Nation

‘No Navy escort needed for M’sian vessels in Hormuz’

MELAKA: There is no need for the Royal Malaysian Navy to escort Malaysian vessels after Iran cleared them to exit the Strait of Hormuz, says Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

Bangladesh

Emergency measles vaccinations launched amid deadly outbreak

THE country is conducting emergency measles-rubella vaccinations while trying to contain an ongoing outbreak that has killed more than 100 children in less than a month.

Vietnam

Big bet on mega-projects

The world's largest stadium, South-­East Asia's biggest exhibition hall and hundreds of major road, aviation and energy projects.

Japan

Japanese PM Takaichi speaks with Iranian President by phone, believed to urge dialogue, free movement in Strait of Hormuz

TOKYO: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held telephone talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday (April 8), her first contact with a leader in that country since the United States and Israel launched strikes against it in late February.

China

China says 'welcomes' Middle East ceasefire agreement

BEJING: China said on Wednesday (April 8) it welcomed a ceasefire in the Middle East, underlining its role in encouraging a deal between the United States and Iran to pause hostilities for two weeks.

Thailand

Thailand reduces diesel prices by 2.14 baht from Thursday (April 9)

BANGKOK: (Bernama) Thailand will cut diesel prices by 2.14 baht (RM0.27) per litre from Thursday (April 9). Offering immediate relief to motorists and businesses ahead of the Songkran festival.

Thailand

Thailand’s Songkran 2026 alcohol rules: hours, fines and penalties explained

BANGKOK: A look at Thailand's latest alcohol control rules for Songkran 2026, from sales hours and fines to penalties for selling to under-20s or intoxicated customers

Bangladesh

Ousted PM Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Kamal to be returned under extradition treaty, Bangladesh and India agree

DHAKA: Bangladesh has formally requested India to extradite ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal -- both sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (April 8, 2026)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Wednesday (April 8, 2026)

Singapore

Analysis - Middle East conflict will continue to be bad news for Singapore, but positives can be drawn from its response

SINGAPORE: For anyone who followed Parliament's proceedings on Tuesday (April 7), news that the United States and Iran have reached a two-week truce would have been cold comfort.

South Korea

Fight for recognition of same-sex marriage reaches Korea's most conservative regions

SEOUL: A legal battle seeking recognition of same-sex marriage expanded into South Korea's southeastern region on Wednesday (April 8), as couples in Daegu, Busan and Ulsan simultaneously filed lawsuits against local governments' refusals to process their marriage registrations.

Thailand

Man fined US$300 for entering hippo Moo Deng's pen: Thai zoo

BANGKOK: A Thai court has fined a man US$300 after he broke into the enclosure of Moo Deng, an endangered baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation, the zoo director said Wednesday (April 8).

Nation

Ceasefire won't immediately stabilise oil, gas prices, say experts

KUALA LUMPUR: The ceasefire agreement in West Asia between the United States and Iran is unlikely to bring immediate relief to global oil and gas markets, as extensive damage to energy infrastructure is expected to take years to repair, analysts say.

India

Congress leader questions India’s diplomacy over Middle East ceasefire

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday (April 8) reacted sharply to the reported two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, saying the development would be cautiously welcomed worldwide while questioning the Centre's handling of foreign policy.

Myanmar

Myanmar clients sue Norway's Telenor for giving data to junta

OSLO: Myanmar customers of the Norwegian telecoms group Telenor have sued the company for sharing their sensitive personal data with the junta, in a civil class action lawsuit filed in Norway on Wednesday.

Pakistan

Pakistan to host US-Iran ceasefire talks on Friday (April 10)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday (April 8) that Islamabad would host delegations from the United States and Iran later this week following their ceasefire announcement.

AseanPlus News

Facts about the Strait of Hormuz since its negotiated reopening

PARIS: Here are the latest key facts about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane that Iran has agreed to reopening if the US-Israeli attacks cease, with two ships passing since.

Nation

Over 210 tonnes of e-waste seized in Port Klang

PETALING JAYA: A total of 210 tonnes of electronic and scheduled waste have been seized during an integrated enforcement operation at Port Klang under Ops Green Shield 20.

AseanPlus News

Pope Leo welcomes Middle East ceasefire, urges dialogue

ISTANBUL: (Bernama-Anadolu) Pope Leo on Wednesday (April 8) welcomed a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran and urged all parties to engage in dialogue to end the conflict, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

Philippines

Philippines' President Marcos back to normal routine amid health speculations

MANILA: (Bernama-PNA) President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (April 8) dismissed rumours about his health, assuring the public that he has been back to his regular routine for the past few months, Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported