South Korea

Ex-South Korean president Yoon apologises for martial law crisis

SEOUL: South Korea's disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol apologised Friday (Feb 20) for the "hardship" caused by his 2024 martial law decree, one day after he was sentenced to life in prison for insurrection.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.