Energy

Oil prices dip after Trump announces ceasefire

LONDON: Oil prices eased on Wednesday as investors assessed the outlook for U.S.-Iran peace talks after the U.S. announced an extension of the ceasefire.

AseanPlus News

Supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Education, YoungStarz Tour unveils three budding young singers

Three young singers were successfully unearthed at the YoungStarz Tour (YST) Radio Lagu Hits 2026 competition which opened the school tour series on Sunday (April 19).

Nation

Tuanku Muhriz to open Negri Sembilan assembly despite ouster attempt

SEREMBAN: The Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, will officially open the first meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Negri Sembilan legislative assembly on Thursday (April 23) despite an attempt to depose him, says Datuk Mohd Zafir Ibrahim.

China

China unveils plan to make cities more youth, child friendly

HONG KONG: China has issued a new proposal urging cities to integrate youth development into urban planning, housing, healthcare, education and public services, in a broader push to make urban life more supportive for young people, children and families.

Economy

Singapore says trade through Malacca Strait must remain free

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said passage through the straits of Malacca and Singapore, a key trade chokepoint brought into focus by the war in Iran, must remain free for all and that the city-state won't support any efforts to restrict it.

AseanPlus News

It's back - Fifth Celebrity Charity Golf returns and calls for corporate support to help struggling artistes

Karyawan continues its commitment to advocating for the welfare of local artistes through the organisation of the fifth Celebrity Charity Golf on May 10.

Philippines

Calapan City in Philippines hits 42°C ‘danger’ heat index; residents warned

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro: The city's disaster risk reduction and management office (DRRMO) on Wednesday (April 22) warned residents of dangerous heat levels after the heat index reached 42 degrees Celsius late morning.

Japan

China, South Korea object to Japanese PM Takaichi’s ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine

TOKYO: A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry on Tuesday (April 21) objected to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine, saying that China "firmly opposes and strongly condemns" her actions.

China

Beijing announces China FM Wang Yi to visit Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar

BEIJING: Beijing said on Tuesday (April 21) that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar from Wednesday through Sunday, with Cambodia expected to feature prominently on the trip through a new high-level security and diplomatic format.

Banking

Indonesia's central bank holds rates unchanged as expected

JAKARTA: Indonesia's central bank kept policy rates unchanged on Wednesday to anchor the rupiah's stability amid the war in Iran, as expected, with the currency already hitting record lows multiple times this month.

AseanPlus News

Fiji villagers reject Australian's plan for 'Pacific ashtray' in beach paradise

SYDNEY: An Australian billionaire's plan to burn rubbish for energy in Fiji amounts to "waste colonialism" and risks spoiling a "beach paradise", villagers and the Pacific nation's UN ambassador said.

North Korea

North Korean hackers suspected of US$300mil crypto heist

SEOUL: A notorious North Korean hacking group is likely behind the theft of nearly US$300 million in cryptocurrency over the weekend, an affected party has said, in the biggest known crypto heist this year.

China

Climbing lamp posts cross-legged challenge goes viral in China with players often needing rescue

BEIJING: A Chinese woman who tried to copy a recently viral lamp post climbing challenge got herself stuck and had to call the police to rescue her.

Markets

Japan's Nikkei rises to record closing high on tech boost

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share average rose for a third consecutive session and hit a record closing high on Wednesday, supported by heavily weighted tech stocks, though uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace talks tempered sentiment.

Brunei

Suspect linked to impersonation scam syndicate arrested in Brunei

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) arrested a suspect believed to be involved in an impersonation scam syndicate, following information received from the public during an operation yesterday morning by the Brunei-Muara Police District in collaboration with the Cyber Crime Investigation Division (CCID) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Singapore

Man convicted of human trafficking in Singapore after recruiting woman for sexual exploitation in Dubai

SINGAPORE: A man who promised to marry a Singaporean woman, only to make her perform sex work in Dubai later, has been convicted of human trafficking.

AI

Young Chinese use AI to launch one-person firms over job anxiety

Young Chinese, many who fear age discrimination in their workplace after turning 35, are increasingly starting "one-person companies" that have artificial intelligence do most of the work.

Animals

Koala-detecting dog Bear, the hero of the Australian bush fires, retires

The dog is called Bear and he made headlines around the world as a master sniffer for injured koalas. Now, at 11, the four-legged helper is retiring.

Nation

Federal Court rules caning is constitutional

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has dismissed review applications by three prisoners seeking to set aside their whipping sentences, ruling that the punishment is constitutional.

Commodities

Gold rises as oil weakens after US extends ceasefire with Iran

GOLD prices rose on Wednesday as lower oil prices, following a U.S. extension of a ceasefire with Iran, eased fears of an inflation spike and prolonged high interest rates.