China

Cargo plane engine accelerated before fatal Hong Kong crash, investigators say

HONG KONG: The Turkish-operated cargo plane that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong's international airport last month, killing two airport workers, experienced an acceleration in one of its four engines after landing, an initial investigation has found.

Nation

Barisan will accept MIC's decision whether to stay or leave with an open heart, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional will keep an open mind on any decision MIC eventually makes, including the party's resolution to leave the coalition, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Cambodia

Cambodia, Unicef launch digital platform to advance teacher training

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia and the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) on Tuesday (Nov 18) launched an innovative Capacity Development Platform (CDP), aiming at strengthening the skills and knowledge of educators in the kingdom.

World

Indonesian teen's diary and online trail reveal path to Jakarta mosque blasts

JAKARTA (Reuters) -An Indonesian student suspected of carrying out a bomb attack at his school mosque in Jakarta wrote of feeling isolated in his 42-page diary and drew inspiration from a Telegram group glorifying white supremacist attacks, according to new details from police.

Technology

Google DeepMind to open new AI research lab in Singapore

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Google DeepMind said on Wednesday it is opening a new artificial intelligence research lab in Singapore that will focus on collaboration with governments, businesses, and academic institutions across Asia. 

Laos

Laos accelerates infrastructure upgrades to boost growth

VIENTIANE: The Lao government continues to advance infrastructure development, particularly road upgrades and the rapid repair of damaged routes, to facilitate transportation and tourism and support national socio-economic growth.

Myanmar

SpaceX cuts off 2,500 Starlink devices at Myanmar scam centres

SpaceX has cut service to more than 2,500 Starlink internet devices at Myanmar scam centres, a company executive said on Wednesday October 22, after AFP revealed that their use had exploded in the illicit industry.

Vietnam

Vietnamese gov't warns of potential flu outbreak

HANOI: Vietnam's Ministry of Health has warned of a potential flu outbreak after the country logged up to 11,000 cases of seasonal influenza per month over the past three months, a sharp rise from the mid-year figures, local media VnExpress reported Tuesday (Nov 18)

Philippines

Philippines, Palestine mark first ministerial visit

MANILA: Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday (Nov 18) welcomed Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin here, marking the first visit by a Palestinian foreign minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1989.

Markets

Asia markets wobble toward Nvidia earnings test

SINGAPORE: Asian markets struggled to make headway on Wednesday as a bout of nerves over AI valuations held back investors ahead of an earnings update from chip titan Nvidia.

Indonesia

Indonesia hit by deadly landslides, floods amid heavy rainfall

JAKARTA: A wave of weather-related disasters swept across Indonesia in the past week, striking at least nine provinces and triggering landslides, floods and destructive winds, the national disaster agency said on Tuesday (nOV 18).

Nation

Malaysia remains a net creditor nation, says PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to maintain its position as a net creditor country, supported by strong external resilience and sizeable non-reserve foreign currency assets held by Malaysian corporates and financial institutions, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

South Korea

South Korean military to launch adjustment programme for multicultural recruits in 2026

SEOUL: The South Korean military plans to introduce an adjustment programme in 2026 for multicultural service members who face difficulties communicating in Korean, the Defence Ministry said on Nov 18, as concerns mount over linguistic barriers and uneven support across units.

Entertainment

Ex-Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim sentenced to 13 months’ jail for molesting woman

The incident happened at the Hype Records office in Henderson Road on Nov 23, 2021, when Lim was the executive director of the record company.

Nation

No discussion on opposition leader issue, focus is on Sabah polls, says Bersatu MP

PETALING JAYA: Matters regarding the position of the Opposition Leader were not discussed at a meeting with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at his residence in Bukit Damansara in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (Nov 18) evening.

Forex

Ringgit higher vs US$ ahead of next Fed rate move

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit opened higher against the US dollar on Wednesday amid investors' cautious sentiment about the US Federal Reserve (Fed) interest rate next month, an analyst said.

Singapore

Singapore primary school duo head to global robotics competition with robot ‘buddy’ that monitors screen time

SINGAPORE: As avid Lego builders, primary school pupils Skylar Chua and Elon Chan found that reading building instructions online was straining their eyes.

Markets

FBM KLCI holds to support as AI rout gains pace

KUALA LUMPUR: The FBM KLCI found its support on Wednesday despite a sharply lower closing on Wall Street, which accelerated the selling pressure in global markets.

Thailand

Leaving border camps for orchards, Myanmar refugees join Thai workforce

PONG NAM RON, Thailand: Tun Min Lat climbs a bamboo ladder in the longan orchards of eastern Thailand, moving from tree to tree as he plucks the juicy tropical fruit in the sweltering heat of a November morning. For the first time in the nearly two decades he has lived in Thailand, the 42-year-old Myanmar refugee is able to work legally.

Commodities

Oil settles up 1% on Russia sanctions, interviews for next US Fed chair

HOUSTON: Oil prices settled higher on Tuesday after a choppy session as traders weighed the impact of Western sanctions on Russian oil flows, as well as U.S. President Donald Trump saying his administration had started interviewing for the next Federal Reserve chair.