AseanPlus News

New Zealand’s National Party hits lowest poll level since 2021

WELLINGTON: New Zealand's governing National Party fell to its lowest level of support since 2021 in a key opinion poll less than five months from a general election.

World

Vietnam urges consumers to save power as heatwave drives record demand

HANOI, June ⁠25 (Reuters) - Vietnam's state utility EVN called ⁠on firms and households to ‌conserve energy on Thursday to ease the strains on the country's power grid, with intense ​heat driving electricity consumption ⁠to record highs.

India

Lawyers for Indian billionaire Adani urge US judge to dismiss criminal case

NEW YORK: Lawyers for Gautam Adani (pic) on Wednesday (June 24) urged a US judge to formally dismiss criminal charges against the Indian billionaire, after the Justice Department said last month it would no longer pursue the prosecution.

China

Hong Kong police arrest booksellers on suspicion of selling seditious publications

HONG KONG: Hong Kong police on Wednesday (June 24) arrested two people on suspicion of selling seditious publications and receiving funds from foreign political organisations, acting under a recent national security law.

Japan

[UPDATE] No major damage after 7.2-magnitude quake off Japan

TOKYO: Saucepans fell out of kitchen cupboards and security cameras wobbled violently but no casualties or major damage were reported when a strong 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan on Thursday (June 25).

Nation

Malaysia maintains stance on Myanmar’s new government amid diplomatic efforts

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has not recognised Myanmar's new government following its election, but is keeping communication channels open to prevent a diplomatic vacuum that could invite external powers to interfere in Asean affairs, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

China

China’s foreign minister urges swift reopening of Strait of Hormuz for global trade

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for the early restoration of normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to help ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the official Xinhua news agency reported on June 24.

South Korea

South Korea launches app to give stalking victims real-time access to suspects’ location

SEOUL: South Korea on June 24 launched a new mobile alert system designed to better protect stalking victims by providing real-time information on suspected stalkers wearing electronic ankle monitors.

Social media

Research: Australia teen social media ban has little impact

Australia's social media ban for under-16s has had little impact on teenagers' scrolling habits, researchers said on June 25 in one of the first evaluations of the world-leading measures.

Nation

Sec-Gen claims Puad quit Umno after son not considered as Rengit candidate

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi quit Umno after the party refused to consider his son as its candidate for the Rengit seat, claims Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

Sabah & Sarawak

Proper plans needed for admissions of six-year-olds into Year 1, says Likas rep

KOTA KINABALU: The Education Ministry must put in place a structured and planned implementation to ensure the success of six-year-old children entering Primary One next year, says Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook.

Brunei

Search underway in Brunei for missing fisherman believed attacked by crocodile

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department are conducting a search operation in Kampong Sungai Bera for a man who went missing and is believed to have been attacked by a crocodile while fishing.

Myanmar

Four illegal Chinese nationals arrested in Myanmar for involvement in online scam and gambling operations

MUSE, Myanmar: Four Chinese nationals residing illegally in Muse Township, northern Shan State, were arrested along with equipment used in online scam and gambling operations, according to local authorities.

Nation

Ikram man charged with money laundering amounting to over RM17.9mil

KUALA LUMPUR: A member of Islamic NGO Ikram has been hauled to the Sessions Court for money laundering amounting to more than RM17.9mil between 2021 and 2025.

Nation

Government to empower Parliament in public prosecutor appointment process

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will strengthen Parliament's role in appointing the public prosecutor under proposed constitutional amendments to separate the functions of the Attorney General (AG) and the public prosecutor.

Laos

Laos holds meeting to regulate illegal foreign workers

VIENTIANE: The Lao authorities held a meeting from Tuesday (June 23) to Wednesday to review the registration and temporary work permit programme for foreign workers previously employed illegally.

Vietnam

Vietnam's Con Dao named world's top hidden island destination

HANOI: Vietnam's Con Dao has topped a list of the world's 30 hidden islands for off-the-grid adventure and seclusion compiled by travel magazine Travel + Leisure, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.

Thailand

Blackpink Lisa’s IG post value soars to BT58mil, underlining Thai soft power

BANGKOK: Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal has set a new global benchmark in media value, with a single Instagram post estimated to be worth more than 58 million baht (US$1.74 million), reinforcing her status as one of the world's most influential Thai-born stars.

Singapore

Vulnerable Singapore seniors can get milk, on top of eggs, under expanded FairPrice fresh protein initiative

SINGAPORE: Vulnerable seniors will be able to add more fresh protein to their diet under an expanded programme by the charity arm of FairPrice Group.

Nation

Johor polls: Onn Hafiz denies allegation of interference in dissolution

JOHOR BARU: Johor Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi strongly denies allegations by Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi that the Johor Palace had directed the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.