Latest

Stock on the Move

Nestle Malaysia rises on ice cream business sale talk

KUALA LUMPUR: Nestle (Malaysia) Bhd emerged as the top gainer in early trade on Friday following plans to explore the potential sale of its ice cream business to Froneri, a global ice cream firm active in more than 20 countries.

Vietnam

Vietnam crowned as world’s most affordable expat destination for fifth straight year

PARIS: Vietnam has once again been voted as the world's most affordable country for expats in 2026, securing the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, according to the French newswire Journal du Net (JDN).

Nation

Fisheries Act amendment to strengthen marine mammal conservation

PUTRAJAYA: The Fisheries Malaysia Department is amending the Fisheries Regulations under Section 27 of the Fisheries Act 1985, specifically the Fisheries (Control of Endangered Species of Fish) Regulations 1999, to include nine marine mammal species in the existing protection list.

Sabah & Sarawak

Thousands affected as overnight downpour triggers Paitan floods

KOTA KINABALU: Thousands of villagers in Sabah's rural Paitan district have been affected by floods following continuous overnight rain.

Cricket

Cricket-Australia coach defends World Cup planning, puts blame on players

MELBOURNE, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Australia head ⁠coach Andrew McDonald put the blame for the team's humiliating T20 ⁠World Cup exit squarely on the players, rejecting criticism of their ‌preparations and a "false narrative" that the nation is not taking the format seriously.

World

Alberta plans referendum to wrest control over immigration from Canadian government

CALGARY, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Alberta ⁠will hold a referendum this fall to ask residents if its government should limit the ⁠number of new international students, temporary foreign workers and asylum seekers arriving in the ‌oil-rich Canadian province. 

Indonesia

Indonesia pledges up to 8,000 troops to Gaza, deployment in 1-2 months: Prabowo

JAKARTA: Indonesia has reaffirmed its commitment to contribute up to 8,000 troops, or more if necessary, to play an active role in the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, Palestine, President Prabowo Subianto said.

Global

Part 4: The determination of mountain climbers

Trekking and climbing have become popular among young Malaysians.

Technology

OpenAI's Altman tells leaders regulation 'urgently' needed

The world urgently needs to regulate artificial intelligence, OpenAI head Sam Altman said Thursday at a summit in New Delhi to address the risks and opportunities posed by the fast-evolving technology.

South Korea

Suspect used ChatGPT in planning drug killings in South Korea: Police

SEOUL: A woman suspected in two deaths via drug-laced drinks was found to have used ChatGPT in planning the crime, police said on Thursday (Feb 19).

Thailand

Thai army reports wildfire situation in eight border areas, originating from Cambodia

BANGKOK: The 2nd Army Region reported the ongoing wildfire situation along the Thailand-Cambodia border on Thursday (Feb 19), with eight areas under surveillance.

Other Sports

Olympics-Figure Skating-Sakamoto's final Olympic skate ends in tears and silver

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Kaori Sakamoto's final ⁠Olympic skate ended in bittersweet fashion on Thursday, the three‑time world champion leaving Milano Cortina with a silver medal that ⁠felt as much like a lesson as an achievement.

Philippines

Philippines' Duterte earned global infamy, praise at home

MANILA: Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte earned global infamy for the deadly drug crackdown that led to his arrest over crimes against humanity charges, despite his huge popularity at home.

Singapore

Crew member dies after fire on cruise ship en route to Singapore; all 224 passengers safe

SINGAPORE: A crew member has been reported dead after a fire on a cruise en route to Singapore early on Friday (Feb 20).

Squash

Rachel races into Cincinnati Gaynor Cup quarters

PETALING JAYA: National squash player Rachel Arnold secured her spot in the Cincinnati Gaynor Cup quarter-finals after dispatching Egypt's Menna Hamed in straight games on Thursday (Feb 19).

Markets

Stocks dip and oil climbs as Trump ramps up Iran threats

SINGAPORE: Stocks fell in Asia on Friday, the dollar headed for its largest weekly gain in four months and oil prices were rising as a U.S. military build up in the Middle East and a rout in private equity stocks sent ripples of nerves across markets.

Other Sports

Olympics-Figure skating-Liu's golden skate caps joyful comeback story

MILAN, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Four years after she ⁠stepped away from her sport saying she had lost her love for it, American Alysa Liu skated on Thursday night as though she ⁠had flicked the light back on in a long-darkened disco, and soared to Olympic women's gold.

Other Sports

Olympics-Curling-World champions Britain to play Canada for men's curling gold

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 19 (Reuters) - ⁠World champions Britain nabbed a steal of two in the final end to beat Switzerland 8-5 ⁠in a thrilling semi-final clash on Thursday in the men's curling competition at the Winter Olympics ‌and set up a final against Canada.

Living

Workplace small talk: Big career benefits in five steps

Those who master the art of small talk can achieve a lot in their careers. What chatting at work can achieve and, above all, how to make small talk a success.

Social media

Ireland, home to EU tech hubs, mulls teen social media ban

The Irish government is considering plans to introduce age restrictions on social media platforms as part of a broader AI strategy at a cabinet meeting Wednesday.