Singapore Airlines plans cabin upgrade for long-haul fleet

SEOUL, November 06 (AJP) - Singapore Airlines announced on Monday a US$820 million investment to upgrade cabins across all classes in its fleet of 41 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with the first refurbished planes set to debut in the second quarter of 2026. The carrier will introduce a new "Luxury First Class" on seven ultra-long-haul aircraft, while also renovating business and economy cabins. "We will provide an enhanced premium travel experience with added privacy and

November 6, 2024

Indonesia's GDP growth slips below 5% for first time in a year

SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - Indonesia's economic growth fell to 4.95 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, dropping below 5 percent for the first time since the third quarter of 2022, the statistics bureau (BPS) reported on Tuesday. The slowdown was primarily driven by weak household consumption, which accounts for half of GDP, growing only 4.91 percent due to sluggish clothing and footwear sales. Manufacturing production increased by 4.72 percent, while major apparel

November 6, 2024

Myanmar's junta chief to make first China visit since 2021 coup

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - Senior General Min Aung Hlaing will visit China for the first time since seizing power in a 2021 coup, attending the Mekong Summit in Kunming on Nov 6-7, according to AFP on Monday. The visit comes as Myanmar's military faces increasing pressure from rebel forces, with China recently closing its borders with rebel-held territories and encouraging dialogue between some armed groups and the junta. During the visit, Min Aung Hlaing will meet with officials

November 5, 2024

Volcano kills six in Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands, highest alert issued

SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - Six people died after multiple eruptions at Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores island, eastern Indonesia, with volcanic ash reaching 2 kilometers high and engulfing nearby villages in hot brown ash early Monday, the disaster management agency reported. Indonesian authorities raised the volcanic alert to the highest level 4, evacuating residents from five villages and imposing a 7-kilometer exclusion zone around the crater. Officials warned of potential flo

November 5, 2024

Typhoon Zamii claims 12 lives in Viet Nam after landfall

SEOUL, November 04 (AJP) - At least 12 people have died and seven were injured in Viet Nam's Quang Binh province after Typhoon Zamii made landfall, following its deadly passage through the Philippines where it killed about 150 people, local media VN Express reported on Saturday. Vietnamese authorities evacuated 9,300 households and reported 34,000 homes submerged in floodwater. The storm, combined with a cold front between Oct. 25 to 29, triggered heavy rainfall reaching 1,210mm

November 4, 2024

Teen dies from phone charging electrocution on Malaysia bus

SEOUL, November 04 (AJP) - A teenager was electrocuted while charging his mobile phone on an express bus in Penang, northern Malaysia, authorities said on Sunday. The 18-year-old collapsed just 10 minutes into his journey to Kuala Lumpur on Friday, with witnesses reporting he foamed at the mouth before losing consciousness. Police Chief Anuar Abdul Rahman said preliminary investigations revealed burn marks on the victim's left fingers, while the charging cable was found melted a

November 4, 2024

VinFast secures $1 billion investment from UAE consortium

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast has secured a minimum $1 billion investment from UAE investors led by Emirates Driving Company (EDC), sources said Thursday. The non-binding agreement follows VinFast's MOU with EDC on Tuesday for collaboration on EV development and driver training, as the automaker seeks to improve its financial position after reporting a 27 percent increase in quarterly losses to 18.76 trillion dong ($442 million). The comp

November 1, 2024

At least 14 killed in Philippines Muslim rebel group infighting

SEOUL, November 01 (AJP) - At least 14 people were killed when commanders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) clashed in Pagalungan city in southern Philippines' Maguindanao del Sur province on Wednesday, military officials said. Army Lt. Col. Roden Auburn told AP that authorities were working with both faction leaders to identify bodies, while Vice Mayor Abdilla Mamasabulod said up to 19 people may have died in the conflict that erupted over a 2.9-square-kilometer farml

November 1, 2024

Electric taxis spark price war in Vietnam as operators cut fares by half

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Vietnamese taxi operators Mai Linh and Taxi 123 have launched electric vehicle services using VinFast's VF 3 model in northern provinces, offering base fares of 9,000 dong ($0.37) and per-kilometer rates of 6,000 dong, roughly half the price of traditional gasoline-powered taxis. The competitive pricing stems from significantly lower operating costs, with electric charging expenses at 300-400 dong per kilometer, compared to 2,000 dong for conventional f

October 31, 2024

Thailand, Myanmar, Laos agree to combat air pollution through 2030

SEOUL, October 31 (AJP) - Thailand, Myanmar and Laos have agreed Tuesday to implement a joint "Clear Sky Strategy 2024 to 2030" plan to tackle hazardous air pollution across their borders, as Southeast Asian nations brace for worsening air quality in the upcoming dry season. Thai Foreign Minister Marit Saengyoumpong said the three countries would coordinate efforts to address pollution from industrial, transportation, agricultural, and forest fire sources, with PM2.5 level

October 31, 2024