Shoppers at a market in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Indonesians are preparing for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which is marked with feasts and celebration. - Bloomberg
Malaysia:
* Prioritise personal and family safety during Aidilfitri celebrations, advises Zahid
* Sabah politicians support ban proposal for Dr Akmal
* IP on Dr Akmal will be submitted to AGC next week, says IGP
* Focus on attracting high-value tourists to Sabah, says Bersatu rep
* Twice as many 3R issues reported compared to 2023, says Aaron Ago
* No concerts at Bukit Jalil stadium until June 11
* Monsoon transition: Public advised to be wary of weather changes
* Housing and Local Government Ministry to take strict action against littering
* Anwar reminds customs, immigration personnel to serve with discipline and integrity
* Banks urged to change authentication methods to prevent scams, says Bukit Aman
* Disunity in country caused by leaders who play with sentiments, says Sabah Umno leader
* Mohd Na'im refutes interfaith council's view that Syariah Courts Act amendments are unconstitutional
Bridge support columns for the Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) project between Malaysian city Johor Bahru and Singapore are seen under construction along Johor Straits in Singapore on April 4, 2024. - AFP
Singapore:
* Biden pledges support in Baltimore but who will foot bill for world’s costliest marine disaster due to Singapore-flagged cargo ship
* Jail for Malaysian man involved with transnational syndicate linked to scams, evaded arrest in Singapore
* Singapore govt and police refute claims they had asked migrant worker’s employer to deport him despite working there for 16 years
* 36 suspects arrested in Singapore over drug activities carried out via Telegram
* Singapore restricts sale, supply of Port Dickson mussels
* Man jailed for using someone else’s identity to enter MBS casino
* 272 arrested in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea over alleged online child sexual abuse crimes; youngest arrested is only 12
Indonesia:
* Indonesia reviews import rules on more than 3,000 products after business group complaints
* Indonesia strives to control fast rising domestic rice prices with assistance programme
* 5.0-magnitude quake hits 251km North of Agats, Indonesia, says USGS
* Indonesia's 2025 budget to leave room for Prabowo's free meal programme
* Oil prices climb over US$1 a barrel on supply risk
Williams driver Alexander Albon of Thailand walks around his car in the pit garage before the third free practice session at the Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, central Japan, Saturday, April 6, 2024, ahead of Sunday's Japanese Formula One Grand Prix. - AP
Thailand:
* Thais disappointed as favourite fish dish Kaeng Tai Pla voted ‘worst food in the world’ by TasteAtlas
* Thailand's influential ex-premier Thaksin says PM Srettha a suitable transition leader
* Thailand and China to cooperate in lunar exploration missions
* King Ananda’s death may be re-examined
* Thailand and China - Govts ink pacts on outer space, lunar outposts
Philippines:
* US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines to stage military drills in South China Sea on Sunday (April 7)
* Philippines and China trade accusations over South China Sea encounter
* Philippine coastguard reports 'harassment' by Chinese vessels in South China Sea
* Thousands of Philippine schools suspend in-person classes due to heat, says education dept
* US, Japan, Australia and Philippines to hold 'maritime cooperative activity'
People take a dip along Norzagaray River in Bulacan on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in the archipelago nation, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vietnam province declares state of emergency over drought; thousands without fresh water
* Vietnam ranked sixth among fastest growing Asian economies in 2024; Macao claims top spot as Malaysia is 14th
* Vietnam football team plunges in FIFA ranks after qualifiers defeat
* China's Chery to set up URM3.8bil automobile factory in Vietnam
* Fifth Grade student dead, dozens hospitalised for suspected food poisoning at local stalls in Vietnam
Myanmar:
* Former Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop named UN special envoy to Myanmar
* China’s military to hold live-fire exercise on Myanmar border as fighting continues
* The United Nations calls on world not to forget suffering in Myanmar
A shoe street vendor uses her phone as she waits for customers along a street in Hanoi.
Cambodia:
* Cambodia plans to transform existing railways into high-speed railways and build two more between 2028-2033
* 69-year-old Phnom Penh madam detained for running underage prostitution racket
* Heatwave continues as parts of Cambodia forecast to reach 38°C
Laos:
* Asean finance leaders end meetings in Laos, pointing to challenges from geopolitics, volatile prices
* Lao govt pleads and urges overseas workers to return amid acute staff shortage in country
Brunei:
* Brunei govt says no company has been appointed to undertake Trans-Borneo railway project
* Brunei health ministry raises red flag on Indonesian cosmetic product using banned substances
Supporters carrying cutouts of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrive to attend an election campaign rally in Pushkar on Saturday, April 6, 2024, ahead of the country's upcoming general elections. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* Asean-South Korea dialogue welcomes strategic partnership proposal
* China’s green-tech manufacturing boom draws concerns about overcapacity
* Yellen calls China meetings "productive", seeks level playing field
* Taiwan helicopters pluck quake-stranded tourists to safety
* Taiwan earthquake death toll rises to 13, hundreds still stranded
* ‘Seemingly endless’: Some 500 aftershocks continue to rattle Hualien in wake of Taiwan quake
* Israel opens crossing into Gaza amid global pressure
* Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 33,137, says health ministry
* Indian academic gets bail after six years without trial
* Sakura hunting in Japan is a fun 'sport' for tourists that takes place each spring
* Crowds gather to watch cherry blossoms at peak bloom in Tokyo
* Olympics-Boxing's exclusion from Games would be a disaster - Price
* Motor racing-Verstappen takes pole position at Japanese GP for third year in a row
* Hong Kong police hunt for assailants behind road ambush that left one man injured
* US ‘strongly opposes’ China’s renaming of areas along disputed Indian border
* Flood-hit Sydney residents urged to higher ground after torrential rains
* Pakistan denounces Indian minister's remarks about pursuing suspects across border
* Hongkongers told to seek shelter as city braces for widespread heavy rain and intense winds on Saturday
* Hong Kong residents make 1.76 million outbound trips over Easter break as mainland China tours surge in popularity
* Tech war: updated US semiconductor export restrictions raise demand in China for Nvidia’s RTX 4090 graphics card
* Can China’s hopes that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation will offer new model for international relations come to pass?
* Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum looks to counter ‘prejudice’ against spiders as part of mission to boost ecological awareness
* Number of green burials quadruples over past decade as Hong Kong authorities look to promote scattering of ashes in designated gardens, sea
