Japan

‘Europe offers predictability’

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Europe's "predictability" during a visit to Japan, contrasting it with countries that "could hurt you without even informing you" in an apparent swipe at Donald Trump.

Indonesia

‘Death penalty Bill a grave violation of human rights’

The country has criticised Israel's approval of a death penalty Bill applicable to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank as a "grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law".

South Korea

President says economy on ‘wartime footing’ over Iran conflict

The economy is on a "wartime footing" over the Iran conflict, President Lee Jae-myung said, after the government proposed a US$17.2bil (RM69.2bil) supplementary budget to tackle the crisis.

Indonesia

Quake sparks tsunami alert

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck in Indonesia's Northern Molucca Sea, killing one person, damaging buildings and triggering tsunami waves, authorities and witnesses said, though monitoring agencies said the likelihood of further casualties was low.

Cambodia

Phnom Penh extradites cyberscam suspect to China

A businessman with alleged links to a multi-billion dollar online scam operation has been extradited from Cambodia to China, according to state agencies.

Singapore

One more individual with AI chip fraud charged

Prosecutors charged one more person with fraud for making false representations to US server supplier Dell Technologies, linking her to two other individuals charged with similar offences in February last year.

Pakistan

Fresh talks opened to end conflict

NEGOTIATORS from Islamabad and Kabul have opened a new round of talks in China to end the deadliest fighting between the two nations since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, sources said.

China

Stocks fall after Trump fails to deliver timeline

Both mainland and Hong Kong stocks retreated as investor sentiment weakened after US President Donald Trump gave no clear timeline for ending the conflict with Iran in a televised speech.

China

Airlines to raise fuel surcharges on domestic flights

Several airlines, including national carrier Air China, said they will raise their fuel surcharges on domestic flights from Sunday as the conflict in the Middle East drives up oil prices globally.

Philippines

Govt seeking safe passage for oil in Iran meeting

The government has sought safe passage for desperately needed oil shipments in a meeting with Iran, a presidential spokeswoman said on Wednesday, as the import-dependent archipelago jockeys with other regional countries for fuel.

Japan

Collector shows off ‘million-dollar’ Senna helmet

When Canadian collector Darren Jack discovered that an Ayrton Senna helmet he valued at a million dollars was for sale in Japan, he jumped on a plane to acquire the piece of sporting history that the legendary Brazilian driver had with him during his fatal final Formula One Grand Prix.

AseanPlus News

Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Thursday (April 2)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Thursday (April 2)

Vietnam

227 charged in Vietnam Airlines drug smuggling case

HCM CITY: Prosecutors in Ho Chí Minh City have charged 227 people in connection with the VN10 drug case, uncovered after narcotics were found hidden in the luggage of four Vietnam Airlines flight attendants at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in March 2023.

Nation

Zara 'expressed hatred' for her mum in diary, inquest hears

KOTA KINABALU: A forensic psychiatrist has told the Coroner's Court here that the diary of the late Zara Qairina Mahathir indicated she had strong feelings, including hatred, against her mother and no longer wanted to live with her family.

Cambodia

Battambang 'supercar driver' faces two charges over fatal crash

PHNOM PENH: Siv Cheyseth, who handed himself into authorities and admitted his part in a Battambang traffic accident that killed five people, including a pregnant woman, and left a seven-year-old girl fighting for her life, has been charged with two offences by the Battambang Provincial Court

Philippines

Two pilots killed in air cargo plane crash in Philippines

MANILA: Two pilots were killed on Thursday (April 2) when their air cargo plane crashed outside the perimeter of an airport in Barangay Decalacho in Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines, according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG).

Thailand

Thai Songkran holiday spending set for biggest drop since 2022

BANGKOK: Thailand's Songkran festival - the country's biggest annual celebration of water fights, homecomings and holiday spending - will be more subdued this year as rising costs weigh on consumers.

Singapore

Almost all children with road injuries in Singapore were not buckled up: Trauma data

SINGAPORE: Doctors have found that almost all children who suffered injuries in road accidents were not restrained by seat belts or child seats while travelling in a vehicle.

Nation

Religious school in JB partially destroyed in fire

JOHOR BARU: Fifteen students and three teachers of Maahad Tahfiz Sains Al Insyirah in Taman Tampoi Utama near here escaped a fire that destroyed the dormitory and multipurpose hall of the religious school on Thursday (April 2) afternoon.

Cambodia

Cambodia bans contents offensive to nation's culture, tradition, women's dignity

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia on Thursday (April 2) prohibited the production, broadcasting, and distribution of any content that affects the nation's culture, tradition, customs, and women's honor and dignity.