US, Taiwan finalise deal to cut tariffs, boost purchases of US goods
WASHINGTON/TAIPEI (Feb 12): Trump administration officials signed a final reciprocal trade agreement that confirmed a 15% US tariff rate for imports from Taiwan, while committing Taiwan to a schedule for eliminating or lowering tariffs on nearly all US goods. The agreement adds technical language and specific details to a trade framework deal first reached in January that cut tariffs on Taiwanese goods, including from its powerhouse semiconductor industries, to 15% from the 20% initially imposed by Trump. The deal will immediately eliminate Taiwan's tariffs of up to 26% on many US agricultural imports, including beef, dairy and corn. But some tariffs, including the current 40% tariff on pork belly and 32% on ham, will only fall to 10%, according to the tariff schedule. The US said that under the deal, Taiwan will remove non-tariff barriers on motor vehicles and accept US auto safety standards, as well as those on medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 13, 2026 02:57 UTC
Selangor loses millions to cable thieves
Cable thieves targeting streetlight infrastructure have cost Selangor millions of ringgit last year. On road maintenance, Izham said the state was modernising its approach following the success of the jet patcher system introduced as a pilot project last year. He added that Selangor allocated RM10mil annually for these studies on local authority roads. Under the new KJP, Selangor has allocated RM125mil annually from 2026 to 2030 for state road maintenance. The new assets include two excavators, three backhoe loaders, two 18m-skylift lorries and four tipper trucks, which will be used for road maintenance, traffic lights and emergency mobilisation during landslides or floods.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 02:20 UTC
SME awards should open doors to better opportunities, says Sim
KUALA LUMPUR: Awards for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should go beyond just recognising their success, says the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister. Speaking at the launch of the 24th edition of the Enterprise 50 (E50) Awards, Steven Sim said the initiative was a longstanding testament to the resilience of local SMEs and strength of public-private collaboration. Sim said the E50 recognition must go beyond symbolic acknowledgement, stating that such awards should carry an added value. To sustain the programme’s momentum, this year’s E50 Awards was held alongside the E50 Export Conference and E50 Business Matching sessions. Sim said these platforms aimed to expand commercial opportunities, strengthen trade networks and support export growth among local SMEs, mainly for E50 alumni.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 02:10 UTC
Scans cause massive congestion
More than 3,000 lorries have been caught in these massive jams each day, following the implementation of mandatory scanning for all heavy vehicles. KSAB only has one scanner for lorries headed to Singapore. It also does not scan lorries leaving the country, while Malaysia has two scanners to check arriving lorries. The congestion has worsened in recent days with the last-minute rush to send goods to Singapore before the Chinese New Year festive period. A transport operator, who wished to be identified only as Tan, said that previously, the scanners for the export zone operated during specific hours and were switched off during traffic jams to alleviate congestion.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 02:08 UTC
Monkey matters take centre stage in Parliament
HUMAN-wildlife conflict took an unusual turn when Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul (pic) highlighted a persistent monkey presence around the building. In here (the Dewan) it is fine,” he said after Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh responded to a question about human-wildlife conflict involving monkeys. According to Syed Ibrahim, the conflicts incurred nearly RM5mil of economic losses between 2020 and 2025. He said the ministry also has a compensation scheme to assist communities impacted by human-wildlife conflict since 2024. Among the causes of human-wildlife conflict involving monkeys are shrinking animal habitats due to development activities and unsystematic waste management, along with the rapid reproductive rate of the primates.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 01:52 UTC
‘Proxy kowtow’ withdrawn after public outrage
Compiled by ZAKIAH KOYA, ALLISON LAI and R. ARAVINTHANAN ON-DEMAND service platform in China has withdrawn its controversial Chinese New Year “proxy kowtow” service after facing public backlash. According to Nanyang Siang Pau, the platform rolled out a series of proxy New Year greeting packages during the festive season. One package, titled “Proxy Greeting for Elders”, offered to purchase and deliver festive goods, perform a kowtow ritual on behalf of customers, and provide a real-time livestream of the visit. UU helps you fulfil your filial duty.”However, the service quickly sparked criticism online, with many netizens labelling the idea of “proxy kowtowing” as awkward and inappropriate. In one instance, a simple Hokkien greeting – jiak ba buay?
