Buddhist novice monks look at geese that are named hamsa at a monastery in Yangon. The hamsa is an aquatic migratory bird, referred to in ancient Sanskrit texts which various scholars have interpreted as being based on the goose, the swan, or even the flamingo. Its image is used in Indian and Southeast Asian culture as a spiritual symbol and a decorative element. It is also used in a metaphorical sense with the bird attributed with the mythical ability to extract milk from a mixture of milk and water or good from evil. In Hindu iconography, hamsa is the vahana (or vehicle) of Brahma, Gayatri, Saraswati, and Vishvakarma. - AFP
Malaysia:
* Issue involving Sanusi not resolved, says Selangor Ruler / 3R investigation into Sanusi’s case almost done, says IGP
* Sanusi expected to be charged on July 18
* Swatch Malaysia challenges govt seizure of Pride collection watches in court
* Malaysia like the 'Wild West' for vapes, says Khairy
* MACC makes new arrest in Customs Dept contraband case
* Cops seize drugs worth over RM14mil in four raids
* State polls: Pakatan, Barisan must play to their strengths to achieve victory, says Anwar
* Company director fails again in bid to transfer CBT, money laundering cases to High Court
* Gig Economy Commission to be set up to improve welfare of workers
* State polls: Negri Pakatan in the dark over Lenggeng seat, says Aminuddin
* More needs to be done to establish Malaysia as a startup hub - SC
* Anwar's 'clean government' claim gives perception ongoing corruption cases will be dropped, says Syed Saddiq
The Indonesian Presidential Palace shows Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (right) shaking hands with Indonesia's new Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Indonesian President Joko Widodo named a new communications minister in a cabinet shake-up on Monday, July 17, 2023 after the previous minister was detained in a corruption probe linked to a project that cost the country half a billion dollars in losses. - AFP
Singapore:
* It's a love affair and that's why they quit - Inappropriate relationship between two Singapore politicans continued despite counselling, says PM Lee
* Two Singapore ruling party lawmakers quit in rare political drama
* Tough times for Singapore ruling party: Scandals involving ruling party politicians - A Timeline
* Singapore sprint queen Shanti Pereira aiming for more glory after historic double at Asian Championships meet
* Ex-lawyer Jeffrey Ong jailed 19 years after misappropriating nearly $76mil of clients’ money
* New US-approved drug for early-stage Alzheimer’s not in Singapore yet
* Critically endangered Hawksbill turtle eggs hatch at Singapore beach
* Asia shares struggle as China fails to stimulate
* Oil down 1% on weak China GDP data, resumption of Libya output
* Jacky Cheung, 62, does split during Singapore concert, says he will perform there again in his 70s
Indonesia:
* Indonesia and the EU conclude the 15th round of IEU-CEPA negotiations; trade to increase between two parties
* 10 foreigners detained in Melaka while attempting to sneak out of country
* Indonesia surprises with large trade surplus in June; rate cuts eyed before year-end
* India, Indonesia plan local currency trade, fast payments links
* Jokowi appoints loyalist to Cabinet, in reshuffle ahead of polls
* Indonesian Presidential hopefuls make debut
* Indonesia president names new communications minister after graft scandal
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward Party, center, and Leader of Pheu Thai party Chonlanan Srikaew, left, wave two supporters after meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, July 17, 2023. The top candidate to become Thailand's next prime minister, Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who was rebuffed last week by an initial vote of Parliament, declared Monday he will remain a candidate for a second round of ballot but acknowledges he may have to make way for a political ally if he cannot attract substantially more support. - AP
Thailand:
* Thai alliance reaffirms backing for Pita's second PM bid
* Thai PM hopeful Pita cannot be nominated twice, senator says
* ‘Pita should get more chances’ - Thailand race for PM's post
* Emerging Markets - Asian FX, stocks fall as China data fails to lift markets, yuan drags
