Actors dressed as women of Jerusalem and Roman soldiers (back) walk along a street during the reenactment of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus in a street play as part of Lenten observance during Holy Week in Manila on Friday, March 29, 2024, ahead of Easter. - AFP
Malaysia:
* IGP: National security heightened after possible Israeli agent nabbed in KL / Israeli with murderous intent arrested in KL with six pistols
* Smuggling probe: 34 nabbed so far over leakages of up to RM2bil over two years, says MACC
* One in five UM students encounters sexual harassment, says survey
* Perak Ruler wants stern action taken to prevent any attempts to spread disharmony
* High Court orders Isa Samad, Mohd Emir to pay FGV RM3.31mil over condo purchase
* Significant rise in provocative social media content detected says MCMC
* Anwar will resolve Sabah PKR turmoil after Raya, says veep
* Female teacher suspected of molesting student suspended, says Fadhlina
* Attacks by 'anti-establishment' groups against govt policies must be curbed, says Zahid
* Married couple, two men claim trial to trafficking Malaysian women in Peru
* Christians from all walks of life attend Good Friday service despite busy schedules
* Penang LRT construction to begin in fourth quarter, says Transport Minister
The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lies on top of the container ship Dali in Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday, March 29, 2024, as clean-up work begins.. Cranes began arriving March 28 at the scene of the catastrophic bridge collapse over Baltimore harbor, as authorities shifted to a clean-up phase of the recovery and warned of extensive work before the major US port can reopen. Four men, all Latin American immigrants, are believed to have been killed when the Singapore-flagged container ship lost power and careened into a bridge support column. - AFP
Singapore:
* Singer Bruno Mars to host Singapore tour afterparty at Marquee on April 6
* UV index in Singapore hits extreme levels; environment agency urges extra sunburn protection
* Cleanup begins in 'very long road' to recovery for Baltimore port; aftermath after Singapore ship wrecked bridge
* Singapore seizes 1.5 tonne of illegally imported fresh produce and processed food from Malaysia
* Protein in muscles plays key role in recovery after exercise, study finds
* Asian stock market/shares are mostly higher after another set of Wall St records
* Oil rises more than US$1 a barrel on tighter supply outlook
* Trafficking gone global - Organised crime rings that fuelled an “explosion” of human trafficking and cyber scam centres in South-East Asia
Indonesia:
* Indonesian president-elect Prabowo to visit China on invitation from Ji Xinping
* Indonesians grapple with surging rice prices ahead of Aidilfitri celebrations just 12 days away
* UN rights panel concerned by extrajudicial killings in Indonesia's Papua
* House passes into law Jakarta special status Bill
* No interference in elections, Prabowo’s lawyers tell court
* Emerging markets - A quiet Good Friday as investors kept to the sidelines ahead of key US inflation data
A woman sprinkles flowers at a makeshift memorial during a vigil for the victims of the Moscow concert hall attack, at the Russian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, March 29, 2024. - AP
Thailand:
* Thai court drops terrorism charges over 2008 airport protest
* Thailand sounds major alarm alert after anthrax outbreak in Laos and near its borders
* Thailand considers adjusting budget to accommodate $13.7 billion handout scheme
* Thai PM says legalising casinos good for revenue and jobs, eyes entertainment project
* ‘Red Shirt’ dissident detained upon return from exile in Thailand
Philippines:
* Contagious pertussis disease continues spreading in Philippines; at least 40 deaths have been reported
* A Filipino villager is nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday to pray for world peace
* Philippines' Catholic devotees nailed to crosses to re-enact crucifixion
* Philippines says it will not yield to submission in row with 'patronising' China
* 40 pertussis deaths so far this year in the Philippines
Workers pick strawberries at a farm in Vietnam's Kon Tum province. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam's deposit interest rates to remain low until mid-2024 as credit demand is ever increasing
* Study: Melting polar ice is changing the earth’s rotation and affecting how we measure time
* Over 4.6 million foreign tourists visit Vietnam in Q1; up 72% year-on-year
* Vietnam economy expands by 5.66% in Q1 as exports boom for South-East Asian country
* Vietnam minister credits ‘bamboo diplomacy’ for balancing nation’s relations with China and US
Myanmar:
* Scientists discover world's first tapeworm body fossil dating back 100 million years
* Myanmar's military makes its annual parade of strength despite unprecedented battlefield losses
* Junta chief: We’re holding power temporarily
People watch the re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday in San Fernando, Pampanga province on Friday, March 29, 2024.- AFP
Cambodia:
* Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar unite to address burning season impact on public health and environment
* 45 people injured in train-bus crash in northwestern Cambodia, says police
* Cambodia's oldest English daily newspaper stops print publication as of Friday due to severe financial difficulties
Laos:
* Laos drops in Global Happiness rankings, economic factors main reason for low ranking
* Laos to increase public awareness of air pollution; issue is rising concern in country
Brunei:
* Brunei haze conditions continue to plague the country as the dry and hot weather persist
* Massive drop in Brunei-Muara air quality; several areas hit by excessive hot weather
Flowering cherry blossoms and buds from a sample cherry tree, Somei Yoshino species, for phenological observation conducted by the Tokyo Regional Headquarters of the Japan Meteorological Agency, are seen at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on March 29, 2024. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced the blooming of cherry blossoms in Tokyo on Monday, March 29, 2024. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* Implementation of visa-free leads to surge in tourists between Malaysia and China
* Messi fans can seek refunds without dropping complaints to Hong Kong consumer watchdog
* Michelle Yeoh to join business and political leaders at Global Citizen NOW summit to fight poverty
* India keen on trade deals with Britain, Oman early in Modi's probable third term, sources say
* Chinese rail company CRRC withdraws bid from Bulgarian public tender amid EU inquiry
* US Trade Representative Katherine Tai denounces China for filing WTO complaint over EV subsidies
* Cathay Pacific budget carrier HK Express eyes mainland China for expansion, aims to boost capacity
* South Korea's ambassador to Australia steps down amid investigation controversy
* US House vote on TikTok ban suggests broader prism than just pro- or anti-China
* South Korea hopes new speed train links will help boost birthrate
* Japan boy band agency Smile-Up admits two more employees committed sexual abuse
* Five dead and over 100 hospitalised from recalled Japanese health supplements
* Major alerts issued as yellow dust engulfs South Korea
* WTO faults Australian inquiry into trade dispute with China
* India's Congress says facing 'tax terrorism' after second tax notice
* After veto, Russia says big powers need to stop 'strangling' North Korea
* Ex TVB actress Fala Chen says she was offered a lot of mum roles after 'Shang-Chi'
* 'Oppenheimer' finally premieres in Japan to mixed reactions and high emotions
* ‘Books without words’: parents of China boy, 6, sell up, buy camper van to take son on nationwide learning tour
* Extras facing the unkindest cut - As purse strings tighten, parents forced to pull kids out of sports and music
* Diplomacy with a twist - A few countries in Asia make friends with other nations by sharing their native flora and fauna
* Former China Olympic champion who home-schools children to allow more play time criticised for depriving them chance to socialise
* Hong Kong Tourism Board to roll out flight deals, vouchers and ‘3 must-haves’ to lure travellers from Xian and Qingdao in solo visitor scheme
