Vietnam

Vietnam needs long-term strategy to tap global halal market

HANOI: Vietnam must strengthen its halal product ecosystem to meet growing global demand, particularly by aligning with international quality and certification standards, according to experts and officials quoted by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

South Korea

South Korea’s scandal-plagued stars step back into spotlight

SEOUL: A wave of once-disgraced South Korean celebrities are returning to the spotlight following high-profile public blowups.

Indonesia

5.9-magnitude earthquake jolts off Indonesian Aceh, no tsunami alert issued

JAKARTA: A 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's western Aceh province early Tuesday (April 8) without triggering large waves, according to the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency.

Economy

Bank Negara may consider lowering OPR as counter-cyclical measure amid potential growth risks - HLIB

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) may consider lowering the overnight policy rate (OPR) by 25 basis points (bps) as a counter-cyclical measure should signs of growth weakness emerge in the coming months, said Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) today.

Nation

Excessive modifications main cause of vehicle fires, says S'wak Bomba

SIBU: Planning to deck out your car with the latest electronic gadgets? Do it with caution – the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has found that most vehicle fires are caused by overloaded electrical wiring systems resulting from modifications.

Sabah & Sarawak

Sibu man gets 20 years' jail, caning for rape of minor

SIBU: A 21-year old man has been sentenced to 20 years' jail and two strokes of the cane for raping a minor.

Japan

Seven & i in Japan seen booking fall in Q4 profit, adding to takeover pressure

TOKYO: Japanese retailer Seven & i Holdings is set to record a 24 per cent drop in quarterly profit on Wednesday (April 9) as underperformance of its convenience store business hampers its ability to fend off a takeover attempt by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard.

Cricket

Cricket-Australia's Pucovski confirms retirement amid ongoing concussion struggle

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former test batsman Will Pucovski has confirmed his retirement from cricket at the age of 27 as the Australian continues to battle concussion symptoms more than a year after being struck by a ball in a domestic match.

Thailand

Thailand grapples with economic headwinds as experts urge swift action

BANGKOK: The Thai economy faces a challenging period as it contends with the lingering impact of a previous earthquake and the potential for significant new tariffs from the United States, according to leading economists in Bangkok.

Commodities

Gold rises as trade war jitters revive safe-haven demand

GOLD prices rebounded on Tuesday from a near four-week low reached in the previous session, as heightened concerns over the global trade war between the United States and its key trading partners lifted investor appetite for safe-haven assets.

Entertainment

Feeling old yet? Eminem is now a grandfather

Eminem's daughter, Hailie Jade Scott, gave birth to her son on Elliot Marshall McClintock on March 14.

Tennis

Tennis-Rublev eyes long coaching partnership with idol Safin

(Reuters) -World number nine Andrey Rublev has added two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin to his coaching team ahead of the European claycourt swing but the Russian said he is well aware that his compatriot will only stick around if he enjoys the job.

Technology

China calls for smart driving vigilance after fatal Xiaomi crash

Chinese authorities warned drivers to stay vigilant and reduce the use of advanced driver-assistance technology during the Qing Ming Festival holiday.

Travel

Kayak-fishers chase giant fish on the South China Sea

Now is the time to go. The inter-monsoon period is here, and next month brings the southwest monsoon, lasting until early October.

AseanPlus News

Bringing the war home: Gaza threatens to reshape an Australian election

SYDNEY: Sydney non-profit worker Az Fahmi was once a dedicated volunteer for Australia's ruling Labour party, handing out pamphlets to get her local representative, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, re-elected.

Nation

Woman, 78, with disability dies in Terengganu house fire

MARANG: A 78-year-old woman was killed and her three family members were injured when fire gutted their house in Taman Emas Murni here on Tuesday (April 8).

Bangladesh

Major garment producer Bangladesh says US buyers halting orders

DHAKA: US buyers have begun halting orders from Bangladesh, the world's second-biggest garment manufacturer, after punishing US tariffs that pushed the government in Dhaka to plead on Monday (April 7) for a three-month pause to the levies.

Nation

Marine cops seize illegal cigs worth nearly RM1mil in Sandakan village raid

KOTA KINABALU: Contraband cigarettes worth almost RM1mil were seized in a raid on a water village in Sandakan on Sunday (April 6).

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Make victims' mental health care a priority, says Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR: Mental health care of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire victims should be prioritised, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

Nation

Seven MRSM students face expulsion for bullying, says Dr Asyraf

NIBONG TEBAL: The Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) disciplinary committee has recommended that the seven students involved in bullying a fellow student be expelled from the college.