Indonesia

Indonesia says its poverty rate the lowest in two decades

JAKARTA:The number of Indonesians living under the poverty line has hit a record low for the past two decades, the country's statistics bureau said Friday (July 25).

Vietnam

Dozens evacuated as landslide threat looms over Nghe An mountain village

NGHE AN: Local authorities in My Ly Commune in the central province of Nghe An urgently evacuated dozens of households early on Friday after discovering a large crack on a nearby mountain that posed a serious risk of collapse.

Nation

July 26 rally to highlight people's economic hardship, says Perikatan

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional fully supports the 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' rally, saying it is meant to free the rakyat from economic hardships and the current administration's tyranny.

Nation

Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire, says PM Anwar

JITRA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday (July 25) said that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw their troops from the border.

Thailand

Thai woman escapes with beloved cats while under fire in Cambodia clashes

SURIN: When the first salvo of Cambodian artillery screamed across her village, Thai seamstress Pornpan Sooksai's thoughts turned to her five beloved cats: Peng, Kung Fu, Cherry, Taro and Batman.

Cambodia

Hun Manet: Cambodia backs ceasefire proposal to resolve conflict with Thailand

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's prime minister Hun Manet said on Friday (July 25) that he had supported a proposal by the Malaysian premier for a ceasefire with Thailand, which later withdrew its initial backing of the plan

Sabah & Sarawak

Sabah sets sail towards recognition as a premier sailing destination

KOTA KINABALU: With its scenic coastline, crystal-clear waters and rich natural beauty, Sabah is poised to become a premier sailing destination.

Indonesia

Indonesia battles widespread forest fires across Sumatra and Kalimantan

JAKARTA: Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is closely monitoring forest and land fires across several provinces in Sumatra and Kalimantan, with both active and contained hotspots being reported.

Singapore

Around three tonnes of illegally imported vegetables from Malaysia seized at Woodlands Checkpoint

SINGAPORE: Around three tonnes of fresh produce illegally imported from Malaysia were seized at Woodlands Checkpoint during a joint operation on July 24 and 25.

China

China tenant finds school desk he used 33 years ago in new flat

SHANGHAI (SCMP): A man in eastern China who rented a flat and discovered an old desk he used at school 33 years ago has trended on mainland social media.

Thailand

Thai Air Force deploys F-16s to bomb Cambodian targets in three key strategic areas

BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) deployed F-16 fighter jets to carry out two airstrike waves on Cambodian military positions in the strategic areas surrounding Preah Vihear Temple, Ta Muen Thom, and Phu Makua, in retaliation for Cambodia's use of heavy weaponry against Thai civilian homes and hospitals. All aircraft returned safely.

Forex

Ringgit ends lower vs greenback as traders await tariff clarity

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit ended lower against the US dollar on Friday, as some investors locked in profits following recent gains, amid lingering uncertainty over the timing of potential Malaysia-United States (US) tariff discussions.

World

India-UK trade deal signals Modi's priorities as New Delhi eyes EU, US pacts

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's trade deal with Britain is a sign of New Delhi's new gradual shift to opening up its markets while shielding crucial sectors from competition and could be its template for future agreements, government officials and analysts said on Friday.

India

India school roof collapse kills seven children

JAIPUR: Part of the roof and walls of a government-run school collapsed in western India, killing at least seven children and injuring 26 others on Friday (July 25), police said.

Badminton

Pearly-Thinaah storm into China Open semis

PETALING JAYA: Shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah smashed into the women's doubles semi-finals in the China Open after an impressive win over Japan's world No. 9 Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto.

Cambodia

Border conflict: Cambodia Culture Minister warns of damage to Preah Vihear Temple, urges Unesco intervention

PHNOM PENH: Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona presented evidence of the damage caused to parts of the Preah Vihear Temple by artillery shelling and bombing by Thai F-16 fighter jets on Thursday (July 24). She called for urgent measures to prevent further damage.

South Korea

S. Korean court orders Yoon to compensate 105 claimants for distress caused by martial law crisis

SEOUL: The Seoul Central District Court on July 25 ruled that former president Yoon Suk-yeol has to pay a total of 10.5 million won (US$7,500) combined to 105 citizens for causing them to suffer emotional distress due to the imposition of martial law.

Nation

Thai-Cambodia conflict: Wisma Putra told to provide updates on potential ceasefire, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed Wisma Putra to monitor developments in the escalating border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia following positive signals from both countries regarding the possibility of a ceasefire.

Laos

Laos, ADB ink US$63mil package to transform agrifood systems

VIENTIANE: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a set of financing agreements worth US$63 million to support the transformation of agrifood systems in Laos through the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Sector Project.

Markets

Bursa Malaysia ends lower as investors await US tariff outcome, policy clarity

KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed in the red on Friday after two consecutive sessions of gains as investors pocketed some profit while adopting a wait-and-see stance amid ongoing negotiations between Malaysia and the United States to secure a 20 per cent tariff rate.