ASEAN IN FOCUS
Living in extraordinary times! – ASEAN in Focus – Oct. 18, 2023
Living in extraordinary times! – ASEAN in Focus – Oct. 17, 2023
Interview: Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Ilan Fluss, discusses the bold Hamas attack on Israel, Israeli response, citizen resilience, and hostage rescue efforts
Thai death toll in Israel-Gaza conflict hits 24: PM
BANGKOK, Oct 14, 2023 (AFP) – Three more Thai nationals have died in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, bringing the death toll to 24, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said Saturday. “I have been informed that there are three more people who died, making it a total of 24,” Srettha told reporters. Two additional Thai nationals have been wounded, the Thai foreign ministry said, bringing the total to 16. About 30,000 Thais […]
5.2-Magnitude earthquake rattles Manila, prompting concerns of damage and aftershocks
MANILA, Oct 13, 2023 (AFP) – A magnitude 5.2 earthquake shook buildings in the Philippine capital on Friday, the US Geological Survey said, with local authorities warning of possible damage and aftershocks. The shallow quake struck about 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Manila at 8:24 am (0024 GMT) and sent students and office workers fleeing from their buildings. “So far everything’s okay. No casualties although this is the epicentre,” said Rafael Cuevas, a disaster […]
Taiwan’s defense minister warns of increased ‘military intimidation’ by China
TAIPEI, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – Taiwan’s defence minister said Thursday China has stepped up “military intimidation” this year by flying an increased number of warplanes around the island as well as accelerating the deployment of ballistic missiles. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory to be seized one day — by force if necessary — and has ramped up pressure on the island in recent years, staging at least two rounds of […]
Tears and trauma as Thai evacuees return from Israel
BANGKOK, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – The first flight of Thai evacuees fleeing the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas landed in Bangkok on Thursday, with several recounting harrowing escapes as they were reunited with tearful family members. Worried families gathered at the airport hours before the arrival of a flight carrying 41 Thais, including 15 evacuees, who were flown out with assistance from their country’s diplomats. Around 30,000 Thais work in Israel, […]
Australian arrested in Singapore after bomb threat, returned flight: police
SINGAPORE, Oct 12, 2023 (AFP) – An Australian passenger on a Perth-bound flight was arrested in Singapore on Thursday for criminal intimidation, police said, after the plane was escorted back to the city-state by fighter jets due to a bomb threat. Flight TR16, operated by budget carrier Scoot, departed Singapore at 4:11 pm (0811 GMT). But about one hour into the flight, “a precautionary decision was made to turn the aircraft back to Singapore due […]
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – October 11, 2023
Living in extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Oct.10, 2023
Singapore death row families urge end to executions
SINGAPORE, Oct 9, 2023 (AFP) – Families of death row convicts urged the Singapore government Monday to impose a moratorium on capital punishment to allow for an independent review of the controversial use of executions in the city-state. Five families called for a meeting with Singapore’s law and home affairs minister “to listen to our stories, to our pain, and confront our humanity”, they said in a statement on the eve of World Day Against […]
