Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the current ASEAN chair, has asked Myanmar’s junta to reconsider the death sentences imposed on individuals opposed to them, according to his letter of June…
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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the current ASEAN chair, has asked Myanmar’s junta to reconsider the death sentences imposed on individuals opposed to them, according to his letter of June…
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Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – Malaysia’s government said Friday it has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty, with campaigners welcoming the move but cautioning the country had failed to deliver on previous…
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ASEAN special envoy, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, will make his second trip to Myanmar, on June 29th and 30th, to follow up on the implementation…
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Spokesperson for Myanmar’s State Administration Council (SAC), General Zaw Min Tun, has confirmed that four prisoners, two of whom are politicians, will be sentenced to death. The four include ex-NLD…
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Indonesia has summoned India’s envoy in Jakarta over “derogatory” remarks made about the Prophet Mohammed by two officials of the South Asian country’s ruling party, the foreign ministry said Tuesday. The move by the most populous Muslim-majority country came after…
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AFP – Cambodia’s ruling party won a landslide victory in local polls, preliminary results released by the country’s National Election Committee showed Monday. The country voted Sunday with opposition figures…
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The Lao PDR has come a long way, from a land-locked nation to a land-linked hub. Since last December, with a high-speed train linking Southern China to Vientiane up and…
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Senior US defence officials will visit Thailand next week to strengthen ties with its ally in the Indo-Pacific. ADM John Aquilino, Indo-Pacific Commander, is reportedly scheduled to stopover in Bangkok…
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Myanmar’s junta will execute a former lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi’s party and a prominent democracy activist, both of whom were convicted of terrorism, in the country’s first judicial…
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Thailand and neighbouring Lao PDR enhance ties on Wednesday, as Laotian Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh made his first official visit since assuming office last year, with bilateral ties elevated to…
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An explosion was reported in downtown Yangon yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, injuring at least 10 civilians, one of whom died en route to hospital. According to eye witnesses and local news…
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The ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar Prak Sokhonn will pay another visit to the strife-torn country next month in a renewed attempt to seek a peaceful end to its ongoing…
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An Indonesian ship with 43 people onboard capsized off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island after it ran out of fuel, the search and rescue agency said on Saturday (May 28), as search…
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Myanmar has banned all use of the US dollar for domestic transactions, according to its Central Bank (CB) directive dated May 25th 2022. The announcement refers back to the CB’s…
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About 5,000 representatives of governments, the private sector and civil societies from 193 countries are in Bali, Indonesia, to attend the 7th session of the Global Platform (GP2022), convened by…
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At least seven people were killed and scores plucked to safety in the Philippines on Monday after a fire ripped through a ferry and forced passengers to jump overboard, the…
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Only diplomatic platitudes in the joint vision statement plus a small financial package demonstrated the Joe Biden administration’s commitment to maintain momentum in the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy in Southeast Asia,…
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Indonesia organized the 2566 Vesak day celebration at the Borobudur temple in Central Java, local media TVRI reported. The event, by the Indonesian Buddhists Council and the Indonesian Buddhists Association,…
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-cha, speaking at the special ASEAN-US summit, revealed Thailand’s regional strategies, which will promote peace and resilience in the post-pandemic era. He outlined three priorities for the…
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In an unexpected diplomatic move, ASEAN has decided to delay the granting of “comprehensive strategic partnership”status, or CSP, to the US until November, according to an informed source. The source,…
