Laos

Security officials issue rules to ensure orderly conduct over Lao New Year

VIENTIANE: The Vientiane Public Security Headquarters has announced wide-ranging measures aimed at curbing noise levels, fireworks, water play, and inappropriate road use to ensure safety, preserve traditions, and maintain public order during the Lao New Year festival.

Nation

Three Bangladeshis charged with kidnapping compatriot

SEREMBAN: Three Bangladeshis claimed trial in the Sessions Court here to a joint charge of kidnapping a fellow countryman for ransom.

Markets

ACE Market hopeful Inspace Creation in underwriting deal with TA Securities

KUALA LUMPUR: Inspace Creation Bhd has signed an underwriting agreement with TA Securities Holdings Bhd for its initial public offering (IPO) on Bursa Malaysia's ACE Market.

Nation

394 arrested, RM216mil in seizures in nationwide e‑waste crackdown since Jan 1

KUALA LUMPUR: From Jan 1 to April 9, a total of 394 individuals were arrested, with overall seizures amounting to RM216mil.

Nation

Global energy recovery to take up to five years, PM says after talks with Emir of Qatar

PUTRAJAYA: Global energy supplies will take up to five years to fully recover from the destruction of the Middle East conflict even if the war ends tomorrow, warns Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Social media

China says investigating 'malicious' cyberbullying of teen diving star

China's top sports authority said on Wednesday it was investigating "malicious" online attacks against teenage diving sensation Quan Hongchan.

Myanmar

Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing appoints new cabinet, military still dominates

YANGON: Myanmar's parliament approved a list of 30 ministers to serve in the cabinet of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday (Aprl 9) following his appointment as president last week, with the military still holding a dominant role.

Markets

Asian stocks in sober mood as oil rises on Middle East truce doubts

SYDNEY: Asian share markets were in a sober mood on Thursday as cracks quickly began to appear in the fragile Gulf truce, nudging oil prices back up and reminding investors the inflationary fallout would last a long time yet.

Singapore

Eight-year-old boy voices Singapore MRT announcement to mark autism awareness month

SINGAPORE: From April 10 to 12, eight-year-old Muhammad Khalif Muhammad Khair Abdillah's voice will fill MRT station platforms when a train arrives and the doors slide open.

World

Al-Aqsa Mosque reopens after 40-day closure amid US-Israeli military actions

ISTANBUL: Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem was reopened to Muslim worshippers on Thursday (April 9) after a 40-day closure imposed by Israel amid joint US-Israeli military actions against Iran. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), the mosque, located in the Old City, was reopened at dawn, allowing hundreds of Palestinian Muslims to enter the Al-Haram al-Sharif compound. As the gates opened with the morning call to prayer, large numbers of worshippers flocked to the site, many breaking down in tears and performing prostrations of gratitude in the mosque's courtyards. Hundreds of Muslims lined up for the dawn prayer, marking the first congregational worship at the site since its closure. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the compound on April 6 while it remained closed. Israel had fully closed access to Al-Aqsa Mosque on Feb 28, coinciding with its attacks on Iran, allowing only mosque staff and officials from the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf to pray on site, while other Palestinians were forced to worship in smaller mosques across the city. Authorities also barred Eid al-Fitr prayers from being held at Al-Aqsa this year, marking the first such restriction since Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. During the same period, Israeli authorities also closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of Christianity's holiest sites in Jerusalem. The Israeli government had extended a state of emergency until mid-April but did not clarify whether the mosque would remain closed for the entire duration. – Bernama

Technology

Bessent urges Congress to pass crypto regulation bill

April 8 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury ⁠Secretary Scott Bessent said Congress must pass a bill to create ⁠federal rules for digital assets, reiterating the push for rules ‌that he says will ensure cryptocurrency development and investment remain anchored in the U.S.

Nation

Perlis civil servant remanded five days in RM200,000 graft probe

KANGAR: A civil servant in Perlis has been remanded for five days from Thursday (April 9) to assist in the investigation of a bribery case involving about RM200,000.

AI

Patients are using chatbots to fight medical bills, with mixed results

While chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT can help narrow the information divide between patients and providers, they can also dispense flawed advice.

Nation

S. Korean, wanted for cheating back home, nabbed in JB with fake employment pass

JOHOR BARU: A South Korean man on the police wanted list for cheating in his home country has been detained here for using a fake employment pass.

Nation

Melaka orders demolition of controversial shrine-like structure in Serkam

JASIN: The Melaka government has ordered the demolition of a controversial shrine-like structure on Jalan Jeti Anjung Batu–Pantai Siring in Serkam.

Thailand

Thailand's state-run bus operator freezes fares for Songkran

BANGKOK: Thailand's state-run bus operator Transport Co is preparing for a heavy Songkran travel rush by deploying extra buses, increasing daily services to more than 7,000 trips and freezing fares during the main holiday period.

Nation

Transport Ministry in talks with CAAM, MAHB to shield aviation sector from energy crisis

PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry is in discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) over the global energy crisis.

Nation

56 foreign workers nabbed, RM187mil in e-waste seized in Ops Hazard 3.0

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 56 foreign nationals have been arrested, and electronic waste (e-waste) worth RM187mil has been seized in Ops Hazard 3.0, an operation conducted simultaneously across three states on Monday (April 6).

Nation

Perak cloud seeding op a success, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The cloud-seeding operation in Perak has been successful, says Natural Resources and Environment Sustain­ability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.

World

Trump says US military to stay around Iran until Tehran complies with deal

April 8 (Reuters) - ⁠U.S President Donald ⁠Trump said all U.S. ‌ships, aircraft, and military personnel would stay in place in ​and around Iran ⁠until it fully ⁠complied with a deal.