Passengers wait for jeepneys along a street in Manila. Philippine jeepney drivers staged a noisy protest in the capital Manila on January 16, 2024 over the government's plan to phase out the smoke-belching vehicles nationwide and replace them with modern mini-buses.- AFP
Malaysia:
* Cabinet retreat to find ways to boost economy, says PM
* Royal pardon for Najib: Online polls show Malaysians still at odds over the issue
* No decisions on fixed term Parliament act yet, says Malaysian PM
* Malaysia's auto sales at all-time high of 799,731 units in 2023 - MAA
* Motorcyclist caught on camera masturbating while asking for directions
* Arson at MP's home: Remand extended against suspect, say Perak cops
* Red Sea tensions not expected to impact country's agriculture, food sectors, says Mat Sabu
* Selangor cops to extend remand for policemen in rape, robbery case
* Rosmah Mansor’s representation set for March 1 by High Court
* Fixed term Parliament act would help reduce political instability, says Loke
* Woman’s conversion to Islam at age four a nullity from the start, Federal Court heard
* Dr M's 'loyalty' remarks irresponsible, not surprising, says PM Anwar / * Dr M's 'loyalty' comments disappointing, says Loke
Visitors sit in a vehicle driving past the structure of the God of Fortune installed in preparation for the upcoming Lunar New Year around the Supertrees grove observation walk at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. - AFP
Singapore:
* Singapore: Mother who saw son sexually assault daughter, then 12, but did not report it, pleads guilty
* Suspected drugs, LSD stamps found in inbound parcel at SingPost Centre
* Singapore seeks international feedback on new governance framework for generative AI
* Mother who saw son sexually assault 12-year-old daughter but did not report it pleads guilty
* Jail for ex-deputy director who duped Football Association of over S$609k; wife gets discharge
* Exploring Singapore on two wheels, on the best bicycle lanes in the region
* Number of property agents continues to rise in Singapore
* Asian markets: Stocks slump, dollar gains on rate outlook jitters
* Oil prices mixed amid economic concerns, Red Sea issues
Indonesia:
* Indonesia plans to gradually lower coal output starting 2035, says top mining official
* Indonesia says 'strong indication' of safety procedure violation in deadly nickel fire
* Jakarta approves Freeport Indonesia's mining quota for 2024-2026
* Prabowo promotes Jokowi’s son-in-law for North Sumatra governor
* 6,500 island folk evacuate amid volcano eruptions
* Aiming to restore real democracy in Indonesia
* Indonesia's Bandung declares flood emergency until Jan 20
A worker prepares ballot boxes at the logistics warehouse of the Denpasar General Election Commission in Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on January 16, 2024, ahead of Indonesia's upcoming general election scheduled to be held on February 14. - AFP
Thailand:
* Bank of Thailand insists current policy interest rate ‘appropriate’ despite call by govt to cut rates
* Thai cabinet approves diesel tax cut, 2025 fiscal budget
* Emerging Markets - Most Asian Forex and stocks fall on rates outlook volatility
* Thai airports implement new boarding pass criteria to verify identity
* Binance Thailand opens crypto exchange for trading
* Thai PM plans to sell land bridge project to Dubai Port World
* Sun bathers stir controversy at Chiang Mai temple
Philippines:
* Philippines plans US$1.7bil spending to cut farm losses
* China warns Philippines not to 'play with fire' over president's Taiwan remarks
* Philippine jeepney drivers protest phase-out plan
* Philippines’ latest TikTok sensation returns home from S. Korea, almost gets mobbed at airport
* Philippines reaffirms 'One China policy' after Marcos congratulates Taiwan's new leader
* Philippines hopes to sign troops pact with Japan in Q1
* ‘Nearby islands to be developed for troops’ - says Philippines military chief
Workers plant flowers along a street in Hanoi on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. - AFP
Vietnam:
* Coffee hoarding set to squeeze Vietnamese exports even further
* AirPods maker Goertek to open Vietnam factory as part of Apple’s supply chain diversification
* Vietnam tries 100 people for terrorism after gun attacks
* Vietnam and Indonesia eye stronger ties, economic cooperation
* Ho Chi Minh City’s industry, trade sector sets goals
* Vietnam market to slow ahead of Lunar New Year as risks emerge
* Vietnam home loans to drive retail credit growth in 2024
Myanmar:
* Powerful Arakan Army resistance force makes strong statement after taking control of a strategic township in western Myanmar
* RCEP betters coordination among partner nations: Myanmar expert
* Junta loses more ground in Myanmar
A woman feeds pigeons near the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on January 16, 2024. - AFP
Cambodia:
* Cambodian PM Hun Manet: Manet: Paris visit based on value placed on strong ties
* Cambodian court convicts activists for teaching about class differences, suspends jail terms
* Kep town governor removed for abuse of power, misconduct
Laos
* North Korean cyber empire extends to money laundering in South-East Asia, UNODC reports
* Northern Laos' Luang Prabang tourists haven expects to attract over 1.7 million tourists in 2024
* Thai princess visits Laos to enhance bilateral ties
Brunei:
* Lee reaffirms close ties with Brunei during meeting with Sultan Bolkiah
* A night of jubilance to celebrate royal couple at Brunei palace
* Royal wedding celebration draws to a close
Acrobats of the China National Acrobatic Troupe perform during the 15th International Circus Festival at the Capital Grand Circus in Budapest. The China National Acrobatic Troupe won the best production award, the Grand Prix trophy. - AFP
AseanPlus:
* Cathay Pacific plane 'struck' by Korean Air aircraft at Japan airport, no injuries
* WEF report: Climate change to cause millions of deaths by 2050
* No change after Taiwan election to ‘basic fact’ there is only one China: Wang Yi
* Tigerair Taiwan employees get 10.8 months of bonus on average as travel demand soars
* About 1,000 tourists trapped in China's Xinjiang after avalanches
* 'The Bear' and 'Beef' snag wins at Emmys as 'Succession' outshines other dramas
* China unveils plan for massive ‘silver economy’ to serve elderly
* Japan doubles emergency funds after New Year's Day quake
* Elon Musk wants greater control of Tesla before building its AI
* N. Korea will no longer seek reconciliation with South because of hostility: Kim Jong-un
* HK man allegedly loses thousands of dollars on flight to Japan in rupiah swop
* North Korea's Kim calls for South to be seen as "primary foe", warns of war
* Hit Chinese TV series rekindles sidelined Shanghainese dialect
* Artificial intelligence will continue to make waves this year
* Boeing’s legacy vanished into thin air. Saving it will take years
* China’s military and government buy Nvidia chips despite US ban
* Tennis-Osaka still keen to keep busy after early Australian Open exit
* Hong Kong hiking experts say be mindful of body’s limits and don’t blindly rely on social media for trail tips
* Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific signs up 100 new mainland Chinese cabin crew as it rebuilds post-coronavirus
* More CEOs fear their companies won’t survive 10 years as AI and climate challenges grow, survey says
* ‘Strangers started telling me to go home’: why foreigners who endured China’s Covid lockdowns now say they’ve had enough
* ‘Just a game’: China firm tells employees to crawl along street in humiliating team bonding activity they ‘volunteered’ to endure
* Hong Kong police investigate email scam following German pharmaceutical firm’s report it was swindled out of more than RM15.34mil
