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).

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.

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

Nation

Cabinet approves National Disaster Management Council to boost crisis response

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has approved the establishment of the National Disaster Management Council, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Nation

Myanmar man charged with woman's murder

SEREMBAN: A 41-year-old Myanmar national has been charged at the Magistrate's Court here with the murder of a female compatriot.

China

China tankers join line to test Hormuz exit and Iran truce

BEIJING: Two fully laden Chinese oil tankers are waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz, putting them in a position to become the first such vessels to leave the Persian Gulf under a day-old US-Iran ceasefire, even as shipowners scrutinise the status of the narrow waterway.

Indonesia

Batam ferries cut Singapore trips amid soaring fuel prices

JAKARTA: Surging fuel costs as a result of the United States-Israeli war on Iran have forced a cutback in ferry services between Batam, Riau Islands, and neighboUring Singapore.

Social media

You're being watched: Japan battles online abuse of athletes

Japan is fighting back against online abuse of athletes and sports authorities have a warning for trolls planning to target competitors at this year's Asian Games: You are being watched.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia lower at midday as Middle East negotiations stall

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia ended the morning trading session lower despite positive Wall Street performance overnight as negotiations in West Asia appeared to stall less than a day after a ceasefire agreement was reached.

Cambodia

What does a scam compound actually look like? And what happens to those in it when it shuts?

O'SMACH, Cambodia: A notebook lies open on a table littered with keyboards and industrial USB hub ports with charging cables left plugged in. One entry in English reads: "I'm single and I've been busy with work in recent years. So I rarely make new friends. I'm from Singapore. From which country are you from?"

Badminton

Tang Jie-Ee Wei march into Asian C'ships quarters

PETALING JAYA: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei powered into the quarter-finals of the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China after a comfortable win over India's Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto on Thursday (April 9).

Economy

World Bank raises Malaysia's 2026 growth forecast to 4.4% on strong domestic demand

KUALA LUMPUR: The World Bank Group has raised Malaysia's economic growth forecast for 2026 to 4.4 per cent from 4.1 per cent, citing resilient domestic demand, its lead economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, said.

China

China woman, 89, climbs from 27th to 21st floor of building to escape locked bedroom goes viral

BEIJING: A brave 89-year-old grandmother climbed from the 27th to the 21st floor on her building's outer wall after accidentally locking herself in, shocking many people online.

AI

Waiting for DeepSeek: new model to test China's AI ambitions

For weeks now, the global tech industry has been waiting for a major artificial intelligence launch from DeepSeek, seen as a benchmark for China's progress in the fast-moving field.

AseanPlus News

Nepal issues arrest warrant for ex-PM Deuba in graft probe

KATHMANDU: Nepal has issued an arrest warrant for former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for alleged corruption, officials said Thursday (April 9), making him the latest high-profile figure targeted under the new government.

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.

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.