Singapore

Man who preyed on three girls, including his own sister, gets 16 years’ jail and caning for sex offences

A 27-year-old serial sex predator who preyed on three girls, including his younger sister, was sentenced to 16 years' jail and 15 strokes of the cane on Monday (March 10).

Nation

Google Play users in Malaysia only able to 'set budget' in Myanmar numerals

PETALING JAYA: Google Play users in Malaysia are encountering a strange bug when attempting to set their spending budget in the store's app.

Motorsport

Motor racing-Hamilton has Ferrari fans dreaming as F1 waits for the movie

LONDON (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton winning a record eighth Formula One title in the red overalls of Ferrari at the age of 40 would be a story straight out of Hollywood, whose own Brad Pitt movie is scheduled to race across cinema screens in June.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo tells ride-hailing firms to give drivers holiday bonuses

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto ordered ride-hailing firms including GoTo Group and Grab Holdings Ltd. to give holidays bonuses to their drivers as the country nears its biggest annual holiday.

Thailand

Thailand eyes US$4.4bil new cash handouts to spur economy growth

Thailand's government plans to inject as much as $4.4 billion more cash to push growth beyond 3% this year, as the export-reliant economy faces headwinds from global trade tensions and a volatile local currency.

Entertainment

Former actress Carole Lin suffers serious leg injury in freak accident

Posting a video of herself using a walking frame with her left foot bandaged, the 52-year-old says that she is homebound for now.

Asia & Oceania

China's tea-growing Pu'er is now its coffee capital

You've heard of Pu'er tea but did you know that Pu'er coffee exists, too?

Philippines

Britain concerned with Beijing's 'dangerous' South China Sea activity and says the Philippines is facing the sharp end

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy slammed "dangerous and destabilising" activity by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea on Monday, following a weekend visit to the Philippines.

Nation

Road ban on goods vehicles two days before and after Aidilfitri

KAJANG: Goods vehicles will be banned from roads for four days in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Cambodia

Angkor Spring Equinox set for March 20-22; thousands of visitors expected in three days

Cambodian Authorities say that the Spring Equinox at Angkor – an event that draws thousand of tourists to Cambodia's iconic Angkor Wat – will take place on March 20-22.

Myanmar

Myanmar junta leader says polls to be held in December at earliest

Myanmar's long-promised general elections will take place in December or January next year at the earliest, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said in Minsk.

Vietnam

Asean Sec-Gen hails Vietnam's transformative role on 30th anniversary of its memberships

Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn has praised Vietnam's 30 years of contributions to the regional bloc, calling the milestone a testament to the country's commitment to Asean's vision of unity and prosperity.

China

China unveils new high-thrust engine for future space travel

A Chinese research team announced Monday that a space thruster has achieved full-power operation.

Laos

Laos capital Vientiane announces potential water shortages, calls for preservation efforts

The Water Supply Enterprise of Vientiane has issued a statement announcing that water production during the hot season will likely be limited and urging residents to be mindful of their water usage.

Technology

Singapore Exchange to roll out open-ended bitcoin futures listing, Bloomberg reports

(Reuters) - The Singapore Exchange plans to list bitcoin perpetual futures in the second half of 2025, targeting institutional clients and professional investors, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Brunei

Brunei government outlines ways to reduce fiscal deficit

Brunei has implemented multiple measures to address fiscal deficit through Fiscal Consolidation Program (FCP), including reviewing government department expenditures, reducing waste, and eliminating unproductive spending.

Cricket

Cricket-Geopolitics and lack of buzz blight Champions Trophy's return

(Reuters) - Geopolitical reality, lack of buzz in host nation Pakistan and mediocre cricket in general meant Champions Trophy's much-anticipated return to the calendar did not go according to plan for the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

AseanPlus News

ANALYSIS - BRICS' climate leadership aims hang on healing deep divides

Ambitions by the BRICS group to take on a greater climate leadership role, building on success last month at United Nations nature talks, depend on the countries overcoming fractious politics and entrenched disagreements over money.

Forex

Ringgit closes lower against greenback on trade war concerns, china deflationary woes

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit closed lower against the US dollar on Monday on lingering trade war concerns while deflationary pressures in China further weighed on Asian currencies.

Laos

Australia strengthens socio-economic ties with Laos and ensure progress in Huaphan province

Australian Ambassador to Laos, Megan Jones, reaffirmed Australia's commitment to fostering people-to-people connections and economic cooperation between Laos and Australia.