To date, Brazil has recorded more than 13 million Covid-19 cases, recently breaking a tragic new record with 4,000 Covid-related deaths recorded in one day. President Jair Bolsonaro's administration has been heavily criticised for mishandling the pandemic, and plunging the country into an economic sinkhole from which recovery seems difficult. We speak to Mac Margolis, Bloomberg Opinion columnist about the politicisation of Brazil's vaccination rollout, what's next in Bolsonaro's political career, and what Brazil needs to rehabilitate its struggling economy.



Image Credit: BW Press | Shutterstock.com

To date, Brazil has recorded more than 13 million Covid-19 cases, recently breaking a tragic new record with 4,000 Covid-related deaths recorded in one day. President Jair Bolsonaro's administration has been heavily criticised for mishandling the pandemic, and plunging the country into an economic sinkhole from which recovery seems difficult. We speak to Mac Margolis, Bloomberg Opinion columnist about the politicisation of Brazil's vaccination rollout, what's next in Bolsonaro's political career, and what Brazil needs to rehabilitate its struggling economy.

Image Credit: BW Press | Shutterstock.com

Opinion and analysis of today’s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Opinion and analysis of today&rsquo;s international and local news that matter to Malaysians. Everything you need to know to start and plan your work.

Morning Brief

Brazil - Can it Weather the Pandemic and Bolsonaro's Politics? 

Malaysia’s political landscape appears to be entering another phase of fragmentation and realignment ahead of GE16, with tensions within Perikatan Nasional and the emergence of new political parties at the expense of Pakatan Harapan. Dr Wong Chin Huat, a political scientist at Sunway University analyses the current situation for us.



Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s political landscape appears to be entering another phase of fragmentation and realignment ahead of GE16, with tensions within Perikatan Nasional and the emergence of new political parties at the expense of Pakatan Harapan. Dr Wong Chin Huat, a political scientist at Sunway University analyses the current situation for us.Image Credit: Shutterstock

The Road to GE16 is Increasingly Confusing

Malaysia’s construction sector is coming under mounting pressure as higher diesel prices continue pushing up transport, material, and project costs across the industry. Contractors are increasingly warning that fixed-price contracts, financing pressures, and ongoing supply uncertainty are squeezing margins and slowing project activity, with some developers already signalling higher property prices ahead. As these pressures ripple through the housing market and broader economy, what reforms or support measures are needed to stabilise the sector, and how might rising construction costs reshape affordability and development activity for the rest of 2026?


Image Credit: Shutterstock

Malaysia’s construction sector is coming under mounting pressure as higher diesel prices continue pushing up transport, material, and project costs across the industry. Contractors are increasingly warning that fixed-price contracts, financing pressures, and ongoing supply uncertainty are squeezing margins and slowing project activity, with some developers already signalling higher property prices ahead. As these pressures ripple through the housing market and broader economy, what reforms or support measures are needed to stabilise the sector, and how might rising construction costs reshape affordability and development activity for the rest of 2026? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Can Malaysia’s Construction Sector Withstand Rising Cost Pressures?

India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, powered by resilient domestic demand and aggressive infrastructure spending. But as conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy markets, trade routes and currency stability, the situation is much more complicated. Sanjay Mathur, Chief Economist for Southeast Asia and India, ANZ Bank, explains.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

India remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, powered by resilient domestic demand and aggressive infrastructure spending. But as conflict in the Middle East disrupts energy markets, trade routes and currency stability, the situation is much more complicated. Sanjay Mathur, Chief Economist for Southeast Asia and India, ANZ Bank, explains. Image Credit: Shutterstock

Brazil - Can it Weather the Pandemic and Bolsonaro's Politics?

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