led conversations spanning leisure demand, corporate travel, weddings, marketing and distribution. Day 2 examines changing Indian traveller motivations through ‘Vibe Traveling – Aesthetics, Experiences and the New Indian Narrative,’ and deep-dives into business mobility with ‘Building India’s Corporate Travel Ecosystem: A $20B Journey,’ alongside a buyer-led session on what India’s top corporate travel buyers expect from the industry today. The programme also expands into destination weddings through WeddingSutra Engage, and explores experience-led travel and commercial growth through sessions such as ‘Live Tourism’ and ‘The Future of Travel Marketing: AI, Personalisation and Loyalty Shifts.‘ Day 3 turns the focus to distribution power and trade evolution through ‘The New Power of the Intermediary’ and ‘Inside India’s Travel Trade: What’s Changed, What’s Working, What’s Next,’ before concluding with the Valedictory and Awards Function.

Commenting at the inauguration, Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd., said, “OTM was created to reflect the reality of global travel today, where India is no longer an emerging opportunity but one of the most sought-after and strategic travel markets globally. The participation we see at OTM 2026, from established destinations to emerging and exotic ones, clearly demonstrates how the world is repositioning itself around the Indian traveller. OTM continues to serve as the leading travel show in Asia – one where this engagement takes shape in a focused, world-class setting.“

Over the three days, the Forum continues with a series of closed-door and open sessions examining outbound travel growth, destination strategy, aviation connectivity, corporate travel, emerging markets and the future of travel distribution.

The detailed agenda is available at https://meetingdiary.otm.co.in/agenda?date=2026-02-06

Event Details
OTM 2026
Dates: 5, 6 & 7 February 2026
Venue: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai
Organiser: Fairfest Media

About OTM and Fairfest Media:

OTM is Asia’s leading travel trade platform, connecting global travel suppliers with India and Asia’s fastest-growing travel markets through large-scale exhibitions, curated buyer programmes and structured B2B engagement.

OTM is organised by Fairfest Media. Founded in 1989, Fairfest Media is a global trade show organiser and media company, providing platforms for doing business in the world’s fastest-growing markets. Fairfest recently acquired WTE Miami, the fastest-growing travel show in the United States, which will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Centre on the 27th and 28th of October, 2026.

For more information, please visit: https://otm.co.in/.

Media Contact: Tanya, tanya@fairfest.in 

Photo: https://arah.my/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Inauguration_Ceremony_at_OTM_2026.jpg

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PR Newswire

BlueNord: Preliminary Production for January 2026

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OSLO, Norway, Feb. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BlueNord ASA, (“BlueNord” or the “Company”) has today announced its preliminary production figures for January 2026. In January 2026, the preliminary production was 43.1 mboepd net to the Company.

The Tyra hub delivered an average production of 22.4 mboepd net to BlueNord. On 25 January, a gas production rate of 227 mmscfpd was achieved, representing the highest daily gas export since the restart of the Tyra hub. Production during January was impacted by two temporary issues, both of which were resolved within 24 hours. Work to further improve reliability and optimise production performance continues, with targeted actions being implemented following detailed technical reviews undertaken by the operator in the fourth quarter of 2025.  These actions are expected to support continued improvement in operational stability through 2026 and provide increased confidence in Tyra’s ability to sustain higher production rates over time.

The base assets Dan, Gorm, and Halfdan delivered 20.7 mboepd net to the Company. Production from Dan and Halfdan was strong, with preliminary operational efficiency above 90%. On Gorm, issues with the lift gas compressor affected early month performance. After resolving the issues, Gorm production recovered, demonstrating production potential above expectations.

BlueNord will announce its fourth quarter 2025 results on 24 February 2026.

This information is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. 

