ASEAN IN FOCUS

Indonesia volcano erupts, spews tower of smoke and ash

Jakarta, Indonesia | AFP | Indonesia’s Mount Ili Lewotolok erupted Friday, belching a tower of smoke and ash almost a kilometre into the sky and prompting authorities to impose a no-go zone in the area. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the eruption, which sent up a tower of volcanic smoke 700 metres (0.4 miles) high in a remote part of the Southeast Asian archipelago nation. But authorities imposed an exclusion […]

Thai police shoot gunman dead after 15-hour standoff

Thai police shot dead a gunman who killed three people and wounded three others, a senior officer said Thursday, after a 15-hour standoff. The shooter started firing in Phetchaburi, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of Bangkok, at around 3 pm (0800 GMT) on Wednesday, before police surrounded a house he was in. The standoff ended early Thursday when armed police stormed the building and killed the gunman, who has not been named but was […]

Sunken Philippine oil tanker found: officials

A leaking oil tanker that sank in the Philippines three weeks ago has been found, officials said Tuesday, as the slick reached waters known for their rich marine life. The Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 litres (210,000 gallons) of industrial fuel oil when it sank on February 28 off the central island of Mindoro, south of the capital Manila. Diesel fuel and thick oil from the vessel have since contaminated the waters and beaches of […]

Indonesia’s Merapi volcano erupts, spews hot lava

Jakarta, Indonesia | AFP | Saturday 3/18/2023 Indonesia’s Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted late Friday and continued to spew hot ash and other volcanic material on Saturday. Footage of flaming lava pouring out of the crater and a tall column of hot cloud rising 1,300 metres into the air was taken by the government-run Merapi Volcano Observatory on Friday night. The volcano continued to spew hot ash and hot lava […]

18.7 Million Viewers Watch 2023 Oscar Awards

  Oscars television ratings increased for the second year in a row, as 18.7 million viewers tuned in to watch hit sci-fi “Everything Everywhere All At Once” dominate a well-reviewed ceremony, the ABC network said Monday. With Jimmy Kimmel back as host, and a number of bona fide blockbusters among the nominated films including “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water,” organizers had hoped that the 95th Academy Awards would draw audiences back. […]

Philippines, US to hold largest ever joint war games: officials

The Philippines and the United States will hold their largest ever joint military exercises next month, Philippine and US officials said Tuesday, as the longtime allies seek to counter China’s growing regional influence. A total of 17,680 soldiers will take part in the annual drills, which for the first time will include live-fire exercises in the disputed South China Sea and a simulated defence of a tiny Philippine island nearly 300 kilometres (190 miles) south […]

Australia to buy US nuclear subs in ambitious new pact

  San Diego, United States | AFP | by Jim Watson with Sebastian Smith in Washington Australia has unveiled plans to buy up to five US nuclear-powered submarines, then build a new model with US and British technology under an ambitious plan to bulk up Western muscle across the Asia-Pacific in the face of a rising China. The announcement came Monday at an event at a San Diego, California, naval base where President Joe Biden […]

Indonesia’s Merapi volcano erupts, covers villages in ash

Yogyakarta, Indonesia | AFP | Saturday 3/11/2023 Indonesia’s Mount Merapi, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted on Saturday, spewing out smoke and ash that blanketed villages near the crater. There were no immediate reports of casualties, the country’s disaster mitigation agency said. Images broadcast on local outlet Kompas TV showed ash-covered houses and roads at a village near the volcano, located on Java Island, near Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta. The Merapi Volcano Observatory […]

PH Ambassador visits Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research Technolopolis in Pathum Thani, Thailand

  Bangkok, Thailand Upon the invitation of Dr. Chutima Eamchotchawalit, Governor of the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), a composite team of the Philippine Embassy led by Ambassador Millicent Cruz Paredes visited the agency’s main headquarters called the Technopolis, and several research facilities within the TISTR complex in Pathum Thani, Thailand.   The Embassy’s visit to TISTR was finalized after Dr. Chutima’s participation in the 2023 Propak Philippines on 31 January to […]

Malaysia ex-premier Muhyiddin arrested by anti-graft body

  by M JEGATHESAN Malaysia’s former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was arrested Thursday after anti-graft authorities questioned him for alleged  misuse of public funds meant to fight Covid-19. Muhyiddin, who was prime minister for 17 months between 2020 and 2021, at the height of Malaysia’s battle against the coronavirus, is expected to be slapped with multiple charges in court on Friday, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement. He now leads an opposition […]

Vo Van Thuong confirmed as new Vietnam president

Vietnam’s rubber stamp National Assembly voted in a new president on Thursday, who immediately pledged to crack down on corruption following the resignation of his predecessor in an anti-graft campaign. The appointment of Vo Van Thuong comes during a period of political upheaval in Vietnam, where the all-powerful Communist Party’s anti-graft purge and factional fighting have seen several ministers fired. Members of the National Assembly elected 52-year-old Thuong — the sole candidate — for a […]

Australian defense minister aims to reassure Thailand over nuclear subs

  by Lisa MARTIN Australia’s defence minister aimed to reassure Thailand on Friday that plans to acquire a new fleet of nuclear submarines would enhance “collective security” in the region after neighbouring countries voiced concerns. The submarine issue came up during a visit to Manila earlier this week, Defence Minister Richard Marles told AFP in an interview, and was also on the agenda for Friday’s talks with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who is responsible […]