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China

Beijing announces China FM Wang Yi to visit Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar

BEIJING: Beijing said on Tuesday (April 21) that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar from Wednesday through Sunday, with Cambodia expected to feature prominently on the trip through a new high-level security and diplomatic format.

Nation

Perak confident in drawing investors despite BYD uncertainty, says MB

IPOH: Although the state is disappointed regarding Chinese EV manufacturer BYD, it hopes the issue will not discourage other investors, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Banking

Indonesia's central bank holds rates unchanged as expected

JAKARTA: Indonesia's central bank kept policy rates unchanged on Wednesday to anchor the rupiah's stability amid the war in Iran, as expected, with the currency already hitting record lows multiple times this month.

Football

Soccer-Bellingham buys minority stakes in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix

April 22 (Reuters) - ⁠England international Jude Bellingham has acquired ⁠a minority stake in The ‌Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix, co-owners Warwickshire County Cricket Club said on Wednesday.

AseanPlus News

Fiji villagers reject Australian's plan for 'Pacific ashtray' in beach paradise

SYDNEY: An Australian billionaire's plan to burn rubbish for energy in Fiji amounts to "waste colonialism" and risks spoiling a "beach paradise", villagers and the Pacific nation's UN ambassador said.

Sabah & Sarawak

Nadma calls for disaster coordination

KOTA KINABALU: The National Disaster Management Agency says disaster response and management require continued coordination among agencies, academics, security forces and the public.

North Korea

North Korean hackers suspected of US$300mil crypto heist

SEOUL: A notorious North Korean hacking group is likely behind the theft of nearly US$300 million in cryptocurrency over the weekend, an affected party has said, in the biggest known crypto heist this year.

China

Climbing lamp posts cross-legged challenge goes viral in China with players often needing rescue

BEIJING: A Chinese woman who tried to copy a recently viral lamp post climbing challenge got herself stuck and had to call the police to rescue her.

Markets

Japan's Nikkei rises to record closing high on tech boost

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average rose for a third consecutive session and hit a record closing high on Wednesday, supported by heavily weighted tech stocks, though uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks tempered sentiment.

Brunei

Suspect linked to impersonation scam syndicate arrested in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) arrested a suspect believed to be involved in an impersonation scam syndicate, following information received from the public during an operation yesterday morning by the Brunei-Muara Police District in collaboration with the Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CCID) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Other Sports

Mexico pledges World Cup safety after shooting at ancient pyramids

MEXICO CITY, April ⁠21 (Reuters) - Top Mexican officials on Tuesday vowed to ensure safety ahead of the World Cup soccer matches following a shooting at ⁠the famed Teotihuacan pyramids that killed a Canadian tourist, and said the gunman appeared to have been influenced by violent ‌incidents abroad.

Singapore

Man convicted of human trafficking in Singapore after recruiting woman for sexual exploitation in Dubai

SINGAPORE: A man who promised to marry a Singaporean woman, only to make her perform sex work in Dubai later, has been convicted of human trafficking.

Entertainment

Donny and Marie's brother Alan Osmond dies at 76 following lengthy MS battle

He is survived by his wife, eight sons, 30 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Fashion

Livelihoods, transparency, accountability: Responsible fashion beyond materials

The conversation is shifting beyond the environment to how responsibility in the fashion industry is measured, not just in emissions saved, but in how livelihoods are impacted.

Family

This school in Kenya is addressing students with special needs like no other

Teachers in the school use hands-on lessons and multi-sensorial approach to reading when teaching kids with dyslexia and other disabilities.

Animals

Koala-detecting dog Bear, the hero of the Australian bush fires, retires

The dog is called Bear and he made headlines around the world as a master sniffer for injured koalas. Now, at 11, the four-legged helper is retiring.

AI

Young Chinese use AI to launch one-person firms over job anxiety

Young Chinese, many who fear age discrimination in their workplace after turning 35, are increasingly starting "one-person companies" that have artificial intelligence do most of the work.

Nation

Federal Court rules caning is constitutional

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has dismissed review applications by three prisoners seeking to set aside their whipping sentences, ruling that the punishment is constitutional.

Commodities

Gold rises as oil weakens after US extends ceasefire with Iran

GOLD prices rose on Wednesday as lower oil prices, following a U.S. extension of a ceasefire with Iran, eased fears of an inflation spike and prolonged high interest rates.

Nation

Divorced woman, children threatened over ex-husband’s loan shark debt

KUALA LUMPUR: A 50-year-old woman who works as a manager is living in fear with her children after being repeatedly harassed by loan sharks over an alleged debt incurred by her ex-husband, despite their divorce last year.