Contact: 
Cathrine Torgersen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer 
Phone: +47 915 28 501 
Email: cathrine.torgersen@bluenord.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/bluenord-asa/r/bluenord–preliminary-production-for-january-2026,c4303648

 

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Epstein filesNewsWorld

Davos forum opens probe into CEO Brende’s Epstein links

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World Economic Forum president and CEO Borge Brende (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

GENEVA – The World Economic Forum, which organises the Davos summit, said Thursday that it would conduct an independent review into its chief executive’s interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Former Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende, 60, has since 2017 been president of the WEF, which organises the annual gathering of the super-rich and powerful in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

“The WEF seeks to clarify recent disclosures regarding its president and CEO, Borge Brende, and his participating in three business dinners with Jeffrey Epstein, along with subsequent email and SMS communications,” the forum said.

“In light of these interactions, the governing board requested the audit and risk committee to look into the matter, which subsequently decided to initiate an independent review.”

The forum said it was committed to transparency and aimed to handle the matter thoughtfully and efficiently.

The Geneva-based organisation said Brende would continue to fulfil his roles at the WEF, without involvement in the review process.

Brende was mentioned more than 60 times in the millions of new Epstein documents released last week by the US Justice Department.

Appearing in the released Epstein files does not in itself imply wrongdoing.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a child for prostitution and served 13 months of an 18-month sentence.

Epstein was facing charges of alleged sex trafficking when he killed himself in detention in 2019.

Brende said in a statement that during a visit to New York in 2018, he received an invitation for former Norwegian deputy prime minister Terje Rod-Larsen to join him for dinner with several other leaders, plus “someone who was presented to me as an American investor, Jeffrey Epstein”.

“The following year, I attended two similar dinners with Epstein, alongside other diplomats and business leaders. These dinners, and a few emails and SMS messages, were the extent of my interactions with him,” he said.

“I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities.”

He said that had he known about Epstein’s background, he would have declined the initial invitation for dinner and any other subsequent invitations or communications.

Brende said he recognised that he could have conducted a more thorough investigation into Epstein’s history, and regretted not doing so.

He welcomed the independent review, “which I indeed requested”. –AFP

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Epstein filesJeffrey EpsteinNewsWorld

The global maelstrom whipped up by the Epstein files

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(Photo by Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via AFP)

PARIS – From royals to intellectuals, politicians to sport moguls, tech magnates and CEOs, the latest tranche of published documents from the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has spotlighted a staggering global web of influence.

Last week the US Justice Department published a new cache of nearly three million government documents related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

The financier was long alleged to have been a purveyor of sex with underage girls to some of the world’s most powerful men.

The mere mention of someone’s name in the files does not, in itself, imply any wrongdoing by that person.

However, the documents made public show at the very least connections between Epstein or his circle and certain public figures who have often downplayed — or even denied — the existence of such ties.

The latest files have highlighted just how broad his connections were as he sought influence with the world’s most high-octane people, spotlighting the dark underbelly of the global elite.

Strategy

From the libertarian billionaire Peter Thiel to the banker Ariane de Rothschild and former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, Epstein approached his contacts with targeted, tailored overtures — sometimes insistently.

He strove to forge ties with political leaders, especially in France, asking several contacts if they had connections to President Emmanuel Macron, former economy minister Bruno Le Maire or former president Nicolas Sarkozy.

His relationships transcended ideological boundaries, ranging from hard-right US figure Steve Bannon to influential left-wing intellectual Noam Chomsky.

The continuous recruitment of young women meanwhile underpinned his activities, with the files corroborating the existence of a network of intermediaries tasked with identifying and introducing “assistants” to Epstein.

The files so far — released in three major tranches since December — show that misogyny, racism and homophobia permeated his correspondence, often including photographs of naked women.

The DOJ previously drew the ire of Epstein’s victims when released documents exposed their identities. The documents were subsequently withdrawn.

The archive also reveals Epstein’s detailed schedule and careful discretion. He often favoured phone calls and face-to-face meetings over written communication.

Fallout

While the DOJ has said it sees no grounds for new prosecutions, the latest release has triggered a landslide of repercussions for those mentioned in the files.

In the United States, Bill and Hillary Clinton have finally agreed to be questioned by a congressional committee about the former president’s friendship with Epstein.