* Navy scrambling to find ammo thief after ‘Thai Wikileaks’ bombshell
* Heavy rain forecast for most of Thailand
* Thailand - the Detroit of Asia targets battery makers to stay ahead in EV race
Philippines:
* Philippines top court orders re-arrest of suspect in activist killing
* Over 1,600 volcano evacuees down with respiratory illnesses in Philippines
* Philippine central bank chief keeps door open to rate tightening
* Parity, bigger field mean there could be surprises at the Women's World Cup; Vietnam and the Philippines are Asean flagbarers
* France ramps up naval ties with Philippines
* Philippines activists fight back as online threats rise
* Indonesian pineapple exports to China growing fast
People watch big waves at a sea shore as Typhoon Talim approaches in Boao, in China's southern Hainan province on Monday, July 17, 2023. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Vatican and Vietnam to take major step forward in improving long-strained relations
* Vietnam’s big bet on LNG may not ease its power crisis
* Tens of thousands evacuated as typhoon nears southern China and Vietnam
* Vietnam govt sounds the alarm; more than 30,000 people to be evacuated due to Storm Talim
* Vietnam's used car market comes under pressure
* Vietnamese airlines struggle with slot retention challenges
* Companies in Vietnam struggle to recruit staff at professional level: report
Myanmar:
* Cops investigating alleged abduction of Myanmar activist and family
* UOB to close Myanmar Airways International bank accounts by Aug 15; a very unexpected decision says the airlines
* Malaysia to adopt middle ground between superpowers, says Zambry (Malaysian Foreign Minister)
* Don’s meeting with Suu Kyi goes against Asean principles: Thai Sang Thai
* Malaysia - Human Rights Watch calls for urgent investigation into abduction of prominent Myanmar activist
A jogger stretches as the sun sets over the Bedok Reservoir in Singapore. - AP
Cambodia:
* Cambodia receives US$45.8bil in FDI in past three decades, says central bank
* Cambodia hopes RCEP, bilateral FTAs will boost exports of garment, footwear, travel goods
* Facebook and Hun Sen: Cambodia election tests content moderation
Laos:
* Russia proposes local currency initiative to entice trade with Asean nations
* Lao tourism ministry gears up for influx of Chinese visitors
Brunei:
* Digital health tools can revolutionise healthcare, says Brunei health minister
* Concerns, praise for minimum wage policies in Brunei
South Korea's Kim Su-ji and Park Ha-reum compete in the final of the women's 3m synchronised diving event during the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka on Monday, July 17, 2023. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* M’sians in South Korea reminded to stay safe following heavy rain alert
* CPTPP to offer higher market access between Malaysia and UK - British High Commission
* China logs 52.2 deg C as extreme weather rewrites records
* Indian tourists flock to South-East Asia as China's reopening falters
* MH17 anniversary: Pursuit of justice for victims continues nine years on
* Nia Atasha proud to be Victoria's Secret's first-ever Malay model
* US, China envoys seek to revive climate diplomacy
* China shuts social media accounts over market and other rumours
* Markets struggle as rally fades, China growth misses forecasts
* Talim forecast to hit southern China as a typhoon late Monday
* China's frail Q2 GDP growth puts pressure for more policy support
* A desperate search for survivors as South Korea's death toll from destructive rainstorm keeps growing
* South Korea flood death toll rises to 39, Yoon blames botched responses
* Japan issues heatstroke alerts as mercury shoots up
* Elon Musk is rooting for ‘safe’ superintelligence at startup xAI
* TV host James Corden's mansion sold to HK billionaire's daughter for RM76mil
* North Korea's Kim Yo Jong says US should stop 'foolish act' that risks security
* Aaron Kwok won't stop filming dangerous scenes just because he's a family man
* Singer Coco Lee’s funeral to take place on July 31 and Aug 1
* Soccer-Co-hosts Australia call out World Cup pay disparity
* Green finance key to foreign businesses in Hong Kong
* Actor Daniel Wu reunites with on-screen son from 'American Born Chinese' in Taipei
* Sealed original Apple iPhone sells for whopping US$158,000
