SINGAPORE
1.S’PORE BANKS SEE RISE IN MORTGAGE REFINANCING AFTER RATE CUTS IN 2024 -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Mortgage loan refinancing and repricing activity by private home owners and Housing Board flat owners picked up significantly in 2024 after fixed mortgage loan rates fell below 3 per cent from the second quarter.
2.'MOUNTING STRESS AND PRESSURE': CAN A NATIONAL HOTLINE HELP ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN CHINA? -- CNA
12356 - China’s new centralised national mental health helpline is missing the number four, leaving it sounding like “mei si”, which translates to “it’s okay” in Chinese.
LAOS
1.FARMERS URGED TO GROW “KHAO KAINOY RICE” - - VIENTIANE TIMES
Farmers in Xieng Khuang province are encouraged to grow “khao kainoy” rice variety. So far they have grown 55,000 tonnes of the glutinous rice. Authorities encourage farmers in five districts to grow “khao kainoy” on 12,500 hectares of land.
2.FIFTH FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE ALMOST COMPLETE - - VIENTIANE TIMES
The fifth “friendship bridge” between Laos and Thailand across the Mekong River is now 96 per cent complete. The bridge connecting Laos’ Borikhamxay province and Bueng Kan in Thailand is set to open in May, enhancing travel and trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
MYANMAR
1.FERTILISER IMPORTS REACH 1.4 MILLION TONNES - - THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Ministry of Cooperatives and Rural Development announced that 1.4 million tonnes of fertilisers were imported in the past nine months. The ministry cautioned on overcharging, market manipulation, over stockpiling and wants fair pricing. It wants enough fertiliser supply for growers.
2.BRISK LOCAL MARINE PRODUCTS EXPORT - - THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
About 80 types of marine products enter the Yangon market for domestic consumption and export. Products such as Bombay ducks, croakers, ribbonfish and prawns arrive from Myanmar’s waters. Yangon has more than 10 jetties for marine fishing vessels to dock.
VIETNAM
1.NATION CELEBRATES ASEAN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE WIN - - VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam won the 2024 ASEAN Championship football final after defeating Thailand 3-2 at the Rajamangala Stadium in the second leg in Bangkok on Sunday. Vietnam won the title for the third time with a 5-3 aggregate and their first since 2018.
2.OVER QUARTER MILLION BUSINESSES IN OPERATION - - VIETNAMPLUS
According to the Agency for Business Registration, over 233,400 businesses were operating nationwide last year. While about 157, 240 new enterprises, mostly small-scale enterprises, were registered in 2024. The new entrants were in the service, industry and construction sectors.
THAILAND
1. 39 CHINESE TOURISTS TEST POSITIVE FOR DRUGS FOLLOWING PATTAYA PUB RAID -- THE NATION
Police and Interior Ministry officials joined forces to raid a pub on Pattaya’s Walking Street early on Sunday and found 39 Chinese tourists who tested positive for drugs.
2. PAO POLLS VITAL 'BUILDING BLOCKS' -- BANGKOK POST
Fierce competition is expected in the elections of Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) presidents in 47 provinces on Feb 1 between three major parties, observers say.
-- BERNAMA
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