Britain’s former minister and EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson, already fired from his role as ambassador to Washington, is now under police investigation, dealing yet another blow to embattled UK leader Keir Starmer.

The pressure has also intensified for Britain’s former prince Andrew — now living far from Windsor — with the emergence of new photos showing him with an unidentified young girl and exchanges with Epstein.

Emails to Epstein from Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson called the financier “the brother” she had “always dreamed of”.

Other royals across Europe are under public scrutiny for the first time. Epstein’s previously unknown friendship with Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has not done her reputation any favours.

Many who had played down or even denied their ties to Epstein — including former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, former Norwegian premier Thorbjorn Jagland and Los Angeles Olympics chief Casey Wasserman — have seen their claims embarrassingly undercut.

Norwegian police said Thursday they had opened an “aggravated corruption” investigation into Jagland over his links to Epstein.

Some figures have left their posts following the latest publication: Slovakia’s Miroslav Lajcak, former minister and adviser to Prime Minister Robert Fico, and French film producer Caroline Lang, the daughter of former minister Jack Lang.

Jack Lang himself was summoned to France’s foreign ministry to explain his links with Epstein, a source close to the French presidency told AFP Thursday.

Norway meanwhile dismissed high-profile diplomat Mona Juul from her post as ambassador to Jordan.

Hard to analyse

The sheer quantity of difficult-to-download documents, many of which are redacted and duplicated, makes analysing the files a mammoth task.

The four data sets posted online on Friday amount to roughly 2.7 million pages, which is the largest batch released since late December.

Most are PDF documents and contain either text or photos. An empty PDF is also published for videos, which are stored elsewhere.

Emails may appear multiple times, and each reply becomes a new document that includes the previous messages. Some documents are also scans of handwritten notes that are sometimes illegible or incomprehensible.

Full download links were removed shortly after initial publication, and as a result, reconstruction requires the individual downloading of each folder. –AFP

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NewsWorld

Trump touts drug cost savings as he launches TrumpRx website

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Donald Trump introduces the new TrumpRx website in the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, DC, on Feb. 5. (AFP)

PRESIDENT Donald Trump launched a new website to help Americans directly buy select medicines at a discount, seeking to counter cost-of-living concerns that pose a threat to his party in November’s congressional elections.

“Starting tonight, dozens of the most commonly used prescription drugs will be available at dramatic discounts for all consumers through a new website, TrumpRx.gov,” Trump said at a White House event Thursday to hail the new effort. He was joined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz, government design chief Joe Gebbia as well as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of Health and Human Services.

The administration has touted its efforts to lower the cost of drugs, including by negotiating agreements with more than a dozen of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly & Co., Novo Nordisk A/S and Pfizer Inc., often in exchange for a reduction in threatened tariffs.

Trump said the more than 40 medicines available would include weight-loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, which he said would both be available directly to consumers for $199. The president also said EMD Serono Inc. would “dramatically cut the cost of its most common IVF drug.”  

“A single dose of the most common IVF drug in the country, Gonal-F, will plummet from the highest price in the developed world that we paid — the United States was subsidizing everybody,” Trump said. 

The website is part of a broader campaign to address Americans’ concerns about costs that have soured voter perceptions of Trump’s economic agenda. 

The effort was initially announced in September as part of the government’s efforts to lower US drug costs. It works by allowing patients to search for a specific medicine, then sends them to drug companies’ platforms where they can buy the products at a reduced rate. 

Oz and Gebbia sought to walk consumers through a demonstration of the website, explaining how they could search for specific pharmaceuticals and locate pricing information. 

Direct sales platforms circumvent pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen who sit between insurance companies and drugmakers. The PBMs help determine which drugs are covered and how much insurers — and ultimately patients — must pay for them. Pharma companies say the system forces them to charge higher prices and hurts patient access.

Cash-pay options can be helpful for patients whose insurance plans have high drug copays or deductibles, or whose plans don’t cover some medications. It’s been particularly popular for the GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity, an entire disease category that is often excluded. 

