Philippines fears El Nino drought will cut rice yields (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A possible drought caused by the El Nino weather system could slash Philippines rice yields this year, the government warned Tuesday, as Manila prepared to deal with any possible crisis.
Thailand: Japan selecting first Myanmar refugees for resettlement (AlertNet)
Source: UNHCR Japanese government officials are visiting Mae La refugee camp in northern Thailand today (Tuesday, 02 Feb.) to begin interviewing refugees from Myanmar who have applied for resettlement to Japan. …
Philippine Agency Approves PHP16.9 Billion Toll Road Project (Fox News)
Philippine Agency Approves PHP16.9 Billion Toll Road Project
Jailed Philippine senator a big spender on travel (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A jailed Philippine senator claimed thousands of dollars in travel expenses while languishing in prison on rebellion charges, making him one of the most expensive lawmakers in the country.
Establishment of Vietnam Laos joint stock company to exploit Vung Ang Port approved (Nh n D n)
Nhan Dan The Government has agreed in principle to set up a joint stock company in compliance with the Vietnam s laws with the participation of some enterprises from Vietnam and Laos in order to exploit and use the Vung Ang Sea Port.
Burma/Myanmar (Complete Review)
A review, and links to other information about and reviews of Burma/Myanmar: What Everyone Needs to Know by David I. Steinberg.
Singapore down for 3rd day, Malaysia gains (The Malaysian Insider)
BANGKOK, Feb 2 Singapore stocks fell for a third session today and most other Southeast Asian stock markets ended lower, failing to hold on to early optimism after strong US manufacturing data. Singapore s index finished 0.56 percent lower, with Singapore Airlines losing more than 1 per cent. After the close it reported a 19.7 percent rise in quarterly profit after a recovery in cargo volume …
Speech by the Singaporean Defence Minister at the Singapore Airshow Opening Ceremony (Defence Professionals)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean: …
Two markers on Vietnam-Cambodia border planted (Nh n D n)
Markers No 81 and No 84 on the Vietnam-Cambodia land border were planted on January 29-30 at the witness of diplomats, border guards and local residents of the two countries.
Indonesian man loses six teeth when cigarette explodes (BBC News)
An Indonesian man is given compensation after a cigarette he was smoking exploded, taking out six teeth.
Malaysia Sodomy Trial: Opposition Leader Blames Politics (Time Magazine)
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim faces new criminal charges for sodomy. Many say the trial will determine his future chances for becoming Prime Minister
Obama, Family Plan Trip to Boyhood Indonesian School in March (Bloomberg via Yahoo! News)
Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama will bring his wife and children on a trip next month to Indonesia, where he spent part of his childhood, as the U.S. seeks closer ties with the nation that has the world s largest Muslim population.
Thailand can quash insurgency by year-end: minister (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said Tuesday that his government is capable of quashing insurgency violence in the country’s restive south by year-end.
Obama to travel to Indonesia, Australia in March (AFP via Yahoo! News)
US President Barack Obama will make what will be an emotional journey with his family to his childhood home of Indonesia in March, and will also visit Australia, the White House announced on Monday.
