LATEST NEWS   PM Anwar, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Petronas and Turkmenistan authorities-- PMO | At 6 pm, the ringgit eased to 4.1340/1395 versus the US dollar from Thursday's close of 4.1145/1195 | The collaboration opens up space for more strategic engagements in future, including exploring the great potential of Turkmenistan's natural gas sector, which has among the world's largest gas reserves - PMO | Gabungan Kelab Media Malaysia (GKMM) state affiliates receive RM10,000, GKMM receive RM30,000 from Communications Ministry - Fahmi | The achievement comes as Malaysia and Turkmenistan mark 30 years of cooperation in the energy sector, which has been a key pillar of bilateral relations between the two countries -- PMO | 

Rubber Market Ends Lower Amid Mixed Regional Rubber Market Performances

By Engku Shariful Azni Engku Ab Latif

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian rubber market closed lower on Monday, weighed down by mixed performances in the regional rubber futures markets, a dealer said.

She said market sentiment was influenced by ongoing uncertainties surrounding the US economic outlook and the escalating Middle East crisis.

"Nevertheless, further losses were limited by rising crude oil prices amid optimism over the US-Russia dialogue on a Ukraine ceasefire," she told Bernama today.

She said Thailand's meteorological agency warned of heavy rains and accumulations that may cause flash floods and overflows from Aug 17-18 and Aug 22-23.

At 3 pm, the Malaysian Rubber Board reported that the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber (SMR) 20 was down 7.5 sen to 729 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk slid 3.5 sen to 568.50 sen per kg.

-- BERNAMA