South Korea

South Korea special counsel seeks 23-year sentence for ex-PM in insurrection appeal

SEOUL: South Korean special counsel team on Tuesday (April 7) sought a 23-year prison term for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (pic) in an appeal of his insurrection case stemming from former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Nation

Negri Sembilan civil servants to work from home two days a week from April 15

SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan government will implement a two-day work-from-home policy each week for its employees beginning April 15, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

Arts

Picasso's anti-war masterpiece 'Guernica' at heart of battle in Spain over location

Picasso's 'Guernica' is at the centre of a dispute in Spain, as Basque leaders urge Madrid to relocate it to the region whose 1937 bombing inspired the work

Cybersecurity

Pro-Iran group takes credit for cyberattacks on Chime, Pinterest

A pro-Iranian cybercrime group has claimed responsibility for cyberattacks on Chime Financial Inc and Pinterest Inc that knocked the websites of both companies offline.

Energy

Acwa pumping US$30bil in China to tap potential in renewables, green hydrogen

ACWA, an energy and water desalination company based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will step up investments in China over the next five years as it seeks to deepen its presence in renewables, water desalination and green hydrogen, a senior executive said.

Nation

‘Thank you for everything’, says Dr Wee in farewell to Ling

KUALA LUMPUR: The passing of former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik is a profound loss not just to the party, but to the nation he served with quiet strength for decades, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Myanmar

Myanmar exports over 2.74mil tonnes of rice in 2025-26 fiscal year

YANGON: Myanmar exported over 2.74 million tonnes of rice and broken rice in the 2025-26 fiscal year (from April 2025 to March 2026), according to the Myanmar Rice Federation on Wednesday (April 8).

Pakistan

How did Pakistan broker a temporary truce between Iran and the US?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary between Iran and the United States to secure a temporary ceasefire and host negotiations to end the war in the Middle East

Football

Soccer-Havertz hails Arsenal turnaround in Champions League win over Sporting

April 8 (Reuters) - Arsenal's 1-0 ⁠win over Sporting in the Champions League quarter-final was a ⁠big turnaround for the English club after the back-to-back ‌defeats in the FA Cup and League Cup, attacker Kai Havertz said.

Vietnam

Newly elected Prime Minister Le Minh Hung outlines five priorities for Vietnam government

HANOI: Speaking after taking the oath of office on Tuesday (April 7), the newly elected Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed that the 14th National Party Congress has clearly defined the vision, objectives, drivers and action programme for a new phase of development.

Nation

Over 100 detained in during Immigration Dept factory raids

CHERAS: A total of 133 illegal immigrants were detained in a joint enforcement operation involving factories at two locations in Shah Alam and Balakong.

Entertainment

K-pop stars Hongjoong & Yunho of Ateez discuss KL show, contract renewals and group chemistry

The talented eight-piece band has a packed year ahead, showcasing both collective synergy and individual talent.

Aviation

Iran war ceasefire Is positive for airlines, IATA’s Walsh says

THE two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is "positive" the aviation industry, but jet fuel and ticket prices will remain elevated for some time, said Willie Walsh, the head of the airline industry's global trade body.

Philippines

Children who can't read risk Philippines’ status as call centre hub

MANILA: The Philippine call centre industry is a juggernaut, employing over a million and generating billions in revenue. Its workers' voices are a familiar sound for callers from around the world. The nation's deep pool of English speakers underpins the country's rise into a global hub for customer service outsourcing.

Other Sports

Olympics-ROC to compensate Russian athletes who missed Milano Cortina Games

April 8 (Reuters) - The Russian ⁠Olympic Committee (ROC) have said they will make cash ⁠payments to 116 athletes from the country who were ‌unable to compete at the Milano Cortina Winter Games this year.

Cybersecurity

Inside a huge compound on Thailand-Cambodia border where 10,000 workers scammed people globally

Scam compounds have mushroomed across Southeast Asia since the pandemic. Inside these industrial-scale complexes, workers attempt to lure unsuspecting targets from countries all across the world in sophisticated online-based scams.

Cricket

Cricket-Teen tornado Sooryavanshi aces Bumrah test in IPL

NEW DELHI, April 8 (Reuters) - ⁠Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fast-rising reputation as Indian cricket's next big thing faced its sternest ⁠test in Tuesday's Indian Premier League (IPL) clash against Mumbai Indians, and the 15-year-old ‌Rajasthan Royals opener came through with flying colours, bossing Jasprit Bumrah - arguably the finest all-format bowler of his generation - with nonchalant aggression.

Indonesia

Surabaya blocks public services for 8,000 men failing to pay child support

JAKARTA: The Surabaya administration in East Java has barred more than 8,000 men from accessing public services for failing to pay court-ordered child support following their divorces, an official said.

Markets

Vietnam set for US$6bil inflows after securing long-awaited emerging market status

HANOI: Vietnam's stock market regulator expects FTSE Russell's long-awaited confirmation of the country's emerging market status will help draw foreign capital back to a market that has suffered from steady selling this year.

Nation

Cloud seeding in Kedah, Perlis successful, continues in Perak today, says Zahid

PUTRAJAYA: Cloud seeding operations (OPA) carried out yesterday were deemed successful, with data from observation stations and the Malaysian Meteorological Department's MyRAE system showing significant rainfall distribution in two states, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.