Thailand

Bangkok to host first Asian Eurovision in November

GENEVA: Eurovision will take its kitsch pageant on the road outside Europe for the first time when Bangkok hosts the song contest's Asian debut in November, the organisers have announced.

Indonesia

Two Brazilians named suspects in fatal stabbing of Dutch tourist in Bali

DENPASAR: Bali Police have identified two Brazilian nationals as suspects in the fatal stabbing of a Dutch tourist in North Kuta last week.

Vietnam

Vietnam tightens controls after nearly 300 tonnes of diseased pork 'enter' schools

HANOI: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will establish inspection teams to carry out thematic checks on slaughtering activities and veterinary control nationwide after nearly 300 tonnes of diseased pork entered the market, including supplies to school kitchens in Hanoi.

South Korea

Jailed ex-South Korea president Yoon received US$790,000 in inmate funds: Data

SEOUL: Jailed former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol received more than 1.2 billion won (US$790,000) in inmate funds during roughly eight months of detention, local media reported, citing Justice Ministry data.

Thailand

Billionaires step in as Thailand battles rising living costs

BANGKOK: Thailand is turning to its billionaire-led conglomerates to help contain rising living costs, underscoring both the urgency of inflation pressures and the outsized role of big business in the country's economy.

Nation

Govt withdraws appeal over Pastor Koh's classified report

PUTRAJAYA: The government has withdrawn its appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to grant Pastor Raymond Koh's family access to a classified report.

Nation

Ban on foreign credit card use for RON95 purchase at pumps now in effect

KUALA LUMPUR: The restriction on the purchase of RON95 petrol using foreign credit and debit cards at self-service terminals at petrol stations is being enforced in stages nationwide from Wednesday (April 1).

Laos

Laos boosts economic inclusion for women, people with disabilities

VIENTIANE: Laos has launched a project to empower women and persons with disabilities through the development of One District One Product, improved packaging design and expanded access to e-commerce.

Commodities

Gold ticks up as dollar slips on Mideast de-escalation hopes

GOLD prices rose on Wednesday to their highest in nearly two weeks, supported by a weaker dollar following U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that the war with Iran could wind down in weeks.

Myanmar

Myanmar closes 17 fuel stations, warns 24 for violating QR code rules

YANGON: Myanmar's Ministry of Energy has temporarily shut down 17 fuel stations across Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay and Mon State, while issuing strong warnings to 24 others for selling fuel without scanning Bar Code/QR Code systems.

Philippines

Philippines LPG prices surge by P17 to P36 per kilo in April

MANILA: Filipino households, restaurants and food vendors will have to shell out more money to buy liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as oil firms implement massive hikes of as much as P403 (US$6.70) per 11-kilogram cylinder.

Nation

Absolute ban on e-waste imports effective April 1, says Customs

PUTRAJAYA: The importation of e-waste into Malaysia has officially been gazetted as an absolutely prohibited item under the First Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition on Imports) Order 2023.

Nation

Asean to be held virtually this year, physical meets only for leaders, says Fahmi

PUTRAJAYA: Physical Asean meetings this year will only include heads of government, said government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Indonesia

Independent probe in Indonesia finds intelligence operation behind attack on activist

JAKARTA: Pressure has grown for a transparent investigation of the acid attack on Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) activist Andrie Yunus amid allegations of a systemic operation behind the assault.

Nation

Fadillah to give daily briefing on measures to address global energy crisis, Middle East conflict

PUTRAJAYA: The government will be holding daily briefings to give updates on measures taken to address the global energy crisis and the ongoing Middle East conflict, said Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Energy

Oil slides as Middle East uncertainty keeps markets on edge

SINGAPORE: Oil tumbled more than 3% on Wednesday, reversing earlier gains as persistent Middle East volatility unnerved markets even amid reports the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran could be winding down.

Nation

Anwar pays tribute to JPJ on 80th anniversary, urges to enhance service quality

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today paid tribute to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) on its 80th anniversary and called on the agency to further strengthen enforcement and enhance service quality to maintain public confidence.

Thailand

No joke: Thai government warns of jail time for April Fool’s hoaxes

BANGKOK: The Thai government has issued a stern warning to social media users on April 1, stating that those who "prank" others online for April Fool's Day could face severe legal consequences, including heavy fines and imprisonment.

China

EU lawmakers press China on unsafe products on rare Beijing visit

BEIJING: EU lawmakers this week pressed China over a surge of dangerous products into the bloc and insufficient access to the Chinese market as they kicked off the first European parliamentary visit to the world's No.2 economy in eight years.

Nation

Court allows counselling teacher accused of sexually assaulting 11-year-old to undergo psych eval

SEREMBAN: The Sessions Court here has allowed an application by the defence to refer a counselling teacher facing charges of committing physical sexual assault against an 11-year-old student and possessing child pornography to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.