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Markets
Bursa ends higher on Gulf optimism
Bursa Malaysia closed higher yesterday with market sentiment improving following reports that Iran may attend a second round of negotiations with the United States in Pakistan.
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Economy
New Zealand inflation stays stubbornly high
New Zealand inflation unexpectedly stayed above the top of the Reserve Bank's (RBNZ) 1% to 3% target in the first quarter, prompting markets to boost bets on a July interest rate hike as the impact of an expected Iran-war driven surge in fuel prices is still to come.
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Forex
Ringgit rises against the greenback
The ringgit strengthened against the US dollar and other major currencies at yesterday's close, despite a firmer US Dollar Index, as investors closely monitored developments and anticipated the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.
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Economy
Thai rice output likely to rise on good weather
Rice exports are another important source of income for Thailand.
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Economy
Thailand weighs huge emergency borrowing decree on twin threats
Thailand is considering issuing an emergency decree authorising the Finance Ministry to borrow 500 billion baht as the government braces for twin threats from soaring energy costs and a looming super El Niño.
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Nation
Undang row raises questions over MB post
PETALING JAYA: Just days before the opening of the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly tomorrow, there is uneasiness in the state, with reports that the four Undang – the ruling chiefs of the state – are seeking the removal of the Mentri Besar.
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Nation
All eyes on Negri assembly
SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan state legislative assembly sitting is usually a quiet affair. But the opening of the assembly tomorrow has become a closely watched one after an unprecedented move to depose the state Ruler.
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Nation
Carbon tax on hold amid Mideast conflict
PETALING JAYA: A plan by the government to impose a carbon tax on industries will be on hold in view of the Middle East conflict, says Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
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Pakistan
Pakistan urges US and Iran to consider extending the 14-day ceasefire beyond Wednesday (Apr 22)
Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday urged the United States and Iran to consider extending the 14-day ceasefire beyond its Wednesday deadline and "give dialogue and diplomacy a chance".
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Nation
MACC arrests enforcement officer over RM11,000 bribery case
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Penang has detained an enforcement officer on suspicion of soliciting and accepting about RM11,000 in bribes in exchange for protecting foreign workers from legal action.
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AseanPlus News
Trump says he expects 'great deal' with Iran, unlikely to extend ceasefire
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he expects the United States to "end up with a great deal" with Iran, adding that he does not anticipate extending the ceasefire due to expire on Wednesday.
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AseanPlus News
34 energy facilities in the Gulf were seriously damaged, Head of IEA says
The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East led to an energy market shock and created the biggest energy crisis compared to all previous global energy crises combined,
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World
Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget includes $750 billion for ships, jets and Golden Dome
WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - The Pentagon on Tuesday unveiled more details of President Donald Trump's $1.5 trillion defense budget request for fiscal year 2027, by far the largest year-over-year increase in defense spending in the post-World War Two era.
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AseanPlus News
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (April 21, 2026)
Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (April 21, 2026)
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World
Sick American basketball player jailed in Indonesia over cannabis gummies pleads for early release
April 21 (Reuters) - Jarred Shaw's globe-trotting basketball career has taken him to 20 different teams across the world but a stint in Indonesia has resulted in the American languishing in jail with deteriorating health after falling foul of the country's notoriously tough anti-narcotics laws. The 35-year-old Texan admitted to importing 132 cannabis gummies but only to help relieve the symptoms of Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract which can be eased by Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as steroids and immunosuppressants. While drug trafficking can be punishable by death in Indonesia, Shaw was last December found guilty of the lesser charge of possession and sentenced to 26 months in prison in Tangerang, the city where he had been playing for the Hawks club in the Indonesian Basketball League. The former Oklahoma State and Utah State forward told Reuters that incarceration had been disastrous for his health and is pleading for international pressure to be put on the Indonesian authorities to release him before he suffers permanent damage.
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Japan
Worker dies after being trapped in equipment at Tokyo Dome amusement park
A female worker inspecting equipment at an amusement park in Tokyo on April 21 was trapped for about five hours and later died, the police said.
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AseanPlus News
Maritime hubs like Singapore critical amid worldwide disruptions, says DPM Gan
Maritime hubs like Singapore are critical in ensuring trade carries on at a time when disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz cascade across the global economy, said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong on April 21.
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Singapore
Malaysia joins roundtable session on Straits of Malacca issues at Singapore Maritime Week 2026
Malaysia took part in a roundtable session in Singapore on Tuesday to discuss the current situation in the Strait of Malacca, in line with its commitment to ensuring that freedom of navigation in the area continues to be safeguarded.
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Entertainment
Martial arts star Sammo Hung makes rare public appearance with wife at Hong Kong Film Awards
Reports from Hong Kong media indicated that the couple were in high spirits as they walked the red carpet and posed for photos.
