The Rubio-Lavrov meeting is happening against the backdrop of Washington resuming arms shipments to Ukraine, which was not well-received by Russia. Trump has increasingly become critical of his Russian counterpart Putin,

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart will meet Thursday in Malaysia for what could be a testy conversation as tensions between the countries rise over Moscow's increasing attacks on Ukraine and questions about whether Russia's leader is serious about a peace deal.

Malaysia's central bank cut interest rates for the first time in five years on Wednesday, as global trade uncertainties threaten the export-oriented economy, raising the prospect it may lower borrowing costs again this year to shield the economy.

Bank Negara Malaysia cut the overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% on Wednesday, the first easing since July 2020.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim slammed on Wednesday trade tariffs as regional foreign ministers gathered in Kuala Lumpur for a three-day meet,

Tariff concerns will likely weigh on Malaysia’s currency, stocks and economy in the near term, according to analysts, after the country’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time in five years.

The 25% tariff imposed by the United States on Malaysia has sent jitters through the manufacturing sector, with many warning of cancelled orders and a potential wave of business closures.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday urged Southeast Asian countries to "act with purpose" and enhance trade among each other in the face of global uncertainty, as regional foreign ministers met amid renewed jitters over U.