China

HKMA unveils 20-point road map to modernise Hong Kong’s trade finance ecosystem

Project CargoX aims to digitalise Hong Kong's trade finance, expand SME lending and strengthen connectivity with mainland China and Asean

Nation

Online gambling syndicate for foreigners busted in KL

KUALA LUMPUR: An online gambling syndicate catering to foreigners, was dismantled with the arrest of 19 foreigners in an operation in the city.

World

Swiss bar owner faces prosecutors for second hearing after deadly New Year's fire

GENEVA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The ‌owner of a Swiss bar that caught fire ‌on New Year's Day, killing 40 people, appeared ‌before prosecutors on Tuesday for a second set of hearings in the criminal investigation, according to a lawyer present.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (Jan 20, 2024)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Jan 20, 2024)

Nation

Thai police seeking Malaysia’s cooperation in hunt for suspected drug dealer

PASIR MAS: Thai police are seeking the cooperation of local authorities to obtain further information on a Malaysian woman, believed to be a drug dealer, who is suspected of fleeing to Thailand, following the seizure of marijuana worth RM1.82mil by Malaysian police early this month.

Japan

Wreckage of sightseeing helicopter with Taiwanese tourists that went missing in southwest Japan has been spotted

A sightseeing helicopter went missing Tuesday near a volcanic crater on Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan, with wreckage later found in the area.

Thailand

Thailand seizes over 330 million methamphetamine tablets in four-month crackdown; more than RM442mil of assets frozen

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Jan 20 detailed the seizure of over 330 million methamphetamine tablets and the dismantling of several major criminal syndicates.

AseanPlus News

Man running HK marathon while carrying baby gets booted, banned from race and roasted online

In the latest edition of "What was he thinking?", a man ran the Standard Chartered marathon in Hong Kong on Sunday (Jan 18) with his baby in a carrier strapped to his chest.

Entertainment

HK superstar Chow Yun Fat, 70, finishes 10km marathon in 2hrs 23 seconds

He hopes his participation in the marathon will inspire more older people to stay active and take part in sports.

AseanPlus News

Two young first-time drug users in Singapore died after using Ice at home in 2025; police rule out foul play

A young man and woman died after consuming methamphetamine (Ice) at his three-storey home on Jan 31, 2025; both were reportedly first-time users.

Philippines

5.1-magnitude quake hits Mindanao, Philippines, confirms GFZ

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 jolted Mindanao, Philippines, at 1853 GMT on Monday, the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said.

Vietnam

Vietnam leader pledges graft fight as he eyes China-style powers

Vietnam's top leader promised to fight corruption in an address Tuesday to a twice-a-decade congress of the Communist Party, where he is seeking expanded powers similar to China's political structure.

Indonesia

Special investigation announced - Indonesia probes ATR 42 crash on Mount Bulusaraung

Indonesia has opened an investigation into the crash of an Indonesia Air Transport ATR 42-500 on Mount Bulusaraung in South Sulawesi, as search teams continue recovery efforts.

Thailand

Thailand to speed up reforms and boost SMEs to strengthen industrial competitiveness

The Thai government has acknowledged the Senate's proposal to "unlock obstacles facing Thai industry" and will move to accelerate legal reforms, strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

AseanPlus News

Thai forces razed Cambodian homes on the border, says local rights group

Thai forces demolished Cambodian homes in contested border areas after a ceasefire ended clashes between the neighbours, a local rights group said on Tuesday.

Vietnam

Vietnam's top leader To Lam calls for ‘New Model’ to hit 10% growth goal

Vietnam's top leader said the country must pursue a "new model" to reach its 10% growth goal, highlighting the role of technology, private industries and rooting out corruption.

Philippines

Philippine coast guard rescues one and searches for 12 missing after motorboat vanishes

Philippine authorities on Tuesday rescued a crew member of a motorboat and were searching for 12 others including business people who were out fishing for leisure, officials said.

AseanPlus News

UK approves a ‘mega’ Chinese Embassy in London despite criticism of security risks

Britain's government on Tuesday approved a huge new Chinese Embassy in central London despite heavy pressure from lawmakers over its potential security risks.

Badminton

BWF test out new rule at Indonesian Masters

PETALING JAYA: A new rule will be trialled by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) at this week's Indonesian Masters at Istora Senayan in Jakarta, with the introduction of the Time Clock System.

Forex

Ringgit eases slightly against greenback on caution amid renewed US-EU tariff tension

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit eased slightly against the US dollar at the close on Tuesday, as the market sentiment turned cautious amid rising tariff tension between the United States and the European Union.