ASEAN IN FOCUS
7.1-magnitude quake, aftershocks rattle Bali residents
DENPASAR, Indonesia, Aug 29, 2023 (AFP) – A strong, deep 7.1-magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks rattled Bali and other Indonesian islands on Tuesday, the USGS reported, sending panicked tourists into the streets but causing no major damage. The quake struck at a depth of around 515 kilometres off the northeastern coast of Bali at around 3:55 am local time (1955 GMT Monday), according to the US Geological Survey. The tremors were felt across Bali, and […]
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – August 28, 2023
Hundreds flee floods as super typhoon brushes past Philippines
MANILA, Aug 27, 2023 (AFP) – More than a thousand people fled their homes as floods unleashed by Super Typhoon Saola swept through mainly rural villages in the northern Philippines, rescue officials said Sunday. Saola brushed past the northeast of the main island of Luzon overnight Saturday and continued south just off the Pacific coast packing winds of up to 185 kilometres (115 miles) per hour, the state weather bureau said. No casualties or substantial […]
Myanmar extradites seven suspects to China over online scams
YANGON, Aug 24, 2023 (AFP) – Myanmar authorities have handed over seven people suspected of involvement in online scams targeting Chinese citizens to Beijing authorities, state media reported Thursday. Criminal syndicates are accused of kidnapping or luring citizens of China and other countries to lawless enclaves along Myanmar’s northern and eastern borders and forcing them to work as online scammers. The scammers typically target their compatriots and groom them for weeks before cajoling them into […]
Chinese ships chase, block Philippine boats in disputed sea
ABOARD THE BRP CABRA, Aug 23, 2023 (AFP) – As a US military surveillance plane circled overhead, eight Chinese ships chased and briefly blocked four Philippine boats on a resupply mission to a tiny garrison in the hotly contested South China Sea. The high seas cat-and-mouse game on Tuesday followed assurances from Chinese coast guard vessels patrolling the waters that Philippine boats would be allowed to deliver provisions to the remote outpost on Second Thomas […]
New Thai PM takes office, vows four years of change
BANGKOK, Aug 23, 2023 (AFP) – Thailand’s new prime minister vowed to bring four years of change to the kingdom as he took office Wednesday at the head of a controversial coalition including pro-military parties linked to former coup-makers. The appointment of former property mogul Srettha Thavisin — of the Pheu Thai party long associated with billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra — ends months of political deadlock following May’s general election. The 61-year-old was confirmed by […]
Singapore police investigate bomb threats at 18 locations
SINGAPORE, Aug 23, 2023 (AFP) – Singapore police have launched an investigation into bomb threats allegedly made at more than a dozen locations around the city-state, including government buildings and embassies, police said Wednesday. Authorities were alerted to the threats at around 09:10 am local time (0110 GMT) on Wednesday, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement. It added that the threats were reported at “18 locations around Singapore, including government buildings, embassies and […]
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – Full broadcast – August 23, 2023
Embracing extraordinary times! ASEAN in Focus – August 22, 2023
https://youtube.com/live/cL-2PWHZUWM
Three candidates nominated for Singapore president vote
SINGAPORE, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – Three candidates were nominated Tuesday to run next week in Singapore’s first contested presidential vote in more than a decade, officials said. While the role is largely ceremonial, there are stringent requirements for the position, which formally oversees the city’s financial reserves and holds the power to veto certain measures and approve anti-graft probes. Incumbent Halimah Yacob ran unopposed for her six-year term in 2017. Election officials announced the […]
Philippines says resupply mission reaches remote South China Sea outpost
MANILA, Aug 22, 2023 (AFP) – The Philippines said a resupply mission had reached a remote outpost in the disputed South China Sea Tuesday, despite attempts by Chinese vessels to “block” the boats carrying provisions for Filipino marines. Two Philippine Coast Guard boats escorted two supply vessels to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, where a handful of troops are stationed on a crumbling navy ship. They arrived just over two weeks after China […]
