AseanPlus News

New Zealand electric vehicle sales soar during petrol price pinch

WELLINGTON: Electric vehicle sales in New Zealand more than tripled in March according to official government figures released this week.

Nation

Passenger falls on tracks at Abdullah Hukum Station

KLANG: An incident involving a passenger who fell onto the tracks at Abdullah Hukum Station at 6.09pm on Friday (April 3) temporarily disrupted train services between Universiti, Kerinchi and Abdullah Hukum stations.

Philippines

Philippine palace debunks ‘energy lockdown’ claim as fake news

MANILA: Malacanang on Friday (April 3) labelled as fake news a circulating "announcement" supposedly from the Department of Energy (DOE) claiming there would be an energy lockdown starting April 20, 2026.

Laos

Laos reports over 16,000 fire hotspots amid rising air pollution

VIENTIANE: The Lao Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported 16,395 fire hotspots nationwide in the first three months of 2026, raising concerns over worsening air quality and health risks posed by transboundary haze, as pollution across the country rise to harmful levels.

China

Chinese Politburo member Ma Xingrui under probe by anti-graft watchdog

BEIJING: Ma Xingrui, a member of China's elite Politburo, is under investigation over suspected "serious violation of law and discipline", becoming the latest senior Chinese leader to fall under the anti-graft watchdog's scrutiny

South Korea

Rain, wind to shorten South Korea’s peak viewing window for cherry blossoms

SEOUL: Cherry blossoms are reaching peak bloom across South Korea this week, but rain and strong winds forecast for the weekend could shorten the viewing period, the Korea Meteorological Administration said

Cambodia

Expats in Cambodia champion Khmer identity through traditional dress

PHNOM PENH: A multinational group of individuals has drawn widespread online attention after showcasing Khmer traditional clothing at Angkor Wat. Their move highlights what some people are calling a growing trend of foreigners actively promoting Cambodia's cultural heritage, despite some criticisms from netizens of Thailand.

Forex

Ringgit revisits 4.02 level against US dollar on easing energy supply concerns

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit rebounded to the 4.02 level against the US dollar at the close today, as the Iran-Oman energy transit talks eased concerns over supply disruptions.

Indonesia

Indonesia to repatriate slain peacekeepers as Lebanon violence escalates

JAKARTA: Indonesia is coordinating closely with the United Nations to repatriate the bodies of three Indonesian peacekeepers killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon last week, the Foreign Ministry has confirmed, with the remains expected to return home in the next few days.

Thailand

Thailand faces 'worst energy crisis in history' as diesel prices treble

BANGKOK: Thailand is grappling with its most severe energy crisis on record, with the government moving to seize "windfall profits" from refineries to prevent a total collapse of the country's fuel subsidy mechanism

North Korea

North Korea's Kim pets puppies, kittens at Pyongyang pet shop

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un petted puppies and kittens with his delighted daughter as they toured a new Pyongyang housing district, state media said Friday (April 3).

Philippines

Seven injured after part of ceiling at Manila airport collapses

MANILA: A section of the ceiling at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1's arrival extension area collapsed in Manila on Good Friday (April 3).

Nation

Immigration Dept cripples 'Geng Ashraf' migrant smuggling syndicate, 30 detained

PETALING JAYA: The Immigration Department has crippled a migrant smuggling syndicate known as "Geng Ashraf" following a raid on a house used as a transit point in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

Nation

Over nine million Malaysians have saved RM2.8bil due to energy incentives

KUALA LUMPUR: About 9.2 million electricity consumers in Peninsular Malaysia have benefited from the Energy Efficiency Incentive, with total savings amounting to RM2.8bil since its introduction, aimed at easing the financial burden amid the global energy crisis.

Singapore

‘Price of everything is increasing’: Daily life in Singapore takes hit from Iran war

SINGAPORE: The impact of the Iran war has so far been relatively contained in Singapore, with no emergency measures or work-from-home orders, unlike in many countries around the world

World

World food price rise set to continue if Iran war lasts, FAO says

PARIS, April ⁠3 (Reuters) - World food prices climbed in March to their highest level since September last year ⁠and could rise further if the Middle East conflict that pushed up energy prices continues, ‌the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday.

China

China urges respect for Palestinian rights after Israel passes death penalty law

BEIJING: China called on Friday (April 3) for Palestinians' rights to be protected after Israel approved a bill to allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks.

Vietnam

Quang Ninh launches round-the-clock medical service for tourists at Ha Long Bay

QUANG NINH: The northern province of Quang Ninh has officially deployed round-the-clock medical teams on Hạ Long Bay starting Thursday (April 2) to provide immediate first aid and handle health emergencies for tourists.

Philippines

Smuggled ketamine from Netherlands found in cable spool at Philippine port

MANILA: A shipment of ketamine worth P30.78 million (US$500,000) from the Netherlands was intercepted at the Port of Clark, the Bureau of Customs said on Good Friday.

AseanPlus News

Human remains found on Thai ship hit in Hormuz; families of three missing crew notified

BANGKOK: The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms search teams have found remains on the damaged commercial vessel, Mayuree Naree, after a fire and flooding in the engine room.