Technology

Could battery fires be the Achilles’ heel of China’s electric vehicle industry?

A series of high-profile incidents has triggered a public debate about safety within the rapidly growing industry.

AseanPlus News

Australian police warn int'l students not to sell bank accounts or ID documents

CANBERRA: Australian authorities on Wednesday (Nov 19) warned international students who are departing the country not to sell their bank accounts or official identification to organised criminal groups.

Nation

Teen sent to Henry Gurney School after pleading guilty to rape

SEREMBAN: A teenager has been ordered to undergo rehabilitation at the Henry Gurney School until he turns 21 after he pleaded guilty to a charge of raping a 16-year-old student.

Brunei

Brunei youth briefed on cyber threats, online safety

the growing threats of cybercrime on the Internet and the misuse of social media, including gaming applications such as Roblox and others, which have the potential to negatively affect the community.

India

India's Bollywood battles paid reviews and fake sale claims

MUMBAI: India's US$60-billion Bollywood industry is facing a deepening credibility crisis, as insiders warn that manipulated film reviews and inflated box office numbers are distorting public perception, ultimately hurting ticket sales

e-Commerce

Asean cross-border QR payment surges to RM12.9mil transactions in 1H25 - Bank Negara governor

KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN cross-border Quick Response (QR) payment has surged, reaching 12.9 million transactions in the first half of 2025, said Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

Nation

Halal exports to China rose to RM3.2bil due to strategic cooperation, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has raised the profile of its halal products in China through government-industry cooperation, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Nation

Three Japanese men held at KLIA with 12kg of cocaine

SEPANG: Three Japanese men have been detained for allegedly trying to smuggle in 12kg of cocaine worth RM2.4mil at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Singapore

S’pore to have more planned MRT closures over longer period for repairs

SINGAPORE: Passengers in Singapore can expect more scheduled closures of the rail network that are stretched out over a longer period, to create more time for major upgrades of MRT lines.

Japan

Fire razes 170 buildings in southern Japan, one missing

TOKYO: A fire has ripped through more than 170 buildings in a southern Japanese coastal city, burning overnight and still not fully extinguished, the national fire agency said on Wednesday (Nov 19).

Nation

No 'modern colonisation' allowed when it comes to nation's REE wealth, Dewan Rakyat told

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to defend its sovereign rights in the rare earth elements (REE) sector despite any signed arrangements, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Economy

Asean must act on tariff fallout with clearer trade rules - Bank Negara governor

KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN must address the immediate fallout from the rise in tariffs by defining the rules of origin more clearly, closing transhipment loopholes, and developing trade diversion safeguards, said Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Governor Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour.

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)