Cigna Group’s Evernorth division will dispense fertility treatments from the US health-care business of Germany’s Merck KGaA, Cigna Chief Executive Officer David Cordani said on an analyst call Thursday. The company also agreed to provide people on its drug plans access to TrumpRx as part of a settlement with antitrust regulators this week, pending regulatory changes.

Still, it remains to be seen whether the website will significantly bring down costs and entice large numbers of Americans to pay cash for medicines instead of going through insurance. And the idea of letting consumers purchase medications directly with promises of more transparent pricing is not novel. 

Companies have started launching direct-sales platforms themselves. Lilly pioneered the model to help patients to get cheaper weight-loss drugs by speaking to a doctor on a telehealth platform. Pfizer Inc. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. subsequently launched a direct-to-consumer platform for their Eliquis blood thinner after discussions with the White House last year. 

Billionaire Mark Cuban, through his Cost Plus Drugs company, has been selling mail-order medications. Cuban has been a sharp critic of pharmacy benefit managers.

Last summer, Trump sent letters to 17 drugmakers with a list of demands. He insisted they lower the prices they charge Medicaid — the health insurance program for low-income and disabled people — as well as sell discounted medicines directly to patients and offer new therapies in the US at the same price available in other developed nations.

“Sixteen of the 17 largest pharmaceutical companies have signed agreements and the other one is coming,” Trump said Thursday, hailing the many firms that struck deals with the administration. In November, Lilly and Novo agreed to offer their best-selling weight loss drugs at a discount through TrumpRx. Pfizer, which was the first company to reach a deal with the administration, said most of its primary care drugs would be available on the platform. 

Health care costs have been source of frustration among American households over affordability concerns — and one the president has sought to counter. Democrats seized on the expiration of crucial health insurance subsidies at the start of the year to hammer the administration. In response, Trump last month unveiled a health-care “framework” intended to lower drug prices and insurance premiums, but that effort still lacks many crucial details and faces an uncertain path in Congress. –BLOOMBERG

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Dassault: Asia-Pacific emerges as key AI manufacturing hub

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HOUSTON — Asia-Pacific, including Malaysia, is rapidly emerging as one of the most dynamic regions for artificial intelligence (AI)-driven manufacturing and industrial digitalisation, supported by strong entrepreneurial activity, expanding industrial ecosystems, and closer collaboration between industry and universities.

According to Dassault Systèmes executive vice president for customer role experience, Gian Paolo Bassi, the region’s rapid growth in sectors such as semiconductors, medtech and advanced manufacturing is accelerating the adoption of advanced design, simulation and AI technologies, positioning Asia-Pacific as a key pillar of the company’s global strategy.

“Our commitment here is very strong. We are investing, hiring and expanding our partner ecosystem,” he told Bernama on the sidelines of 3DExperience World 2026, here.

The four-day event began on February 1 and attracted about 4,000 participants from around the world, including designers, engineers, entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Bassi noted that competition in the next phase of industrial growth will increasingly be driven by creativity, speed and innovation, rather than scale alone.

Meanwhile, Dassault Systèmes vice president for Asia-Pacific South, Sharon Toh, said Malaysia, in particular, stands to benefit from this shift as global supply chains and major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) push local manufacturers to adopt more advanced digital tools, while the country continues to strengthen its position in semiconductors and aerospace-related manufacturing.

 

Industrial AI and the rise of virtual twins  

Building on this momentum, she said Dassault Systèmes, a French software giant, is stepping up its focus on industrial AI designed to help engineers and manufacturers design, simulate and optimise real-world products and systems, rather than just analyse data or generate text.

Sharon said this approach is anchored in its virtual twin technology, which goes beyond a conventional digital twin by incorporating real-world behaviour, physics and scientific validation, allowing companies to simulate performance, maintenance and sustainability outcomes before anything is physically built.

She also pointed out that manufacturers in Malaysia and the wider region are increasingly being driven by global OEMs to accelerate their digital transformation.

