Malaysia:
* Cabinet in ‘working retreat’ at Sri Perdana
* Cabinet ministers join senior civil service officers for retreat to boost unity, strengthen govt machinery
* Covid-19 Watch: 287 new cases, says Health Ministry
* New PAC should continue probe into Defence Ministry land swap, say analysts
* PM: Accept the fact I have people’s mandate
* Decision on top two posts final, says Zahid
* Rift deepens in Umno after no-contest decision
* Ismail Sabri: Motion may have violated party constitution
* Lembah Subang man detained for assaulting, threatening daughter
* First ‘awake brain surgery’ carried out in Sabah
* Bursa Malaysia likely to trend higher from Monday (Jan 15) onwards
* Strong ringgit trend to continue this week; expected to trade between RM4.3250 and RM4.3450
Singapore:
* Singapore’s Energy Market Authority to issue bonds as part of RM6.57bil programme to finance green energy transition
* No increased stroke risk from bivalent Covid-19 vaccine, says Singapore Ministry of Health
* Received parcels you never ordered? You may be a victim of ‘brushing’ in Singapore
* Religious bodies have key role in tackling family violence in Singapore, says minister
* Sound of melting glaciers could help to better predict sea level rise, says Singapore scientist
* Zambry to host Singapore’s Foreign Minister until Wednesday (Jan 18)
* Company holds S$4.35mil dinner for 26,000 staff in Taiwan
* Ex-reporter loses S$3mil through scam in Singapore
Indonesia’s Muhammad Rian Ardianto (left) and Fajar Alfian celebrate with their trophies after defeating China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang during their men’s doubles final badminton match at Bukit Jalil Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023. – AP
Indonesia:
* Indonesia’s car sales in 2022 reach over one million units
* Earthquake hits western Indonesia; country also on major alert following frequent volcano eruptions
* Indonesia govt urges vigilance after liquid nitrogen-infused snack causes stomach burns among kids
* Indonesia December trade surplus seen at US$4.01bil, lowest in seven months
* Indonesia’s capital move mirrors its Dutch history
* Uproar over controversial labour law in Indonesia
* Indonesia: Calls for vigilance after poisoning cases
* Indonesia sends warship to monitor Chinese coast guard vessel
Thailand:
* Thailand tops online search list for Lunar New Year travel, says data
* Thailand’s National Telecom reports RM210mil profit as revenue edges up
* Thai beauty queen wows New Orleans and astonishes public with glittering gown made from pull tabs
* Fugitive wanted by FBI for stock fraud arrested in Thailand’s Phuket province
* Thailand launches tourism promotion campaign to boost economy
* Electric tuk-tuk innovator MuvMi to triple fleet in Thailand as demand soars
Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization, presents the ImpactWayv Challenge Award to Miss Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam during the final round of the 71st Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. – AP
Philippines:
* Philippines earmarks over US$322 million to build roads to tourism spots
* Philippine president to promote country’s economic role, look for partners at Davos
* Philippines: Imelda Marcos musical set to hit the Broadway stage this summer
* Death toll in Philippine storms in January rises to 27
* Philippines to harness mining as potential economic driver
Vietnam:
* Key Apple partners plan expansion in South-East Asia in 2023; Vietnam major venue for investors
* Vietnam offshore wind power sparks influx of foreign investment, reports Nikkei Asia
* MMEA detain four Vietnamese fishing boats, 24 crew
* Departing coach Park focused on Vietnam’s push for victory
* Vietnam’s ruling party makes leaders accountable for alleged corruption occurring under their watch
People walk past tangerines for sale ahead of the Lunar New Year of the Rabbit in Manila’s Chinatown district. – AFP
Myanmar:
* China-Myanmar border towns eye revival after Covid trauma
* Major Myanmar-China border crossing partially reopens
* Israel’s Cognyte won tender to sell intercept spyware to Myanmar before coup,say documents
* Myanmar air strike kills five, including mother and toddler
Cambodia:
* An American and Nigerian jailed for 25 years in Cambodia for drug trafficking
* Cambodian PM pays visit to Maldives and complete signings for trade agreements
* Over 5,000 fish from endangered species put in rivers
Laos:
* Laos capital Vientiane records 4.83% economic growth in 2022
* Laos’ foreign trade surpasses US$1 billion in December
Brunei:
* Brunei’s economy posts positive growth in seven quarters
* Brunei’s consumer price index increases 3.1 per cent in November
India’s Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the third and final one-day international (ODI) cricket match between India and Sri Lanka at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, January 15, 2023. He finished the game not out on 166 runs. – AFP
AseanPlus:
* Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel wins Miss Universe competition
* Plane with 72 people on board crashes in Nepal
* At least 64 confirmed killed in Nepal’s worst air crash in 30 years (update)
* Japan PM hopeful for ties as S. Korea looks to resolve wartime dispute
* Michelle Yeoh ‘fights’ her way to Hollywood glory
* Malaysia takes leading role in carbon markets push
* China’s 2022 growth seen as its lowest in 40 years
* It’s hockey fever in India as hosts get off to flying start
* You can now visit this former ghost town in Japan – Fukushima prefecture in Japan is no longer a ghost town today.
* ‘World’s most durable DJ’ dies aged 98 in Hong Kong
* Ray Cordeiro, Hong Kong DJ who broadcast for 6 decades, dies at 98
* Travel comes back to life in China
* China govt continues to tackle noise pollution in 2021-2025
* North Korean spy ring uncovered in South Korea
* China’s Covid-19 death toll at 60,000 in a month, says health authority
* US and Japan vow stronger security cooperation to counter China’s rapid economic and military growth
* Blackpink first K-pop girl group to be nominated for Brit Award
* Tennis-Nadal launches title defence as Australian Open ushers in new era
