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North Korea

North Korea's Kim oversees test of high-thrust engine: KCNA

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a ground test of an upgraded solid-fuel rocket engine, state media reported on Sunday (March 29), in the latest sign of Pyongyang's push to enhance its strategic weapons arsenal.

Brunei

Brunei aims to prevent children being born out of wedlock

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Based on figures recorded by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Department of Immigration and National Registration (JIPK), there were a total of 2,054 births over an eight-year period from 2019 up to the first three months of 2026, which alone recorded 33 births.

Nation

Kedah Education Dept to decide on PdPR based on MetMalaysia readings

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah State Education Department (JPN) will continue to monitor temperature readings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) before deciding whether the implementation of Home-Based Teaching and Learning (PdPR) in the state will be continued.

Laos

Progress made in state auditing, but recovery of losses remains a challenge in Laos

VIENTIANE: The State Audit Organisation uncovered billions of kip in financial discrepancies over the past five years, but only about 20 percent of misspent funds was recovered, despite stronger efforts on the part of state auditors.

Nation

60ha of Rompin oil palm plantation fire brought under control, says Bomba

KUANTAN: Nearly 60ha of a fire spanning 300ha of an oil palm plantation in Rompin has been put out as of 5pm Saturday (March 28).

Cambodia

Hundreds join fun run in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH: Hundreds of people took part in a five-km fun run along the Mekong riverbank here in the capital of Cambodia on Saturday (March 28) to celebrate the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Week 2026 and the LMC's 10th anniversary.

Nation

Strong quake hits Banda Sea, no tsunami threat to Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no tsunami threat to Malaysia following a strong earthquake that struck Banda Sea, Indonesia, early Sunday (March 29) morning.

Nation

Heatwave recorded in four Kedah districts as of 6am

KUALA LUMPUR: Four districts in Kedah, namely Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Pendang and Baling, recorded a Level Two heat wave as of 6am Sunday (March 29).

Myanmar

Myanmar plans upgraded barcode and QR code system for petrol stations on Yangon–Mandalay Highway and in cities nationwide

YANGON: An upgraded barcode and QR code system is being introduced at petrol stations along the Yangon–Mandalay Highway and in cities across regions and states.

Thailand

Anutin apologises for disruption, vows support for vulnerable groups in Thailand

BANGKOK: Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Saturday (March 28) apologised for disruptions caused by fuel price management and outlined measures to cushion the impact on vulnerable groups and key sectors.

Singapore

Singaporean teen learnt to speak more than 10 languages, with help from Harry Potter

SINGAPORE: While browsing online shopping platform Taobao in 2021, Loy Xing-Yi found a Tibetan copy of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and bought it.

Pakistan

Pakistan to host Saudi, Turkey, Egypt for talks on Middle East conflict

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's prime minister said he had a "detailed" call with Iran's president on Saturday (March 28), as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey gathered in Islamabad for talks on the conflict in the Middle East.

Nation

Raising the bar for other guys: Syed Saddiq praised for 'forward-thinking' engagement gifts

PETALING JAYA: The engagement ceremony between Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and actress-singer Bella Astillah has captured public attention, particularly for its unique and meaningful choice of hantaran (engagement gifts) centred on planning for the future and family wellbeing.

Philippines

Manila, Beijing resume talks on South China Sea, energy security

MANILA/HANOI: The Philippines and China have resumed high-level talks this week over the disputed South China Sea, exploring preliminary steps toward oil and gas cooperation while addressing energy and fertiliser supply issues amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, the Philippine foreign ministry said.

Indonesia

Haze threat looms as Indonesia battles early forest fires ahead of El Nino

JAKARTA: Indonesia is bracing itself for an unusually harsh and prolonged dry season in 2026, with forest and land fires already on the rise even ahead of the onset of El Nino.

Video games

After K-pop and K-drama, here come K-games

The open-world fantasy Crimson Desert looks like the latest example of South Korea's evolution into a gaming powerhouse.

World

Australia LNG disruptions continue after Narelle, thousands without power

SYDNEY, March 29 (Reuters) - Australia's liquefied ⁠natural gas production remained disrupted and thousands were without power in ⁠the remote northwest on Sunday, more than a week after the ‌Narelle storm system hit the country.

AseanPlus News

Oli held over uprising bloodshed

Former prime min­is­­ter KP Sharma Oli and ex-home minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested over their alleged involvement in a deadly crackdown on protesters in Sep­t­ember, police said.

Myanmar

Increase in public bus passengers

The Yangon Bus Service, the main public bus network in Yangon, has seen passenger numbers rise following the introduction of the odd-even licence plate system to reduce fuel consumption, the state-owned daily Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

Cambodia

Electric vehicles gaining popularity

The country had registered a total of 10,363 electric cars or electric vehicles (EVs) from 2021 to February 2026, Ministry of Pub­lic Works and Transport spo­kes­person Phan Rim said.