Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Friday (Feb 20, 2024)

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in conjunction with Wong’s special visit to Malaysia at Seri Negara on Friday, Feb 20, 2026. -- Photo: BERNAMA

Malaysia:

* Anwar seeks swift passage of Bill limiting PM to two terms

* Anwar holds talks with Singapore PM Lawrence Wong

* Steven Sim hospitalised for extreme fatigue

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

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

* Three rural areas in Sabah declared disaster zones after floods

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

* Unity and harmony vital to preserve Malaysians' well-being, says Tiong

* Police inspector recharged with failing to arrest suspect under Arms Act

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

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

* Cops on the hunt for duo who broke into Sitiawan mosque, stole from donation boxes

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

* Sabah floods: Victims told to prioritise safety as Paitan, Kota Marudu, Pitas declared disaster zones

* 'Don't shoot the messenger', says Nurul Izzah in urging authorities to probe allegations into MACC chief's alleged shareholdings

Singapore:

* Singapore to ease measures against Nipah virus outbreak as condition stabilise

* 22,000 Singapore civil servants to get up to nine per cent pay rise from Aug 1

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

* CBD or Genting? Chilly and wet weather in Singapore as temperature drops to 21 deg C

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

* ‘Dangerous and volatile’ Singapore woman jailed for assaulting four, including cop and elderly victim

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

* Singaporean host-actor Ben Yeo is a workhorse who wants to find success in live-selling

People get their iftar meals from roadside food stalls to break their fast during the second day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. -- AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Indonesia:

* Indonesia agrees to eliminate tariffs on over 99% of US goods, says US trade representative

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

* Indonesia on verge of removing underage accounts from digital platforms

* Indonesia, US sign trade deal, finalising 19 per cent tariff rate and no levy on goods like coffee

* Indonesia: Operations halt after nickel hub landslide kills one

* Indonesia to import 105,000 India vehicles

Thailand:

* Fashion star and ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies in Thailand after balcony fall

* Ukrainian woman arrested in Phuket over US$340mil ponzi fraud case in US

* Thai court extends sentence for lawyer who called for monarchy reform

* Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul moves into contention at her home LPGA tournament in Thailand

* Motorcycling-Aprilia's Martin cleared for MotoGP return at Buriram pre-season test

* Thailand: Birth control to tame wild elephants

Myanmar's Foreign Minister Than Swe and Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow react after bilateral talks, to discuss the way forward in Thailand-Myanmar relations and Myanmar relations with Asean following Myanmar’s general election earlier this year, in Phuket, Thailand. -- Photo: REUTERS/Pattarakrich Kittitananithi

Philippines:

* Ex-Philippine leader Duterte faces pre-trial ICC hearing

* Philippines' Duterte earned global infamy, praise at home

* Four in family die in landslide in Philippines' Mati city

* Philippine Palace not accepting apologies over fake President Marcos medical report

* Philippines: Sara Duterte faces fourth ouster bid over graft allegations

Vietnam:

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

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

* Hanoi retailers see tax compliance, AI as key to survival in 2026

* UN touts panel for 'human control' of AI at global summit

* Ministry proposes restructuring Vietnam Railways Corp into national railway group to spearhead North–South mega project

A woman poses for photos during the Lunar New Year celebrations, known in Vietnam as Tet, at Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi on Friday, February 20, 2026. -- Photo by Amaury PAUL / AFP

Myanmar:

* Malaysia: Police seek public help to locate Myanmar teen missing since Jan 31

* Resistance leader in Myanmar turns himself in to army after clashing with rival force

* Stocks dip and oil climbs as Trump ramps up Iran threats

* Bid to bring Myanmar back - Thailand hopes to bring Myanmar back into Asean nearly five years after a military coup

Cambodia:

* Two Cambodian journalists appeal treason convictions over a photo from Thai border clash

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

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

* EU deforestation regulations seen as opportunity for Cambodia's exporters

* Cambodian national dies in ICE custody in Indiana

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines returns the ball to Coco Gauff of the US during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship quarter-final match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. -- AP Photo/Altaf Qadri

Laos:

* Outspoken Laos lawmaker's election exit sparks rare dissent

* Luang Namtha prepares to receive 1.4 million tourists

* Lao Health Ministry outlines plans to advance nursing

Brunei:

* Seasonal boost pushes Brunei business sentiment into positive territory

* Brunei court imposes hefty fine on Indonesian for illicit goods possession

* Makkah's grand mosque welcomes Muslims on the first Friday of Ramadan

TOPSHOT - Visitors take photos of the plum blossoms blooming at Yushima Tenjin Shrine in Tokyo, during its Plum Festival, a springtime sight in Tokyo where around 300 white and red plum trees can be enjoyed at the shrine. -- Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP

AseanPlus:

* Ringgit closes higher against greenback on cautious market sentiment

* Fashion designer Jovian Mandagie fails in appeal against bankruptcy order

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

* Malaysian comedian Nigel Ng, aka Uncle Roger, set to become a father

* Over 37 tonnes of e-waste seized in Port Klang by AKPS

* China's Dunhuang draws more tourists in winter

* Australia’s jobless rate stays low, hiring firm

* India chases 'DeepSeek moment' with homegrown AI models

* Chinese scientists develop AI model to push deep-space exploration

* Ex-South Korean president Yoon apologises for martial law crisis

* New Zealand seeks to abolish dedicated environment ministry

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

* ‘Roaring new chapter’ for nation’s cheetah population in India

* Japan PM Takaichi warns of China 'coercion', vows security overhaul

* North Korea's Kim opens 9th Party Congress citing economic achievements

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

* Russia says no peace dialogue ongoing with Japan over territorial dispute

* 'Senandung di Kuala Lumpur' concert to light up the capital city this May

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

* Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo

* China on track to finish world’s ‘most difficult’ railway project before 2030

* Chinese military urged to overhaul English teaching to improve language skills

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

* Hong Kong authorities offer support to family of man found dead in Taipei hotel

* Norway moves some of its 60 soldiers in Middle East due to security situation

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

* Peru’s President Jose Jeri ousted after ‘Chifagate’ scandal tied to Chinese contractor

* Spring Festival travel rush dates back to ancient China but only for the rich and powerful

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

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

* Motor racing-Honda battery issue adds to Aston Martin's testing woes

* Badminton: Sze Fei-Izzuddin agree to Thomas Cup, Asian Games, says Rexy

* Badminton: Chong Wei meets Zii Jia, Jin Wei at BAM over Thomas-Uber Cup talk

* Badminton: New coach Zakry seeks stronger back-up behind Pearly-Thinaah

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

* winter Olympics - Level up as Aruwin finishes as best Asian in women’s slalom