World

Trump ally ties up with Russia's Novatek on natural gas in Alaska, NYT reports

MOSCOW, Feb 20 (Reuters) - American ⁠financier Gentry Beach, who has ties to U.S. President Donald Trump's ⁠family, signed an agreement with Russia's energy giant Novatek last autumn ‌to develop natural gas in Alaska amid Western sanctions against Russia, the New York Times reported on Friday.

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.

Other Sports

Olympics-Crosscountry-Women take on 50km classic race in a first for the Winter Games

TESERO, Italy, ⁠Feb 20 (Reuters) - Female cross-country skiers are preparing to make Olympic history by racing a 50km classic ⁠race on Sunday, marking the first time they have tackled that distance at a Winter ‌Games in an event being met with mixed emotions.

Other Sports

Ukrainian Paralympic team to boycott opening ceremony

MILAN, Italy, ⁠Feb 20 (Reuters) - The ⁠Ukrainian team will boycott ‌the Milano Cortina Paralympics opening ceremony on March 6 in ​Verona, its committee ⁠said on ⁠Friday, after the International Paralympic ⁠Committee ‌allocated 10 combined slots to ⁠Russian and Belarusian athletes.

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

Nation

Plight of two families in Banting fire draws Anwar's attention

KUALA LUMPUR: The plight of two families who lost their homes in a fire at Jalan Nuri, Kampung Seri Cheeding, Banting, two weeks ago has drawn the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Video games

Los Angeles sues Roblox over child exploitation claim

Officials in Los Angeles said Thursday they are suing Roblox, alleging the popular online platform exposes children to sexual content, exploitation and online predators

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

Sabah & Sarawak

Over 400 flee homes as floods hit Kota Marudu, Pitas

KOTA KINABALU: The number of flood evacuees in Kota Marudu and Pitas districts has risen to more than 406 people, involving 124 families from 24 villages.

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

Johor MACC committed to working closely with state govt to enhance good governance, strengthen integrity

PETALING JAYA: The Johor branch of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is committed to working closely with the Johor state government to enhance good governance and strengthen the culture of integrity in the state.

World

Police search royal mansion as investigation into king's brother goes on

SANDRINGHAM, ⁠England, Feb 20 (Reuters) - British police were searching the former mansion of King Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Friday after a ⁠photograph of the royal emerging from a police station was splashed on newspapers around the world.

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.

World

Snow-induced halt to flights in Vienna extended until 1100 GMT

VIENNA, Feb ⁠20 (Reuters) - The suspension ⁠of flights at ‌Vienna Airport on Friday due to heavy snowfall has ​been extended by ⁠three hours ⁠until midday (1100 GMT) and delays ⁠are ‌expected to continue well ⁠beyond then, the company ​said ‌in a statement.

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.

Myanmar

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

BANGKOK: A prominent leader of an independent resistance group in Myanmar that had come under attack by rivals who are loyal to the mainstream opposition force has surrendered to the country's military authorities, state media reported Thursday (Feb 19).