AseanPlus News

Chinese woman finds birth parents after 27 years, just two days after posting appeal video

27-year-old adoptee becomes country's fastest ever such person to find biological family, breaks down in tears during video link-up

Markets

Japan bank stocks caught in Trump tariff rout as market slide deepens

SINGAPORE: Japanese banks tanked on Friday and stocks globally extended a punishing selloff in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, helping drive a rally in U.S. Treasuries and supporting gold near a record peak.

Social media

IShowSpeed in Hong Kong: US YouTube star meets pandas, as fans flock for selfies

Popular streamer, who has arrived after visiting mainland China, also takes part in 'villain-hitting' ritual in Causeway Bay.

World

Families of Philippine drug war victims fight back, urge probe into online attacks

MANILA (Reuters) - Families of Philippine drug war victims who say they have been targeted by a "coordinated" campaign of online harassment urged law enforcers on Friday to investigate the attacks and identify those responsible to help them pursue legal action.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Health Ministry to provide optimal medical care at relief centres, says Dzulkefly

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will ensure that the medical and healthcare needs of victims of the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, are fully met at temporary relief centres.

Philippines

The ‘Big One’ and substandard steel bars - a killer mix: Comment

The earthquake disaster in Myanmar and Thailand has renewed scrutiny across the region — especially in the Philippines, where structural engineers and disaster officials warn that a similar threat may already be hiding in plain sight.

World

Thai arrest warrant issued for American academic on royal insult charges

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai court issued an arrest warrant for an American academic on charges of insulting the monarchy, a rare use of the country's "lese majeste" law against a foreigner, according to a document reviewed by Reuters on Friday.

Nation

US tariffs: Anwar to chair special meeting this evening

KAJANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will lead a special meeting on Friday (April 4) evening to address the 24% tariff rate on Malaysian imports by the United States, starting April 9.

Vietnam

Laos, Vietnam to enhance cooperation in technology, innovation

VIENTIANE: Laos and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their collaboration in technology and innovation, aiming to maximise the potential of their human resources.

Thailand

Bangkok governor apologises for delay in building collapse rescue

BANGKOK: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt apologised for the delay in rescuing victims trapped in a collapsed building on Friday (April 4), saying that officials had done their best.

Vietnam

'Shocking': US tariffs worse than feared for Vietnamese exporters

HO CHI MINH CITY: At a garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City that exports T-shirts and underwear to the United States, staff were alarmed by "shocking" trade tariffs imposed on Vietnam that could severely impact their business.

Economy

Amir Hamzah: Asean will not retaliate against US tariffs but engage Washington for a reduction

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia, as the Asean chair this year, will prioritise the importance of deepening regional economic ties following the announcement of sweeping US tariffs on the bloc's member nations as well as leading them in engaging Washington in talks to potentially reduce retaliatory tariffs on imports into America.

World

Wikimedia must remove India content deemed defamatory, court rules

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The operator of Wikipedia has been ordered to remove statements deemed defamatory by an Indian court from the page of a domestic news agency it hosts, the latest such directive to the popular online encyclopedia.

Indonesia

Newcomers required to have job and housing in Jakarta: Official

JAKARTA: The Jakarta administration will mandate that newcomers arriving after the Aidil Fitri holiday secure both employment and housing, as the city anticipates a surge of incomers seeking better opportunities in its already overcrowded urban landscape.

Singapore

Foreigner charged over 2023 perfume theft at Changi Airport, caught when she returned in March

SINGAPORE: An Australian traveller, who flew off in 2023 after she allegedly stole a bottle of perfume at a Changi Airport shop, was charged with theft on Friday (April 4) following her return to Singapore in March 2025.

Energy

Oil set for worst week in months over Trump's tariff blow

OIL prices fell over 1% on Friday, and were on track for the worst week in months over U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariffs, stoking concerns that a global trade war could hurt oil demand.

Nation

Menora Tunnel crash: Cops to record statement of victim’s husband

IPOH: Police will soon record the statement of the husband of a pregnant woman who died in an accident at Kilometre 264 of the North-South Expressway, southbound, near the Menora Tunnel on Sunday to assist in the investigation.

Philippines

Manila's MRT 3 suspends rule that disallowed luggage on its trains

MANILA: Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) on Friday (April 4) suspended its policy against carrying heavy luggage on its trains.

Forex

Ringgit to remain defensive against US dollar at 4.42-4.45, says Kenanga IB

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is expected to remain defensive versus the US dollar, trading at a range of 4.42-4.45, barring surprises, said Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga IB). 

World

Indian PM Modi and Bangladesh's Yunus hold first talks after Hasina exit

BANGKOK (Reuters) - India's prime minister met with the head of Bangladesh's interim government on the sidelines of a regional summit in Bangkok on Friday, the Bangladesh government's press office said, their first meeting since the ouster of Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina last year.