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.



news.ku.dk Leading scientists and experts in the field of rhino conservation state in a new paper that it is safe to consider the Sumatran rhinoceros extinct in the wild in Malaysia. The survival of the Sumatran rhino now depends on the 100 or fewer remaining individuals in the wild in Indonesia and the nine rhinos in captivity.



cnbc.com Yale law professor and author Amy Chua, better known as the iron-fisted Asian-American Tiger Mom, is exporting her parenting style to Singapore, with the launch of an after-school enrichment center in the tuition-crazy city-state.



thediplomat.com While Indonesia has made some adjustments to its ''sink the vessels'' policy over time, it has thus far been unwilling to shelve the idea altogether, even amidst opposition by neighboring states. Jakarta insists that the policy is not only needed - given the scale of the problem, the failure of previous approaches, and the centrality of the maritime realm to Indonesia's ambitions - but also within its legal rights.



cambodiadaily.com Cambodia is still among the 10 most at-risk countries in the world for money laundering and terrorist financing, despite being one of two countries that saw the greatest improvements, according to an annual global index.



thedrinksbusiness.com Japan's Kirin Holdings has taken control of Myanmar Brewery (MBL), Burma's largest brewery, in a deal worth US$560 million.



abc.net.au Recently, senior Government ministers in Canberra argued that Australia should not legalise same-sex marriage because it would put the country out of step with many of our Asian neighbors. ''Vietnam has only started this process,'' Dy Khoa said. ''We still have a long way to go. But Australia? A modern country? Why are they so scared? I can't understand it.''

cnbc.com The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) devalued the dong (VND) by 1 percent against the dollar - its third adjustment so far this year - and simultaneously widened the trading band to 3 percent from 2 percent previously, the second increase in six days.



bbc.com The Philippines army has said two coast guard personnel kidnapped and held hostage by Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf managed to escape during a raid. The two men fled the jungle camp in the southern province of Sulu during the two-hour gun battle.



prolificnorth.co.uk Manchester United has signed its first ''official casino resort'' partner in Asia. Donaco runs leisure and entertainment operations in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and South Korea, as well as the Star Vegas Resort & Club in Cambodia and Aristo International Hotel in Vietnam.