AseanPlus News

China’s deep sea space station: could South China Sea be the next Persian Gulf?

An alien, underwater world could hold the answers to China's energy security, scientists say, as they work to unlock its mysteries

AI

Zhihu, a Quora-like Q&A platform, bets on AI search to become China’s X and LinkedIn

'In the era of AI, the influence of high-quality content will only grow,' finance chief Wang Han says in an interview with the Post.

Corporate News

Axiata to exit Myanmar with US$150mil divestment

KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd is exiting Myanmar after its subsidiary, Edotco Investments (Labuan) Ltd, signed a share purchase agreement (SPA) to sell its entire 87.5 per cent stake in Edotco Investments Singapore Pte Ltd for US$150 million (RM713 million).

China

China's domestic consumption can offset tariff risks: Economists

BEIJING: Despite the aggressive "reciprocal tariff" policy announced by the White House, senior economists believe that China's strong domestic consumption potential and its people-centric investment strategies are well-positioned to offset the risks posed by these tariff hikes.

Bangladesh

Trump’s tariffs hit garment makers in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka hard

COLOMBO/DHAKA: Through Covid-19, political chaos and economic disarray, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh kept one industry central to their hopes of prosperity afloat: the manufacturing of ready-made garments, with the United States as their main marke

Singapore

S$1.45bil nickel scam: Singapore Venture capitalist says he was impressed when he first met alleged scammer

SINGAPORE: Well-known venture capitalist Finian Tan told the High Court on Thursdy (April 3) that he was impressed by alleged fraudster Ng Yu Zhi, who was introduced to him as a successful nickel trader when they first met in August 2020.

Entertainment

Local actress Emma Maembong on first Raya after divorce: 'Feels different'

The 32-year-old confirmed her divorce from pilot Muhammad Shazli Azhar in October last year.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Higher Education Ministry to deploy team to assist affected students

KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is deploying its expertise to help victims affected by the gas pipeline fire which broke out in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya on Tuesday (April 1).

Nation

US tariffs: Informal talks to be held at Asean finance ministers’ meet next week

PUTRAJAYA: The latest tariff measures by the United States against Asean member states is likely to be discussed informally, at the regional bloc's Finance Ministers' and central bank governors' meeting in Kuala Lumpur next week.

Brunei

Brunei man killed in multi-vehicle crash involving water tanker

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A tragic accident involving a water tanker lorry and five private vehicles claimed the life of a local man at the intersection of Jalan Kota Batu and Jalan Kampong Mentiri at around 8.30am on Wednesday (April 2).

Thailand

Thailand sees 25% drop in hotel bookings for Songkran amid earthquake concerns

BANGKOK: Hotel reservations for the Songkran Festival (April 11-17) in seven major tourist cities have dropped by 25% compared to last year, according to the Thai Hotels Association (THA), which reported this on Thursday (April

Laos

Laos launches coal-fired power plant project in Xekong province

VIENTIANE: Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith presided over a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday (April 2) for a coal-fired power plant project in southern Laos' Sekong province, which will have a total capacity of 1,800 megawatts across six 300-megawatt plants.

Nation

Meth worth RM16mil seized as cops bust drug smuggling ring

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have crippled a cross-border drug trafficking syndicate with the seizure of methamphetamine worth RM16mil in raids in Selangor on March 27.

Cambodia

Banzai blitz: Kun Khmer stars hand Japanese fighters five straight losses at Phnom Penh tournament

PHNOM PENH: All five Japanese "Samurai" fighters were defeated by Cambodian Kun Khmer fighters in Thursday (April 3) night's "Kun Khmer Knock Out" international tournament.

China

China, US make first-known military contact since Trump's inauguration

WASHINGTON: Chinese and US defence officials had their first known formal contact since Donald Trump returned to the White House, in a meeting that partially coincided with Beijing conducting large-scale military drills around Taiwan.

Thailand

Sun-overhead phenomenon to occur across 77 Thai provinces

BANGKOK: The astronomical phenomenon known as the "sun overhead" will take place in 77 provinces across Thailand this year, beginning in Yala's Betong district on Friday (April 4).

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Digital Ministry to assess requests for device replacements

KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Ministry will review requests for the replacement of damaged digital devices from victims of the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights.

Vietnam

Vietnam asks US to postpone tariff and engage in negotiations

HANOI: Vietnam's trade ministry has asked the Trump administration to put on hold its planned 46% tariff on imported Vietnamese products and engage in further negotiations.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia extends losses as Trump’s tariffs spark trade war fears, KLCI falls 0.89%

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia extended its losses by midday, deepening amid broad-based selling as US President Donald Trump's global tariff measures raised fears of a trade war that could trigger a recession and inflation.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Over 100 houses offered as temporary homes for victims, says Selangor MB

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Housing and Real Estate Board (LPHS) has agreed to offer more than 100 houses as temporary homes for victims of the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor.