Technology

Ping-pong robot Ace makes history by beating top-level human players

April 22 (Reuters) - An autonomous robot ping-pong player dubbed Ace has ⁠achieved a milestone for AI and robotics in Tokyo by competing against and sometimes defeating top-level human players at table tennis, a feat that could presage an array of ⁠other applications for similarly adept robots.

World

Russia to stop Kazakh oil flows to German PCK refinery via Druzhba

FRANKFURT/MOSCOW, April ⁠22 (Reuters) - Russia will stop the supply of Kazakh crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline to Germany from May ⁠1, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday, forcing a major refinery near Berlin to make ‌up the shortfall from elsewhere.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Wednesday (April 22, 2026)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Wednesday (April 22, 2026)

Nation

Investigation paper on Durian Tunggal shooting case being studied, says AGC

KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) is studying and examining the investigation papers into the shooting incident that caused the deaths of three individuals in Durian Tunggal, Melaka in November last year.

World

Hungary's next government vows to open communist-era secret police archives

BUDAPEST, April 22 (Reuters) - Hungary's ⁠new government will open up the historical archives of its communist-era ⁠secret police, according to the man who will run the ‌office of Peter Magyar, winner of this month's parliamentary election, who is expected to become prime minister on May 9.

Technology

Italy is euro zone laggard on AI usage, official data shows

ROME, April 22 (Reuters) - ⁠Italy has one of the ⁠lowest rates of artificial intelligence use ‌in Europe, data showed on Wednesday, highlighting a broader shortfall in digital skills in the ​euro zone's third-largest economy.

World

Peru defense minister resigns amid postponement of F-16 aircraft purchase

LIMA, April ⁠22 (Reuters) - Peruvian Defense Minister Carlos Diaz resigned from his post ⁠on Wednesday, amid interim President Jose Balcazar's decision to ‌postpone a purchase of F-16 aircraft from the United States.  

South Korea

South Korean fighter pilot fined for mid-air photos that caused crash

SEOUL: A South Korean fighter pilot has been ordered to pay 88 million won (US$59,200) in damages over a 2021 mid-air collision he caused by trying to get photos and videos of himself flying, an official report said on Wednesday (April 22).

Technology

USDA and Palantir sign $300 million software purchase agreement

April 22 (Reuters) - ⁠The U.S. Department of Agriculture and ⁠software company Palantir Technologies on ‌Wednesday announced the signing of a $300 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

Technology

Gaming industry could unlock $22 billion in profits on AI-driven cost cuts, says Morgan Stanley

April 22 (Reuters) - Advanced artificial ⁠intelligence tools could help cut down video game developing costs by nearly half, ⁠potentially unlocking about $22 billion in annual profits for game makers worldwide, Morgan Stanley ‌analysts said.

Vietnam

Vietnam, South Korea sign deals on tech, nuclear power

HANOI: Vietnam's top leader To Lam hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi on Wednesday (April 22), announcing a dozen cooperative agreements including on tech innovation and development of nuclear power plants.

Nation

Two lawyers detained over RM8mil trust fund fraud

KUALA LUMPUR: Two lawyers, suspected of falsifying documents to access about RM8mil in trust funds linked to a property development project, have been remanded by graft busters.

Cambodia

Thailand ceremony at disputed border temple draws Cambodia rebuke

BANGKOK: Thailand held a Buddhist ceremony on Wednesday (April 22) at ancient temple ruins it took control of during deadly border clashes with Cambodia in 2025, drawing a rebuke from its neighbour.

World

South Korea, Vietnam agree to boost nuclear energy, high-tech cooperation

HANOI/SEOUL, ⁠April 22 (Reuters) - Vietnam and South Korea's leaders agreed to boost cooperation in nuclear energy and ⁠high-tech at a meeting in Hanoi on Wednesday, as the two countries seek to strengthen ‌supply chains amid global trade turmoil. 

Arts

Record Store Day 2026 is set to take over the TTDI Market in KL this Sunday

The full-day vinyl and music culture celebration will centre at Sputnik Rekordz, with community-led programming running alongside it

Entertainment

M'sian singer Gary Chaw sparks romance rumours after seen dining with mystery woman

The pair were said to be at ease with each other, with the woman even reaching over to fix the singer's hat and hair.

Singapore

Ex-Certis officer who took over S$1,000 in bribes in cigarette smuggling case gets 17 months’ jail

SINGAPORE: A former Certis security officer who facilitated 26 cigarette smuggling operations and received S$1,572 in bribes was sentenced to 17 months' jail on Wednesday (April 22).

World

Second Nepali minister leaves month-old government

KATHMANDU, April ⁠22 (Reuters) - Nepal's Minister of Home Affairs, Sudan Gurung, resigned on ⁠Wednesday saying there had been questions over his investments and ‌other matters, the second minister to go from the month-old government.

Business

SC reviewing laws to close loopholes, improve conviction rate

KUALA LUMPUR: The Securities Commission (SC) is reviewing its existing laws to close loopholes and strengthen enforcement, as part of its efforts to improve conviction rates in capital market offences.

Nation

Mandatory e-Arrival Card required for Malaysians travelling to India

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi has issued a travel advisory requiring Malaysians travelling to India to apply for and submit a mandatory e-Arrival Card at least 72 hours before departure.