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ASEAN foreign ministers have reached an agreement with the US over the joint vision statement, which contains 27 paragraphs containing 2,695 words, covering the whole gamut of their relations in…
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(AFP) – President Joe Biden on Thursday welcomed Southeast Asian leaders to Washington with promises to support clean energy and maritime security, hoping to showcase a US commitment as China…
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Myanmar saw, not too long into the post-coup era, the departure of investments in the energy sector. France’s Total and the US’s Chevron announced their decisions to leave Myanmar on…
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Some call it “Beauty of democracy”. Under authoritarian regimes, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, or Bongbong, wouldn’t stand a chance. For the son of someone who had been dislodged from power to…
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The leaders of ASEAN countries will meet with US President Joe Biden in Washington D.C. on May 12-13 for a special summit to commemorate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations…
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MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines woke to a new but familiar political landscape on Tuesday, after an election triumph by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paved the way for a once unimaginable return to the…
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MANILA (Reuters) – Ferdinand Marcos Jr clinched a stunning runaway victory in the Philippines’ presidential election on Monday in the first win by a majority since a 1986 revolution that toppled his late…
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Batac City (AFP) – Millions of Filipinos thronged primary schools and other polling stations Monday to elect a new president, with the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to win…
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The son of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos was set to address hundreds of thousands of supporters Saturday on the final day of presidential election campaigning, as polls showed him…
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Philippine election rivals traded allegations of dirty tricks and vote-rigging Friday, in the final stretch of an acerbic campaign that is tipped to bring the son of former dictator Ferdinand…
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ASEAN hopes the US will play a constructive role in backing an ASEAN effort to maintain peace and stability, to mitigate the negative impacts of the Ukraine conflict. Director General…
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Cambodia started to build a 1.5-billion- U.S. dollar logistics and multi-purpose seaport on Thursday in the southwestern Kampot province, aiming to enhance the kingdom’s logistics and transportation sector, officials said….
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Amid dramatic shifts in the strategic landscape, and their negative impacts on global peace and stability, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand issued a joint statement today (Wednesday) on their respective roles…
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Thailand’s global press freedom ranking has improved, as the country ranks 115 out of 180 countries in this year’s World Press Freedom index, a jump from 137 in 2021. Countries…
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Myanmar will see even more frequent power cuts, starting this month, according to local news media Khit Thit. The article, posted on May 3rd, cites civil servants at the power…
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Cambodia, the current chair of ASEAN, is to hold a high-level consultative meeting on May 6th, to discuss ways and means ofproviding humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, according to an informed…
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The Indonesian navy arrested two foreign-flagged tankers attempting to smuggle crude palm oil or CPO. The navy arrested mt world tanker on its way from Dumai in Riau province to…
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President Joko Widodo has ensured that the ban on the export of cooking oil and its raw materials will be lifted only if the cooking oil supply in the market…
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KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Reuters) – Malaysia will ease more COVID-19 curbs from the start of next month, including lifting restrictions on those who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus…
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Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to another five years in prison, according to an unidentified official in the judiciary sector. On Wednesday, rumours regarding the former State Counsellor’s…
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A Canadian actor and self-proclaimed wellness guru is facing deportation from Indonesia’s Bali island after a video of him dancing naked at a sacred mountain went viral. Jeffrey Craigen posted…
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Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai appointed Pornpimol Kanchanalak as the country’s first special envoy on Myanmar today (Tuesday). Pornpimol is currently serving as an advisor on foreign policy to Don….
