Latest news for 12 February 2026

MALAYSIA

Who’s watching the watchdog?

A damning Bloomberg investigation suggests Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency has been helping a local “corporate mafia” oust founders and seize companies. (Bloomberg $)

Comment: The agency chief denies the allegations and is threatening Bloomberg with legal letters, but the outlet has now hit his organisation three days in a row, publicly thwarting Prime Minister Anwar’s efforts to attract foreign investment. The easy way out for Anwar is to just let the graft-buster’s contract expire in May.

VENEZUELA

Welcome back.

US energy secretary Chris Wright has had an upbeat meeting with interim leader Rodriguez, a day after the US authorised more US tech, goods, and services for use in Venezuela’s oil & gas sector. It might be the most senior US visit to Venezuela in decades, with Wright urging Caracas to do more to facilitate investment. (Al Jazeera)

Comment: There are still mixed views on where to next: the main US energy stats agency just foreshadowed a possible 20% crude output bump in the coming months, presumably in response to low-hanging fruit like the above new US license. But just hours ago, France’s TotalEnergies joined the list of energy majors warning Venezuela’s energy sector is still basically uninvestable. Meanwhile back in DC, word is “nothing definitive” came from the Trump-Netanyahu chat on Iran.

UKRAINE

Vote or bust.

There are claims President Zelensky plans to announce on February 24 (the war’s four-year anniversary) both a presidential election and referendum on a prospective peace plan. The Financial Times says the White House has pushed Kyiv to hold both votes by May 15 or risk losing proposed US security guarantees. (FT $)

Comment: Zelensky is denying the FT reports, reiterating Ukraine realistically needs a ceasefire and security guarantees to run any vote. We explored the various difficulties here.

SOUTH KOREA

You can’t say that!

Vietnam has lodged a formal protest after a county-level official from South Korea’s ruling party suggested Seoul should “import young women” from Southeast Asia to help tackle the world’s lowest birth rate. (BBC)

INDONESIA

Troops for Gaza.

Local outlets are again reporting Indonesia’s military is preparing for a potential deployment to Gaza as part of President Trump’s peace plan, though it’s unclear if Jakarta is still envisaging health and reconstruction roles only. President Prabowo just confirmed he’ll attend Trump’s first Board of Peace meeting later this month. (MEE)

BURKINA FASO

You’re banned.

Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has approved a bill banning all political parties, with the junta arguing it’s necessary to curb polarisation. (AfricaNews)

Comment: It reminds us of that classic Homer moment when he covers his car’s dash warning then declares, “problem solved!” But of course, the real objective here is just for the junta to further consolidate control.

COLOMBIA

Assassination attempt.

President Petro says he’s averted another assassination attempt, telling his cabinet his helicopter had to divert out to sea because unspecified people were planning to shoot once he approached his Caribbean coast destination. (France24)

Comment: Colombia has had no shortage of political assassinations over the years, but Petro has had no shortage of hyperbole, either. With Petro termed-out, the bigger picture here is what’s at stake as violence rises ahead of May’s elections.