Latest

Philippines

Four in family die in landslide in Philippines' Mati city

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur: A pre-dawn landslide buried a family of four in Purok Matingo in Mati City, Davao Oriental, on Friday (Feb 20), prompting a swift retrieval operation involving the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Mati City Fire Station.

Japan

Japan's Takaichi vows to break with 'fiscal austerity' to spark economic revival

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Friday (Feb 20) pledged to break with "excessive fiscal austerity" and boost long-term investment through a multi-year budget framework, underlining her administration's commitment to revitalising the economy.

Commodities

Oil heads for first weekly gain in three as US-Iran tensions brew

OIL prices rose on Friday, headed for their first weekly gain in three, on growing concerns a conflict may erupt between the U.S. and Iran, after Washington said Tehran will suffer if it does not agree a deal on its nuclear activity in a matter of days.

Arts

Royal Shakespeare Company to adapt 'Game Of Thrones' for theatre

The production will be based on the books by George RR Martin and will be adapted for the stage by playwright Duncan Macmillan

Laos

Lao Health Ministry outlines plans to advance nursing

VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Health has spelled out goals under the National Nursing Development Plan to 2030 and summarised achievements to date in continuous professional development for nurses and midwives

Indonesia

Indonesia on verge of removing underage accounts from digital platforms

JAKARTA: The Communications and Digital Ministry will block social media accounts owned by underage children as soon as the minimum age limit policy takes place in March, promising immediate action on online platforms for users under 18 years old.

Entertainment

Sarah Ferguson’s whereabouts unknown following former Prince Andrew’s arrest

She was last photographed in September – a month before Andrew relinquished his titles – and hasn't been seen publicly since.

Brunei

Brunei court imposes hefty fine on Indonesian for illicit goods possession

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: An Indonesian man was fined BND107,000 or faces imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine after being convicted on multiple customs offences involving illicit cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

World

Lagarde dampens ECB exit talk, says she expects to finish her term

FRANKFURT, Feb 20 (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde ⁠has attempted to calm speculation about her stepping down early that has called into question the central bank's separation from politics, telling the ⁠Wall Street Journal she expects to complete her term.

Sabah & Sarawak

No price gouging during Ramadan, Sabah consumer group urges businesses

KOTA KINABALU: Businesses are urged to maintain integrity and fairness in their operations during this Ramadan and festive season.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia lower at midday amid hawkish US Fed cues

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia was lower at midday today as hawkish United States Federal Reserve (US Fed) cues and ongoing Middle East tensions weigh on market sentiment.

Social media

AppLovin plans Its own social platform after failed TikTok bid

AppLovin Corp. is preparing to build a social networking platform after the mobile advertising company's failed bid to buy TikTok's assets outside of China last year.

Nation

Fashion designer Jovian Mandagie fails in appeal against bankruptcy order

KUALA LUMPUR: Fashion designer Datuk Jovian Mandagie has failed in his appeal to set aside a High Court order that declared him bankrupt for defaulting on a RM5mil friendly loan from a company.

Corporate News

I-Bhd delivers higher FY25 earnings of RM55.74mil

KUALA LUMPUR: I-Berhad delivered a strong fourth quarter on the back of a pickup in property development billings to wrap up a solid financial year.

India

India chases 'DeepSeek moment' with homegrown AI models

NEW DELHI: Fledgling Indian artificial intelligence companies showcased homegrown technologies this week at a major summit in New Delhi, underpinning big dreams of becoming a global AI power.

World

Banner of Donald Trump unfurled at Justice Department headquarters

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (Reuters) - A ⁠banner of U.S. President Donald Trump has been unfurled outside the headquarters of the Justice ⁠Department in the latest effort to stamp his identity on a Washington institution.

Cambodia

Early February sees 2,700 scam busts in Phnom Pehn; 20,000 foreigners identified

PHNOM PENH: In just 15 days, from Feb 3 to Feb 18, Phnom Penh authorities conducted a sweep of 2,709 suspected scam locations, discovering 21,104 foreigners, including 6,683 women.

Economy

Malaysia's Jan exports jump 19.6% as E&E demand grows

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's exports in January 2026 jumped 19.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) to RM146.87bil with double-digit growth registered across nearly all its major markets, data released by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) showed.

Nation

Police hunt 36 wanted individuals

PETALING JAYA: Police are searching for 36 wanted individuals to assist in investigations into various criminal offences.

Football

Soccer-Perfect start for Pereira as Forest enjoy record win at Fenerbahce

Feb 20 (Reuters) - Nottingham Forest's ⁠new head coach Vitor Pereira said he had encouraged his ⁠players to express themselves at Fenerbahce on Thursday and ‌they responded in style with a 3-0 victory that marked their biggest away win in European competition.