Singapore

‘Stress and hassle’: Travellers scramble for flights to Singapore after cancellations due to Indonesia volcano eruption

SINGAPORE: Indian national Avic Hal was travelling in Bali the past week, when his trip - quite literally - almost went up in smoke.

Vietnam

HCM City sees a rise in dengue fever cases

HCM CITY: HCM City has recorded more than 8,500 cases of dengue fever so far this year, an increase of 131 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the HCM City Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thailand

Thai exports soar most in three years as tariff talks begin

BANGKOK: Thailand's exports surged the most since early 2022 as companies rushed to stockpile goods while the Trump administration's planned tariffs are still on hold.

AseanPlus News

Australian mushroom murder suspect not on trial for lying: Defence

SYDNEY: An Australian woman accused of killing three lunch guests with deadly mushrooms should not be judged guilty just because she lied after the meal, her defence lawyer said Wednesday (June 18).

Philippines

21 Philippine officials stuck in Israel to return to Manila by weekend

MANILA: The 21 Filipino government officials stranded in Israel are set to travel back home to the Philippines this weekend, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

South Korea

Man booked for using electric shock to kill 120 dogs in South Korea

SEOUL: Police in North Jeolla Province said Wednesday (June 18) that they have booked a man in his 60s without detention on suspicion of slaughtering some 120 dogs at his farm in Gunsan.

Nation

Kedah MMEA detains two unlicensed, overloaded tourist boats off Langkawi

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained two tourist boats in Langkawi waters on Tuesday (June 17) for carrying passengers beyond the permitted limit.

Pakistan

Pakistan army chief set to meet Trump amid Iran tensions

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump is expected to meet Pakistan's army chief for talks as the US considers supporting Israeli airstrikes on Iran - a partner of the government in Islamabad.

Singapore

Retail competition aims to rejuvenate Singapore mall scene by offering free rent, financial support

SINGAPORE: Three retailers will get up to a year of free rent in prime shopping mall space and monetary support to pilot innovative concepts, as part of a competition aimed at rejuvenating Singapore's retail sector.

AseanPlus News

Qatar Airways retains the title of world’s best airline for 2025

BANGKOK: The Skytrax World Airline Awards for 2025 have been announced, with Qatar Airways retaining its position as the world's best airline for the ninth year.

Nation

Melaka teen charged with murdering mother and brother, injuring younger sibling

MELAKA: A 17-year-old has been charged with killing his mother and elder brother as well as injuring his younger brother.

Nation

Expanded SST will add RM5bil to national coffers in 2025, RM10bil in 2026

PETALING JAYA: The total collection from the Sales and Service Tax (SST) is expected to increase by RM5bil in 2025 and RM10bil in 2026 following its review and scope expansion, says the Finance Minsitry.

Economy

Global companies bullish on Chinese market's prospects

FOREIGN companies, especially those in Europe, are showing growing confidence in China's market potential, as the country's latest economic data underscores a steady recovery in consumption and industrial activity, reaffirming China's appeal as an engine of global growth.

Vietnam

Eighteen Vietnamese evacuated from Iran amid conflict with Israel

HANOI: Eighteen Vietnamese citizens living and working in Iran have been evacuated to a third country amid the ongoing escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran, Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran Nguyen Luong Ngoc said on Tuesday (June 17) afternoon.

India

India regulator says no ‘major safety concerns’ on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet

NEW DELHI: India's aviation safety watchdog said on Tuesday (June 17) surveillance conducted on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet did not reveal any major safety concerns, days after one of its jets crashed, killing at least 271 people.

Markets

Malaysia scores record flows as bond investors favour Asia

SINGAPORE/BENGALURU: Bond investors fleeing the United States are finding a haven in stable and lucrative Asian debt markets, with Malaysia leading the pack as the destination for foreign money.

Nation

Residents shaken as another mysterious boom hits Ipoh

IPOH: Residents claim to have heard a booming sound and felt the ground shaking in parts of the district here.

Economy

Malaysia at the centre of Asean Power Grid talks - ADB

KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has described Malaysia as being "really at the centre" of efforts to accelerate the long-discussed ASEAN Power Grid (APG) initiative, citing growing momentum in regional power trade involving Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Social media

Instagram wants Gen Z. What does Gen Z want from Instagram?

Young people are using Instagram for everything except the app's original function.

Entertainment

Taiwan star Wang Ta-lu charged in offences relating to dodging mandatory military service

Under Taiwanese law, anyone found guilty of that offence faces up to five years in prison.