AseanPlus News

Trump threat against Iran's civilian infrastructure not 'appropriate': Australian PM

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described US President Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure as not "appropriate" on Wednesday (April 8) but welcomed a two-week ceasefire as "positive".

Brunei

New beginnings for 618 Brunei citizens

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah has consented to the awarding of Citizenship Certificates to 618 recipients during the 44th Citizenship Certificate Presentation ceremony at BRIDEX Conference Hall, Kampong Jerudong Tuesday (April 7).

Thailand

Thailand swelters nationwide as storms increase in the North; Bangkok set to hit 40°C

The Thai Meteorological Department says upper Thailand will be hot to very hot on April 8, with hazy skies and isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the North, while Bangkok's high is forecast at 37-40°C.

Myanmar

Myanmar Parliament nominates Soe Thein as chair of new Anti-Corruption Commission

YANGON: A nomination list proposing the appointment of members, including Soe Thein, as Chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission was submitted at the Union Parliament session held Tuesday (April 7).

Singapore

Woman in Singapore charged with causing death of six-year-old girl from Indonesia

SINGAPORE: The car driver who allegedly caused an accident in Chinatown on Feb 6 that left a six-year-old girl dead and her mother seriously injured was charged on Wednesday (April 8).

South Korea

South Korea vows efforts to ensure safe passage of its vessels through Hormuz strait

SEOUL: The government vowed Wednesday (April 8) efforts to help South Korean vessels stuck in the Strait of Hormuz to safely pass through the shipping route after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire with the full reopening of the crucial passage for oil.

Cambodia

20 looted antiquities returned to Cambodia from Asian private collection

PHNOM PENH: Twenty looted Cambodian cultural objects have been repatriated from one of Asia's private collections, said a press release from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts on Tuesday (April 7)

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah must push for proper review of 40% revenue rights, says Kitingan

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs to insist on a proper review of its 40% revenue entitlement and secure its constitutional rights, said Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam secures presidency, tightens grip on power

HANOI: Vietnam's National Assembly elected Communist Party chief To Lam as president on Tuesday (April 7), consolidating the country's top party and state roles in a rare concentration of power as he moves to tighten control and tackle economic headwinds.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sarawak police seize RM1.82mil in illegal e-waste

SIBU: Illegal electronic waste worth RM1.82mil was seized, and 12 people were arrested in a statewide operation in Sarawak on April 6.

Philippines

Philippines’ VP Sara Duterte asks court to halt impeachment case

MANILA: Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte (pic) has asked the nation's top court to stop the impeachment proceedings against her by the House of Representatives, saying the process is unconstitutional and "marred by grave abuse of discretion."

Indonesia

Mount Semeru volcano erupts again in Indonesia

JAKARTA: Mount Semeru, located in Indonesia's East Java province, erupted again on Tuesday (April 7), spewing a massive hot cloud into the sky, according to the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, reported Xinhua.

World

Former Australian soldier to remain in jail after being charged with Afghan war crimes

SYDNEY, April 8 (Reuters) - Australia's ⁠most decorated living soldier will remain behind bars after his legal team did ⁠not seek bail following his arrest over multiple alleged war crimes, local media reported ‌on Wednesday.

Markets

Oil slides below US$100, stocks soar as Trump agrees to two-week ceasefire

SINGAPORE: Oil prices dived, stocks surged and the dollar was knocked back on Wednesday as a two-week Middle East ceasefire sparked a relief rally, fuelled by hopes that oil and gas flows through the Strait of Hormuz could resume.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka unveils US$320mil subsidy to offset energy costs

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka announced on Tuesday (April 7) a record US$320 million relief package for farmers, fishermen and low-income households hit hardest by soaring energy costs due to the Middle East conflict.

Japan

Two dead after 40-metre scaffold collapses in Japan

TOKYO: A 12-storey scaffold collapsed in Japan on Tuesday (April 7), killing two workers and leaving one missing, local media reported.

World

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as Pyongyang dismisses Seoul's diplomacy hopes

SEOUL, April 8 (Reuters) - North Korea fired multiple ballistic ⁠missiles on Wednesday, adding to a launch a day earlier, South Korea's military said, extending a series of tests that have strained hopes in Seoul ⁠for easing tensions.

Singapore

Man arrested in Singapore for possessing prohibited weapons, offensive items

SINGAPORE: A 39-year-old man was arrested for possession of prohibited weapons and offensive items after he was caught firing projectiles from a Potong Pasir home on April 6.

Thailand

Ostrich on a side quest: runaway big bird sprints on Thai highway

BANGKOK: A pet ostrich went for a speedy jaunt down a busy Thai highway on Tuesday (April 7), before being returned safe and sound to its enclosure at an animal-themed cafe.

Forex

Ringgit rebounds to 3.99 against US$ on improved sentiment

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit strengthened to the 3.99 level against the US dollar, supported by improved market sentiment after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week pause in military action against Iran following talks with Pakistani leaders.