Whenever anyone threatens climate science, you can bet Al Gore will be there. The former Vice President took to the New York Times this weekend, writing a heated Op-Ed piece aimed at climate change skeptics and politicians. The piece came soon after the recent UN announcement that an independent scientific  board would be reviewing reports produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Prize with Gore, who is a huge proponent of the scientific body’s work.

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Business Room. Excluding breakfast. Located along the busy streets of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Replica Inn provides affordable accommodation for travellers on a budget with easy access to transport links. Rooms are cosy and comfortable and come with an en-suite bathroom. They are also fitted with all the basic amenities needed for a pleasant stay that include individually controlled air-conditioning. Replica Inn also offers several guest services to make your stay more enjoyable. Laundry and dry cleaning services are available, as well as car rental. If you're looking for more information on sight-seeing and tours, just enquire with the friendly staff. The hotel also has a casual cafe for meals and internet access is available in the lobby. Replica Inn Chinatown is close to several eateries, shops and entertainment options. It is also within walking distance from Puduraya Station and Plaza Rakyat LRT station, which makes travelling easy and cost effective.

Lotus recently unveiled its Evora 414E Hybrid concept, a sleek supercar that looks ready to take on the fabulous Tesla Roadster. Lotus has impressed us in the past with green technologies ranging from the omnivore engine, to the Eco Elise, and it looks like they are ready to get serious about fuel efficiency. Set to be debuted at the Geneva 2010 Auto Show, the vehicle has an extended range of 300 miles and features two electric motors capable of rocketing the vehicle from 0-60 in 4 seconds.

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MNI HOLDINGS BHD, at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today has resolved to wind up voluntarily. In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) said the voluntary liquidation was not expected to have any material effect its earnings and net tangible assets. It said none of the directors or substantial shareholders of Maybank or persons connected to them has any interest in the voluntary liquidation. MNI is wholly-owned by Mayban Fortis Holdings Bhd (MFHB). Maybank holds 69.05 per cent stake in MFHB. The EGM also appointed Chua Siew Chuan as liquidator. -- Bernama

Cumulonimbus clouds observed 26°C

Humidity:

83%

Wind Speed:

Calm

Barometer:

1011 mb

Dewpoint:

23°C

Heat Index:

27°C

Wind Chill:

26°C

Visibility:

5 km

HONG Leong Bank Bhd (HLB) and the Bank of Chengdu Co Ltd (BOCD) have obtained operation approval from China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) to begin consumer finance operations. Sichuan Jincheng Consumer Finance Ltd Company, the joint venture company (JV) of HLB and BOCD, will be the first batch of approved companies to start consumer finance operations in Central and Western China. The JV, with a registered capital of 320 million yuan, will focus primarily on consumer financing business with HLB holding a 49 per cent equity interest and BOCD the remaining 51 per cent. In a statement, HLB said it had a 20 per cent equity interest in BOCD, a commercial bank with 31 branches and 116 outlets in Chengdu, Sichuan. It added the strategic alliance between HLB and BOCD to tap the promising and growing financial services sector in China further cemented the bank''s strategic partnership in BOCD and affirmed its vision and belief in China's huge potential. HLB, with its wealth of experience in consumer finance, together with BOCD's ready wealth of knowledge in Chengdu's local culture and consumer market, will provide a strong foundation for the development of the joint venture. For a start, the joint venture will develop business alliances with major electrical appliance chain stores, reputable consumer electronic and computer stores to offer financing for consumers to purchase consumer durables. Simple and convenient loan procedures will be used to process applications at the site of purchase, hence, ensuring fast turnaround time. HLB's Chief Executive Yvonne Chia was quoted as saying, in the statement, that the joint venture would expand its business scope, at a later stage, to include loans for furniture purchase, travel, wedding and education. "The Bank is serious about China and we are convinced of the huge upside potential. "We have the right partners in China and we want to grow with them. We are very excited, and if we get our act right, in 3 to 5 years, we will have transformed the bank's profile into one that is embedded in the region," said Chia. -- BERNAMA

GENEVA: After 25 years in the automotive industry, Proton Holdings Bhd is now ready to aggressively make its foray into the global market and will start by participating in the 80th Geneva International Motorshow this year. Its group marketing and after-sales director Yohani Mohd Yusof said today that the national carmaker's goal was to enter as many countries as possible and it was already taking a bold step to be more aggressive. "After 25 years in the automotive industry, it's time to make our foray into the global market," she said when speaking to Malaysian media here. At the prestigious Geneva International Motorshow, Proton will be unveiling its first concept car, which was designed in collaboration with Italdesign Giugiaro and uses Lotus' Range Extender engine. The concept car, which is also a hybrid, is expected to be launched by Proton's adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Proton's chairman Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh and managing director Datuk Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir will also be present. In addition, Proton's subsidiary Lotus will be unveiling its Elise facelift at the motorshow. According to Yohani, different motorshow have different platforms to show off various things but the Geneva International Motorshow was the best to showcase all and is regarded as a level playing field for the world's automakers. Venue for the motorshow, which is held annually in the Swiss city in March, is the Geneva Palexpo, where exotic supercars more often steal the limelight from others such as the unveiling of prototypes, new equipment, technical breakthroughs and international partnerships announcement. -- BERNAMA

Light rain with thunder 26°C

Humidity:

83%

Wind Speed:

8 KMH

Wind Direction:

ENE (070°)

Barometer:

1010 mb

Dewpoint:

23°C

Heat Index:

27°C

Wind Chill:

26°C

Visibility:

5 km

REDtone International Bhd's unit, DE Multimedia Sdn Bhd (DMSB) has secured a licence from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for the provision of any content application services. The licence is valid for ten years from Feb 2, 2010 to Feb 1, 2020, it said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia today. Among others, the licensee shall commence the provision of services within twelve months from the effective date. The licensee shall submit two progress reports annually to MCMC, outlining the steps taken to implement the licensee's detailed business plan and to comply with the commitments stated. The award of the individual licence will have no effect on the issued and paid-up share capital of REDtone. It will also have no material impact on REDtone's and its subsidiaries' earnings per share, net assets per share, gearing and share capital for the financial year ending May 31, 2010. It is, however, expected to contribute positively to the group's earnings for the financial year ending May 31, 2011. -- Bernama

# PROTON HOLDINGS BHD has appointed Behar Venkata Rama Subbu as its non-executive director effective today. # CARLSBERG BREWERY MALAYSIA BHD has appointed Soren Ravn as its managing director, replacing Soren Holm Jensen, effective today. # JT INTERNATIONAL BHD has appointed Shigeyuki Nakano as its new managing director, replacing Martyn Fraser Griffiths, effective today. # Kuwait Finance House (Malaysia) Bhd's unit KFH Asset Management Sdn Bhd has appointed Ian Tham Khean Hin as its chief executive officer and executive director. -- Bernama