Singapore

Jail for father who sexually assaulted intellectually disabled daughter in Singapore

SINGAPORE: She was only 11 years old when her father, whom she shared a room with, started sexually abusing her.

AseanPlus News

Australia sweats through hottest 12 months in more than 100 years

SYDNEY: Australia has just sweltered through its hottest 12 months on record, a weather official said Thursday (April 3), a period of drenching floods, tropical cyclones and mass coral bleaching.

Vietnam

Vietnam, Laos boost trade at Savannakhet expo

VIENTIANE: The 5th Exhibition of HCM City and Friendship Provinces and Cities in Savannakhet is being held from April 2 to 6, serving as a platform for boosting trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Philippines

Trump sets 17% tariff on Philippine goods heading to United States

MANILA: Philippine exports to America will be slapped with 17 per cent tariff starting April 9 as part of the sweeping "Liberation Day" tariff policy announced by United States President Donald Trump.

Indonesia

Indonesian journalist Najwa denies rumours of joining Prabowo administration

JAKARTA: Senior journalist Najwa Shihab has refuted a growing rumour about her signing on to a job at the Communications and Digital Ministry as a reason for her allegedly waning criticism of President Prabowo Subianto's administration.

Pakistan

The AI Studio Ghibli trend is an insult to art and artists: Comment

ISLAMABAD: An artist spends years perfecting their skills. Hours spent drawing, scrapping and redrawing to bring to life a vision that goes on to inspire millions. Studio Ghibli's co-founder Hayao Miyazaki is one such artist.

Philippines

China detains three Filipinos for alleged spying as ties fray

BEIJING: China said it has detained three Filipino nationals suspected of spying, a move that could further strain ties between Beijing and Manila.

Technology

How Malaysia’s data centres became the engine powering China’s AI ambitions

China's tech giants are rushing to build data centres in Malaysia, which offers cheap energy and access to cutting-edge chips.

Nation

Do not apply toothpaste, cream or lotion on burns, advises doctor

KUALA LUMPUR: Burn victims should not attempt self-treatment and use creams, lotions or toothpaste on affected areas as this can lead to complications or delay healing, says a doctor.

China

Chinese ‘demon teacher’ with 2 million followers hailed as superstar for ‘tough-love’ style

BEIJING (SCMP): China's "demon teacher", who gained widespread fame with over two million followers online through her unconventional teaching style that often involves scolding students, has received an enthusiastic superstar welcome during her university visits.

Commodities

Gold scales record peak as Trump tariffs fuel safe-haven scramble

Jittery investors flocked to safe-haven assets on Thursday and pushed gold to a record high after U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed more aggressive-than-expected import tariffs, kicking into higher gear an already heated global trade war.

Cambodia

Cambodia tops list of new Trump tariffs, at 49%

PHNOM PENH: US President Donald Trump has announced a 49% tariff on goods imported from Cambodia, the highest rate of the numerous tariffs he announced this morning (April 3), Cambodia time.

Singapore

Singapore spared from worst-case scenario on Trump tariffs, but may be hit by global trade slowdown

SINGAPORE: Markets tumbled across Asia after US President Donald Trump unveiled a universal tariff of 10 per cent on all imports into the US, including those from Singapore.

Nation

PLUS expects over two million vehicles daily during Aidilfitri return travel period

KUALA LUMPUR: PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) anticipates more than two million vehicles per day on its highways for three days starting tomorrow, as travellers make their way back to the Klang Valley after the Aidilfitri holidays.

Economy

Southeast Asia nations, hit particularly hard by US tariffs, prep for talks with Trump

HANOI/BANGKOK: Vietnam's government said on Thursday it would set up a task force and other Southeast Asian nations said they plan to seek talks with Washington as they reel from being hit with some of U.S. President Donald Trump's heftiest tariffs.

World

Australia PM Albanese falls off stage during election campaign event

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appeared to fall off a stage on Thursday during a campaign event for May's national election, but quickly recovered and insisted he was "sweet" afterwards.

Business

China’s handbag brands make waves in premium market

CHINA's domestic handbag brands are making a significant impact in the premium market. Despite many unit prices exceeding 1,000 yuan ($138) — and some even soaring beyond 10,000 yuan — interest among consumers remains robust.

Laos

Former Lao president Khamtay Siphandone passes away at 102

VIENTIANE: Laos' former President Khamtay Siphandone passed away at the age of 102 at 10:30pm local time on Wednesday (April 2) due to old age, according to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.

Entertainment

Lisa of Blackpink on the challenges of making her debut album 'Alter Ego'

The 27-year-old recorded her album in South Korea, the United States and in Thailand, where she filmed 'The White Lotus'.

Markets

Stocks slump as trade war stirs recession fear

SINGAPORE: Stocks dived on Thursday and investors scrambled for the safety of bonds, gold and the yen, fearing new U.S. tariffs have intensified a trade war threatening to tip the world into recession.