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.



AP A trip to see fireflies has turned into tragedy in Thailand when two boats collided in the night, killing a woman from Hungary and seriously injuring a South Korean along with nearly two dozen other tourists, police said. One boat with 21 South Koreans and two Hungarians was returning at the end of its trip when it was struck by an empty boat going in reverse.



straitstimes.com Malaysia is expected to summon China's ambassador on Monday over his statements seen as interference in domestic affairs. Dr Huang Huikang was quoted by the local media as saying that China was against those who resort to violence to disrupt public order, an obvious reference to the threat by a group to hold demonstration in Petaling Street, where Chinatown is located.



rfa Politicians and activists in Myanmar have criticised an influential Buddhist national group for holding large public gatherings across the country to celebrate the passage of a set of four controversial laws, fearing the intermingling of religion with politics ahead of the November 8 general elections in a country that has suffered major inter-religious violence in recent years.



cambodiadaily.com A British man convicted of raping a teenager in Phnom Penh in 2009 had his case thrown out of the Court of Appeal, then accused a prominent NGO head of conspiring to frame him.



channelnewsasia.com Singapore Grand Prix organisers are considering tighter security for next year's race, with higher fences and more marshals, after a man intruded on to the track during last weekend's Formula One event.



reuters Worsening haze caused by forest and peatland fires on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan continued to hamper activities on land and water. Bad air quality due to forest fires has plagued the town in central Indonesia for a month.



channelnewsasia.com Vietnam will trim its state-run media and publishing sector, with the loss of about 10,000 jobs and some widely circulated newspapers, as the ruling Communist Party tightens its control over the booming industry, a report said.



abc.net.au Philippines authorities have found a boat they suspect was used by kidnappers to take a group of mainly Western hostages to an island stronghold of Islamic militants, the military says. The 25-metre outrigger boat was found on Jolo, more than 500 kilometres south-west of the Samal island resort where two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina were abducted late on Monday.



the canadian press Negotiations on the TransPacific Partnership, a massive free-trade proposal involving Canada and 11 other nations, will resume in Atlanta, Georgia today. Chief negotiators from the 12 countries, which have a combined population of 800 million people, will hold sessions through to Tuesday.