Forex

Ringgit closes higher against greenback on cautious market sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed higher against the US dollar on Friday, supported by cautious market sentiment amid ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding the nuclear programme, said an economist.

Nation

Malaysia looks forward to close cooperation with new Bangladesh leadership, says Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia looks forward to close cooperation with the new leadership of Bangladesh in strengthening and elevating bilateral relations to a higher level, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

World

Russia says no peace dialogue ongoing with Japan over territorial dispute

MOSCOW, Feb 20 (Reuters) - ⁠The Kremlin said on Friday that relations ⁠with Japan had been reduced to zero over ‌Tokyo's "unfriendly" stance towards Russia, and there was no ongoing dialogue towards peace.

Nation

More than a gimmick, 'roti pocong' a hit at Paroi Ramadan bazaar

SEREMBAN: A Ramadan bazaar trader at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi here is drawing crowds again this year with his signature "roti pocong" and martabak.

China

Bipartisan push grows for Quad summit before Trump’s China trip

Lawmakers urge White House to rally Indo-Pacific partners ahead of high-stakes Xi meeting, citing leverage and coordination concerns

Nation

Melaka assembly may dissolve in April, state poll expected in June

MELAKA: The Melaka legislative assembly could be dissolved during its April sitting, paving the way for a state election likely to be held in early June, according to several state political party leaders.

China

US offers more details on claim China conducted secret nuclear weapons test

State Department official says China's alleged 2020 test was 'a singular explosion', confirms US will return to nuclear testing

Technology

Tesla unveils cheaper Cybertruck variant, cuts Cyberbeast price to drive demand

Feb ⁠20 (Reuters) - Tesla unveiled a cheaper Cybertruck variant in the U.S. late on Thursday and slashed ⁠the price of its most-expensive model, Cyberbeast, as the electric-vehicle maker struggles to find ‌buyers for its pickup trucks.

Markets

Late bargain-hunting lifts Bursa Malaysia to end higher

KUALA LUMPUR: Late bargain hunting in selected heavyweights, mainly financial counters, has lifted Bursa Malaysia to end marginally higher on Friday.

Markets

Net foreign inflows into Malaysian bonds reach RM951.9mil in January - RAM Ratings

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investor participation in the Malaysian bond market continued to grow for the fourth straight month in January 2026, with net foreign inflows reaching RM951.9 million, said RAM Rating Services Bhd (RAM Ratings).

Markets

Hong Kong shares fall after Lunar New Year break, tech drops

HONG KONG: Hong Kong shares fell on Friday as the local market reopened after the three-day Lunar New Year break, with technology stocks leading the slide, though oil shares provided some support as concerns of conflict between the U.S. and Iran sent crude prices higher.

AseanPlus News

‘Stay vigilant even in peace,’ Hong Kong rural leader says in Lunar New Year prophecy

Kenneth Lau also calls on city to embrace innovation after drawing 'neutral' No 22 fortune stick at Che Kung Temple

Asia & Oceania

China's Dunhuang draws more tourists in winter

Gansu province's heritage hub is welcoming more visitors with new attractions, ticket discounts and expanded flights.

Nation

Shah Alam's first female mayor vows swift, decisive leadership

SHAH ALAM: Making decisions fast is the motto of the newly appointed Shah Alam mayor, Datuk Zabidah Safar, who is the first female to hold the post in the Selangor state capital city.

Nation

S'pore PM Lawrence Wong arrives in Malaysia for special visit

SEPANG: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has arrived in Malaysia for a special visit to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

China

Budweiser and Heineken face polar opposite fates in China as punters favour home comforts

Beer drinkers in China are veering away from bars and high-end restaurants, instead opting for cheaper stay-at-home options, analysts say

Japan

Fans flock to Japan zoo to see viral baby monkey Punch, finds comfort in stuffed orangutan, and charms crowd

Dozens of fans flocked to a Japanese zoo on Friday to catch a glimpse of a baby macaque who shot to social media stardom months after being abandoned by his mother.

Nation

PAS to discuss Opposition Leader position on Feb 22, says Hadi

MARANG: The PAS central committee meeting scheduled for this Sunday (Feb 22), is expected to discuss whether the party will take over the post of Parliamentary Opposition Leader, previously held by former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

Cambodia

EU deforestation regulations seen as opportunity for Cambodia's exporters

PHNOM PENH: Emerging EU due diligence regulations are being framed not as simple compliance obligations but as a strategic opportunity for Cambodian exporters to strengthen their global competitiveness, officials and industry representatives explained, during a Feb 17 workshop in Phnom Penh.

Nation

Anwar seeks swift passage of Bill limiting PM to two terms

KUALA LANGAT: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a Bill limiting the prime minister's tenure to two terms, or a maximum of 10 years, to be expedited and passed at the next parliamentary sitting.