“For ASEAN, we are part of a very strong global supply chain. The big OEMs are already driving digital transformation, and our companies in the region will need to adapt,” she said.

She added that Malaysia’s relatively young, digitally native workforce gives the country an edge in adopting AI-enabled industrial technologies, particularly in engineering and manufacturing.

 

From tools to transformation

Nevertheless, Sharon cautioned that digital transformation is not about adopting technology for its own sake, but about having a clear long-term vision and executing it in measurable stages.

“Dassault Systèmes works with both large corporations and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region through a structured transformation methodology to ensure digital investments translate into real operational and business impact.”

In Malaysia, she said, the company already has a strong footprint among engineering and manufacturing firms, including in the semiconductor sector using its SOLIDWORKS software.

She also foresees further growth potential as the country pushes into higher-value manufacturing and AI adoption.

 

Building the workforce of the future

On the talent front, Sharon said Dassault Systèmes is expanding its collaboration with universities and industry players in the region, including Malaysia, to better align education with industry needs.

Sharon said initiatives such as the company’s engagement with higher learning institutions aim to give students access to industrial-grade software and certification before they enter the workforce, helping to narrow the skills gap.

“We want students to go into internships with commercial, industrial licences, so they can build real industry experience. This is about building the workforce of the future,” she said, adding that Malaysia is already among the countries participating in this effort.

 

Sustainability and aviation prospects

Looking ahead, Sharon said Dassault Systèmes sees virtual twin technology playing a growing role in sustainability and aviation, particularly in reducing the need for costly physical prototypes and enabling predictive maintenance through advanced simulation.

In aerospace, virtual twins could be used to simulate maintenance scenarios, optimise designs and cut material waste, supporting the industry’s push towards greener and more efficient operations.

“Instead of building and destroying many prototypes, you can simulate and only do final testing on a physical product. That alone brings big sustainability gains,” Sharon added.

Dassault Systèmes is already working with NAICO Malaysia and Feiran Technology through a memorandum of understanding signed last year, involving the development of the Malaysia Aerospace Digital System and the establishment of a 3D Visualisation Lab at the MyAERO Centre of Excellence. — BERNAMA

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RMN to operate anti-surface missiles from Norway, Delivery scheduled next month

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KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) is set to operate two types of Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM), or anti-surface missiles, including the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from Norway, which is scheduled for delivery this March, according to the Defence Ministry (MINDEF).

The ministry is also currently in the process of procuring the ATMACA missile system from Türkiye, which is expected to be delivered by 2028.

“MINDEF has drawn up a phased replacement plan for the RMN’s anti-ship missile capabilities by evaluating new generation missile platforms, including NSM, which have longer range capabilities, higher radar evasion and integration of modern sensor networks.

“This phased and prudent approach reflects the government’s commitment to modernising the RMN’s capabilities in a realistic and sustainable manner, in line with the country’s maritime security requirements and current fiscal capacity,” the ministry said in a written reply published on the Parliament’s official website.

The response was provided to Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (PN–Tanah Merah), who had sought clarification on plans to replace the RMN’s ageing Exocet MM40 Block II missiles, which have been in service for 29 years, as well as the anticipated timeline for completing the replacement programme.

In a separate reply, MINDEF stated that the commissioning schedule for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme has been revised following feedback from Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) to the RMN LCS Project Team.

Under the updated schedule, LCS 1 is now expected to be commissioned in December 2026, while LCS 2 is slated for August next year.

The ministry added that LCS 3 remains scheduled for commissioning in December 2027, followed by LCS 4 in August 2028 and LCS 5 in April 2029.

“As of Dec 25, 2025,  the ministry was informed by LUNAS that the overall progress of the LCS Project has reached 75.73 per cent actual completion, compared with a planned progress of 81.57 per cent,” it said in response to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) who had requested an update on the latest status of the LCS testing and commissioning process. — BERNAMA

 

The post RMN to operate anti-surface missiles from Norway, Delivery scheduled next month appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

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