Laos

Lao Digital Week 2025 kicks off to boost digital transformation

VIENTIANE: The Ministry of Technology and Communications on Wednesday (April 2) launched Lao Digital Week 2025, which is taking place from April 2-6 at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane.

AseanPlus News

Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Thursday (April 3, 2025)

Here's a look at the news highlights from Asean countries in the Star-AseanPlus section for Thursday (April 3, 2025)

Singapore

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

SINGAPORE: Well-known venture capitalist Finian Tan told the High Court on Thursday (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.

AseanPlus News

Bushfire triggers evacuation order in Southeast Perth

SYDNEY: (Bernama-Xinhua) An out-of-control bushfire burning in the suburbs of Perth, the capital city of Australia's state of Western Australia (WA), has prompted an emergency evacuation warning, reported Xinhua.

Nation

Myanmar quake: SMART removes eight victims as search enters fifth day

UALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART) has so far managed to remove a total of eight earthquake victims in Myanmar's Sagaing district, entering the fifth day of a search and rescue (SAR) operation in the country.

Singapore

Jail for Singaporean man who forged documents after breaking terms of Yayasan Mendaki study loan

SINGAPORE: A man studying in the US with the help of an interest-free loan from a community self-help organisation decided to switch to a course in Germany instead.

AseanPlus News

Nepal capital chokes as wildfires rage

KATHMANDU: Nepal's capital was blanketed in acrid smog Thursday (April 3) as wildfires across the country pushed air pollution levels to among the worst in the world.

Singapore

Australian woman arrested for allegedly stealing perfume while in transit at Changi Airport two years ago

SINGAPORE: A 35-year-old woman has been nabbed for allegedly stealing a bottle of perfume worth S$248 two years ago while in transit at Changi Airport.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: 48 victims still in hospital

PUTRAJAYA: A total of 48 out of 134 victims of the gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights in Subang Jaya are still receiving treatment at hospitals, says the Health Ministry.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: About 450 victims still displaced

PETALING JAYA: About 450 victims are still displaced following the gas pipeline explosion and fire at a neighbourhood in Putra Heights.

Entertainment

HK actor Lee Lung Kei, 74, proposes to 38YO girlfriend Chris Wong in prison

Wong was sentenced to jail in June 2024 after pleading guilty to five charges related to overstaying in Hong Kong and forging university certificates to obtain entry permit.

Brunei

US imposes 24 per cent reciprocal tariff on Brunei exports

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The United States has announced a 24 per cent reciprocal tariff on exports from Brunei Darussalam as part of a sweeping tariff policy unveiled by President Donald Trump.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Cash aid to be distributed from Monday, says MB

KUALA LUMPUR: The Initial financial assistance of RM5,000 to owners of completely damaged houses and RM2,500 to owners of affected houses, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday, will be distributed starting next Monday.

Philippines

Philippine President Marcos orders departments to provide legal aid to Pinoys arrested in Qatar

MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippines' Embassy in Doha to provide legal aid to Filipinos arrested in Qatar last March 28.

Indonesia

Indonesia sends more aid, rescuers to Myanmar

JAKARTA: Indonesia on Thursday (April 3) dispatched some 100 tonnes of aid, including medicines, sanitation tools and other basic needs, to disaster-stricken Myanmar, alongside another search and rescue team consisting of 69 personnel.

Entertainment

Former TVB actress Casper Chan now works as a hawker, sells chicken feet

The Hong Kong star left the entertainment industry in 2015 as landing roles had become increasingly difficult for her after turning 30.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Bread company temporarily halts production

KUALA LUMPUR: The Italian Baker Sdn Bhd, producer of Massimo bread loaves, has announced a temporary disruption in the production of its bakery products due to the gas pipeline blaze in Putra Heights, which had affected the LNG supply to its factory.

Nation

Putra Heights inferno: Authorities at hand to replace lost documents

SUBANG JAYA: Authorities from the National Registration Department (NRD) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) are at temporary relief centres here to replace documents lost by victims of the gas pipeline fire.

Myanmar

Head of Myanmar's military government visits Thailand in rare overseas trip

BANGKOK: The head of Myanmar's military government arrived in Thailand on Thursday (April 3) for a regional summit, making a rare international trip as his country recovers from a devastating earthquake that killed thousands.

China

US-China decoupling: Washington bans diplomats and staff from romance and sex with Chinese

BEIJING: The US government has imposed a sweeping ban prohibiting American diplomats, their families and security-cleared contractors in China from engaging in romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens, Associated Press has reported.