CAMBODIA
1.UK TO RETURN MORE ARTEFACTS -- FRESH NEWS
About 70 Khmer artefacts taken away from Cambodia will be repatriated from the United Kingdom (UK) in February and March this year. Cambodia has recovered 1,098 artefacts from 15 countries from 1996 to July 2024.
2. BOOSTING TOURISM TIES WITH CUBA -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE
Cambodia and Cuba will continue to strengthen their bilateral tourism ties to enhance their 66-year diplomatic relationship. Private sector players from both countries will lead efforts to promote the tourism industry.
INDONESIA
1. INDONESIA TO EXTEND FREE MEALS PROGRAM TO ELDERLY, DISABLED IN 2026 -- ANTARA
Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf announced plans to expand the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program this year to cover up to 400,000 elderly citizens and about 36,000 persons with disabilities.
2. INDONESIA SECURES ADDITIONAL $400M FOR JUST ENERGY TRANSITION PROJECTS -- ANTARA
Indonesia will receive an additional US$400 million in funding for its Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), raising the total commitment from US$21.4 billion to US$21.8 billion, Economic Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto said.
LAOS
1.HANOI, VIENTIANE TO BUILD FRIENDSHIP UNIVERSITY -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Laos and Vietnam inked a slew of development agreements, including the construction of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship University in Laos.
The memorandums of understanding was signed between the countries' education ministries.
2. HAZE WARNING IN MARCH, APRIL -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government has urged the public to brace for a significant increase in fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) in March and April, when farmers start burning unwanted vegetation to replant new crops.
MYANMAR
1. BAMBOO, RATTAN PRODUCTS EXPORTS SOAR -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Ninety per cent of Myanmar’s finished rattan products are exported, and only 10 per cent are for the domestic market. Over 700 types of bamboo and rattan furniture, and ornamental products are produced by skilled rural artisans.
2. PHARMA INDUSTRIES TO RAISE PRODUCTION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The Myanmar Pharmaceutical Industries will ramp up its manufacturing capacity to meet the domestic demand. The factories have been increasing their productivity yearly and overall output has met 20 per cent of local needs.
PHILIPPINES
1.PH READY TO HELP FILIPINOS AMID US IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN – ENVOY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
The Philippine government remains ready to extend help to Filipinos in the United States seeking assistance amid the Trump administration's ongoing immigration crackdown, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Thursday.
2.TRUMP INVITES PH TO JOIN 'BOARD OF PEACE' – ENVOY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
United States President Donald Trump has invited the Philippines to join the Board of Peace (BOP), a US-initiated multinational body aimed at advancing post-conflict solutions, specifically the Gaza reconstruction.
SINGAPORE
1. OVER 1,500 SPEEDING TICKETS ERRONEOUSLY ISSUED, AFFECTED MOTORISTS TO GET REFUNDS AND DEMERIT POINTS VOIDED -- CNA
A total of 1,523 speeding tickets were erroneously issued between Oct 30 and Dec 8 last year, as the speed limit for three enforcement cameras along the Kallang–Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) was incorrectly set at 70kmh instead of 80kmh.
2. S’PORE AERO ENGINE SERVICES TO HIRE OVER 1,000 TECHNICIANS IN NEXT 5 YEARS UNDER DEAL WITH EDB -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Singapore Aero Engine Services (SAESL) is committed to hiring more than 1,000 technicians in the next five years, as part of an agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow 2026.
THAILAND
1. NATION DEBATE BRINGS SIX PARTIES TO SONGKHLA AHEAD OF POLL -- THE NATION
Nation Election 2026’s final regional debate in Songkhla saw six parties pitch Southern policies on land bridge, rubber, palm, motorways and security.
2. BIG 4 PREPARE 'KO PUNCHES' -- BANGKOK POST
Four major political parties -- Bhumjaithai (BJT), Pheu Thai, the People's Party (PP) and the Democrat Party -- will hold large-scale campaign rallies across Bangkok on Friday, marking the final push before Sunday's election.
VIETNAM
1. VIETNAMESE TOP LEADER’S ARRIVAL WARM UP TIES -- VIETNAMPLUS
The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee General Secretary To Lam will be leading a high-level Vietnamese delegation to Phnom Penh today. He is on a state visit at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni.
2.MINISTRY APPROVES EXPRESSWAY EXPANSION -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam plans to spend more than RM487 billion (US$123 billion) to expand its expressway network to 9,000 km by 2050. The Ministry of Construction approved the long-term infrastructure blueprint last week.
-- BERNAMA
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