PHUKETWAN recognises the importance of Asean with the Economic Community approaching and marks what's happening around the region with a new column, Asean Today.


stuff.co.nz At least seven people have died after drinking contaminated alcohol in an Indonesian town, reports say. The victims fell ill last week after drinking liquor allegedly mixed with energy drinks and mosquito repellent in Prabumulih on Sumatra island, the Kompas daily cited local police as saying.



bbc.com A 17-year-old Singaporean has been arrested following an online rant criticising the country's recently deceased founding father Lee Kuan Yew and Christians. Amos Yee was detained on Sunday, the same day as Mr Lee's state funeral.



mmtimes.com In an annual ritual, Myanmar has been rapped again by the United Nations Human Rights Council in a resolution that extends the mandate of the UN special rapporteur for another year, following a debate that once more highlighted divisions between Western governments and Asia.

dpaThe government of Myanmar and ethnic rebel groups agreed on a draft for a long-awaited ceasefire agreement, with officials saying it could be signed next month. The breakthrough comes as heavy fighting continues between the government forces and Kokang ethnic rebels in northern Kachin state, who are not party to the agreement.



dpa The Malaysian government tabled a tough anti-terrorism bill to deal with what is seen as the growing domestic threat of extremism linked to groups such as the Islamic State group.

thestar,com.my Malaysia Airlines' customers will be charged the 6% Goods & Services Tax (GST) on applicable goods and services supplied by the national carrier when it comes into effect on April 1.



aa.com.tr Four Cambodian Buddhist monks have been defrocked after sneaking from their pagoda and being caught partying at a karaoke parlor. The Phnom Penh Post said suspicions were aroused because all four had shaven heads - a style only sported by members of the clergy or sons after a parent has passed away.



xinhua Deaths from HIV/AIDS in Laos are on the decrease but the country continues to see new cases in significant numbers, Lao News Agency KPL reported.



nytimes.com Mr Luc is one of thousands of illegal hunters draining Vietnam, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, of its animals. Its rhinoceroses have already gone extinct, and conservationists estimate that just a couple of its tigers, if any, remain. Even lesser known species like soft-shell turtles and civets are sought out for traditional medicines, food, trophies and pets.



AP A month-long Philippine offensive against hardline Muslim rebels ended Monday with 139 insurgents killed, 12 others captured and bomb-making strongholds seized by troops, the military chief said.