Forex

Singaporeans face costlier shopping in Malaysia

SINGAPORE: The Malaysian ringgit has strengthened against the Singapore dollar in recent months, with one Singapore dollar now buying RM3.19, down from above RM3.30 for most of this year.

Markets

Vietnamese stock market poised for boost with new IPO wave

HANOI: The Vietnamese stock market is gearing up for a significant influx of quality assets as the country embarks on its third wave of initial public offerings (IPOs).

Economy

Indonesia shoe exports unaffected by radiation scare

JAKARTA: Exports of footwear to the United States "continue uninterrupted", the government says, following the recent return of two containers of locally made shoes over suspected radioactive contamination linked to a metal company in Serang, Banten.

AseanPlus News

Asean news headlines as at 10pm on Tuesday (Nov 18)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Tuesday (Nov 18, 2025)

Indonesia

Freeport to restore large-scale output at Indonesia's Grasberg mine in 2026

JAKARTA: Copper miner Freeport-McMoRan said on Tuesday (Nov 18) it plans to restore large-scale production at Indonesia's Grasberg minerals district from the second quarter of 2026, following a fatal incident that forced operations to halt earlier this year.

Cambodia

Cambodia's exports to EU, Asean see double-digit growth in first 10 months of 2025

Cambodia enjoyed a double-digit growth of exports to the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in the first 10 months of 2025, said a Ministry of Commerce report on Tuesday (Nov 18).

Singapore

Ex-Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim gets 13 months’ jail for molesting 25-year-old woman

SINGAPORE: Music producer and former Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim, 61, was sentenced to 13 months' jail on Tuesday (Nov 18) for molesting a 25-year-old woman.

Nation

Giant pandas Chen Xing and Xiao Yue arrive in Malaysia

PETALING JAYA: A new pair giant pandas from China, Chen Xing and Xiao Yue, have landed safely at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at 8.30pm on Tuesday (Nov 18).

Thailand

Thai man found tortured to death in Poipet building tied to human trafficking network

BANGKOK: A Thai man, identified as Sarawut, known as "Toto", from Samut Prakan, was found dead inside a building on the Poipet side of the Thai–Cambodian border, according to reports on Tuesday (Nov 18).

Philippines

Pressure builds on Marcos as Philippine graft mess forces Cabinet reshuffle

MANILA: Rising anger in the Philippines over a huge corruption scandal has forced out two ministers from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's cabinet, testing his administration's efforts to restore public trust and investor confidence.

Nation

Anwar arrives in Ethiopia for three-day official visit

ADDIS ABABA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived in the capital city of Ethiopia here for an official visit to strengthen ties and cooperation – not just with this country but also with the African continent.

Nation

Former and current bank officers fined RM63,000 over failure to report bribes

SHAH ALAM: Two former and one current bank officer were fined a total of RM63,000 by the Sessions Court here on Tuesday (Nov 18) after pleading guilty to alternative charges of failing to report receiving bribes from a legal firm.

World

Analysis-Hasina's death sentence sets stage for volatile Bangladesh vote

DHAKA (Reuters) -A Bangladeshi court's decision to sentence exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death has done little to heal a nation scarred by her long rule and last year's bloody crackdown against student-led, anti-government protests.

Nation

Health Ministry studying proposal to use Sara aid for private healthcare

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is studying a proposal to permit Sara aid recipients to channel their benefits towards treatment under the Madani Medical Scheme, says Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

Japan

Japan diplomat protests China travel warning in Beijing meeting

TOKYO: A senior Japanese diplomat protested China's travel warning in a Beijing meeting on Tuesday (Nov 18) with his counterpart, as a diplomatic row spirals over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments on Taiwan.

South Korea

South Korea says US$216mil payout in Lone Star dispute overturned

SEOUL: South Korea said Tuesday (Nov 18) it had overturned an order to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to US private equity firm Lone Star after a dispute panel ruled in its favour.

Entertainment

Namewee seeking part-time jobs amid Taiwanese influencer murder probe: 'I can make fried rice, curry'

The 42-year-old is also looking for sponsors for his upcoming Chinese New Year song after the previous sponsor withdrew, reportedly due to the rapper's arrest.

Vietnam

Vietnam emerges as a promising medical tourism market

HANOI: The global medical tourism market was estimated to reach US$100 billion in 2024 and is projected to maintain robust annual growth of 15–25 per cent. Several countries have successfully tapped into this lucrative industry.

India

Indian police say Maoist leader of worst rebel massacre killed

RAJPUR: India's police said on Tuesday (Nov 18) its forces had killed a "dreaded" Maoist rebel commander responsible for one of the deadliest attacks by the guerrillas, along with five other insurgents.

Brunei

Brunei enters northeast monsoon, wettest months ahead

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Darussalam has officially entered the Northeast Monsoon season as of Tuesday (Nov 18), with the wettest period expected between December and January, the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) said in a press release Tuesday.