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The global demand for palm oil is likely to switch to Malaysia after Indonesia’s export ban. Malaysia’s Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin says Malaysia is confident it can…
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A car bomb exploded at the Myanmar immigration building, on the approach to the First Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, opposite Thailand’s Mae Sot district of Tak province, setting fire to the…
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Myanmar’s military junta has failed to normalize conditions in the strife-torn country following a subdued water festival punctuated by violence and an unpopular plan to reopen for tourism. Meanwhile, ASEAN…
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On the morning of April 19th, a wave of panic hit Myanmar citizens as rumours of fuel shortages went viral on social media. The rumours started following a supposed internal…
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After several rounds of negotiations over the dates for the second special ASEAN-US summit, both sides have now agreed to meet in Washington DC on May 12th and 13th, 2022,…
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Myanmar’s local news media report that the Vice-Chairwoman of Myanmar’s Central Bank, Than Than Swe, was shot dead in her home earlier today (Thursday). She was alone when she opened…
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Myanmar’s Central Bank has announced that all foreign currency accounts held in the country’s banks must be exchanged to the Kyat within one working day, and all foreign currency earned…
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When Japanese brewing giant Kirin called time on its Myanmar operations last month, the news made little difference to Kyaw Gyi — like many drinkers, he had long boycotted the…
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JAKARTA, April 3 (Reuters) – The world’s largest Muslim-majority nation of Indonesia welcomed the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan with a mass prayer at Jakarta’s grand mosque on Saturday,…
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UN special envoy on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, held talks with the ASEAN chair and its special envoy in Phnom Penh on Thursday, to strengthen UN-ASEAN cooperation in their efforts to…
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Land border checkpoints between Thailand and Malaysia have reopened today (Friday), after being closed for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A main checkpoint in Sadao district…
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Myanmar local media reports that a plane, containing materials to print Myanmar Kyat banknotes, is due to arrive in Nay Pyi Taw tonight (Wednesday). Khit Thit News Media cites sources…
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SINGAPORE, March 24 (Reuters) – Singapore said on Thursday it will lift quarantine requirements for all vaccinated travellers from next month, joining a string of countries in Asia moving more…
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The Thai Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) announced today (Thursday) a crackdown on a major call centre gang in Cambodia and the arrest of 28 suspects, among them two Taiwanese. Numerous…
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On the second day of their three-day visit to Myanmar, the ASEAN special envoy and delegates are scheduled to meet with selected stakeholders in Yangon today (Tuesday), according to a…
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Myanmar will resume international passenger flights from April 17, the military said Saturday, lifting a two-year ban on foreign tourists. The Southeast Asian nation closed its borders to visitors in…
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This week, the Thai cabinet made a commendable decision to allow legal migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and the Lao PDR, who have been working in Thailand for four years,…
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The second special ASEAN-US summit, which was scheduled to take place on March 28th and 29th, has been postponed until new dates can be arranged in May, according to Thailand’s Deputy…
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The Thai cabinet agreed today (Tuesday) to allow legal migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, who have been working in Thailand for four years, to stay for another two…
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March 15 (Reuters) – Myanmar will start accepting the Thai baht currency for settling border trade transactions and is also looking at a similar plan to use the Indian rupee…
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Jakarta (AFP) – A strong quake struck off the west coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island early on Monday, sending residents fleeing from their homes, but no damage or victims were reported…
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A 25-year-old Thai woman from Bangkok, who was lured to work illegally in Cambodia for a call centre, escaped and fell victim to an organ trading gang, has safely returned…
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The second special ASEAN-US summit has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts among ASEAN participants, according to an informed source. The source said that the proposed dates of March 28th and…
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Malaysia will re-open to all vaccinated tourists from April 1, authorities said Tuesday, joining a growing number of countries removing restrictions in an attempt to live with Covid. The tourism-reliant Southeast Asian country, known for its…
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At the 11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Thailand expressed grave concern over the worsening hostilities and violence in Ukraine. Dr. Suriya Chindawongse, Thailand’s Permanent…
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Yangon (AFP) – A leading Myanmar actor, singer and model jailed for supporting pro-democracy protests has been pardoned and released, his legal team said on Wednesday. Paing Takhon, 25 — a…
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At least 13 people were killed and four others missing after a tourist boat capsized Saturday in bad weather off the coast of Hoi An, a world heritage-listed Vietnamese city,…
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ASEAN is “deeply concerned” over the evolving situation and hostilities in Ukraine, according to a statement released Saturday, after Russian troops began military assaults on key Ukrainian cities. “We call…
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At least two people died when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Friday, with residents shuttling loved ones to safety as buildings crumbled around them. The quake came…
