Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia joins rest of the world contributing humanitarian aid with a RM20 million pledged to help earthquake victims in Turkiye and Syria.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the contribution included US$1 million each from the Malaysian government and the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, with the remaining donations from various parties, including local companies.

BEIJING, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- China will actively support and help Türkiye and Syria to overcome the impacts of the recent devastating earthquakes as soon as possible, an official from the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) said on Monday.

Zheng Yuandong, an official with the CIDCA, said that China has been actively providing support and assistance in the two countries since the massive earthquakes hit in Türkiye and Syria.

TOKYO (AP) — The Japanese economy grew at an annual pace of 0.6% in October-December, the government reported Tuesday, managing to eke out growth after a contraction in the previous quarter.

The world’s third-largest economy has struggled amid restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic, a shortage of imported parts from China and rising prices — especially energy — worsened by inflationary pressures and the war in Ukraine.

But the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, both abroad and in Japan, has helped a recovery in tourism and other economic activity.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The United States renewed a warning that it would defend its treaty ally if Filipino forces come under attack in the disputed South China Sea, after a Chinese coast guard ship allegedly hit a Philippine patrol vessel with military-grade laser that briefly blinded some of its crew.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila sent a strongly worded diplomatic protest to the Chinese Embassy Tuesday that “condemned the shadowing, harassment, dangerous maneuvers, directing of military-grade laser, and illegal radio challenges” by the Chinese ship.

Hong Kong (AP) — The United States consul general no longer needs to secure China’s approval before meeting officials in the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong, after a rule put in place during heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing was relaxed.

Under the new requirement, which started in November, Beijing must be given prior notice, replacing a previous arrangement that required the top diplomat to seek permission from China’s foreign affairs office in the city before having such meetings, the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

PHNOM PENH, Feb 13 (NNN-AKP) – Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, left here this morning, for a two-day official visit to neighbouring Laos, a senior official said.

Sry Thamarong, a minister attached to the prime minister, said that, in Vientiane, Hun Sen will hold bilateral talks with his Laotian counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone, to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral ties in all areas.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Crude palm oil (CPO) prices in Malaysia, are projected to ease this year, on stocks normalisation, analysts have foreseen today.

MIDF Research said in a note that, it expects Malaysian local delivery prices for CPO to be lower this year, ranging between 3,000 ringgit (687.76 U.S. dollars) and 4,000 ringgit, on expectation of normalisation closing stocks of two million tonnes to 2.1 million tonnes.

MANILA, Feb 13 (NNN-PNA) – An organisation fighting for justice for Philippine sexual slavery victims of the Japanese army, during World War ll, said today that, it “staunchly opposes” the planned security pact among the Philippines, Japan and the United States.

The group, Lila Pilipina, expressed concern about “the possibility of the Philippines being used as cannon fodder” after the Philippine government said, it will study a tripartite agreement with the U.S. and Japan, as part of strengthening the alliance.

BEIJING (AP) — The United States Navy and Marine Corps are holding joint exercises in the South China Sea at a time of heightened tensions with Beijing over the shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon.

The 7th Fleet based in Japan said Sunday that the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier strike group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been conducting “integrated expeditionary strike force operations” in the South China Sea.

TOKYO (AP) — The next president at Japan’s top automaker Toyota, Koji Sato, introduced a management team Monday that he said will lead an aggressive push on electric vehicles.

Sato stressed that “electrification” is a key theme for his team and promised to develop a totally new, next-generation electric vehicle by 2026.

That will be a Lexus, while Toyota Motor Corp. will also beef up all its EV model offerings, Sato said.

“Lexus will lead the move,” he told reporters at a news conference in Tokyo. “I see myself as the captain of the soccer team.”