Malaysia's shop sign rule sparks ethnic tension, tourism concerns

SEOUL, November 28 (AJP) - Kuala Lumpur city authorities launched a crackdown on Nov. 21 enforcing regulations that require all advertising signs to display Malay language text larger than other languages, following former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's criticism of Chinese-language dominated signage on Nov. 18. Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing warned on Sunday that "Kuala Lumpur's decision raises questions about Malaysia's openness and inclusivity among touris

November 28, 2024

Philippines vice president faces probe over assassination remarks against Marcos

SEOUL, November 27 (AJP) - The Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation summoned Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday after she claimed in an online press conference that she had instructed her security detail to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family if she were to be assassinated. President Marcos responded in a video message on Monday, stating "There were death threats" and "I will fight and not let such things happen," while Duterte l

November 27, 2024

Landslides, floods kill 16, leave 6 missing in Indonesia's Sumatra

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - At least 16 people have died and six others remain missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and floods across Indonesia's Sumatra island, according to local media reports, Monday. In North Sumatra's Karo region, six people died and four others, including two children, went missing after landslides buried several hillside villages, while in Padang Lawas area, a family of four, including two children, died when their house collapsed. Addition

November 26, 2024

China plans $193 million support for Myanmar junta

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - China is set to provide 1 billion yuan ($193 million) to Myanmar's military government for 20 different projects, including infrastructure, surveillance systems and census operations, Myanmar Now reported on Sunday, citing internal documents from the junta's Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations. The financial support was reportedly finalized during junta chief Min Aung Hlaing's first visit to China earlier this month since th

November 25, 2024

Fire in Manila slum destroys 1,000 homes

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - A massive fire swept through a seaside slum in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, burning down approximately 1,000 houses in the impoverished Tondo district, local fire officials said. Authorities deployed 36 fire trucks, four fireboats, and two air force helicopters to battle the blaze, which began on the second floor of a residential building around 8 a.m., Nov. 24. The fire tore through wooden stilt houses in the densely populated area, home to about

November 25, 2024

Myanmar tops global landmine casualties with over 1,000 victims in 2023

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - Myanmar recorded 1,003 confirmed landmine and explosive casualties in 2023, surpassing Syria (933), Afghanistan (651), and Ukraine (580) to become the world's most affected country, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) reported on Thursday. The actual number could be significantly higher due to limited access and lack of medical monitoring systems in the conflict-torn nation, ICBL officials told reporters. "How many more? Double? T

November 22, 2024

Thai woman sentenced to death for killing at least 14 people

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - A Bangkok court on Wednesday sentenced 37-year-old Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn to death for killing at least 14 people with cyanide between 2015 and 2023, with one victim surviving the poisonings. The court found Sararat guilty of fatally poisoning a woman in her 30s last April, luring the victim to the Maeklong River in Bangkok for a fish-release ceremony before administering cyanide-laced food and water. Police investigations revealed Sararat, who showe

November 22, 2024

Thailand to give 10,000 baht handout to 4 million elderly in new stimulus

SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Thailand's economic revival policy committee agreed to provide cash handouts of 10,000 baht ($285) to about 4 million elderly citizens by Lunar New Year in early February, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichaya Chunhavan announced on Tuesday. The 40-billion-baht ($1.14 billion) program targets citizens aged 60 and above with monthly incomes under 70,000 baht and bank savings below 500,000 baht. "We think this group needs help,"

November 21, 2024

Indonesia to hand over death row inmate to the Philippines

SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Indonesia has approved the transfer of Mary Jane Veloso, a 39-year-old Filipino death row inmate convicted of drug trafficking in 2010, to the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos announced on Wednesday, following more than a decade of diplomatic negotiations. "After more than a decade of diplomatic work and consultation with the Indonesian government, we have managed to defer her execution indefinitely and finally reached an agreement to bring h

November 21, 2024