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Vietnam to fully reopen to international visitors from 15th March. According to the proposal, visitors will no longer need to be part of package tours and only need to meet…
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Hosted by Thailand for the past four decades, the Indo-Pacific multination war games known as Cobra Gold make headlines every year – not just for military affairs but also for…
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PHNOM PENH, Feb 17 (Reuters) – A special Southeast Asian envoy to the crisis in Myanmar on Thursday said he was seeking to visit the country next month and appealed…
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Thailand will join 57 other countries from the Indo-Pacific region to discuss a range of issues related to defence and security, digital connectivity and transnational issues, such as climate change…
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Cambodia said on Tuesday that Myanmar had confirmed its absence from this week’s meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a day after its ruling military criticised neighbours…
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Like many of her male counterparts who regularly endure long and exhausting ocean research expeditions, the braving of challenging environs makes for a typical workday for Aileen Tan Shau Hwai,…
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The race to lead the Philippines kicked off Tuesday, with the son and namesake of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favourite to succeed authoritarian firebrand Rodrigo Duterte and return his clan to…
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It must be the first time that the leaders of Russia and China have met exclusively and mentioned ASEAN during their discussion. Annually, each of them held bilateral meetings with…
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(Reuters) – Every day for the last three months, an average of six or seven families in Myanmar have posted notices in the country’s state-owned newspapers cutting ties with sons, daughters, nieces,…
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Myanmar will send U Chan Aye, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to attend the upcoming ASEAN ministerial retreat in Phnom Penh, according to an informed source in Phnom Penh. The…
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In this second year of the Myanmar coup, activities by all parties are expected to accelerate. The stakes are high for all stakeholders as Myanmar’s military digs in. Nine prominent…
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While Gen Min Aung Hlaing’s coup against a civilian government one year ago has failed to achieve national unity and peace as promised, the unprecedented uprising of Myanmar’s people is…
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On this day (February 1st) twelve months ago, Myanmar’s promising future, coming out of a COVID-19 lockdown, was squashed by a military coup. The following months were tumultuous, rife with…
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Streets emptied and shops shuttered across Myanmar on Tuesday as people defied junta orders to go about their business with a silent strike on the first anniversary of the military coup. The junta that ended the Southeast Asian country’s brief democratic interlude…
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ASEAN foreign ministers will hold their first informal meeting under the new chair on February 16th and 17th in Phnom Penh in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation, according to…
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The pandemic, followed by a coup. Myanmar couldn’t have it any harder. Amidst the chaos and woes, one of the rays of hope was what could be described as “Burmese…
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JAKARTA, Jan 24 (Reuters) – Indonesia opened up two islands close to Singapore to visitors from the city-state on Monday, officials said, as part of calibrated moves to reboot its…
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Last week, US President Joe Biden sent a letter to ASEAN leaders assuring them that the proposed special US-ASEAN summit is still on the agenda, according to a highly placed…
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Twitter has suspended hundreds of accounts reportedly linked to supporters of Philippine presidential frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr, which the social media giant said had violated its rules on manipulation and…
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Energy giants TotalEnergies and Chevron said Friday they would leave Myanmar following pressure from human rights groups to cut financial ties with the military junta since last year’s military coup….
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A week following the February 1st, 2021 coup in Myanmar, the whole nation erupted with protests in many forms, involving people from many walks of life, including, but not limited…
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PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – Cambodia resumed on Wednesday the treason trial of banned opposition party leader Kem Sokha after a two-year delay due to the pandemic, in a case condemned by the United…
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Jakarta (AFP) – Indonesia’s parliament on Tuesday passed a law approving the relocation of its capital from slowly sinking Jakarta to a site 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) away on jungle-clad Borneo…
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JAKARTA, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Indonesia reported 1,054 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the highest daily increase in three months, as the government braces for a new wave of coronavirus…
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Yangon (AFP) – A Myanmar junta court has hit ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi with five new corruption charges related to the alleged hiring and purchase of a…
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SINGAPORE, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Singapore’s leader said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should continue excluding Myanmar’s junta from its meeting until it cooperates on an agreed peace…
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Cambodia said on Wednesday it had postponed a meeting of foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) scheduled for next week, because some ministers had expressed “difficulties”…
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Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin will attend the ASEAN ministerial retreat in Siem Reap on January 18-19 in person, according to a highly placed source. The source said that…
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On January 7th, 2022, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen became the first national leader to visit Myanmar’s junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Before Hun Sen even set foot…
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