Thailand

Myanmar earthquake triggers 264 aftershocks, affects Thailand

BANGKOK: As many as 264 aftershocks had been recorded by Wednesday (April 2) following the initial earthquake in Myanmar, said Thai Meteorological Department's Earthquake Observation Division.

Wellness

Artificial intelligence will soon empower traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine is undergoing a revolution with the increasing exploration of artificial intelligence to enhance its practice.

Philippines

US approves US$5.58bil fighter-jet sale to Philippines

WASHINGTON: The United States said Tuesday (April 1) it has approved a sale of US$5.58 billion in F-16 fighter-jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

China

China carries out live fire drills in East China Sea in escalation of Taiwan exercises

BEIJING/TAIPEI: China's military held long-range live-fire drills in the East China Sea on Wednesday (April 2) in an escalation of ongoing drills around Taiwan, saying it was practicing precision strikes on port and energy facilities.

Singapore

Grab awarded street-hail operator licence, set to become Singapore’s sixth taxi operator

SINGAPORE: Ride-hailing giant Grab has been awarded a street-hail operator licence, paving the way for it to become Singapore's sixth taxi operator.

World

South Korea's acting president urges calm, tighter security ahead of impeachment ruling

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's interim leader called on the nation on Wednesday to calmly accept the decision from the Constitutional Court on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as police ramped up security around the court ahead of the ruling on April 4.

AseanPlus News

Australia FM says to diversify trade relations in response to US tariffs

CANBERRA: Australia must diversify its trade relations in response to US tariffs, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong (pic) has said.

South Korea

South Korea wildfire death toll rises to 31

SEOUL: The death toll from South Korea's worst-ever wildfires that ravaged the South-Eastern regions until last week has increased to 31, authorities said on Wednesday (April 2), Yonhap News Agency reported.

Markets

Foreign investors extend 23-week selloff on Bursa Malaysia, outflow at RM1.15bil

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign investors continued their selling streak on Bursa Malaysia for the 23rd week in a row, with a net outflow of RM1.15bil, slightly down from RM1.25bil the previous week.

Myanmar

Death toll surges to over 2,700 in Myanmar earthquake

YANGON: The death toll from Friday's (March 28) devastating earthquake in Myanmar has reached 2,719, with 4,521 people injured and 441 others still missing, the country's State Administration Council Chairman Min Aung Hlaing said, reported Xinhua, quoting local media reports.

AseanPlus News

Australia urges universities to diversify research away from US

CANBERRA: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged universities to seek greater research cooperation with partners outside the US following the Trump administration's threat of funding cuts to the sector.

Indonesia

Tussling, trying to open aircraft door: Jetstar deals with disruptive passengers on two flights

SINGAPORE: A Jetstar flight from Bali in Indonesia to Melbourne, Australia, was forced to turn around after a female passenger tried to open the door of the aircraft in the middle of the flight.

Markets

FBM KLCI trends higher as market returns from Hari Raya break

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI kicked off with a positive start in early trade on Wednesday, as trading activity resumed following the two-day Hari Raya Aidilfitri break.

Japan

Japan prepares for war with new joint command, evacuation plans and missile unit deployments

TOKYO: The contours of Japan's war plans are becoming clearer as the Defence Ministry in recent weeks launched its Joint Operations Command, or JJOC, and confirmed its first evacuation plans for Okinawa civilians.

Forex

Ringgit opens higher as greenback weakens on softening US economic outlook, tariff uncertainty

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar today as the greenback weakened on a softening US economic outlook and amid uncertainties over reciprocal tariffs scheduled to be announced by the United States later today, said an analyst.

Entertainment

Kim Soo-hyun breaks silence; sues Kim Sae-ron’s family, YouTube channel HoverLab for RM36mil

The actor states that he did not date Kim Sae-ron when she was a minor and that he had no involvement in her death.

Technology

US Senate committee reviews Meta efforts to gain access to Chinese market

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate investigative subcommittee on Tuesday is opening a review into Facebook-parent Meta Platforms' efforts to gain access to the Chinese market and is seeking documents from the company.

Technology

White House to hold meeting on TikTok

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump will consider on Wednesday a final proposal related to TikTok ahead of an April 5 deadline for the app to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a U.S. ban, a White House official told Reuters.

Economy

Retail sales rise slightly as Australians stay wary

Australian retail sales have risen modestly for a second straight month in February as a long-awaited cut in interest rates combined with slower inflation to boost consumer sentiment and spending.

Myanmar

A minute’s silence for those lost

Aid groups in the worst-hit areas of Myanmar said there was an urgent need for shelter, food and water after an earthquake that killed more than 2,700 people, but said the country's civil war could prevent help reaching those in need.