CAMBODIA
1.NEW SEZ TO STIMULATE ECONOMY -- FRESH NEWS
The Cambodia Investment Board is planning to establish a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kampong Speu Province. Covering 455 hectares, the SEZ aims to propel industrial development, attract investment and promote regional economic growth.
2.MORE DISPLACED PEOPLE RETURN HOME -- FRESH NEWS
About 470,000 displaced individuals from the Cambodian-Thailand border conflict have returned to their homes. Out of over 640,000 displaced people, 178,894 are residing in temporary camps.
INDONESIA
1.ACEH GETS 104 PERMANENT HOMES FOR FLOOD AND LANDSLIDE VICTIMS - ANTARA
Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah said the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs has built 104 permanent housing units for flood and landslide victims in Gampong Kuala Cangkoi, Lapang District, North Aceh.
2.NO PLAN FOR PRABOWO-TRUMP MEETING YET AS GOVT FINALIZES TARIFF DEAL - THE JAKARTA POST
The Foreign Ministry has neither received information about, nor made preparations for, a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and his United States counterpart Donald Trump, despite earlier government statements suggesting both leaders would meet to finalize the tariff agreement between the two countries.
LAOS
1.SISOULITH RE-ELECTED AS PARTY LEADER -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on Thursday re-elected Thongloun Sisoulith as the party’s secretary general for a second term. On February 22, citizens will vote to select their representatives for the National Assembly during the nationwide election.
2.LAO-VIETNAM RAIL CONNECTIVITY UNDER STUDY -- VIENTIANE TIMES
The government will conduct feasibility studies on the construction of a railway link between Vientiane and Pakse city in southern Laos, and between Laos and Vietnam. Both projects will strengthen regional connectivity and spur economic growth.
MYANMAR
1.MODERNISING FARM MACHINERY PRODUCTION -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
The government will enhance the agriculture sector, as it remains the country's main economic pillar. Priorities include boosting farm machinery production, ensuring a sufficient number of skilled workers, and conducting research.
2.HOSTING TRADITIONAL SNACKS CONTEST -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
A competition will be held for traditional snack vendors on January 3. Participants can compete in various traditional Myanmar snacks, including Monhinga, coconut noodles and steamed sticky rice.
PHILIPPINES
1.PBBM: NAZARENE DEVOTEES’ STORIES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR ‘WISER GOVERNANCE’-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasised the need for a more effective and responsive governance, as he reflected on the stories and prayers of Jesus Nazareno devotees.
2.COOLER AIR, LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS EXPECTED FOR TRASLACION 2026-- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Cooler air and partly cloudy skies with light rain showers brought by the northeast monsoon or "amihan' will greet the expected millions of devotees joining the Feast of Black Nazarene in Quiapo for the Traslacion on Friday.
SINGAPORE
1.CABBY AND PASSENGER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER PIE ACCIDENT CAUSES COMFORTDELGRO TAXI TO OVERTURN-- THE STRAITS TIMES
A taxi driver and his passenger were taken to hospital after an accident that led to a ComfortDelGro taxi turning turtle on the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) on the morning of Jan 8.
2.CAUTIOUS HIRING EXPECTED IN 2026, WITH EMPLOYERS LEANING TOWARDS CONTRACT JOBS, ANALYSTS SAY-- CNA
While Singapore’s job market held out in 2025, albeit with some anxieties over fresh graduate employment, jobseekers are expected to enter a cautious hiring market in 2026, analysts said.
THAILAND
1.COLD SURGE HITS UPPER THAILAND: TEMPS FALL 1-2°C, ROUGH SEAS IN THE GULF -- THE NATION
Thailand’s weather bureau warns of cooler to colder conditions in the North, Northeast and upper Central regions as a China high-pressure system brings strong winds and rough seas.
2.PEOPLE'S PARTY 'WON'T SUPPORT ANUTIN' -- BANGKOK POST
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement and a campaign assistant to the People's Party (PP), gave assurances the party would not vote in favour of returning Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister for a second time after the Feb 8 general election.
VIETNAM
1.PEPPER EXPORTS REACH RM7 BILLION -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam exported 247,482 metric tonnes of pepper and earned a record RM7 billion (US$1.66 billion) last year. Despite being the top global pepper exporter, Vietnam faces sustainability standard regulations from international markets.
2.EXPERTS DETONATE WARTIME BOMB -- VIETNAMPLUS
An unexploded bomb found near a riverbank in the northern province of Tuyen Quang was destroyed by experts yesterday. A remnant of the past war, the bomb was considered dangerous as the detonator was intact.
-- BERNAMA
