Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
Tropical Storm Trami made landfall in the Philippines' main island of Luzon early morning of October 23, forcing schools and government offices to shut down for a second straight day.
Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.
As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, it should focus on implementing more people-centric measures and enhancing intra-ASEAN trade, said experts.
ASEAN countries still rely on fossil-based energy in electricity growth amidst underperformed energy capacity of renewable energy in the region, according to energy think tank Ember.
The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).
The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.
Large local banks have announced reductions for their prime lending interest rates following the Bank of Thailand (BoT)'s policy rate cut, aiming to ease the financial burden for borrowers.
Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.
Flash floods have hit several regions in the Philippines as tropical storm Trami brought heavy rains and plunged many areas without power, affecting over 380,000 people, local authorities reported on October 23.
Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.
“As we reflect on the outcomes of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, it is evident that ASEAN is committed to building a future that is connected, resilient, and inclusive,” said Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Indonesia, one of the countries with largest population of Muslims in the world, has great potential and opportunity to become a major producer of halal products in the world.
Singaporean Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh co-chaired the countries’ 6th Defence Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi on October 22.
Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.
Competition in the gas station business in Thailand is heating up as companies continuously seek new services to attract customers, reflected through the opening of cafés at stations of the country’s four leading fuel companies.
The Malaysian government’s plan to cut fuel subsidies by mid-2025 is a key policy in the country’s fiscal reform strategy, but it is also bracing for a public backlash.
Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.
The Philippines has suspended government operations, closed schools, and halted foreign exchange transactions at its central bank as a tropical storm named Trami is approaching the eastern coast of Luzon.
The seventh ASEAN conference on electronic and personal data protection took place in Vientiane, Laos, on October 22, drawing 46 officials from 10 ASEAN member countries.
The Indonesian Ministry of Trade is set to carry out three key programmes aimed at transforming Indonesia into a developed country.