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 01:23 UTC
Giving the gift of time
When they interact with the public, they feel cared for and develop hope for the future,” said Guardian Angels Home deputy director Robert Ong. While the public often donates festive food and daily necessities during the season, Ong said these items carry emotional value beyond practicality. The residents will feel happy and valued to have people accompany them, especially during Chinese New Year,” she added. Yap Yoke Moey of the Sang Riang Senior Citizens’ Home in Triang, Pahang, said supplies often arrive early in the festive season, particularly snacks, cakes, meat and festive clothing. “With 485 elderly residents, we do receive steady supplies, especially during the Chinese New Year,” she said, adding that basic needs are generally met.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 01:15 UTC
Wall St sinks as tech rout deepens on AI angst
Wednesday's stronger-than-expected jobs report fuelled worries the Federal Reserve could now be less likely to cut rates. The S&P 500 software index fell 1.7% for its second straight loss, erasing most of the index's bounce-back from last week's drubbing. "There was weakness in the jobs report on transportation hiring," said Scott Helfstein, head of investment strategy at Global X, referring to Wednesday's jobs report. It was the biggest gainer in the S&P 500 real estate index. The S&P 500 posted 99 new 52-week highs and 32 new lows.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 01:15 UTC
Airbnb forecasts revenue above estimates on premium rentals demand
NEW YORK/BENGALURU (Feb 12): Airbnb on Thursday became the latest travel company to point to resilient premium demand as budget-conscious customers pull back. It could be larger listings, nicer listings or listings in markets that are more expensive," the vacation-rental company said. San Francisco-based Airbnb expects 2026 revenue to increase "at least low double-digits", roughly in line with analysts' estimates of 10.24%. Airbnb's earnings per share came in at 56 cents in the fourth quarter, compared to 73 cents a year earlier. It posted a quarterly revenue of US$2.78 billion, compared to expectations of US$2.71 billion.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 13, 2026 01:10 UTC
Empowering women to roll in the dough
In Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang, community-driven organisations are stepping up to bridge economic gaps, collaborating with local councils to provide skills training that fosters financial independence. This social enterprise has upskilled 260 single mothers from low-income households since it was established 13 years ago. “I find the programme helps participants become pastry chefs or even start a career in marketing, as business training is provided,” she said. He said MBDK provided free skills training and enhanced job opportunities for low-income earners. “Baking bread at home is a cost-effective way to take control of our family’s health, reducing preservatives and refined sugars found in convenience store-bought loaves,” she said.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 01:03 UTC
How to create jobs for the world’s 1.2 billion new workers
But we cannot become casualties of the slow burn simply because the immediate crisis burns hotter or dominates more headlines. Over the next 10 to 15 years, 1.2 billion young people in developing countries will come of working age – a scale the world has never seen. On current trajectories, these economies are expected to generate only about 400 million jobs over that same period – leaving a gap of staggering proportions. It must not be ignored at coming forums like the Munich Security Conference, the Group of Seven and Group of 20. We focus where job potential is greatest, across the five sectors that consistently generate employment at scale: infrastructure and energy, agribusiness, primary healthcare, tourism and value-added manufacturing.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 00:51 UTC
Kerian farmers hope for rainfall
As of 10am yesterday, the water level stood at 6.25m, just above the final warning level of 6.09m. Kerian district has 21,000ha of padi fields as of 2024, according to the Integrated Agriculture Development Area. In Perlis, 771 farmers operating about 720ha of padi fields outside the Muda Agricultural Development Authority area have been affected. Potential padi losses are estimated at 3,240 tonnes and could rise if dry conditions continue, further affecting farmers’ incomes. Farmers have been urged to register with Agrobank and their respective Area Farmers’ Organisation branches to ensure eligibility.
Source:The Star
February 13, 2026 00:46 UTC
Nasdaq 100 sinks 2% as AI jitters roil Wall Street
Besides all the worries over whether AI investments will pay off, fears about disruption have been mounting. “For most of the past three years, investors took a ‘glass half-full’ approach to AI,” noted Sosnick. “There is simply more bad news about AI disruption than good news about AI implementation and margins right now,” said Dennis DeBusschere at 22V Research. “A major theme related to AI is the ‘software scare,’ which is still playing out in equity markets,” he said. “With AI acting both as a driver and a detractor of performance, investors should hold a diversified exposure as they dynamically evaluate the AI landscape,” she said.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 13, 2026 00:30 UTC
Feb 17 set for new moon sighting for Ramadan
KUALA LUMPUR: The new moon to mark the start of Ramadan for Muslims in Malaysia will be sighted next Tuesday (Feb 17) evening, the Office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal announces. Other observation sites include Telok Kemang, Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan; Bukit Melawati, Kuala Selangor; Bukit Jugra, Banting; Kuala Langat; and Selangor Observatory, Sabak Bernam in Selangor. In Terengganu, sites include Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu; Bukit Geliga, Kemaman; Pulau Perhentian, Besut; and KUSZA Observatory, Setiu. Observation points in Kelantan include Bukit Peraksi, Pasir Puteh; Bukit Kampong Tembeling, Kuala Krai; and Menara Bangunan SEDC, Kota Baru. In Sabah, sites include Al-Biruni Observatory, Tanjung Dumpil, Putatan; Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah; and Labuan International Campus.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 23:55 UTC
Oil prices fall on supply forecast, easing risk
HOUSTON: Oil prices dropped on Thursday due to falling demand, retreating fears of renewed Middle East conflict and expected increases in supply. Brent crude oil futures settled at US$67.52 a barrel down US$1.88, or 2.71%. Global oil demand will rise more slowly than previously expected this year, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday, while projecting a sizeable surplus despite outages that cut supply in January. "The fact that President Trump continues to negotiate with Iran would lead to a reduction of geopolitical risk," said Andrew Lipow, president of consultancy Lipow Oil Associates. The IEA forecast offered a "pretty significant" reduction in demand for 2026, Lipow said.
Source:The Star
February 12, 2026 23:45 UTC