Philippines

Kanlaon Volcano emits ash, with plumes measuring 400m

MANILA: Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island emitted ash on Thursday (April 9), producing a grayish plume above its summit crater, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Nation

Woman fined RM2,000 for having smut on her phone

BACHOK: A woman has been fined RM2,000 by the Magistrate's Court here after pleading guilty to a charge of having pornographic material, including videos, on her mobile phone.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka repatriates 125 telecom fraud suspects to China

BEIJING: Sri Lankan police have repatriated 125 individuals suspected of involvement in telecom fraud to China, the Ministry of Public Security of China said on Thursday (April 9).

Vietnam

Central Vietnam braces for peak heat as forecasters warn of worsening conditions

HANOI: A prolonged spell of extreme heat is sweeping across much of Vietnam, with temperatures climbing above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the central region and forecasters warning of heightened risks to public health, energy demand and wildfire outbreaks.

AseanPlus News

Only virtual talks, no new investment push before Xi-Trump summit: Greer

US Trade Representative underscores US seeks substantial tariffs, unhindered rare earth access, and a stability-preserving leaders' meeting

Commodities

Gold steady as investors eye US-Iran ceasefire, brace for inflation data

GOLD prices were steady on Thursday as investors remained cautious about the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with a key U.S. inflation report due later in the day also in focus for interest rate clues.

Thailand

China pledges deeper tech and education links with Thailand

BANGKOK: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China is prepared to broaden cooperation with Thailand in advanced technology and education.

Nation

Dzulkefly withdraws RM5mil defamation suit against Najib, settles out of court

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM5mil defamation suit filed by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad against former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over a Facebook post six years ago has been settled out of court.

Economy

Budi95 is seen as a right step in targeted fuel subsidy reform for Malaysia, says World Bank

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's targeted fuel subsidy reform under BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) is a step in the right direction amid the West Asia crisis as the government seeks to better manage fiscal pressures while ensuring subsidies are distributed more efficiently.

Nation

Zara Qairina: Trial of teacher over spreading of false info resumes in June

SEPANG: The Magistrate's Court here on Thursday (April 9) set June 11 to 12 as the date for the continuation of the trial of a school English teacher who was charged with causing public alarm by claiming that Zara Qairina Mahathir was put in a washing machine.

AseanPlus News

Nepal ex-PM Oli released from custody after 12 days

KATHMANDU: Nepal's ex-prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former interior minister Ramesh Lekhak have been released from custody after questioning for their alleged role in a deadly 2025 crackdown on protesters, police said Thursday (April 9).

AseanPlus News

Indonesian star Ghea Indrawari invites fans to explore her music in her live show at Zepp KL on May 8

Popular Indonesian singer Ghea Indrawari announces her first solo concert in Malaysia, "Rasi Jiwa – Live in Kuala Lumpur," on 8th May 2026, at Zepp Kuala Lumpur.

AseanPlus News

Chinese star Esther Yu captivates her fans as iQIYI Starship 2026 touches down in Kuala Lumpur

iQIYI International Global Ambassador Esther Yu delights Malaysian fans in fine style while celebrating the success of the hit drama 'Speed and Love'.

Indonesia

Shallow Indonesian quake damages houses, injures residents

MAUMERE, Indonesia: A shallow 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia overnight, damaging dozens of homes and injuring multiple people, an official said Thursday (April 9).

Entertainment

K-pop star Cha Eun-woo pays full tax bill, reported at RM35mil

Cha says that he would 'faithfully cooperate with any remaining procedures' and apologised for causing public concern.

Nation

Caretaker pleads guilty to sexual offences involving five boys at children's home

KUALA LUMPUR: A caretaker at an unregistered children's home pleaded guilty in two Sessions Courts on Thursday (April 9) to 15 counts of physical and non-physical sexual assault, as well as acts against the order of nature involving five boys.

India

Millions vote as India begins series of state elections

NEW DELHI: Millions of Indians queued to vote in local elections in two states on Thursday (April 9), kicking off four key contests this month amid a war in the Middle East that has triggered some fuel shortages, even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept domestic prices in check.

Nation

MACC nab former statutory body CEO, company chairman over suspicious share transaction

KUALA LUMPUR: A former chief executive officer of a government-linked statutory body and a company chairman have been remanded over alleged involvement in a suspicious share transaction.

Indonesia

Indonesia probes torpedo-like object found in its waters

JAKARTA: The Indonesian navy said Thursday (April 9) it was investigating a torpedo-like object discovered by a fisherman near the Lombok Strait, a key maritime route connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Philippines

Philippines unveils new coast guard command in disputed South China Sea

THITU ISLAND: The Philippine Coast Guard unveiled on Thursday (April 9) its first dedicated command centre in the Spratly island chain, a flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea that has been the site of repeated confrontations with Chinese vessels